Dana Point Harbor is pleased to welcome a “Tiki Holiday” to the harbor as the 45th Annual Boat Parade of Lights returns on December 6, 7, 13 and 14. Families are invited to enjoy festive tiki-themed activities and live entertainment, restaurant offerings, visits with Santa, and the famous parade of local boats adorned with dazzling holiday lights. Each event date will kick off with entertainment along the harbor beginning at 4:30 p.m. followed by the Boat Parade of Lights at 7:30 p.m.

“The boat parade truly captures the essence of Dana Point,” said Bryon Ward of Dana Point Harbor Partners and President of Burnham Ward Properties. “Dana Point Harbor Partners is excited to continue this highly anticipated holiday tradition celebrating community, culture and the legacy of the harbor.”

Each evening of the event, Dana Point Harbor will present a lineup of tiki-themed entertainment including hula dancers, face painters, seasonal carolers, a Volkswagen photo booth bus, and a photo opportunity with Mr. Claus himself.

Dana Point Harbor Partners are working together on all aspects of the boat parade and landside activities to bring the community another successful holiday celebration at the harbor. This festive fun-filled event would not be possible without the dedication of the boating participants. To sign up to be a part of the Dana Point Harbor boat parade tradition fill out an application online or visit The Marina at Dana Point Office. This year’s tiki-tastic line up of award categories includes best overall, theme, most original, lights/music, Mayor’s cup, Supervisor’s cup and more. New this year, a $1,000 donation will be awarded to the charity or youth sailing program of the yacht club with the most entries in the 45th Annual Boat Parade of Lights between Dana West Yacht Club and Dana Point Yacht Club. All award winners will receive cash prizes, with a total distribution of over $10,000 courtesy of Dana Point Harbor Partners.

To view the parade on the water, book your space aboard a Dana Wharf or Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari vessel. The Marina at Dana Point will also have guest slips available for visiting boaters. For information on their guest slips contact The Marina at Dana Point Office.

The harbor will light up with mesmerizing lights again this year from Friday November 22, to Thursday, January 2. The crowd favorite “Merry Kiss Me” arch will be back with an Instagram competition through @DanaPoint_Harbor. Additional festivities throughout the holidays include Dana Wharf Sportfishing’s Boat Rides with Santa on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8 from 10 a.m. – 2. p.m. Take photos with Santa and his holiday helpers on this adventure at sea and a $5 donation will benefit the El Camino Real Junior Woman’s Club.

The Pet Project Foundation will host the 8th Annual Santa Paws event on Saturday, December 7 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Pet photos with Santa will be offered for a small donation. All proceeds support the Pet Project Foundation.

A free trolley will run on each night of the Boat Parade from 4:30 – 10:30 p.m. with drop off and pick up locations along Dana Point Harbor Drive. Sail through “Tiki Holiday” paradise during the 45th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor. For more information visit DanaPointHarbor.com.

Credit: Dana Point Harbor.

Create unforgettable memories and become part of the story when Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Partycomes to Southern California this holiday season!  This brand-new immersive ice skating experience brings the magic closer to fans than ever before through engaging elements that take place on the ice, in the air and in the seats, as performer athleticism mixes with acrobatic and aerial stunts to bring skating skills to new heights.  An exciting participatory adventure told through multi-leveled performances that immerse fans into the fantastic worlds of Disney-Pixar’s Coco, Frozen, Moana, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Toy Story and The Little Mermaid, this all-new show will be skating into the Southland playing L.A, Anaheim, Long Beach and Ontario from December 12^th – January 5^th!

Embark on a quest with Mickey Mouse and pals as they follow Captain Hook’s treasure map for clues to find Tinker Bell after he attempts to capture her magic.  Journey across the Marigold Bridge with Miguel from Disney-Pixar’s Coco into the magnificent and mystical Land of the Dead and discover a vibrantly colorful performance with skeletons atop sway poles dancing over the audience in a beautiful cultural celebration of family.  Travel to the wintry world of Arendelle and sing along with Elsa as video projection creates a kaleidoscope of crystals to help build her ice palace.  Witness Belle lift into the sky as the enchanted chandelier comes to life high over the ice for onlookers seated above and below.  Board the Jolly Roger and laugh hysterically as the hilarious pirates flip, tumble, and twist on air tracks, stilts and more in an effort to showcase their talents for Captain Hook.  Sail away with Moana on her daring voyage across the ocean and bravely encounter the fiery wrath of Te Ka.   And make memories with your whole family during Aladdin, Toy Story and The Little Mermaid as the search party becomes an all-out magical celebration!

Join this magical search and help look for clues to unlock an epic journey when Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party delivers an unforgettable experience with your family!

L O S   A N G E L E S

WHEN:           Thursday, December 12 – Sunday, December 15

• Thursday, December 12   7:30 PM
  • Friday, December 13                          7:30 PM
  • Saturday, December 14    11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, December 15                        11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

WHERE:         STAPLES Center – 1111 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015

TICKETS:         Ticket prices start at $15!

