A Stroll Through a Winter Wonderland
Walking through the streets of Downtown Burbank during November and December feels like stepping into a storybook. The city streets are adorned with thousands of Christmas lights, casting a warm and inviting glow over the entire area. The trees and greenery lining San Fernando Blvd are hung with dripping icicle LED lights, creating a canopy of illumination that guides you through the heart of the city.
Wreaths, garlands, and Christmas ornaments are carefully placed along storefronts and lampposts, adding a touch of traditional holiday charm. Even the local businesses get in on the festivities, often decorating their windows with indoor Christmas decorations that add to the overall ambiance.
The Iconic Holiday Tree
At the center of the holiday decorations is the iconic walkthrough Christmas tree, a towering 7 ft. evergreen that is displayed on the AMC Walkway. The tree, adorned with hundreds of Christmas ornaments, figurines, and thousands of lights, is a sight to behold. Each year, the tree is ceremoniously lit during a special event that marks the official start of the holiday season in Burbank.
Photo Opportunities
Throughout the district, there are unique photo opportunities. Giant nutcrackers alongside candy canes are set up in one and another boasts half dome light-up ornaments for backdrops. These outdoor Christmas decorations make a visit to Downtown at night so much fun!
July 1 – August 31, 2024
Elephant Parade® Burbank 2024, the world’s largest touring public elephant art exposition, comes to the city of Burbank from July 1 to August 31, 2024.
This citywide exhibition, a first for the Los Angeles area, will include 25 elephant statues at high-traffic Burbank landmarks, public spaces, local businesses, and at area hotels. Funded and initiated by Visit Burbank, the City of Burbank’s official tourism marketing association, the “herd” of 25 will be led by Mahua designed by Los Angeles-artist Chariya Bissonnette and located on the AMC Walkway.
Each elephant has been imaginatively transformed by celebrities and artists devoted to elephant conservation and celebrating the beauty of these universally adored animals through vivid color, design, passion, and humor. No two of the 25 elephants are alike and each one merits a viewing at its carefully chosen Burbank venue. Elephant Parade® Burbank 2024 is free and open to the public at all 25 locations.
Downtown Burbank’s Elephants
Eleven of the Burbank elephants will be located in Downtown Burbank. The following are those elephants.
Khloé Kardashian “Jasmine”
Located on the Burbank Town Center’s 2nd Floor Patio
“My elephant, Jasmine, is a golden, elegant princess, beautiful beyond explanation. The elephant is the symbol of wealth and wisdom. Whatever may appear on the surface, the essence is in the soul. The point of life is to enjoy it to the fullest and leave only good behind.”
Katy Perry “Trunks”
Located on the AMC Walkway by the Batman Statue
Inspired by the musical ingenuity of Katy Perry, the bright colors and designs of “Trunks” pays tribute to Perry’s iconic musical career and gives reference to her millions of followers, “KatyCats.”
Chariya Bisssonnette “Mahua”
Located on the AMC Walkway in Front of Ben & Jerry’s
Crafted in vibrant colors and designs, “Mahua” is named after the elephant spirit that takes care of all other elephants. It inspires protection and conservation of these majestic animals.
Chris Justice “Petunia II”
Located on the Burbank Town Center’s 2nd Floor Patio
My goal was to celebrate the pure joy of the elephant. I figured the easiest way to connect that emotion was with the flower, which can be appreciated by humans and animals alike. An authentic bridging between man and nature.
Chris Chun “Garlands (Maa Lii)”
Located on the AMC Walkway in Front of Ben & Jerry’s
Maa Lii is an ancient Thai word for flower blossom. Flowers are integral part of Thai culture celebrating the elephants. Not only worn at festive occasions such as graduations, birthdays, weddings, and for good luck, flowers are also used in the most beautiful floral garlands honoring life and to pay respect to Buddha.
Diana Francis and Laura Seeley “Mosha”
Located at the Community Services Burbank
Mosha, as a baby elephant, stepped on a landmine. Mosha was rushed to the Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital in Thailand. ELEPHANT PARADE was founded to provide funds and support for her care. Mosha was te first baby elephant to receive a prosthetic leg. In her honor, a special Mosha elephant is created for each Elephant Parade exhibition held around the world.
Utain Wongjai “Meditation”
Located at the Community Services Burbank
Meditating allows me to listen to myself and my heart. This elephant represents my admiration and faith in the elephant and my Buddhist beliefs.
