December 2008 Events California

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

HOLLYWOOD - Zappa plays Zappa at The Roxy. Dweezil Zappa has studied and put together a band that accurately portrays the music his late, great father, Frank Zappa, wrote and performed throughout the world. Included in Dweezil's orchestration are top musical talents and often special guests such as Ray White, guitar and vocals, who was a member of the touring band during the Zappa in New York, Tinsel Town Rebellion and You are What You Is era.  Dweezil Zappa's tribute concert to Frank Zappa has been featured on public television. If you've seen it, you won't want to miss this live event. Time: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $110 - 150. Location: Roxy Theatre, 9009 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90069. Tickets: theroxyonsunset.com 

BRENTWOOD - Holiday on Ice. Outdoor seasonal ice rink offers outdoor fun. Twinkling outdoor light-filled rink under a big tent. Time: 12:30 -10:30 p.m. Cost: $10; $5/skate rental. Location: The Streets, 2421 Sand Creek Rd., Brentwood, CA. Call: (925) 513-1702. brentwoodholidayonice.com

BUENA PARK- Knotts Christmas Crafts Village. Holiday decor, gifts, strolling carolers and visits from Santa are included in this unique once-a-year shopping extravaganza.  Hours: Open daily except Christmas. Cost (Monday through Friday): $10 adult; $5 senior; $5 age 3-11. Location: 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA. knotts.com

CULVER CITY - The Little Dog Laughed, Play. Douglas Carter Beane's farce about America's celebrity-obsessed culture. Time: 2 and 8 p.m.  Runs through Dec. 21. Cost: $25-$65. Location: Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA. Call: (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org

DEL MAR - Holiday of Lights Drive-Thru Display. Largest animated show on the West Coast features over 400 displays. Time: 5:30 to 10 p.m.; Fri & Sat open till 11 p.m. Cost: $14/ car (up to 5 people). Location: The Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA. Call: (858) 755-1161. sdfair.com

FREMONT - Train of Lights is an actual train that offers a holiday light display in a 75 minute ride between Niles and Sunol. The brightly decorated holiday train, covered with thousands of lights, as it winds through the darkness of Niles Canyon on a 75-minute round-trip ride from either Niles or Sunol runs through Dec. 29, seating is limited.  Time: 4:15 & 6:45 p.m. from Niles & 4:30 & 7 p.m. from Sunol. Cost: $25. Location: Niles Station, 37001 Mission Blvd., Freemont, CA.  Sunol Depot, 6 Kilkare Rd., Sunol, CA. Call: (510) 996-8430. ncry.org

GARDEN GROVE - The Glory of Christmas Musical. Discount Night. A blend of Christmas carols, pageantry, live animals, flying angels, and special effects unfold in the nativity story. Location: Crystal Cathedral, 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove, CA. Time: 6:30 & 8:30 p.m. Cost: $20-45. Call: 714-54-GLORY (714-544-5679) or 877-544-5679. crystalcathedral.org
HUNTINGTON BEACH - Drive Thru Nativity Pageant. This annual event on the lawns of the First Christian Church allows guests to either walk or drive through a series of stops to watch scenes from the nativity. Live animals, colorful costumes and traditional messages are included. Time: 6 -9:30 p.m. Cost: Free. Location: 1207 Main St., Huntington Beach, CA. Call: (714) 536-2589. fcc-connection.com

HOLLYWOOD - Zappa plays Zappa at The Roxy. Dweezil Zappa has studied and put together a band that accurately portrays the music his late, great father, Frank Zappa, wrote and performed throughout the world. Included in Dweezil's orchestration are top musical talents and often special guests such as Ray White, guitar and vocals, who was a member of the touring band during the Zappa in New York, Tinsel Town Rebelion and You are What You Is era.  Dweezil Zappa's tribute concert to Frank Zappa has been featured on public television. If you've seen it, you won't want to miss this live event. Time: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $110 - 150. Location: Roxy Theatre, 9009 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90069. Tickets: theroxyonsunset.com 
LONG BEACH - Long Beach Holiday Tree-Lighting Ceremony. The 15th Annual event includes the official Lighting of the Queen Mary Holiday Tree. Enjoy complimentary holiday refreshments and free general admission. Begins at 4:30 p.m. Event runs from 6:30 p.m. To 7:30 p.m. Location: Queens Way, Long Beach, CA. queenmary.com

