The LA Public Library is partnering with The Princeton Review to present "Student Smart: Tools of Becoming a Better Student." Student Smart offers citywide seminars & new SAT, PSAT, & ACT Practice Tests, conducted by The Princeton Review Instructors in LAPL Branches/Central Library, helping middle school & high school students develop effective study & test strategies for college.To participate, sign-up as soon as possible - space is limited. For more info, call Young Adult Services at (213) 228-7510 or view schedule here. Made possible through the generosity of Linda Duttenhaver, with additional support from Sterling Foundation. Funding made possible by the Library Foundation of LA.

This magnificent display of lights along a one-mile segment of Crystal Springs Drive in Griffith Park has become a holiday tradition that attracts more than half million visitors each year. As part of a commitment to a greener LA, the Holiday Light Festival will be a pedestrian only and "vehicle free" event Dec 4-17. Visitors may park at the L.A. Zoo parking lot on a 1st-come, 1st-served basis. Walkers are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and to dress warmly to walk the full one-mile route each way, as it can get chilly. To celebrate the "vehicle free" nights, there will be an educational mini fair area Dec 11, 12 & 13, with info on family activities, healthy nutrition & tasty treats. The traditional route of driving, walking & shuttles will run Dec 18-30. Shuttles will be available weekends and Dec 18-30. Walkers on these days will enjoy the walking path. Both options are accessible from the LA Zoo parking lot.

The ultimate chill! A yuletide glide at the biggest LA holiday outdoor ice skating rink with the smallest admission price, Downtown On Ice celebrates its 12th spectacular season at Pershing Square, 532 South Olive St, LA, 90013, open every day from Thu Nov. 19 thru Mon, Jan 18, 2010. With a low admission price of only $6 (plus skate rental of $2), it's the coolest way to add a little winter chill to the holidays without spending a lot of money. Scheduled special events include a FREE concert series, a FREE Winter Holiday Festival with FREE Snow Zone, weekend Kid's Zone and more.

Kooza is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil that combines two circus traditions--acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mix that emphasizes bold slapstick humor. Go here for info. Located at the Santa Monica Pier.

This awe-inspiring 60-piece orchestra plus a powerful chorus isn't your grandma's orchestra; this rock orchestra brings a visually stunning stange show and explosive music to the Nokia Theatre this December. Tickets

It's the debut of L.A. LIVE's spectacular holiday LED multi-media presentation, official tree lighting ceremony, grand opening of the LA Kings Holiday Ice at L.A. LIVE (L.A. LIVE's first-ever outdoor public ice skating rink) and special performances by GRAMMY award-winning singer LeAnn Rimes, and Shelia E. and the E Family featuring the Family Drum Core. The Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony will also kick off Season of Giving--AEG's initiative being launched to provide fundraising and awareness opportunities for charities and non-profits in the LA area. Throughout December, a different charity or non-profit will be honored at the skating rink each night. The evening will also mark the season's first lighting of the festive holiday lights displayed along the streets throughout the L.A. LIVE district featuring 75,000 lights that adorn 50 ten-foot angels and over 265,000 snowfall LED lights covering 150 trees.

This Thursday, Councilman Tony Cardenas rings in the season with the Holiday Tree & Menorah Lighting Celebration in Van Nuys. Set at the beautiful mission-style Marvin Braude Center, the annual celebration brings out families for an evening of inspiring choir music, warm treats, sparkling lights and a special visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. The event, sponsored by Cardenas, is free and kids in attendance will get a small gift. The Glenwood Elementary choir will perform songs and carols. Public parking will be available in the Marvin Braude Building. For more info, contact Cardenas' Van Nuys district office at 818-778-4999. 6262 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, 91401.

Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores and more when guided to the unique treasures--and great bargains--in Chinatown. The walking tour takes visitors to a bunch of off-the-beaten-track hidden gems, and will guide bargain hounds to Chinatown’s best bargains & trendiest shops. See why "The New Chinatown" is touted by Sunset and Los Angeles magazines as a hot new destination for urban adventurers.

Check out punk icons NOFX for a hilarious and mosh-pit-inducing good time in lovely downtown Pomona.

Formed in 1992 as a power pop trio with a heavy punk influence, a sense of humor, and a fixation with Pez candy, Less Than Jake metamorphosed into a ska-inspired punk band. Now a classic of the new-ska genre, Less Than Jake is a Warped Tour fave and has played with everyone from Blink-182 and Bad Religion to Bon Jovi.