The holiday season is a great time to be a kid! There are Christmas lights everywhere, glittering ice skating rinks, and you have free-range to drink a lot more hot chocolate than usual. Here we’ve rounded up the best holiday and Christmas events for kids in Los Angeles to make this a season to remember.
1. Explore a wonderland of light and sound at Astra Lumina
Light displays are always fun, but they rarely tell an emotional story. But Astra Lumina at South Coast Botanic Garden is a night walk adventure filled with jaw-dropping lights that does just that.
The garden of lights, soundscapes, and otherworldly scenography comes from world-renowned multimedia studio Moment Factory. At Astra Lumina, you’ll follow a captivating narrative of fallen stars, rebirth, and ascendance.
📍Location: 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
2. Snuggle up for hot cocoa, Victorian house tours, and a movie at Yuletide Cinemaland
Stepping through a tunnel of lights, you’ll enter a cinematic holiday wonderland that’s more than simply an outdoor movie experience.
There are photo opportunities with Santa, live piano sing-a-longs, food trucks, a bar for the adults, and tours of the gorgeous Heritage Square’s Victorian homes.
📆 Dates: Yuletide Cinemaland, starts on Saturday, November 30th until Monday, December 23rd, 2024.
3. Discover the magic of Holiday Road LA
Sparkling, multicolored lights are one of the best parts of the holiday season, but why stop at a couple strings of bulbs? Holiday Road LA raises the bar with elaborate sets, life-sized (and larger than life) characters, and detailed sets of cozy festive scenes. It’s a must for anyone seeking memorable Christmas events for kids in LA.
The kids will also enjoy getting their faces painted, the live carolers, and seeing Old Saint Nick himself. There’s even a Winter Market for some last-minute shopping.
📍Location: 26800 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas, CA 91302
4. Catch a ride on the magical Polar Express as it passes through California
Polar Express is hands down my favorite holiday movie. If you told me when I was a kid that I could get my own golden ticket and get on the train itself, I would’ve been out the door before you could say “all aboard.”
But it’s true! You can step aboard the legendary magical train, complete with singing and dancing actors and, of course, hot chocolate.
📍Location: Southern California Railway Museum, 2201 S A St, Perris, CA 92570
5. Enjoy one of the many festive Candlelight concerts
If you want to enjoy a night of soothing string music in the warm glow of candlelight, don’t think you can’t bring the kids along! Youngsters (8+) accompanied by an adult can enjoy one of the many festive Candlelight concerts taking place in December. Timeless Christmas carols, works in The Nutcracker and more festive classics are performed by talented musicians amid a sea of twinkling candles, and what’s more festive than that?
6. Hit the ice at the LA Kings Holiday Ice Rink
Who says ice skating is only for places that get snow? The LA Kings Holiday Ice rink is open during the holiday season, so you can carve it up around the dazzling tree at the center of LA Live.
📍Location: 777 Chick Hearn Ct, Los Angeles, CA 90015
📆 Dates: November 29, 2024 to January 1, 2025. From 5PM — 12:30AM
8. Walk past giant gingerbread houses at Santa’s Village
A lot of people think Santa’s Village is at the North Pole, but it’s actually just north of San Bernardino. Running through Jan. 8, 2024, SkyPark has transformed into the home of the big man in the red coat.
What’s Santa doing in SoCal? SkyPark at Santa’s Village actually has an explanation, so be sure to ask once you’re there! And afterwards, don’t miss all the fun activities Santa’s Village has in store, including the NorthWoods Express Train Ride and ice skating at the Silver Bells Arena.
9. Head to the Julefest Celebration in Solvang
Solvang already feels like a cozy, festive town year-round, but they pull out all the stops during the holiday season. The “Danish Capital of America” is putting on Julefest, the annual month-long celebration of lights, ornaments, treats, and more. The massively popular event runs all the way through November 29, 2024, through January 5, 2025.
10. Wander through glowing animals at the LA Zoo
Animals Aglow is back at LA Zoo with magical animal lanterns placed in a glowing environment of luminous trees and blooming flowers.
The nature-focused displays are a nice departure from your usual Christmas kitsch, although you’ll still enjoy a festive landscape at theWinter Wildlands with views of the “northern lights,” giant ice crystals, and snow-loving animals.
11. Attend one of LA’s dazzling tree lighting ceremonies
Ring in the season at one of LA’s lovely tree lighting ceremonies this November. Many of these charming events include family-friendly attractions, from Manhattan Village’s live reindeer and carolers to Hermosa Beach’s Ferris wheel and storytime tent. See the full list of upcoming Christmas tree lighting here.
12. Get tickets to The Nutcracker or another delightful Christmas performance
Many of LA’s best festive performances and Christmas shows are totally kid-friendly. The LA Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is always a classic, coming to three different local venues throughout December. But we’ve also got our eye on Peter Pan and Tinkerbell: A Pirate’s Christmas at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, which promises a fun-filled time for families with little kids.
Edited by Sofía Delpueche.