Kick off the holidays this weekend and get into the festive spirit with musical performances, food pop-ups, specials and, of course, the ongoing gastronomic pleasures of the Grand Central Market itself. The festivities begin on Friday with carolers serenading at lunch and klezmer music in the afternoon. Weekend performances include steel drumming, opera music and a mariachi group.

Amidst music on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. are retail pop-ups with party gifts ideas for kitchen, pantry and tabletop. Highlights include chef aprons (Hedley & Bennett), pickles (Rachel Narins/Chicks With Knives), and flour and bread-making tools (Grist & Toll).

Not to miss is Valerie at GMC's special holiday boutique that will include specialty chocolate boxes, fruitcakes and peppermint bark. The shop will also host a Ladies in the Kitchen cookbook signing event (with complimentary eggnog and hot chocolate) on Saturday, December 6 from 1 to 2 p.m. Featured cookbook authors include Aarti Sequeira of Aarti Paarti; Catherine McCord of Weelicious; Akasha Richmond of Akasha Restaurant and author of Hollywood Dish; Amelia Saltsman of The Santa Monica Farmers' Market Cookbook; and Valerie Gordon of Sweet.

And while you are there, must-try gourmet vendors include DTLA Cheese, Wexler's Deli, Belcampo Meat, McConnell's Ice Cream, Egg Slut and The Oyster Gourmet. Family fun during the weekend includes ornament decorating and a Santa Claus meet-and-greet between 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Also be sure to notice the public art installation, Yarn-O-Polis, where eight pillars in the market are “yarn bombed” and transformed into colorful knitted and crocheted Grecian columns with iconic images from different districts of DTLA. 

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