W.3rd St. Holiday Street Party: December 9th: The shops of West 3rd St. in West Hollywood will be offering great bargains & refreshments to create a holiday party atmosphere to shop in! Plan to find some pretty unique gifts in the many small shops, or just go to browse and dine at some of the yummy restaurants on 3rd (yes, they will have specials too)!

Holiday Walk on the Avenues: December 10th & 11th: Similar to the W. 3rd shopping party, the Melrose Village area of West Hollywood will also be throwing a party of their own! Even if you’re not looking to do much shopping, this sounds like a fun event to check out to get in the holiday spirit. There will be food trucks (duh), carolers, live entertainment, and refreshments for all!

Stila Warehouse Sale: December 11th: I’m a big fan of Stila Cosmetics but their stuff is just WAY too pricey for me. Luckily, the annual Stila warehouse sale is a great opportunity to stock up on some of your favorite quality make-up at crazy discounts (up to 80% off)! Sale starts at 8am but the line was a couple blocks long last year so get there early if you want the good stuff!

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Unique LA: December 11th & 12th: Check out LA’s ultimate independent design & gift show for a guaranteed way to get all your holiday shopping done in one swoop! And what’s more guaranteed is that your gifts will truly be one of a kind  and you’ll be supporting local independent designers. There will be hundreds of independent vendors to choose from! Admission is $10 but that includes free drinks (cocktails & soft drinks).

Renegade Craft Fair: December 11th & 12th: This free craft fair takes place at the LA State Historic Park and features indie-craft artists selling their goods. There will also be fun holiday themed craft workshops running throughout the day… from make your own mistletoe and ornaments to DIY shopping bags. Let’s hope the weather looks good for next weekend, because this outdoorsy event sounds like a great time!!

As a self proclaimed scavenger hunt enthusiast, I assure you I have researched quite a few of them and this will be one of the best. Aside from some amazing prizes, the registration fee is only $10/person and all that money will be donated to LA-based charities. Teams consist of 2-5 people and they are encouraging everyone to dress up in matching costumes (yes, there will be a prize for best dressed team)! The event will begin at Dodgers Stadium, where teams will get a list of 100 items to hunt for, each with a corresponding point number. Further details regarding registration, prizes, sponsors, etc. can be found on the official website.

Let me know if you decide to sign up by commenting on this post…I’ll be there!

Game on!!

Cupcake Camp will feature over 30 stations – most are up and coming bakers/companies – so you know these people are passionate and pouring their hearts & souls into their delicious treats! There will be nutella cupcakes. Nutella! I was going to write about some of the other interesting ones I found under the “bakers” section of the website, but I started drooling too much… so check it out for yourself!

The "Breakfast at Tiffany's" cupcake from Sugar Babies Cupcakery!

There are a two different sessions to choose from: 12pm-2pm or 3pm-5pm. Advanced tickets are $15, but they’re $25 at the door. Remember, proceeds from the event  go to charity so you can even write off this cupcake excursion! You can learn more about the charities here.

Hope to see you there!

Pillow Fight Day will occur all over the country- from Ghana to Beijing and The Netherlands! Right here in LA, the event will take place in Pershing Square at 3pm. As always, the event is BYOP and sure to help you de-stressed and have a blast.

The official rules for the LA Pillow Fight are as follows:

1. “Don’t talk about [Pillow] Fight Club!” (especially to news media and civic authories)
2. Don’t be in location until the exact minute. (set your watches)
3. Hide your pillows.
4. Rush in screaming “PILLOW FIIIIIIGHT!!!!!”
5. After 15mins of excruciating fun, leave.
6. Stay off the road and sidewalk. (don’t make this a police issue)
7. Do NOT hit anyone with out a pillow! (this includes but is not limited to people with cameras, bystanders, civic authorities, cars, use common sense!!)
8. “If this is your first [time] at [Pillow] Fight Club, you have to fight.”
9. Stick around to clean up if you can, so that the event can happen again next year.

Are you excited yet?! I’m excited. And being out of town is not an excuse, simply hit up their handy website to check out when/where your local Pillow Fight will take place. PILLOW FIIIIIGHT!

