Between its over-the-top light displays and packed seasonal ice rinks, no one celebrates the holidays quite like Los Angeles. As a nexus of entertainment industry talent, we’re lucky to experience some of the country’s most well-produced holiday and Christmas concerts right here in LA.
After Mariah Carey kicks off the season at the Hollywood Bowl, dozens of other thrilling acts are scheduled to follow all over the city, from LA Ballet’s magical rendition of The Nutcracker to an impressive lineup of concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall. How will you ring in the spirit of the season? Read on for our ultimate guide to the most highly-anticipated concerts, performances, and Christmas shows in Los Angeles this winter.
1. Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time
Christmas queen Mariah Carey will kick off the holidays with a spirited Christmas show at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl. This is one of her first stops on a 20-city tour through the United States, presented in celebration of the 30th anniversary of her album “Merry Christmas,” and of course, the anthem “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
📅 Date: Friday, Nov. 8, 2024
📍 Location: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068
🎵 Tickets: Hollywood Bowl
2. Candlelight Christmas concerts
The magical ambiance of a Los Angeles Candlelight concert reaches another level during the holidays. Hear classical renditions of your favorite holiday songs and Christmas carols in an intimate venue decorated with hundreds of glowing candles. And if you want to surprise a loved one with a concert of their choice, this Candlelight Gift Card should do the trick.
3. The Nutcracker
Los Angeles Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is one of the most highly-anticipated holiday shows in LA every single year. Follow Clara and her Nutcracker through memorable scenes from the celebrated ballet, adorned with SoCal touches in the set design such as bougainvillea and calla lilies, Venice Beach archways, and the vast Pacific Ocean. The ballet will grace three different LA venues over the course of its December run.
📅 Dates: Dec. 6-28, 2024
📍 Location: Pasadena Civic Auditorium (Dec. 6-8), Royce Hall at UCLA (Dec. 13-15), and Dolby Theatre (Dec. 19-28)
🎵 Tickets: Los Angeles Ballet
4. Deck the Hall holiday concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall
LA’s legendary Walt Disney Concert Hall has lined up a wonderful schedule of holiday shows all December long, from an intimate performance by Jennifer Hudson to Home Alone in concert. Arrive early to experience their Winter Wonderland at BP Hall.
Leslie Odom Jr.: The Christmas Tour
Tony- and Grammy-winning Leslie Odom Jr. will bring the house down with a presentation of holiday hits including pieces from his own The Christmas Album.
📅 Date: Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024
Holiday Sing-Along
Walt Disney Concert Hall’s family holiday tradition is back with two separate performances on Dec. 14th, where you’re invited to sing Christmas carols with hundreds of fellow merrymakers.
📅 Date: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024
Chanticleer
This Grammy-winning, 12-member “orchestra of voices” presents a cappella arrangements of your favorite Christmas classics.
📅 Date: Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024
Jennifer Hudson: The Gift of Love
Experience Jennifer Hudson’s powerful and unmistakable vocals in person with these selections from her new album, The Gift of Love.
📅 Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024
Home Alone in Concert
Enjoy a live soundtrack version of the holiday classic Home Alone, where conductor David Newman will lead the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra through John Williams’ famous score.
📅 Dates: Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 21-22, 2024
Arturo Sandoval Swinging Holiday
Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter and pianist Arturo Sandoval presents a high-energy program of holiday classics.
📅 Date: Monday, Dec. 23, 2024
New Year’s Eve with D-Nice and Friends
Ring in 2025 with artist and DJ D-Nice, accompanied by iconic performers including Estelle, Kenny Burns, Next, Mike Phillips, Tisha Campbell, and more.
📅 Date: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024
📍 Location: Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
🎵 Tickets: Walt Disney Concert Hall
5. LA County Holiday Celebration
The Music Center presents the 65th annual LA County Holiday Celebration. See performances from diverse LA-based artists and groups including choral troupes, dance troupes, and more.
📅 Dates: Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024
📍 Location: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion – 135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
🎵 Tickets: Free admission – learn more from The Music Center
6. Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve Tour
TSO’s rock holiday tradition is back with an all-new show touring dozens of arenas around the country. The high-energy concert is a spectacle of lasers, fire effects, and the most epic rock versions of Christmas classics that you’ve ever heard.
📅 Dates: Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024
📍 Location: Honda Center, 2695 E Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806
🎵 Tickets: Honda Center
7. Wicked
Something about the nostalgia of The Wizard of Oz pairs so nicely with the holiday season, and this upcoming production of Wicked is sure to draw a range of new and old fans. Tickets are already starting to sell out in December, so make sure you book ASAP.
📅 Dates: Dec. 4, 2024 – Feb. 2, 2025
📍 Location: Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
🎵 Tickets: Broadway in Hollywood
8. Jingle Ball
Capital One presents a star-studded holiday show this December at the Intuit Dome. The impressive lineup includes SZA, Tate McRae, Meghan Trainer, T-Pain, Shaboozey, Paris Hilton, and many more.
📅 Date: Friday, Dec. 6, 2024
📍 Location: Intuit Dome, 3930 W Century Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90303
🎵 Tickets: Intuit Dome
9. Mariachi Sol de México: Merry-Achi Christmas Tour
Under the skilled leadership of mariachi veteran Jóse Hernàndez, Mariachi Sol de México has wowed audiences all over the world with their spirited performances. Don’t miss three nights of their “Merry-Achi Christmas Tour” here in Cerritos.
📅 Dates: Dec. 6-8, 2024
📍 Location: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Dr, Cerritos, CA 90703
🎵 Tickets: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
10. A Drag Queen Christmas
Get tickets for Murray and Peter’s 10th annual “A Drag Queen Christmas,” hosted by the fabulous Nina West. See your favorite Drag Race queens perform live in this Christmas spectacular at LA’s Dolby Theatre.
📅 Date: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024
📍 Location: Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
🎵 Tickets: Dolby Theatre
11. Peter Pan and Tinkerbell: A Pirate’s Christmas
Join an interactive family Christmas show with your favorite Peter Pan characters in Thousand Oaks. Cheer on Peter, Wendy, and Tinker Bell as they evade capture by Captain Hook’s gang of pirates.
📅 Dates: Dec. 13-29, 2024
📍 Location: Scherr Forum Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
🎵 Tickets: Bank of America Performing Arts Center
12. Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony
Grammy-nominated artist Sarah Brightman is back this year with a magical Christmas concert at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre. Hear her perform the season’s most iconic songs with the help of a full orchestra, choir, and special guests.
📅 Date: Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024
📍 Location: Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
🎵 Tickets: Dolby Theatre
13. The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show
The merriest “Queens of Christmas,” AKA Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme, present a raucously hilarious and delightfully entertaining holiday show at the Dolby Theatre this month after touring all across the United States.
📅 Dates: Monday, Dec. 16, 2024
📍 Location: Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
🎵 Tickets: Dolby Theatre