LONG BEACH  - Harbor Lights Christmas Cruise. See the decorated homes and boats of Naples Island on a one-hour cruise aboard the 140 passenger Party Boat, The Star. Offering a cash bar with beer, wine, cocktails and snacks for kids, there's also some sweets, cocoa and foods to munch on for adults.  Christmas Cruise departs from Alamitos Bay Landing, 140 Marina Dr., Long Beach, CA 90803. Call for times: (562) 799-7000. Tickets: $10 -15. reggaeboat.com

LOS ANGELES - Holiday Light Festival. 13th Annual Los Angeles Department of Water and Power holiday lights event in Griffith Park is a display of lights spanning a mile of Crystal Springs Drive. The driving route, walking and shuttles all run December 8 through December 30. Shuttle buses will be available weekends and December 19-30. Walkers on these days will enjoy the walking path. Both options are accessible from the Los Angeles Zoo parking lot. Time: 5 to 10 p.m.  Location: 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA. Call: (213) 367-1255. dwplightfestival.com

OXNARD - Holiday Lights on the Water at Channel Islands Harbor. The Channel Islands Harbor Water Taxi offers "Holiday Lights on the Water" charters with one-hour tours of the sparkling waterways that reflect the lights from decorated homes in the channel. Time: 6  & 7:30 p.m. Cost: $10. Call: Call: (805) 985-5828. channelislandsharbor.org

OXNARD -  Christmas Tree Lane. Take a magical drive through Henry T. Oxnard Historical District, which includes homes decked out and all aglow for visitors to enjoy. Time: 6 to 10 p.m. Location: "F" and "G" Streets Between Fifth and Palm, Oxnard, CA.

REDONDO BEACH - Seaside Ice Rink. Public Skating and Movie Night which begins after dark.  Time: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cost to skate: $12 - 14. Location: Seaside Lagoon, 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, CA. Parking at 181 N. Harbor Drive Call: (310) 318-6300. seasideice.com

RIO DELL - Christmas Tree Lighting. Carols, choirs and a countdown are part of the annual tree lighting ceremony. A procession goes to the Fire Hall for visits with Santa. Time: 5:45 p.m. Cost: Free. Location: Downtown Rio Dell, CA. riodellcity.com

SAN DIEGO - Fantasy on Ice. Holiday public ice skating rink at Horton Plaza. Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Location: 225 Broadway, San Diego, CA. sdice.com

SAN DIEGO - Skating by the Sea. Hotel del Coronado resort offers outdoor ice-skating overlooking the Pacific! Time: 2 to 5 p.m. & 6 to 9 p.m. Cost: $20/adult; $15/child age 10 & under; matinee session: $15/adult; $10/child; Skate Rental: $5. Location: 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado Island, CA. hoteldel.com

SAN JOSE - Downtown Ice. Outdoor ice skating rink for the holidays. Time: 5 to 10 p.m. Cost: $15/ adult. $13/ youth 12 and under. Admission includes rental skates and ice time. Runs through Jan. 11, 2009. Location:  120 S. Market St., San Jose, CA. Call:  (408) 279-1775. sjdowntown.com

SANTA ANA - The Science of Gingerbread. Discovery Science Center annual exhibit. Study it and build a gingerbread  creation in the Science of Gingerbread. Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: $9 - 13, plus $3 parking. Location: 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA. discoverycube.org

STANFORD - A Chanticleer Christmas Concert. One of Lively Arts most popular programs of the year brings the return of the Grammy-winning "orchestra of voices" for a Christmas celebration. The 12-man a cappella ensemble explores centuries of holiday repertoire, from medieval and Renaissance works to traditional Christmas spirituals and the world's best-loved carols, injecting inspiration and flawless execution. Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $34- 38. Location: Memorial Church, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA. Call: (650) 725-2787. livelyarts.stanford.edu

WALNUT CREEK - Downtown Walnut Creek on Ice. This seasonal ice skating rink offers holiday exercise and fun in a beautiful outdoor setting. Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cost: $11 - 15. Location: Civic Park, Clay Arts Parking Lot, Walnut Creek, CA. Call: (925) 935-7669. iceskatewalnutcreek.com

WALNUT CREEK - Holidays at Shadelands Faire and Teas.  Walnut Creek Historical Society annual decorated, historic home, will be filled with high-quality crafts and specialty holiday items for sale. Hand-made gifts and quilts, clothing, jewelry, porcelain, and gourmet foods are only a few of the items available. Admission to the house and vendors is free, and free parking is available.  A high tea three-course luncheon will be served in the parlor and dining room daily at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., for $28 per person. Time: a.m. to 4 p.m. Call: (925) 935-7871. Location: 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA.

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