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🌴 Pet Photos, Bar Crawl, and SFV Directory
December 11–17, 2025, news, food, and events in the Valley (and beyond).
NoHo Nick
December 11, 2025
Acrylic painting. “A landscape inspired by mid-century homes with pools in SFV.”
Welcome to your weekly San Fernando Valley update: December 11–17, 2025.
In this week’s NoHo Nick:
🏢 SFV Business Directory
🛍️ Holiday Markets
🍺 NoHo Bar Crawl
🎬️ Will Arnett
Every week, people email me their favorite places in the Valley.
Taco trucks, yoga studios, and even places to go with my dog.
But I’ve been running out of space in these emails to share everything!
Introducing: 🌴 San Fernando Valley Business Directory
Discover locally-owned businesses in the San Fernando Valley. Over time, I hope this helps you find your new favorite spots.
For instance:
PS, I launched it on Monday. Please send me your feedback or recommendations.
PPS Own a business? Add it to the directory.
—Nick ([email protected])
Reader Love: “Always helpful, informative and supportive.” — Alexa
🎬 Is This Thing On? with Will Arnett Q&A (Burbank)
Will Arnett brings his new film, Is This Thing On?, to AMC Burbank 16 for exclusive opening weekend screenings.
Special introductions and live Q&As.
AMC A-List members can book tickets online (not available in the app). See you there!
Saturday, December 20, at 7:30 PM and 9 PM, at AMC Burbank 16.
⭐ Advertise in NoHo Nick → Promote your event or business to thousands of highly-engaged readers.
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Here’s what’s happening:
💿️ Echo Park record shop is struggling. Sick City Records is asking for public help after a decrease in foot traffic due to the Eaton Fire, ICE raids, and rising rent. (KTLA)
🏡 300 people are housed with LA's RV removal program. West Valley Homes Yes has removed 150 RVs from Sylmar and Pacoima streets by building trust with residents and providing hotel transitions. The city council is now adopting the model citywide. (ABC7)
🛠️ Ace Hardware to open in Mission Hills in early 2026. A new 15,000 sq. ft. store is almost complete.
These are my favorite upcoming events:
Ongoing
⚽ Coed Pickup Soccer at Lab Five (Pacoima): Fast, friendly coed soccer pickup games. All levels welcome. Sharpen your skills. 2 hours of games on 2 fields. $10.50. Fridays. The next game is December 12 at 9 PM at Lab Five Pacoima.
🥕 Volunteer at the Encino Farmers Market (Van Nuys): Greet guests and share info about community programs. Support local farmers and small businesses. Perfect for students needing volunteer hours. Free. Sundays, from 7 AM to 1 PM, at 17400 Victory Blvd, Van Nuys.
Friday, December 12
🎅 Welcome to Menji-ville Holiday Party (Van Nuys): SFV’s Senator Menjivar hosts the 3rd annual community holiday party. Warm food, entertainment, and a snow play area at the State Office Building. Free. Friday, December 12, from 5 to 7 PM at the State Office Building.
Saturday, December 13
🎮 Baldur's Gate 3 Voice Actor Pop-up (Sherman Oaks): Voice actor Samantha Béart (Karlach from Baldur's Gate 3) visits this gaming collectibles shop for autographs, selfies, and meet-and-greets. Free. Autograph pricing varies. Saturday, December 13, from 1 to 5 PM at GeekyGlamorous.
🏺 Winter Arts Festival & Ceramics Sale (Woodland Hills): Shop ceramics, glass, paintings, assemblage, and woodwork at fair prices at Pierce College. Plus, vegan, vegetarian, and meat chili. Free. Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 10 AM to 4 PM at Room 3308 and the Fine Arts Courtyard.
🍻 NoHoHoHo Holiday Bar Crawl (North Hollywood): Break out holiday attire for a neighborhood crawl through favorite bars: party games and playful debauchery along the route. RSVP required. Free. Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 4 to 11:30 PM.
🎅 Santa Photos (Woodland Hills): Snap photos with Santa Claus at the Woodland Hills Farmers Market. Free. Saturday, December 13, from 9 AM to 1:30 PM.