                                Discount Opening Night tickets available for as low as $16 each on select seating (not valid for premium VIP/Front Row seating) 

Tickets available for purchase online at AXS.com, charge by phone at 888-9AXS-TIX or in-person at the venue Box Office.             *prices subject to change; additional venue/ticketing fees may apply

A N A H E I M

WHEN:           Thursday, December 19 – Monday, December 23

• Thursday, December 19   7:00 PM
  • Friday, December 20                          11:00 AM & 7:00 PM    
  • Saturday, December 21    11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, December 22                        11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
  • Monday, December 23                      11:00 AM & 7:00 PM

WHERE:         Honda Center – 2695 E. Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806

TICKETS:         Ticket prices start at $15!

                                Discount Opening Night tickets available for as low as $16 each on select seating (not valid for premium VIP/Front Row seating) 

Tickets available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com or in-person at the venue Box Office.                                                                  *prices subject to change; additional venue/ticketing fees may apply

L O N G   B E A C H

WHEN:           Thursday, December 26 – Monday, December 30

• Thursday, December 26            7:00 PM
  • Friday, December 27                   3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, December 28    11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, December 29                 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
  • Monday, December 30                               7:00 PM              

WHERE:         Long Beach Arena – 300 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802

TICKETS:         Ticket prices start at $15!

                                Discount Opening Night tickets available for as low as $16 each on select seating (not valid for premium VIP/Front Row seating) 

Tickets available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com or in-person at the venue Box Office.                                                                   *prices subject to change; additional venue/ticketing fees may apply

O N T A R I O

WHEN:           Wednesday, January 1 – Sunday, January 5

• Wednesday, January 1                                7:00 PM
  • Thursday, January 2                    7:00 PM
  • Friday, January 3                          7:00 PM
  • Saturday, January 4                            11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, January 5                                11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

WHERE:         Toyota Arena – 4000 Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764

(formerly Citizens Business Bank Arena)

TICKETS:         Ticket prices start at $15!

                                Discount Opening Night tickets available for as low as $16 each on select seating (not valid for premium VIP/Front Row seating) 

                                Tickets available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com or in-person at the venue Box Office.                                                       *prices subject to change; additional venue/ticketing fees may apply

Don’t miss this exciting show!

Credit: Feld Entertainment. Self Disclosure: I have received some form of compensation for posting.

Get ready for another year of sparkling lights and special surprises when everyone’s favorite light show, Enchanted Forest of Light returns to Descanso Gardens from November 17, 2019 to January 5, 2020. Tickets to Enchanted have timed entry and must be purchased in advance at enchantedLA.com.

Enchanted is a gentle one-mile walk through Descanso highlighting some of the most beloved areas of the Gardens. There are a variety of large-scale light displays, many of which are interactive, allowing visitors to manipulate the lights and sounds. The popular “Celestial Shadows” by HYBYCOZO—spinning polyhedral installations that explore geometry through light, shadow, and perception—will have new shapes and designs to discover. And also new this year is contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin’s magical “stained glass” creation which will grace Descanso’s Mulberry Pond. The “Lightwave Lake” light show will return to Descanso’s lake, as will Jen Lewin’s popular flowing and glowing interactive landscape of meandering pathways, “Aqueous.”

Other new additions this year include special Enchanted with Entertainment nights. On December 6, 7, 13 & 14, visitors can enjoy performances by students from California School of the Arts in its Van de Kamp Hall, along with DJs playing ambient music on the Main Lawn. And in response to popular demand, Descanso has added special “Members Only” nights when only members can purchase tickets (totally worth joining!

Important Information at a Glance:

• General admission (adults, seniors, children 2–18): $28 & up (depending on date and time selected)
• Descanso Gardens members pay $23 & up (depending on date and time selected)
• Children under 2 are free, but still require a ticket
  
• Member-Only Nights: December 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28. $25
• Enchanted with Entertainment Nights: December 6, 7, 13, 14. $27-32

Credit: Descanso Gardens

Founded as a public garden in 1953, Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011. Descanso Gardens is open daily (closed Christmas) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults; $6 for seniors and students with a school I.D.; $4 for children 5 to 12, and free for ages 4 and younger.

Descanso Gardens is a member-supported garden accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Join Descanso Gardens and enjoy free admission and early entry year-round. Information: (818) 949-4200 or descansogardens.org.

Halloween Month Brings New Interactive Activities, Animal Feedings, Kids Shows, Festive Fall Photo Ops, Trick-or-Treating and Other Fang-tastic Fun at the L.A. Zoo, Weekends in October

“Boo at the L.A. Zoo” kicks off October 5 with frightfully fun – and free! – celebrations involving some of the Zoo’s creepiest and most fearsome residents. Every weekend in October, Zoo guests will enjoy Halloween animal encounters and pumpkin feedings, along with spine-tingling interactive kids shows, a spirited pumpkin patch and hay maze, spooky crafts for kids, plenty of fall photo ops, and more.  Costumes are encouraged all month long.

