This time of year is fantastic for everyone – it’s festive, the weather is easing up, everyone’s in a great mood and ready to take some much needed time off work. For actors, November and December are relatively dead months when it comes to booking work. Major studios are looking to take time off and everyone is focused on spending more time with their families. So what does that mean for actors who are staying in Los Angeles for the holiday season? Don’t fret! You deserve to enjoy some off-time, too. You may draw some creative inspiration from some of these events…

Enjoy the calm before the storm! Here are 4 things to do here in LA before work picks up rapidly for Pilot Season:

1. Attend the Hollywood Christmas Parade
Like an Angelyne billboard on Sunset Blvd, the Hollywood Christmas Parade is an essential part of LA kitsch. Now in its 83rd year, the annual parade will be hosted by Erik Estrada and Laura McKenzie and will feature floats, balloons, bands, equestrians and celebrities as they ride in a U-shaped route that begins at Hollywood and Orange and ends up at Sunset and Orange. Reserved grandstand seats can be purchased, with proceeds going to Toys for Tots, but free curbside seating is also available.

2. Watch a Screening of “Love, Actually” at the Drive-In Theatre
A holiday classic and tradition for many. This movie will put you right into the holiday spirit and the nostalgic drive-in theatre is a nice change of pace from watching Love, Actualy at home. Bundle up and cuddle up in the car with your sweetie to enjoy the film the first weekend of December at the Electric Dusk Drive-In Theatre! Gates open at 3:30pm and the movie starts at 5pm.

3. Check out UCB’s Event Calendar!
Pretty consistently throughout the holiday season, Upright Citizens Brigade has all kinds of awesome shows going on! Whether it’s standup, Tonya Harding The Musical (HA!), or improv shows, UCB is a great resource to hit up if you’re in the mood for some live-action comedy and creative inspiration. Check out their calendar and attend a show or three. It’ll help you stay creatively and comedically on point during this period of downtime.

4. Enjoy the Holiday Cheer at The Grove
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Our favorite hang-out becomes the most cheerful and festive place to be for about a month out of the year, and we couldn’t be happier about it. Grab some dinner at the market, catch a movie, go for a stroll and look at all the gorgeous lights at night. It’s definitely a sight to be seen, and the carefree, relaxing nature of this landmark-turned winter wonderland will leave you feeling refreshed and re-calibrated.