Deck the concert halls
This holiday season, a number of shows and events are bringing the Christmas spirit to Los Angeles.
December 13, 2017
Although Diamond Bar may not be filled with snowflakes and spectacular neighborhood lights, Christmas cheer can still be felt from a variety of nearby concerts and shows throughout the month.
The world renowned American Ballet Theatre will perform thirteen shows of the beloved Nutcracker starting Dec. 7 at the Segerstrom Center of the Arts in Costa Mesa. This holiday favorite features choreography by Alexei Ratmansky and costumes and sets crafted by Richard Hudson. The Nutcracker chronicles Clara, a young girl on a mystical journey from a mundane Christmas Eve party to the Land of Sweets. This ballet captures childhood wonder and is quintessential holiday event. Tickets can be purchased on the Segerstrom Center of the Arts website, starting at $29.
Another cherished holiday classic is Charles Dicken’s insightful “A Christmas Carol.” This year, the Tony Award-winning theatre, South Coast Repertory, will tell the story of Ebenzer Scrooge and his adventure of self-awareness and redemption through a play. Scrooge, an old and unappreciative cheapskate, is visited by the ghost of his old business partner Jacob Marley, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.
The South Coast Repertory embellishes the original Dickens story with a few simple details that add depth and a distinctive flair to the time-honored plot. The tickets for the play can be found on the South Coast Repertory’s website with prices starting at $29.
The Winter Fest OC is an outdoor festival that has everything from carnival rides to the world’s largest rocking chair. The whole family can enjoy the plethora of activities including a petting zoo, an ice rink, a snow play area and a meet and greet with Santa Claus. The ticket prices start at $5 and can be found on their website.
Another fun outdoor event is the annual Los Angeles Zoo Lights display. With stunning animal-themed displays made up of thousands of LED lights, it is no wonder that the L.A. Zoo Lights display has become a favorite of Los Angeles residents and visitors alike. The display will be open nightly until Jan. 7, except for Christmas and Christmas Eve, and adult tickets start at $14.95.
One of the most endearing aspects of Christmas is the season’s jolly and fun music. The Los Angeles Philharmonic will be leading their annual Holiday Sing-Along at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Dec. 16. Classics like “Silent Night” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” will be overall performance. The tickets start at $33 and can be found on the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s website.
For those looking for a more local option, the Alley Cats, an award winning Doo-Wop a capella group, will be performing “Christmas with the Alley Cats” at Curtis Theater in Brea. The group, which has performed all over the world with stars such as Frankie Valli and Conan O’Brien, will perform a mix of traditional Christmas carols and classic Doo-Wop tunes. Doo-wop is a soulful genre of vocal music that reached its peak in the 1950s and 1960s, but is not performed very often today, so the Alley Cats’ performance will be a unique experience for all listeners. The show will run three performances from Dec. 16-17, and tickets start at $18.
