Yes, today is Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season…which will continue with a few big local retail events this weekend.
First up is the Larchmont Boulevard Association‘s 2018 Holiday Open House and Small Business Saturday event, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. This year, Santa will arrive at the Rotary Club tree lot (N. Larchmont Blvd., between Beverly and Melrose) on a big fire engine, while a free trolley will transport shoppers up and down the boulevard between 1st Street and Melrose Ave. There will also be musicians performing live music up and down the boulevard, and special holiday raffles, sales, promotions and giveaways at many Larchmont businesses. These include:
Trina Turk (212 North Larchmont Blvd.) – An in-store raffle for a tote bag and $250 gift card, along with champagne and festive treats, and a gift with any purchase.
Dr. Pilates (418 North Larchmont Blvd.) – All instruction packages, including Private Packages will be 15% off on Saturday. Dr. Pilates clients who have Auto Renewal will receive 15% off any products sold in the store. (This sale runs from 11/21-11/25.)
Landis Gifts & Stationery (138 North Larchmont Blvd.) – A free Chateau Spill wine stain remover with each purchase of $25 or more (while supplies last). Every purchase will also enter the purchaser into prize drawings. And there will be free refreshments…and the Landis Gifts & Stationery calligrapher, Olivia, will be in house Saturday afternoon to personalize gift tags and Christmas ornaments in gorgeous hand calligraphy.
MAC (216 North Larchmont Blvd.) – From 11/21-11/27, receive 25% off your purchase when you sign up to be a MAC Select member. (MAC Select is the MAC loyalty program. There is no fee to join & the discount will apply that day. Some exclusions on certain products will apply). You can also shop specially priced MAC Holiday Kits and receive free gift wrapping with the purchase of any holiday gift set. Finally, enter your name in a raffle to win a complimentary 90-minute make up lesson (valid at MAC Larchmont) when you spend $75 from 11/23 to 11/25.
Rhodes School of Music (215 North Larchmont Blvd., Unit C) – On Saturday only, $75 off your first month and no registration fee when you sign up for lessons (a $110 value). You can also sign up for the Rhodes raffle, to win a free month of lessons.
Le Petit March̩ (5665 Melrose Ave.) РA free glass of champagne to anyone who rides the trolley up to North Larchmont.
Shopaholic Sample Sales (234 North Larchmont Blvd.) – The 10th annual “Thrifty Thirty Sale,” from Friday-Sunday, with a great variety of items and brands for $30. Also, enjoy drinks and nibbles while you shop.
MALIN+GOETZ (238 North Larchmont Blvd.) – Holiday sips, an exclusive discount, and a gift with purchase.
Ampersand (658 North Larchmont Blvd.) – 25% Off ALL BLACK to support those affected by the California wildfires. All profits will be donated to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund.
Barking Lot (336 North Larchmont Blvd.) –Â 20% off biscuit treats, and free treats for dogs when they pass by.
Healing Hands Wellness Center (414 North Larchmont Blvd.) – Pay only $325 when you purchase $400 in gift certificates (a $75 in savings). Valid 11/23-11/26, both in store and online.
If you’re more in the mood to shop for a new best friend this weekend, the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services is holding a Thanksgiving Weekend Adoption Event, offering reduced and waived adoption fees on cats, kittens, dogs and puppies all weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) at all six city animal shelters. Adoption fees include the pet’s vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and microchip. (Note that while dog adoption fees are reduced, there will still be a $20 dog license fee applied for LA City residents.) For more details, locations and links to photos of adoptable pets, see the event link above.
And finally for local shoppers, the Craft and Folk Art Museum will be holding its annual Holiday Marketplace this weekend (11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday). You can browse and buy a wide variety of handmade goods, including ceramics, jewelry, textiles, art, and more from “a curated selection of dynamic and vibrant makers in Los Angeles, while enjoying music and complimentary refreshments.” It’s free with museum admission (though there’s also a special VIP Preview and Brunch for $15, if you’re so inclined), and a portion of the proceeds benefit the museum. Vendors include Alyson Iwamoto Ceramics, Ana Cho Ceramics, Babableu, Bless the Theory (Saturday only), Bob Dornberger, Christopher Phillips, Clau, Clay90065 (Sunday only), Cu Au Atelier, Dark + Story Ceramics, Embroidery and Sage, Former Studio,Highlow Jewelry (Sunday only), Hilary Hahn, L Chuparosa, LKLY Designs, Nazz Ares, Rami Kim Studio, Rebecca Norman (Saturday only) Ren.Vois, Studio Ko, The California Workshop, Tomboy Nanny, Tome Ceramics, and TRJ.
For those looking for holiday weekend entertainment that doesn’t focus exclusively on shopping, a large group of local museums and cultural organizations will be holding a Member Appreciation Days – M.A.D. for the Holidays event all weekend. Members of any of the institutions below will receive free admission to any other organizations on the list, as well as a special 20% discount in the organizations’ gift shops. Participating organizations include:
- California Science Center
- Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
- Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
- Fowler Museum at UCLA
- Heritage Square Museum
- Japanese American National Museum
- Kidspace Children’s Museum (Friday & Sunday ONLY)
- La Plaza de Cultura y Arte (Saturday & Sunday ONLY)
- The Library Foundation/Library Store at the Central Library (Saturday & Sunday ONLY)
- The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
- Museum of Latin American Art
- Museum of Neon Art
- Pasadena Museum of History
- The San Diego Museum of Art
- Skirball Cultural Center
- Time Travel Mart – Echo Park & Mar Vista
Next, the Petersen Museum will hold a special panel discussion on “Building the Electric Future,” starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday. The event celebrates the Petersen’s new partnership with EVGO, and will include a ribbon cutting of the museum’s new DC fast chargers, in addition to the discussion, hosted by Jonathan Levy, about how to build an electric car charging network. Panel speakers will include representatives from EVGO, BMW, and the Petersen. Complimentary pastries and coffee will be provided for all guests, and those who arrive in electric vehicles will be given priority parking.
Later on Sunday, for those now turning their attention to one of next month’s big holidays, Hollywood will welcome the 2018 Hollywood Christmas Parade. And whether you’re attending or simply trying to avoid the traffic and road closures, it’s good to be aware of the route (note that some closures start as early as 11 p.m. tonight (Friday), while others start at different times on Sunday). The parade – which includes a huge number of celebrity guests, floats, balloons, marching bands and more – starts at 5 p.m. and moves east along Hollywood Blvd., from Orange Dr. to Vine St., then south on Vine to Sunset, and West onSunset back to Orange. For details of the route, closures and other information, see http://thehollywoodchristmasparade.org/routes-and-closures/
And finally for the weekend, please note that LA Department of Sanitation trash pickups normally scheduled for Thursday and Friday this week will be one day late. Pickups normally scheduled for Thursday will happen on Friday, and pickups that usually happen on Fridays will be done on Saturday, because of Thanksgiving holiday. Normal pickup schedules will resume on Monday.
Have a great post-Thanksgiving weekend!
