Los Angeles, Ca
Holiday ice rink returning to downtown Los Angeles
For another year, Pershing Square in the heart of downtown Los Angeles will turn into a winter wonderland where skaters and spectators can gather to experience the city’s largest outdoor ice rink.
The holiday ice rink at Pershing Square will officially open to the public with a tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 21, which will feature musical performances by the cast of “Wicked” the Broadway musical. The rink will remain in place through Jan. 12, 2025.
The seasonal ice rink has brought a little bit of the winter weather to sunny Los Angeles for the past 25 years, with more than 45,000 skaters and 221,000 spectators visiting the famed public park located between South Olive and Hill streets.
“The rink fosters community, while embracing winter fitness and fun,” organizers said.
The event this year is sponsored by “Wicked,” DTLA Alliance, KUSC, Metro and Metrolink. Proceeds from the weekslong event will benefit City of Los Angeles Department of Recreations and Parks.
The largest outdoor rink in the city at 7,200 square feet, the holiday ice rink promises to provide “professional-quality ice for skating and entertainment.”
General admission, which includes skate rentals, is $20. Skate “helpers” and storage lockers can be rented for additional fees. Advanced tickets are available to be purchased online beginning Friday.
Private parties are also available on select Mondays and Tuesdays, organizers said.
“Wicked”-themed skate nights will take place on Wednesdays, which will feature music from the show and giveaways; Thursday nights will feature music from local DJs; and Sundays will feature two sessions for skater to enjoy the “soothing sounds of classical music” provided by KUSC radio.
If you’re not interested in skating but still want to experience the novelty of winter sports in Southern California, the Hollywood Curling Club will host three one-hour curling lessons on Dec. 21, Dec. 28 and Jan. 4, 2025.
Willy Bietak, whose production company is organizing the holiday ice rink, said the event is an “absolute must” for Angelenos and residents who want to make the most out of a winter in Los Angeles.
For tickets and other information, click here.
About 20 people were detained Saturday during a large police response in Los Angeles’ Koreatown after authorities received reports of an armed man threatening people, officials said. Officers responded to the 3400 block of West 8th Street near Kingsley Drive on reports of an assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Los Angeles Police […]
A former Riverside County man was found guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along L.A.’s notorious Figueroa Corridor.
Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Prosecutors said Shabazz had led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before he turned physically and sexually violent. He began demanding that the victim engage in commercial sex acts from May to October of 2021, court documents said.
He carried a handgun with him and, on occasion, was accused of using it to pistol-whip the victim. He also fired the gun at her feet while threatening to kill her, prosecutors said.
At trial, the victim said Shabazz demanded that she meet a daily quota of commercial sex proceeds and that she was terrified of the consequences of not meeting that quota.
She testified that Shabazz compelled her to work in the notorious Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a dangerous area known for human trafficking and prostitution.
Shabazz had confiscated her identification card, Social Security card and birth certificate. He constantly monitored her cell phone to stop her from communicating with any friends or family.
“He also introduced her to addictive narcotics and controlled every aspect of her life, including when she ate, slept and showered,” prosecutors said.
In May 2025, Shabazz was arrested and has remained in federal custody. His last known address at the time was in Washington, D.C.
On June 26, 2026, Shabazz was found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, where he faces 15 years to life in prison.
“Sex trafficking matters rank among the most tragic cases our office prosecutes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This defendant will now face many years in a federal prison cell for his sick, disgusting, and disturbing behavior.”
“Elias Shabazz preyed on a vulnerable victim using physical and sexual violence and cruel psychological coercion to compel commercial sex acts for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “There is no place for this type of conduct in civilized society. We deeply respect the victim’s courage to face her trafficker in court. The Criminal Division will continue to bring these cases and try them.”
Anyone with information about human trafficking can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888
The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]
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