Jeff Carillo “Golden Poppies”
Located at Hilton Garden Inn Burbank
The black and gold design found on this hand-painted elephant symbolizes happiness, success, attainment, and prosperity. Even within a field of darkness and unknown, a miracle can always bloom. If you follow your dream, you will one day emerge with happiness.
Johanna Enriquez “Gentle Guardian”
Located at Hotel Burbank
It is nighttime, a most magical time when the evening sky is filled with angels, our gentle guardians. One by one, their eyes twinkle with curiosity, illuminating the night sky. As the night grows on, the guardian angels continue to peek out from the heavens, watching over the world below, keeping us safe.
Eric Vozzola “Surprise”
Located at IKEA Burbank
This artwork celebrates the end of a festival/show/concert when confetti explodes during the last song, the lighting goes wild, and excitement fills the air.
For a full list of all the Burbank locations throughout the city, see Visit Burbank’s map:
About Elephant Parade®
Elephant Parade® orchestrates the largest global art exhibition of uniquely decorated elephant statues, aimed at promoting elephant conservation. These life-size, baby elephant statues, designed by artists and celebrities, tour international cities to elevate conservation awareness. Millions of people around the world have experienced Elephant Parade® to date, and more than 1,700 artists have contributed their designs. 2,000 unique elephant statues have been created. Since 2007, worldwide locations include Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2009; London, Great Britain 2010; Singapore 2011; Hong Kong 2014; Bangkok, Thailand 2015; Mumbai, India 2018; Dubai 2019; Switzerland 2020, and Las Vegas 2022. www.elephantparade.com
The Colony Theatre has evolved into a well-established, award-winning, nationally recognized theatre, renowned for the extremely high quality of its productions. It has received countless awards for excellence, and has been listed in the Encyclopedia Britannica Almanac as one of “25 Notable US Theater Companies.”
They actively cultivate an environment that encourages collaboration, dedication, discipline, and joyous creativity, while developing the next generation of artists and audiences. The Colony continues to produce and program innovative, cutting edge shows and events appropriate for all ages, while being a launching pad for Broadway and Off- Broadway shows, as well as a performing destination for LA and Broadway’s brightest stars and productions, a space for top casting directors to cast, filmmakers to shoot, and the community to engage.
To purchase tickets, visit the full schedule here: colonytheatre.org/calendar
EVERY SATURDAY | 8:00AM – 12:00PM
The Burbank Farmers Market is one of the oldest Farmers Markets in Southern California (in their 40th year!). All of the produce sold is certified California grown, with most of it grown on family-owned farms—some of which have been in business for 100 years. All farmers are inspected by the Los Angeles County Health Department. A not-for-profit market, all proceeds go to the Providence Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation, and are used to help provide medical care for those who would otherwise be unable to afford it.
The vendor list is always changing, for the most recent please visit www.burbankfarmersmarket.org/our-vendors
If you’d like to become a vendor, please email info@burbankfarmersmarket.org
THE DETAILS
DAY: Every Saturday
HOURS: 8:00am – 12:00pm – “Rain or Shine”
LOCATION: Olive & Glenoaks, Downtown Burbank
(In the Community Services Building Parking Lot)
FREE PARKING:
Small Lot at Olive & Glenoaks (gets crowded)
Fire Station Lot at Orange Grove & Glenoaks. (Available to the public on weekends.) Entrance on Orange Grove or Palm. [ PLENTY of spaces! / Please don’t jaywalk ]
City Hall Parking Lot – Third & Orange Grove (Entrance on Orange Grove. We’re right across Third Street.)
Street Parking
RESTRICTIONS: Service Animals Only, No Smoking
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE: Yes
Winter Arts Festival
A festive art festival is returning to Downtown Burbank in time for holiday shopping. WinterArts Festival returns December 7-8, 2024 from 11am-5pm daily. This free event in the heart of Downtown Burbank will feature 175+ handmade artisan booths on San Fernando Boulevard from Magnolia to Angeleno. Shoppers can expect to find trendsetting indie goods including original fashion and jewelry design, paper goods, innovative home décor and housewares, art, photography, food, plus much more.
