The Music Center presents An Array of Festive Ways to Celebrate the Holidays

Angelenos looking to find ways to celebrate the holidays with family and friends need look no further than The Music Center, which will embrace the season with events at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Grand Park that will help create new traditions.

Los Angeles County Tree Lighting

Grand Park

November 27, 2017 5:00 p.m., free to all

• Join Grand Park and The Music Center for the annual Los Angeles County tree lighting ceremony, featuring a 35-foot tree, performances by local music artists and community groups, and free Starbucks hot chocolate and coffee.

Grand Park Lights Up the Holidays

Grand Park
November 26, 2017 - December 26, 2017

Sunset - Until the park closes at 10 p.m., free to all

• Grand Park will magically come alive with park-inspired holiday décor for the holidays including 35- and 55-foot trees, a reindeer sleigh, menorah and lights throughout the park.

The Music Center Presents the World Premiere of the new George Balanchine's The Nutcracker by Miami City Ballet

The Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Thursday, December 7, 2017, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, December 8, 2017, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 9, 2017, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 10, 2017, noon and 4:00 p.m.

• The Music Center is bringing a much beloved holiday tradition back to Los Angeles with the iconic choreography of George Balanchine in an all-new world premiere production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker by Miami City Ballet with g a live orchestra. Visionary Cuban-American designers Isabel and Ruben Toledo have created all-new sets and costumes for this production. In addition, for the first time, the performances will feature student dancers from both the Colburn School and The Gabriella Foundation's everybody dance! program, along with live choral music from the Los Angeles Children's Chorus.

58th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration

The Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (and live on PBS SoCal/KOCE)

Sunday, December 24, 2017 3-6 p.m., free to all

• As Los Angeles' largest free multicultural holiday celebration, the 58th annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration provides Angelenos of all ages an opportunity to come together on December 24 to experience and honor the dynamic, rich cultures of the county and to experience many diverse L.A.-based artists and community groups as they showcase their talent and artistry. Highlights of this year's event include the Harmonic Bronze Handbell Ensemble, which will perform a classical handbell piece that celebrates Christmas and Hanukkah; the Palmdale High School Choral Union and Sunday Night Singers, who will sing holiday songs; the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Band, which will play a medley of holiday favorites; the MUSYCA Children's Choir, which will perform Christmas songs written by contemporary artists; Mostly Kosher, which will play upbeat Jewish folk and holiday songs; the Jung Im Lee Korean Dance Company, which will perform a Korean drumming dance; and Las Colibri, which will perform a collection of holiday songs. Watch it on PBS SoCal, see it at The Music Center, or stream it live on pbssocal.org. More information at holidaycelebration.org.

Grand Park + The Music Center's N.Y.E.L.A.

Saturday, December 31, 2017 8:00 p.m. - January 1, 2018; 1:00 a.m., free to all

• For the fifth year in a row, Grand Park + The Music Center's N.Y.E.L.A. will be the go-to central gathering place in Los Angeles where Angelenos from all over the county and visitors from across the globe ring in the New Year. This unique civic event, which has been recognized alongside major New Year's Eve celebrations around the world, brings Angelenos and their family and friends together to celebrate the holiday at LA's biggest dance party. The event will focus on music and dancing both onstage and on the dance floor. Guests will experience free interactive motion-graphic activations to bring to life with their own moves and a unique only-in-Los Angeles New Year's countdown, featuring 3-D digital video mapping on the iconic City Hall with an integrated light show celebrating the wonderful energy of this New Year's celebration.

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