❄️ Snow Day and Toy Giveaway (North Hollywood): Snow falls at Valley Plaza with a free toy giveaway, live music, and a visit from Santa. Hosted by Councilmember Adrin Nazarian. Free. Saturday, December 13, from 4 to 5 PM at Valley Plaza Recreation Center.
Sunday, December 14
🏞️ LA River Cleanup (Van Nuys): Friendly volunteer cleanup protecting the LA River. Look for the yellow vests and banner at the Balboa Blvd/LA River bridge meeting point. Free. Sunday, December 14, from 3 to 4 PM at 6300 Balboa Blvd, Van Nuys.
🎁 Holiday Night Market (North Hollywood): Local vendors selling gifts, art, clothing, vintage finds, and crafts. Shop small and grab all your holiday gifts in one festive evening. Free. Sunday, December 14, from 5 to 10 PM at 5223 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood.
Happening Soon
🤓 Nerdy Craft Night (North Hollywood): Make folded dice and gift boxes. Decorate your own ornaments. No experience needed. Nerdy, game-themed projects each month. $5 to $12. Tuesday, December 16, from 7 to 11 PM at Spellbound Larp & Games.
🎵 Music Bingo for Adults (Sherman Oaks): Bingo with a soundtrack from the 50s to the 80s. At the library. Light refreshments and prizes are courtesy of the Sherman Oaks Friends of the Library. Free. Saturday, December 20, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 1 PM at Sherman Oaks Branch.
🎄 Magical Holiday Parade (Toluca Lake): A 40+ year neighborhood tradition. Festive floats, carolers, dancers, and a glowing train-shaped float. Volunteer or donate to be a part of the magic. Free. Wednesday, December 24, 2025, from 5 PM to 10 PM.
Community shoutout: Shoutout to the potholes on Moorpark for keeping tire shops in business.
🍔 Foodzilla Fest: Christmas Edition (San Fernando): The Valley’s largest monthly food festival with dozens of food vendors and some local holiday gifts. The theme is “Foodzilla vs. The Grinch.” Free. Saturday, December 13, from 5 to 9 PM at San Fernando City Hall.
🫓 Chick Me Out (New—North Hollywood): Fast-casual, healthy Mediterranean spot just opened in the NoHo West plaza: organic chicken, natural ingredients, and no seed oils.
🐾 Pet Photos with Santa (Sherman Oaks)
Free pet pictures with Santa and hot drinks from Coffee Catering LA.
Donation drop-offs for blankets, towels, new pet supplies, food, cash, Venmo, or PayPal benefiting LA Animal Services and Best Friends Animal Society.
Free. Sunday, December 14, from 2 PM to 4 PM at 14648 Hesby Street.
🎄 Christmas Tree Lane (Altadena): Every winter, Altadena residents decorate giant cedar trees with thousands of lights. It’s the oldest outdoor Christmas light display in the country. They’re back again, despite the fires earlier this year!
☕ Vroman’s and Tepito Coffee Anniversary Party (Pasadena): Tepito Coffee celebrates three years inside Vroman's Bookstore with a community party filled with free coffee cake and giveaways. Free. Sunday, December 14, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Tepito Coffee.
Know of a hidden gem? Readers tell me about their favorite spots. Submit yours.
🏰 IKEA in Burbank has a Disney pop-up until January 4.
⚕️ Are you a hypochondriac? Or, is this the one time it’s for real?
🎥 Movie intros in 2026. (Stop sending me this.)
❓️ Scrubs, a beloved medical sitcom, was filmed in a North Hollywood hospital. Which one?
Last week’s question: California shares a border with Arizona and Oregon. Which border is longer?
Answer: This is a tricky question to answer. The California-Oregon border is a straight line from East to West. But the California-Arizona border follows the meandering Colorado River. The exact length depends on how you measure the river's curves. Some sources round up to ~240 miles; others say it’s closer to 235.
In most surveys, Arizona wins by about 20-30 miles.
Thank you for reading. See you next week!
Did you enjoy this week's NoHo Nick?Let me know! |
 | —NoHo Nick |
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