13ThingsLA: November 27

Holiday Hours for your art calendar

Chandeliers in the Fantasy Forest (Courtesy of Descanso Gardens)

Descanso Gardens lights up; PST: Art carries on undaunted at MOCA and USC Roski Talks; actually interesting holiday shopping options from Tierra del Sol and OCHI; A beachfront sculpture pop up from Kate Mueller, the return of the Tom of Finland art festival, a film about unearthed memories by Rachel Seed; it’s 1974 all month at Alamo Drafthouse; and new or ongoing exhibitions at Automata, Bermudez Projects, la BEAST, and the Hammer give you a lot to think about. And in case you forgot, our little Substack was named by LAist as one of the best art experiences to give or receive! Just saying. Happy Holidays! Protect your sanity! 

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Feature

Tom Fruin at Descanso Gardens (Photo by Shana Nys Dambrot)

Enchanted Forest of Light is now open at Descanso Gardens. If there’s one spot that knows how to take full advantage of these long winter nights, it’s Descanso. Each season, they transform the site’s beloved pathways through groves, gardens, meadows, and glades, past creeks, ponds, and railroad tracks into a meandering route innovatively activated by light and sound sculptures. Every year is a little bit different, though many of the same beloved artists and works do return. The singing tulip fields will never go away, and the fairy lights dancing in the Ancient Forest is a perennial (no pun intended) delight as well—as are the intricate, monumental lattice lanterns by HYBYCOZO. And you might remember the magical stained glass house that seemed to float on the lake in previous editions? Well this year the artist, Tom Fruin, has built an entire “town” out of them—and these you can enter. Personally, I could have sat on the wooden benches amid the glittering ivory twinkle in the misty white light rose garden all night. Pro tip: If you are not a child yourself, you might consider other ways to, um, enhance your sense of childlike wonder. Through January 5, 2025 in La Cañada-Flintridge; Timed entry tickets: $15-$45; descansogardens.org

Enchanted at Descanso Gardens (Photo by Shana Nys Dambrot)