A John Waters Christmas at The Vermont Hollywood

Few people make the holidays feel as gleefully wrong as John Waters. The Baltimore filmmaker behind "Pink Flamingos," "Hairspray" and "Cry-Baby" turns his talent for the delightfully tasteless into a one-man holiday show, and on December 5, 2026, it lands at The Vermont Hollywood. For anyone building a list of things to do in Los Angeles this December, it is an easy pick.

When: Saturday, December 5, 2026 (check the ticket page for the confirmed start time) Where: The Vermont Hollywood, 1020 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029 Tickets: Through Ticketmaster; price not yet confirmed

What to expect

A John Waters Christmas is a spoken-word performance rather than a traditional stand-up set. Waters, long known as the "Pope of Trash," spends the evening riffing on holiday traditions, his own unconventional Christmas rituals and the pop-culture oddities that have shaped his career. The tone is sharp and affectionate at once: he is a storyteller first, and the jokes land because he plainly loves the misfits and mischief he describes.

The show has toured for years as a counterprogramming alternative to the usual carols and sweater parties. Expect a theatrical room, a crowd that dresses for the occasion, and plenty of the dry, mustachioed deadpan that has made Waters a cult favorite across generations. If you have only seen his films, this is a chance to hear him work a live audience directly.

Why it fits the Vermont

The Vermont Hollywood has become a reliable home for comedy, music and offbeat nights on the Los Feliz and East Hollywood border. A room with that character suits a performer who has spent a career celebrating the weird corners of American culture. It is also a strong pick among LA events this weekend for anyone who wants a night out that does not feel like every other holiday outing.

Getting there and planning

The venue sits on Vermont Avenue, close to the Metro B Line stop at Vermont/Sunset. Street parking in the area can be tight on a Saturday night, so allow extra time or take transit or a rideshare. The Vermont Hollywood has been described as a cashless venue, so bring a card or phone for drinks and merchandise.

Tickets go through Ticketmaster. Because the start time and pricing were not published on the pages we could reach, confirm both on the ticket page before you plan your evening. Holiday dates for a name like Waters tend to sell steadily as December approaches, so it is worth checking early. If you are scanning upcoming events Los Angeles has lined up for the season, this one belongs near the top of the comedy column.

Details at a glance

Performer: John Waters. Format: spoken-word holiday show. Venue: The Vermont Hollywood, Los Angeles. Date: December 5, 2026. Official ticketing link: see the Ticketmaster page listed on this post.