“Boo at the L.A. Zoo” is free with paid admission and runs weekends-only in October.
Dates: Oct 5 and 6, 12 and 13, 19 and 20, 26 and 27.  Halloween activities, shows and animal feedings take place on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On the last two weekends in October, additional trick-or-treat candy stations will be added throughout the grounds. Trick-or-Treating Dates: October 19 and 20 and October 26 and 27.  Sponsored by 99 Cents Only Stores, “Boo at the L.A. Zoo” trick-or-treating is free with paid Zoo admission.

Admission to the Los Angeles Zoo is $22 for general admission (ages 13 to 61), $19 for seniors (ages 62+), and $17 for children (ages 2 to 12). No ticket is required for children under 2. Admission for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) members is free.

“Boo at the L.A. Zoo” 2019 Event Details
Weekend-Only Dates: Oct 5 and 6, 12 and 13, 19 and 20, 26 and 27
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (unless otherwise noted)

• Spooky Stroll – Enter, if you dare, and discover Halloween games, a mini pumpkin patch, frightfully Boo-tiful photo ops, and more. Visit the Endangered Animal Graveyard to honor dearly departed species and learn how you can help save at-risk wildlife today.
• Mystery Maze – Find your way through this cool hay-bale labyrinth and try to avoid “dead” ends.
• Boo Bird Show – Witness fascinating behaviors of some of nature’s most mysterious and misunderstood flying fauna – owls and vultures – at a special Halloween edition of our popular World of Birds Show at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. every day but Tuesday. Schedule subject to change due to weather.
• Animals & Boo – Get up close to creepy critters – so close, in fact, you may even get to touch them at 10: 45, 11:45 a.m., with an additional show at 12:45 p.m. on weekend days.
• The LAIR – Come face-to-face with rare snakes, poisonous frogs, and venomous lizards. No decorations required for this goose bump-inducing excursion! Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Wild, Weird, and Wonderful Tour – Explore the Zoo to find wacky, creepy, or funny facts about some of your favorite animals and those that might be new to you.

“Boo at the L.A. Zoo” Shows, Activities and Animal Feeding Schedule

• 11:30am and 1:30pm – Swazzle’s Monster Menagerie Puppet Show – Help a lonely mad scientist create the ultimate trick-or-treating buddy by combining animal “superpowers.” Performances in Adventure Theater at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• 3pm – “Spooktacular Science” Show – Discover bubbling potions, a hovercraft-powered ghost, and more fun surprises in a mad scientist’s bustling lab. Performances in Adventure Theater at 3 p.m.
• Green-Screen Photo Booth – Get a snap of yourself among some of our most Halloween-y critters.
• Creature Craft – Bring a toilet paper roll from home to create your own cute-and-creepy bat. (Toilet paper roll suggested, not required, for participation.)
• Fearsome Feedings & Creature Treats – Watch as our animal residents enjoy seasonal treats all their own. See animal feeding schedule here, details subject to change. Warning: Includes carcass feedings; parental discretion is advised.

“Boo at the L.A. Zoo” VIP Experiences

• Trick-or-Treating Weekends are October 19-20 and 26-27 Only – Free with admission. Costumes are encouraged. Families will find treat stations throughout the Zoo, with candy, treats and bags courtesy of 99 Cents Only Stores. Available while supplies last.
• “Boo” Creature Camp Out, Oct 26 – 27 – Back by popular demand, this spine-tingling overnight adventure includes Griffith Park ghost stories, meals, themed activities, and animal fun; plus Sunday daytime admission to the Zoo, so families can enjoy trick-or-treating on October 28. Additional fee and advance registration required. Space is limited. Click here to buy tickets here.
• Boo at the L.A. Zoo Upper-Level Members Preview, Oct 26 (Saturday), 8:30 – 10 a.m. – Zoo members at the Family Deluxe level and above have the opportunity to experience Boo at the L.A. Zoo before the Zoo opens to the public, with exclusive shows and animal experiences. To RSVP for this exclusive morning event or upgrade your support in order to attend, please phone 323-644-4770.

Learn more at LAZoo.org/Boo

Credit: The Los Angeles Zoo.

Looking for a couple of things to do this month? Here are two events at the local Del Amo Fashion Center that are sure to be fun for the family!

Summer Music Series

Outdoor Village

Saturday, Sept. 14

2 to 4 p.m.

Del Amo Fashion Center’s Summer Music Series is back for the third time this summer. Visit the Outdoor Village for a free concert, lawn games, food sampling, giveaways and more. This month’s featured artist is Amy May.

Panana Night Market

Parking lot across from AMC

Friday, Sept. 13 – Sunday, Sept. 15

4 to 11 p.m.

Sample Asian street foods at Panana Night Market. This will be the first Night Market held in Torrance. In addition to a wide variety (over 100 to be exact) of food vendors, attendees will be able to enjoy live performances, games and more. A $5 entry fee is required for this event.

Credit: Del Amo Fashion Center.