What’s that? You’re not satisfied!? Well in addition to all the fooding options there will be a UniqueLA marketplace with over 30 vendors ready to help you pick out a one-of-a-kind V-day gift for that special lady in your life (a.k.a. your mom), a street food themed photo booth from Oh! Snap, a DIY crafts section in case you spent all your money on food and need to make a Valentine’s card, live entertainment, and a donation based beer and Wine garden to benefit the LA Regional Foodbank.

Tickets to the Food Fest are $5 at the door and include a free drink ticket and some cool giveaways. All vendors are cash only so make sure to hit the ATM before you head down. For those of you taking eco-friendly transportation, the event is a short walk from the 7th & Fig Metro stop and there will be free bike valet.

Saturday, 2/6
Echo Park PDA (Public displays of ART) – This is kind of like an art walk but instead of bouncing from gallery to gallery the art will be on on display in driveways and hanging from fences. Instead of bringing the public to the art, they’re bringing the art out into public! From 12pm-6pm starting at the corner of Echo Park Ave. and Sunset Blvd. (where you can pick up a map) you can explore the neighborhood all the while enjoying driveway drive-ins, garage band concerts in garages, Chain link fence galleries, and many other creative public displays of art.
Cost: FREE

Hawaii at the Grove – Every Saturday in February from 12pm-7pm The Grove is going to be turned into a Hawaiian paradise with food, drinks, music, and lots of activities to keep you busy! (Hula lessons, anyone?) Each weekend they’ll be focusing on a different Island and  this weekend they kick it off with Kaua’i! Relax to Hawaiian music performed by Kaua’i's own Nick Castillo and the graceful hula of one of the island’s top talents, Noelani Kau’i. Enjoy delicious Kaua’i Coffee and explore the variety of Kaua’i Made products on display.
Cost: FREE

Sunday, 2/7
Super Bowl Sunday Round-up – Our friend EstarLA put together this great list of things to do on Super Bowl Sunday so if you don’t already have plans you should really check this out!

All Weekend
Bank of America Free Museum Admission – Enjoy Free admission to select museums just for flashing your BoA card!
Cost: FREE

Harvesting fruit trees is very dangerous work...

Fallen Fruit’s Tree Giveaway - Fallen Fruit is celebrating their upcoming EATLACMA exhibit by giving away fruit trees. Their whole deal is the belief that fruit should be communal so they’re sharing fruit trees with people in the hopes that they’ll plant them in a place where everyone can enjoy them! They’ll be handing out saplings Saturday at the Watts Towers Arts Center & Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center and on Sunday at LACMA both starting at 12pm. Get there early to make sure you get a tree!
Cost: FREE

I’d like to think we were way ahead of the game on this one. I mean, we posted about LA Works (our fave local volunteer org) last April! Not everyone can afford to write big checks  to charities, so why not give your time and energy to working with organizations that need help?

There is no better time to jump on the volunteering bandwagon than now! And there’s no better place to start than the City Labs Community Service Fair this Saturday. The fair will help you connect with 50 local non-profits who need your help! With so many organizations in one place, you’re sure to find something that suits your interests and abilities. There will also be a DJ, raffles, and a handful of fun workshops throughout the afternoon.

The fair will take place Saturday, January 23rd from 11am-4pm at the California Market Center. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door, but that gets you a free drink ticket and a raffle ticket! You can get more info. by checking out the Yelp page for this event.

Friday
Holiday in The Park

Saturday
Great LA Walk – Join thousands (I’m just guessing on that) of other Angelenos for the Great LA Walk. It’s a 13.5 mile urban hike from Shriner’s Auditorium in Downtown, stopping for lunch in Mid-City, and ending with a party at Baja Cantina in Venice. It’s an opportunity for poeple who spend all their time in cars to enjoy the beauty of our city up close! RSVP here or just show up at 9am sharp!
Cost: FREE

The Tweed, Moxie, and Moustache Ride – For those of you who prefer other forms of transportation you can join C.I.C.L.E. on a 1920′s themed ride from Union Station to Royal Clayton’s English Pub. There will even be dorr prizes for the best moustache, best period outfit, best common bike and tweed pairing, and most graceful mount and dismount.
Cost: FREE

