foggy one tree mountain morningA holiday vision quest to mountain top was not an awesome idea with a marine layer rolling in. That was until I ascended above the marine layer and found that I was hanging out in heaven with Jesus. He told me that he is stoked his birthday is coming. So I thought it would be appropriate that I pass on to you that he hopes you have a great weekend with some of these heavenly events in this week’s Weekend, What Up!

Friday

  • Christmas sweaters tend to get a bad reputation, but wearing one at the Eagle Rock Brewery may actually benefit you this weekend. The winner gets a pint class and an Eagle Rock t-shirt. Judging begins at 8:30. 3056 Roswell Street, Los Angeles, CA. Pssst, there are holiday parties at Bootlegger’s Brewery and The Bruery too tonight!
  • Imagine the Electric Light Parade on the ocean. Dana Point Harbor has kept up this tradition for thirty-five years so far. Why not experience the thirty-sixth year this winter season? Starts at 7:30 PM by the water’s edge at Dana Point Harbor.
  • American organist David Higgs will play a program of holiday-themed music in the beautiful Walt Disney Concert Hall with featured soprano soloist Lisa Vroman. Tickets start at $24. 111 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012
  • “TRON: Legacy” is in theatres! Kodak will sponsor a light show before every screening of the film with a full scale “TRON: Legacy” Light Cycle. Occurs daily through January 20, 2011 at El Capitan Theatre 6838 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
  • Pop some bubbly and start off the holiday season right! Los Angeles Wine Tasting hosts Tour du Monde des Saveurs with Champagne Pommery from France, wine and gourmet pairings. $68 per person or $88 for two people. From 7 – 9 PM at Barker Block Lofts 521 Molino St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Saturday

  • Get your punk music fix for the holidays at the Vandals Christmas Formal. Definitely one of our fave events during this season. Tickets $15.50. Doors 7 PM, show starts at 8 PM. House of Blues Anaheim, 1530 S. Disneyland Dr. Anaheim CA 92802
  • A light show set against the snow-drenched slopes of Mammoth Mountain sounds pretty awesome. Take the Village Gondola to the Canyon Lodge and enjoy a fireworks show, torchlight parade, live music, skydivers, and more. The event is free, but visitors can pay a premium to view the festivities from the rooftops ($35 adult/$20 child) or from the Cloverleaf Club Room ($50 adult/$35 child). The Village Gondola runs through 10 PM, and the festival begins at 5 PM at Canyon Lodge. 3399 Main Street, Mammoth Lakes, CA
  • Get into the holiday spirit at the Santa Monica Pub Crawl, which helps raise food and money for those in need through a partnership with the Westside Food Bank. Sign up online, choose a route, and bring a minimum of three non-perishable food items to drop at donation barrels. Dress in holiday attire and become a part of the giving atmosphere at 5 PM in Santa Monica, CA.
  • What’s better than one beer? A beer you can drink forever… Learn about sustainable beers at Priceless Times at Verdugo Bar. Live music will be supplied by DJ Tonearm, with food supplied by the Mandoline Grill. Come join the fun at 3408 Verdugo Road, Glassell Park, CA.
  • Stop by the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market any day from this Saturday to next Friday, on Christmas Eve. Carolers, arts and crafts, live music, and more will enhance the festive mood. A complete schedule of events is available on the Farmer’s Market Website. All activities are free!
  • Marvel in wonder at Stevie Wonder, as he wondrously wanders the wonders of music. The man himself will be having a benefit concert in the Nokia Theatre. Tickets start at $55. 777 Chick Hearn Court, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Sunday

  • Play with animals and snow while enjoying food and tunes at the Gentle Barn’s Winter Wonderland. $10 donation suggested. 10 AM – 2 PM. 15825 Sierra Hwy Santa Clarita, CA 91390
  • Tchaichovsky’s famed opus The Nutcracker sees its annual performance at the Fred Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks, California. Performances run at 2 and 7 PM on Saturday and at 2 and 6 PM on Sunday. Ticket information is available on the website. 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, California 91362

All Weekend Long

  • The Ventura Harbor has a Whoville-themed boat parade, which starts off early in the day featuring rides and games on the Ventura Harbor Village Main Lawn. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus make surprise appearances between 5:30 and 8:00 PM, while Dr. Seuss characters roam the promenade. Friday and Saturday. 1583 Spinnaker Drive Ventura, CA 93001
  • Newport Beach will be the site of a dazzling Christmas light show, as multi-million dollar yachts, kayaks, canoes, and other small boats light up the night sky. Costumed carolers and music will cap off what the New York Times says is “one of the top ten holiday happenings in the nation.” Starts off at Bay Island at 6:30 PM and finishes at the same site at approximately 9:00 PM each evening. Runs rain or shine.
  • Broadway singer Ben Vereen takes the stage at the Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood, CA. Tickets are $30, with either dinner or two drinks minimum required. Doors open for dinner an hour and a half before the Friday show and a half hour before the Saturday show.
  • Embrace the winter weather and hit up the Pershing Square outdoor skating rink, which features a host of free events, including a holiday concert series, a Winter Holiday Fiesta, championship skating exhibitions, and more. Admission starts at $6. 532 South Olive, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Relive the Mexican-Indian fiesta of Las Posadas. Candlelit processions, singing of hymns, and bread and hot chocolate are all part of the proceedings. Small business owners on Olvera Street share this cultural tradition from December 16th to the 24th, so this event is running all weekend long. Starts at the Avila Adobe at 7:30 PM.