While Angelenos gathered around Christmas trees, fireplaces and family tables, Los Angeles sparkled with a whirlwind of holiday soirées and celebrations anticipating the winter 2025 award season. See below for what happened around town in December.
The 2024 Baby2Baby Holiday Distribution Event Presented by Frame and Nordstrom took place at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Dec. 3. The event hosted 500 students from the Los Angeles area who were able to visit with Santa, receive gifts and shoot penalty kicks. Also in attendance were Baby2Baby ambassadors and supporters Demi Lovato, Olivia Wilde, Kelly Rowland, Ali Wong, Kendrick Lamar & Whitney Alford, Sydney Leroux, Sara Sampaio, Rachel Zoe, Jennifer Meyer, Shanina Shaik, Jordana Brewster, Jada Paul and LAFC players Olivier Giroud and Kei Kamara. All children who attended also received warm clothes and hygiene products for the winter. “I’m grateful to be here with Baby2Baby to help create such a memorable holiday experience for hundreds of children across Los Angeles who need it most,” said Baby2Baby ambassador Demi Lovato.
On Dec. 3, Marciano by Guess hosted its holiday cocktail party at Dante Beverly Hills. Guests Jamie Chung, Bre Tiesi, Kendra Wilkinson, Kelli Berglund and many others enjoyed a performance from America’s Got Talent runner-up Anna DeGuzman, as well as other perks like personalized blankets and specialty cocktails. Guests also wore pieces from Marciano by Guess's holiday 2024 collection.
The Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles welcomed the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Black Cinema and Television on Dec. 9. Hosted by comedian and SNL alum Jay Pharaoh, the star-studded event highlighted the works of the Black entertainment community. Honorees of the evening included Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Cynthia Erivo, Jharrel Jerome, John David Washington, Kris Bowers, Malcolm D. Lee, Michael Rainey Jr., Natasha Rothwell, Regina King, Ryan Destiny, Steve McQueen, Tyler Perry and Wendell Pierce. Presenters and special guests included Ava DuVernay, Brian Tyree Henry, Courtney B. Vance, Jeffrey Wright, Kelly Rowland, Nia Long, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Taye Diggs, Mario Van Peebles, Morris Chestnut and many others.
In celebration of the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences partnered with Chanel to host a luncheon on Dec. 10. The starry guest list included Amy Adams, Pamela Anderson, Awkwafina, Joan Chen, Gia Coppola, Ava DuVernay, Ariana Grande, Regina King, Mila Kunis, Havana Rose Liu, Halina Reijn, A.V. Rockwell, Olivia Wilde and Rita Wilson. This year’s Gold Fellowship for Women was awarded to filmmakers Raha Amirfazli and Shadi Karamroudi and Selena Gomez gave a keynote presentation.
Amanda Seyfried and Make It Cute co-founders Anne Hoehn and Maureen North hosted a holiday celebration at Babylist Beverly Hills on Dec. 10. To celebrate the launch of PlayDecor’s new holiday kit, guests engaged in activities and were offered festive food and beverages. Furthermore, to spread the seasonal cheer, 10 percent of each purchase was donated to the American Childhood Cancer Organization.
L’Agence co-founder and chairman Jeff Rudes hosted the company’s annual holiday dinner at his Beverly Hills home on Dec. 10. The Tuesday evening event saw VIP guests like Heather Graham, Jamie Chung, Brooks Nader, Rocky Barnes, Amanda Kloots, Shanina Shaik and Abigail Spencer. Attendees were treated to a candle-lit dinner and live music, all while L’Agence’s new holiday collection was showcased.
In anticipation of the February Screen Actors Guild Awards, SAG and Entertainment Weekly threw a Chateau Marmont party on Dec. 12. Campari cocktails were served, as well as select wines from Cooper’s Hawk. Award season’s major names were in attendance, such as Cooper Koch, Cynthia Erivo, Hiroyuki Sanada, Jason Segel, Brett Goldstein, Maria Bakalova, Walton Goggins and Zoe Saldaña.
The Golden Globes held its inaugural luncheon for first-time nominees of the awards ceremony on Dec. 17 at The Maybourne Beverly Hills. Honoring the career milestone of Ariana Grande, Pamela Anderson, Adam Brody, Zoe Saldaña, Cooper Koch and more, began with a toast from Golden Globes president Helen Hoegne, which was followed by a curated menu by executive chef Damon Gordon. Each nominee in attendance was also treated to a gift from Swarovski and bespoke spa packages to experience The Maybourne Spa.
Plus 1 Network presented the Year-End Soiree on Dec. 17 at Gravitas, Beverly Hill’s newest members-only social club. Welcoming Don Benjamin, Model Roz, Phil Morris, Tristan Mays and other culture creators, tastemakers and talent, the mixer showcased celebrity-endorsed spirits like Rick Ross’ favored Luc Belaire Champagne collection, Lil Wayne’s Bumbu rum and Villion cognac and Cameron Diaz’s Avaline wine. A live DJ and flavorsome bites by Gravitas executive chef Preston Madson sealed the evening.
See also: November 2024: Inside L.A.'s Parties And Events Around Town
Photography by: Images: Baby2Baby; courtesy of Getty Images; Getty Images for Critics; Wireimage; Getty Images for Babylist; Jason Sean Weiss/ BFA.com; Shutterstock for SAG Awards; Michael Buckner& Gilbert Flores/PMC for Golden Globes; Steven Busby
