As the center for arts on the West Coast, Los Angeles constantly bustles with different visual and performing arts events. Likewise, this special season certainly does not fall short of this city of entertainment’s high standards, as its exciting shows and compelling exhibits draw in people from all over the area.

With regard to performing arts, the Pantages Theatres, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and the Ahmanson Theatre are all presenting widely-known shows, as well as some newer and lesser-known shows. At the Pantages, “The Lion King” has returned to Los Angeles with all its magical fantasy; “Book of Mormon” is also set to make a short 8-week comeback at the theatre due to popular demand. In the realm of opera, thus far the LA Opera Company has presented at Dorothy Chandler George Bizet’s “Carmen,” the captivating tale of a temptress in 19th-century Spain; a 3-day showing of the existential modern opera “Einstein on the Beach” by Phillip Glass; and Guiseppe Verdi’s “Falstaff,” a comical tale based upon Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. This season’s production of “The Magic Flute,” by W.A. Mozart, premiered on November 23rd – this is the opera known for the “Queen of the Night” aria. Further, Los Angeles is buzzing with talk about Center Theatre Group’s presentation of “Peter and the Starcatcher”. Also at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Matthew Bourne’s elegant ballet “Sleeping Beauty” just finished a successful run. As always, the warm and magical Christmastime production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker will be presented by the Los Angeles Ballet and by various professional, local or semi-professional ballet companies in many locations throughout L.A. during the month of December.

Visual-art lovers will be just as busy this season with several exhibits of varying themes and mediums. Until March, the Skirball is presenting Global Citizen: The Architecture of Moshe Safdie, a close look at the career of this renowned architect. At LACMA one can visit an exhibition of the work of contemporary artist James Turrell, whose interactive art explores the relationship between light and space. Finally, the current exhibition at Annenberg Space for Photography is The Power of Photography, which celebrates 125 years of National Geographic photography. This exhibit will run until April 27th, so hurry over!