Best Things To Do In Los Angeles And SoCal This Thanksgiving Weekend: Nov. 23 – 26

For 26 years, Gobble Gobble Give has delivered 800,000 meals along with clothing and toiletries to our unhoused neighbors on Thanksgiving morning. If you’re interested in participating, volunteers are encouraged to prepare or pick up food or supplies (socks, supplies for hygiene kits) and drop things off at one of the sites. Volunteers are also needed to deliver to selected charities and street encampments. Monetary donations can be accepted through the organization’s website.

Solvang, nicknamed “The Danish Capital of America,” opens its seasonal holiday celebration this weekend. Take a trip to the Santa Ynez wine country for Solvang Julefest 2023, which features events taking place throughout the walkable town during its month-long run. Daily happenings include a free light and music show in Solvang Park on the hour. Future events include the tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 1, a makers market on Dec. 6, and a candlelight tour on select dates.

Dance the night away as legendary DJ and music producer Steve Aoki brings the tunes to the Orange County club. This is a 21+ event. Time is a cashless venue.

Pacific Opera Project presents a double-bill production of Scalia/Ginsburg (L.A. premiere) and Trial by Jury this weekend. Derrick Wang’s Scalia/Ginsburg is a one-act operatic comedy about the unlikely friendship between U.S. Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Rachel Policar) and Antonin Scalia (William Grundler). Also on the same bill is Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial by Jury, featuring a new libretto by POP Artistic Director Josh Shaw, who has updated the setting from 1880s England to a 1980s divorce court.

Various locations.

If shopping is your thing the day after Thanksgiving, then why not shop indie record stores for Black Friday Record Store Day? Artists including Post Malone, Chet Baker Trio, De La Soul, Digital Underground, Dr. Dre and others are releasing limited-edition vinyl, cassettes and other goodies. Among the dozens of local stores participating are Licorice Pizza in Studio City, Run Out Groove Records in Burbank, Sounds of Music in Montebello, Norwalk Records in Norwalk, Fingerprints in Long Beach and Amoeba in Hollywood.

An alternative to shopping at big box stores on Black Friday is Small Business Saturday. MUAM Market is an open-air market that showcases more than 70 Asian-owned vendors and indie creators of jewelry, clothing, art and food. Additionally, dublab and In Sheep’s Clothing team up to create a new temporary radio station in the district, Radio M2, featuring a collection of vinyl records, music accessories and live broadcasts. In addition to the pop-up market are other small businesses of ROW DTLA including ARCADE vintage co-op, Flask & Field, Reform kitchen designs and Yiayia and Friends’ reimagined Greek cookware.

The cultural festival immerses visitors in Central American traditions. Highlights throughout the day include music, art, food trucks, vendors and community programs on the fairgrounds from 12 to 5 p.m. A Taste of Central America takes place from 2 to 6 p.m. featuring seven distinct tastings representing each Central American country. The Soy Funny Comedy Extravaganza (6 – 9 p.m.) features a lineup of comedians ready to entertain and celebrate Central American humor, followed by an award ceremony recognizing notable contributions to Central American culture.

Take a tour of the stadium that includes the best parts of the classic tour, plus an elevated experience with a chance to take the field. You can get a chance to hit, pitch and run in the outfield. So, bring your glove and throw a few pitches in the Dodger Bullpen. The tour also includes a tour of the Vin Scully press box, the trophy gallery and the dugout.

Carey Elwes, who plays the swashbuckling Westley in 1987’s The Princess Bride, is currently on tour with the beloved movie. Watch the film and then listen to Elwes share behind-the-scenes stories and take part in a moderated Q&A.

Hosted once again by Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams, with special co-host Elizabeth Stanton, the parade features Hollywood celebrities and movie cars, bands from around the country, equestrians, character balloons, floats and, of course, Santa Claus. There will be freeway and street closures, so plan accordingly.

The family-friendly show features four Eric Carle stories brought to life by 75 enchanting puppets, storytellers, original music and audience participation. Meet the colorful characters of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, Dream Snow, and of course, the show’s star, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Arrive a little early for a free activity station for the kids.

Join in a family-friendly 5K to burn off a few calories before diving into turkey and all the trimmings. The sixth annual turkey trot welcomes runners and walkers to take the 5K recreational loop at the Rose Bowl. All entry fees for 2023 are 100% tax-deductible and go directly to the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation. Leashed doggies are welcome to run with their humans. The start line and registration are in Lot K on the corner of West Dr. and Seco St. Parking is free for the race.

The Alex Film Society with C3 Entertainment, Inc. presents six Three Stooges Columbia Pictures shorts, including Micro-Phonies (1945), Men In Black (1934) and Punch Drunks (1934). Watch the comedy antics of Moe, Larry, Curly — and Shemp — projected from pristine 35mm prints, courtesy of Sony Pictures.

There are so many restaurants with Thanksgiving dinners, but Lawry’s The Prime Rib’s inclusive dinner offers a meal with a bang for your buck. The Lawry’s limited, dine-in menu is available from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and includes turkey dinner with a spinning bowl salad, mashed Idaho potatoes, turkey gravy, stuffing and cranberry sauce for $49 or you can get two slices of turkey and two slices of prime rib for $59.

Krampus’ Cove, a darker celebration compared to the holly jolliness of the season, pops up at Lost Property Bar for the second year. Presented by the team behind the Halloween pop-up bar Black Lagoon, the experience includes evil elves, Krampus himself and interactive fun. The ticketed, 1.5-hour experience starts with a welcome cocktail, followed by the evening’s events. Seatings are available at 6 or 8 p.m. during the week and at 3, 5 or 7 p.m. on the weekend. After the ticketed events, Lost Property will be open from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., with Saturdays and Sundays open at 8:30 p.m., for un-ticketed service. Krampus’ Cove is closed on Mondays, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Chef David Almany curates a prix fixe menu built around Italian family dinners. Start with a welcome pour of red or white wine, selected by wine director Kristin Olszewski; house-made garlic bread; Caesar salad and spaghetti and red sauce. In addition, each guest chooses from Italian meatballs, chicken parmesan, eggplant parmesan, branzino, or their signature New York strip to accompany the meal. Dessert choices include a brownie served with vanilla gelato, warm chocolate chip cookies, or vanilla soft serve.