Sunday
Sassy City Chick Fashion Bash – This event in Marina Del Rey is the best way to get your wardrobe invigorated for the winter season or grab some sweet threads for the girls on your list at up to 80% off. When buying ticket, enter the promo code YELP to get your ticket for free!
Cost: FREE

This is BJ Novak... He probably won't be there

Friday
12 Shiny Nickles – Got $5 and a bottle of two buck Chuck? Then you should check out the 12 Shiny Nickels show in West Hollywood. Starting at 11pm for $5 you get in to see twelve comics from around the country do 5 minutes of their best stand-up. This is perfect for any of you out there with entertainment ADD. What makes this even better is the fact that the venue has no required drink minimum and is BYOB for food and booze, so mix a drink in your thermos, grab some pop-tarts, and prepare yourself for a good night!
Cost: $5

Saturday
ActorFest – This is a free event from 9am-6pm in Downtown where actors can talk to industry professionals, get advice, and anything else they need to jumpstart or boost their career and there will also be free stuff so you can’t go wrong. It’s totally free but you do have to register.
Cost: FREE

South Pasadena Block Party – Merchants on Mission Street in South Pasadena hold special open houses and hand out Goody Bags and discounts in their pre-holiday Block Party. From Fair Oaks Pharmacy to City Hall, shops and services on both sides of the street will participate. Strolling musicians and guest artisans, too!
Cost: FREE

The actual file name of this image is Mambo06... I hope I'm not the only one who finds that hilarious.

Mambo Dance Party – Take a free beginner mambo class from Mambo Inc. from 6pm – 8:30pm and go to a party with dancing and a show from 9:30pm – 1am for $5! You can also take extra classes from 8:30pm – 9:30pm for $12 or $20 for both classes and the party!
Cost: FREE – $20.00

Sunday
House Party Swap and Shop – This is a big Sunday for all you shoppers out there. First we have the House Party Swap and Shop. In addition to the swap itself, there will be a guest lounge, door prize raffle, and vendors offering handmade items. The rules of the swap are fairly complicated but they’re all listed here along with the location. Doors open at 12pm. Note: This event is in OC but we thought it was worth the trek for free stuff!
Cost: FREE

Shop for a Cause – Go to Warwick in Echo Park to get some shopping done while you do your part for charity. Warwick is donating 50% of all proceeds from 1pm-7pm to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. There will also be complimentary food and beverages!
Cost: subjective

Kia Soul Collective Free Concerts

Friday
KSC Concert – I’m just going to remind you who’s playing at Siren Studio for the Kia Soul Collective each night. Tonight it’s Pink Dollaz at 7pm and Diplo at 8pm
Cost: FREE

Saturday
Downtown Tonight Show – Head down to the Mackenzie Theater in Downtown for a night of free sketch comedy! Doors are at 7:50pm and the show starts at 8:15pm!
Cost: FREE

KSC Concert - Fool’s Gold at 6pm and Janelle Monae at 7pm
Cost: FREE

Sunday
Japanese Garden Opening – After two long years of renovations, the award winning James Irvine Japanese Garden is opening this Sunday starting at 1pm! In addition to some light refreshments there will be music from Awaya-Kai Group, Koto and Shakuhachi players.
Cost: FREE

KSC Concert - Hopefully you managed to test drive the Kia Soul and get a ticket to tonight’s Silversun Pickups show at 8pm!
Cost: FREE

All Weekend
Silverlake Art Crawl – Take a walk and see the nearly 30 galleries that will be opening their doors for the Silverlake Art Crawl this weekend. Some Galleries will have drinks and snacks and make sure not to miss the official Silverlake Art Crawl Party from 1pm-4pm at Barnsdall with Dos Equis and KCRW’s Mario Cotto.
Cost: FREE

Downtown Burbank Arts Festival – Come to the Semi-Annual Downtown Burbank Arts Festival to browse the works of over 100 award-winning painters, ceramicists, photographers, jewelry makers, chalk artists, roving entertainers and more.
Cost: FREE