Discover Twelve Days of Free Christmas in Los Angeles

Give yourself the gift of free holiday entertainment in the Los Angeles, the City of Angels. A hip new local interest guide provides the details.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) November 22, 2004 -- 'Tis the Season to spend and splurge in Los Angeles, but what if you havent got a ha-penny for little luxuries like holiday entertainment?

Unwrap a year of free fun things to do when you open the pages of a unique new travel guide, Free L.A. The Ultimate Free Fun Guide to the City of Angels." Put the $12.95 guide to 350 free L.A. area museums, festivals, gardens, concerts and films on your wish list. Or tuck it into someone elses stocking.

Since this is the season of giving, CorleyGuide, the publishers of Free L.A., (www.freela.net), are giving away Twelve Days of Free Christmas in L.A.:

Cruise the mile-long DWP Light Festival illuminating Griffith Parks Crystal Springs Drive from Thanksgiving 'til New Years Eve. Hundreds of thousands of lights create 25 sparkling displays including the L.A. skyline, the Hollywood sign and L.A. Zoo animals. www.dwplightfestival.com

Experience a 19th century Christmas at Rancho Los Cerritos, the oldest house in Long Beach. Take self-guided tours of the adobe decorated with vintage Christmas ornaments during the holiday Open House Dec. 12, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. www.rancholoscerritos.org

Board the Queen Mary on Dec. 8 for free, and snack on complimentary holiday treats during the annual Christmas tree lighting on the luxury liners Sun Deck Stage. Boarding starts at 4:30 p.m.; tree lighting ceremonies from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. www.queenmary.com

Catch snowflakes on your tongue Hollywood-style during Universal CityWalks periodic snowfalls." Californias themed pedestrian promenade and entertainment complex provides free holiday entertainment from live concerts to kids crafts during the season. www.citywalkhollywood.com

Journey to L.A.s historic plaza to watch Las Posadas, a re-enactment of Mary and Josephs biblical trek to Bethlehem, at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument (Olvera Street). The 45-minute candlelight procession starts at 7:15 p.m. each night from Dec 16 to Dec 24; look for free pan dulce from plaza merchants. www.olvera-street.com

Set sail on Dec. 11 for Marina del Reys Holiday Boat Parade where a flotilla festooned with thousands of lights cruises the main channel 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., pre-ceded by five minutes of fireworks. Best viewing spots are Burton Chace Park and Fishermans Village on Fiji Way. www.mdrboatparade.org

Stroll through Santa Monicas own winter wonderland as the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place are draped in holiday lights from 18-foot-tall Christmas trees to faux icebergs and icicles. The month-long sparkling spectacular is studded with events including carolers, visits with a surfin Santa, free gift wrapping days, crafts for kids and free holiday movies. www.santamonicaplace.com

Chill out at Pershing Squares Downtown on Ice, which hosts a three-day Winter Holiday Festival, Dec 10 -- 12. Walk among strolling entertainers, enjoy live music, decorate a tree, and let the kids make & take crafts from noon until night. www.laparks.org

Combine history with holiday magic as you drive down Altadenas Christmas Tree Lane, a street lined with the tallest Christmas trees this side of the North Pole. The 135 towering deodars were seedlings in 1885 and volunteers have been decorating the trees with 10,000 colorful bulbs since 1920, making the lane Southern Californias oldest large-scale Christmas lighting exhibition. www.pasadenacal.com

Relive a Southern California Christmas from the 1840s, 1870s and 1920s at the City of Industrys historic Homestead Museum Dec 12, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visit with living history characters during free tours, listen to the sounds of a Victorian brass ensemble, string popcorn garlands and join in with Christmas carolers. www.homesteadmuseum.org

Encounter a truly L.A. Christmas -- with a Hunky Santa to whisper your holiday wishes to -- at the Beverly Centers Grand Court. This Santa wears a tight-fitting red tank, Italian boots and a traditional cap but his lap -- available in the evenings -- is not for kids. Official photos are $10 - $15 each. www.beverlycenter.com

'Twas the night before Christmas and savvy Angelenos were found at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in leaps and bounds. A free, six-hour musical performance marathon sponsored by the L.A. County Arts Commission features choirs, gospel singers and dance troupes who perform everything from traditional carols to ethnic drama. www.lacountyarts.org

The content of this press release may be reprinted in whole or in part as long as credit is given as excerpted from Free L.A. The Ultimate Free Fun Guide to the City of Angels, copyright 2004, CorleyGuide."

Free L.A. (CorleyGuide; $12.95; ISBN 0970624212) is available at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Vromans, Duttons, Book Soup, Skylight Books, Distant Lands and other So Cal bookstores.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Review copies and high-resolution photos are available. Free L.A. content is also available for syndication.

Contact:

Troy Corley

editor@freela.net

805-646-5467

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