From The Fairmont Miramar Hotel Santa Monica Best Nearby Events (Events) (10 Overall Closest) Metro: Los Angeles, CA Festival Navideño en la Calle Ocho (Events - Best of the City) 3305 W 8th St, Los Angeles  CA  90005 Distance: ~0 ft         Description: Naturally, this annual festival gives folks a reason to gather for fun and entertainment, but the Latin-themed event also has an altruistic purpose by making sure that disadvantaged children are given toys and gifts for the holiday season. More than 45,000 items are collected annually and then distributed – the spectacle is singularly heartwarming. Adding to the merriment are musical performances, terrific food, carnival rides, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, clowns, and appearances by local celebrities. The event takes place on ten blocks of 8th Street between Vermont and Irolo. Los Angeles International Tamale Festival (Events - Best of the City) 2124 W 7th St, Los Angeles  CA  90057 • n/a Distance: ~0 ft         Description: Calling all hot tamales! MacArthur Park is the place to be if you're looking for the best tamales North of the Border. Attend the annual Los Angeles International Tamale Festival, and enter to win the tamale cook-off or tamale-eating contests, or learn how to make tamales if you're not already an expert. Arts and crafts and loads of musical performances will keep you entertained after you've had your fill of tamales. GIANT Maximus NYE (Events - Best of the City) 835 Francisco St 8th and Figueroa, Los Angeles  CA  90017 Distance: ~0 ft         Description: It goes without saying that an event thrown by GIANT is always one to remember, but this is especially true when it comes to their outstanding New Year's Eve party, held on a seven-acre site in downtown LA. Featuring hordes of beautiful bodies, top-flight DJs, amusement rides, and a carnival vibe, this event is truly a great way to ring in the New Year. Plus, the inside alone (forget the courtyard) holds 10,000 people under three climate-controlled big top arenas! You have to be 21+ to party. Rose Bowl Game (Events - Best of the City) 1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena  CA  91103 • 626-449-4100 • FAX: 626-405-0992 Distance: ~0 ft         Description: Still viewed as "The Granddaddy of Them All," this game is one that every college football player dreams of. Make a big move in the Rose Bowl, and you're a legend for the rest of your life. Held on New Year's Day, the competition pits two top teams in a contest that’s sure to feature tons of high-speed excitement. Tournament of Roses – Rose Bowl Parade (Events - Best of the City) 430 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena  CA Distance: ~0 ft         Description: If you plan to be in LA during the winter holiday season, this traditional event is definitely worth seeing in person. Television cannot do justice to the intricacies of today's floats, decorated with millions of flowers and tons of natural materials like leaves and bark. In fact, each individual float uses more flowers than the average florist will handle over the course of five years! The floats take nearly a year to construct, but the bulk of decorating is done after Christmas, and many of the flowers are attached to the floats in little vials of water to keep them fresh. Although reserved seating is available, you can stake out plenty of great spots along Colorado Boulevard starting at noon on the 31st. Expect crowds! Bowl Championship Series - Pasadena (Events - Best of the City) 1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena  CA  91103 • 626-449-4100 • FAX: 626-405-0992 Distance: ~0 ft         Description: Pigskin enthusiasts, grab your gameday gear and get ready for the college football event of the season. The FedEx Orange Bowl prepares to host the prestigious BCS National Championship event of the year. Whether you're in town for the holidays or rooting on your favorite team, grab your posse and head to the stadium early. Feed into the frenzy in the afternoon hours with a tailgate soiree before the kickoff. California Gift Show (Events - Best of the City) 1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles  CA  90015 • 310-822-9145 • FAX: 213-765-4266 Distance: ~0 ft         Description: Billed as the oldest and largest home furnishings show on the West Coast, the California Gift Show brings in some 1200 exhibitors, who promote the latest designs and concepts. Product categories include At Home, Boutique, EX•TRACTS®, Fashion Accessories, Gifts, Etc., Handmade®, Jewelry (Cash & Carry), LA Contemporary, Resort, Souvenir & Licensing, Stationery & More, and World Style. Although the show is open only to buyers in the trade (credentials required), each one is permitted to bring a non-trade guest. The Academy Awards® (Events - Best of the City) 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood  CA  90028 • 323-308-6300 Distance: ~0 ft         Description: Known popularly as The Oscars, this winter awards ceremony is the social event as far as the film industry is concerned. People the world over tune in to see who wins what and to catch a glimpse of the exclusive post-show parties held at clubs, ballrooms, and homes all over LA. As for tickets – well, folks, you've gotta be either lucky or invited to this show. If you're feeling fortunate, try to get your name in the lottery for red carpet bleacher seats. Golden Dragon Parade & Lunar New Year Festival (Events - Best of the City) Cesar Chavez and Broadway Chinatown, Los Angeles  CA Distance: ~0 ft         Description: In 1898, dozens of Chinatown residents worked to create an exquisite lion and dragon procession for the La Fiesta Parade; when it came to fruition, a legend was born. Over the years, the Golden Dragon Parade and Chinese New Year festivities have become beloved local traditions, and the list of celebrity grandmasters has included Bruce Lee, David Carradine, and Hugh Hefner. Originally taking place on Friday night, the parade is now held on Saturday to accommodate large crowds and the festival which features delicious food, arts and crafts, demonstrations, and the ringing in of the Chinese New Year. Downtown Farmers Market at Bank of America Plaza (Events - Best of the City) 333 South Hope St, Los Angeles  CA  90071 Distance: ~0 ft         Description: In recent years, developers have shown a great deal of interest in revitalizing and rekindling the public's interest in Downtown LA. Various farmers markets in the area are a great example of this. Truly indicative of the area's emerging "downtown atmosphere," each Friday afternoon you can choose from a vast selection of the certified California-grown, fresh fruits and vegetables of the season. The Bank of America Plaza is one location and there are others as well that are open all year round on different days of the week. Copyright ©2001 10Best Inc. All rights reserved.