As Christmas Eve approaches, the Southland is gearing up for a festive blend of religious observances and cultural celebrations. On Sunday, the 64th annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion will be a highlight, alongside Masses and services across the region.
Archbishop José H. Gomez is set to preside over a poignant 10 p.m. English-language Christmas Eve Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Preceded by Christmas carols with the cathedral’s choir at 9:30 p.m., this Mass is one of several scheduled throughout the day. English-language Masses at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., a Spanish-language Mass at 12:30 p.m., and a 4 p.m. English-language family Mass with the cathedral’s children’s choir offer diverse opportunities for the community to come together in celebration.
For those unable to attend in person, the 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. Masses will be streamed on Facebook (facebook.com/olacathedral) and YouTube (youtube.com/olacathedral). On Christmas Day, Archbishop Gomez will lead the 12:30 p.m. Mass in Spanish, while English-language Masses will be held at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. The Christmas Day 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Masses will be broadcast live on the ABC7 Los Angeles app, Localish Network, and various cable channels.
Reflecting on the season, Archbishop Gomez shared, “Jesus entered our world as a Child, and he told us that in order to enter his world, we also need to become children. The Child who comes on Christmas promised to never leave us. He renews that promise, the promise of Christmas, in every Eucharist.”
Simultaneously, the Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration, running from 3-6 p.m., will captivate audiences as Los Angeles’ largest free multicultural holiday celebration. Hosted by opera singer Suzanna Guzmán and actor/model/disabilities advocate Danny J. Gomez, the celebration will feature 23 professional and community-based music and dance ensembles, children’s and adult choirs.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, a consistent performer for 33 years, will bring upbeat holiday songs to the stage between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. The event will also showcase the Klezmer-Rock band Mostly Kosher, joined by the Jewish Youth Orchestra, in a performance during the same time slot.
This celebration, televised live and streamed online, promises a rich tapestry of holiday-themed performances. Admission is free, and seating is available on a first-come, first-seated basis. Doors open at 2:30 p.m., with parking free in The Music Center garage. The festive occasion will undoubtedly be a culmination of the season’s joy and community spirit.