INTERESTING ARTISTS & VENDORS:
- Ecosystems of Hawaii – Complete ecosystems for the nature lover’s home
- Cottage Confectionary – holiday-inspired macarons
- Little Chimes – Wind chime to put in your plant stand
- Vintage Menu Art – Restaurant and bar menus brought back to life as contemporary wall art
- Eagle Rock Werkshop – Active lifestyle apparel
- Jillie P – One-of-a-kind clothing pieces using vintage quilts
- Sock Candy – Fashion forward socks
For a full list of participating vendors, please visit: jackalopeartfair.com/burbankvendors
ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY:
Make your Own Slime: In addition to other satisfying goodies, Sparklez Slimez will be providing slime for you to customize to your hearts desire. An amazingly fun sensory activity for the whole family! Location: In Palm Center
Facepainting by Linda: Along with facepainting, enjoy glitter tattoos, nail art and unicorn braids. Location: In Palm Center
DIY Letterman Patch Workshop: Join MildaMade to craft a unique letter patch to adorn your jacket, backpack, or anything you fancy. Upcycled fabrics make this project sustainable, sparking your creativity to transform found materials into stylish wardrobe upgrades. Best Part? All materials are provided free of charge. Location: In Palm Center
This workshop has limited seating, to learn more and register CLICK HERE
DIY Tote Bag and Holiday Garland: Join Creatiive Natiive and you can either make your own tote bag or holiday garland. Customize your own tote with lots of fun materials: fabric markers, Posca Pens, no-heat fabric fuse patches, plus create a beaded keychain. Then shift gears to the holidays, where you can create your own handmade garland to get your home holiday ready! Use aromatic dried citrus and herbs, natural wood pieces and bells to ring in the festive spirit. Booth 156, by Palm Center
Kids Bubble Play Area: Join Media City Church for a bubble experience fun for the whole family. Location: Olive & San Fernando Blvd
LIVE MUSIC:
Saturday, December 7th:
- Ricky England: 11am – 1pm
- Nicole and Andy: 3pm- 5pm
Sunday, December 8th:
- Ricky England: 11am – 1pm
- Mariano G Valdovinos: 11am – 2pm
STAY THE WEEKEND:
Traveling to the fair and need somewhere nearby to stay? Check out some great options here.
June 8th & 9th, 2024 | 11am-6pm Daily
Activities for the Whole Family
Make your own Tote bag and Keychain: Kids and adults can customize their own Embrace Your Creativity tote ($15) with lots of fun materials: fabric markers, Posca Pens, no-heat fabric fuse patches. PLUS create your own custom pendant keychain ($10) by choosing from a variety of wooden pendants to decorate using paint pens, gems and embellishments. Add colorful beads of your choice to a flexible wire, and put everything on a lanyard clasp. Hosted by Creatiive Natiive, Booth OG1 (on Orange Grove)
Make your Own Slime: In addition to other satisfying goodies, Sparklez Slimez will be providing slime for you to customize to your hearts desire. An amazingly fun sensory activity for the whole family! Booth P1 (in Palm Center)
Facepainting by Linda: Along with facepainting, enjoy glitter tattoos, nail art and unicorn braids. Booth J (on Palm)
Fast Faces: Live caricatures drawn onsite. Booth I (on Palm)
Watercolor Painting: Come visit Little Island Company where adults and older kiddos can create watercolor masterpieces. Come paint 12pm-4pm each day. Booth O22 (on Olive)
Kids Bubble Station: Join Media City Church where kids can explore the fun world of bubbles! Booth E & F (on Palm)
Chess at Three: Teaching children complex subjects through the art of storytelling. Children fall in love with the game of chess by learning from their story-based curriculum. Following a cast of quirky, memorable characters through the magical world of Chesslandia, students swiftly become successful chess players while developing critical thinking, strategy, and problem-solving skills. Come to our booth to hear engaging stories and play fun mini-games! Booth P6 (in Palm Center)
Chalk Block
Watch as chalk artists create works of art based on their favorite animated movie or television show. Cast your vote for fan favorite by Sunday at 4pm!
Live Music
Saturday, June 8th:
Ricky England: 11am – 1pm
Mina Boktor: 1pm – 3pm
Andy Kimbel: 4pm – 5pm
Sunday, June 9th:
Ricky England: 11am – 1pm
Andy Kimbel: 2pm – 4pm
Nicole and Andy: 4pm – 6pm
Become a Vendor:
Securing a spot as a vendor at the Downtown Burbank Arts Festival promises an opportunity to showcase your creative offerings amidst a vibrant cultural backdrop. Inquire today: vendors@jackalopeartfair.com.
STAY THE WEEKEND:
Traveling to the fair and need somewhere nearby to stay? Check out some great options here.