Get into the holiday spirit with these unforgettable Christmas events and experiences around LA.
This holiday, we have the ultimate gift of getting to step out of our cars and soak up the festive cheer around the city in the company of friends and family. On top of that, all of our favorite holiday traditions are back in full swing, some of which are bigger and brighter than ever before. Starting in November through early January, the city will be twinkling with incredible holiday lighting displays and there’ll be dozens of enchanting Christmas events happening to ring in the season.
Here are some of our favorite events celebrating the holidays:
1. Walk Along A Glittering Trail At Holiday Road
Wander through light tunnels, paths lined with countless candy canes, and various winter-themed scenes in the Santa Monica mountains. This year, Holiday Road will be turning King Gillette Ranch into a glittering wonderland once again, except this time you get to explore it on foot. There’ll also be tons of food and drinks to fuel your festive venture. Find out more about this magical haven here.
2. Experience A Haunting Christmas Nightmare Brunch
- Credit: Beetle House LA
If your idea of Christmas brunch involves being serenaded by Jack Skellington while you sip on refreshing mimosas, then head to Beetle House for the ultimate holiday crossover. Halloween meets Christmas at this festive feast, where all your favorite spooky characters get into a merrier spirit and the decor gets a touch of tinsel and glittering lights. Hurry and get your tickets to this haunted holiday affair!
3. Bathe In The Gentle Glow Of Candlelight At These Classical Holiday Concerts
The wildly popular Candlelight will be setting the winter nights aglow with these mesmerizing musical concerts set in some of L.A.’s most beautiful venues. Wrap yourself in seasonal nostalgia with awe-inspiring renditions of classics across genres. Whether it’s jazz numbers like “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” by Ella Fitzgerald or classical renditions of holiday hits from top artists like Justin Bieber, you’ll find something for every musical taste. Find all the seasonally-themed editions happening this December here.
4.Go Ice Skating At One Of These Charming Ice Rinks
- Credit: LA Kings / Twitter
Yes, our favorite seasonal activities are back this year which means you get to hobble around an ice rink accompanied by classic holiday jingles, and twinkling lights to work up an appetite for all those holiday treats. While you might be a little bit rusty after your year off, you have the whole month to find you’re groove. Here’s where you can find 7 perfect rinks in L.A.
5. Wander Through These 10 Technicolor Holiday Light Displays
The city is positively glowing with mesmerizing festive installations this year. There is everything from streets of over-the-top lights, Christmas events, parks and gardens with glittering decorations and fantastical merriness happening at Disneyland to discover. From Buena Vista Street to Mission Inn, here are 10 of the best places to see holiday light displays around L.A:
- ‘Wildlights’ At The Living Desert
- The Mission Inn Festival of Lights
- Christmas Tree Lane
- Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Extravaganza
- ‘Sparkle DTLA’ at The Bloc
- Dana Point Harbor
- Buena Vista Street
- Old Pasadena
- The Grove
6. Hop On SoCal’s Polar Express Train
- Credit: Guy Rhodes
Get your golden ticket and hop aboard the magical Polar Express Train for a dazzling journey to the North Pole. Every carriage will be decked out with sparkling baubles and brimming with holiday charm, as actors retell the story and dancing chefs serve you cocoa. Find out more about the onboard Christmas events here.
7. Wander Into The Internationally-Acclaimed ‘Lightscape’ At The L.A. Arboretum
- Credit: @lifeofvic / IG
London’s acclaimed holiday display ‘Lightscape’ has turned every inch of the expansive L.A. Arboretum into a sea of glimmering lights. Visitors will enter through a twinkling Winter Cathedral and journey down a mile-long path of multi-colored, glowing trees and a dozen large-scale installations that explore light in all shapes and forms., all accompanied by charming themed music. Find out more here.
8. Head To This Twinkling Night Market At A Century-Old Lavendar Farm Near L.A.
- Credit: Highland Springs Ranch & Inn
The picturesque 123 Farm, known for its beautiful swaths of violet flowers over the summer, has a stunning night market. Its towering trees and fields have been 1,000 years in the making and you can continue to enjoy its beauty post the summer blooms. Every Thursday to Sunday through October 24, you can stroll through the lavender fields and olive groves draped with lights to enjoy food, live music, games and unique handmade goods. Find out more here.
9. Go On A Holiday Escape At This Beachfront Winter Wonderland In San Diego
- Credit: Hotel del Coronado
Skate along the shoreline with waves crashing onto the sandy shores, just a few feet away at Hotel del Coronado’s legendary Skate By The Sea. Where else can you glide over the ice with palm trees swaying in a fresh, salty breeze—and all for a good cause? Find out more here.
10. Snuggle Up And Catch A Movie Under The Stars With Street Food Cinema & Yuletide Cinemaland
L.A.’s largest outdoor movie series is back with Blockbuster hits, live music, food trucks, and mild weather – what more can you ask for? This season you’ll get to enjoy the festive Yuletide Cinemaland pop-up with all your Christmas classics at the scenic Heritage Square. Book your movie night under the moonlight here!
11. Take A Christmas Cruise Amongst The Enchanting Lights In Long Beach
Italy may be out of reach for some, but you can still go on a Venetian escape along the canals in Long Beach. Cruise under the romantic bridges covered with festive lights and stunning surroundings. Find out more here.
12. Pretend It’s Really Winter With A Decadent Hot Chocolate From One Of These L.A. Spots
If the holidays were made for anything, they were made to indulge in all your favorite treats. While some days are still warm enough to wear shorts at this time of year in L.A., you can still give in to the seasonal tradition of sipping delectable chocolate treats. Here are a few of our favorite spots to find it.
13. Pay A Visit To Santa’s Magical Hood
Contrary to popular opinion, Santa is actually a huge fan of the sunny West Coast and him and his elves have been bringing that North Pole magic to Lake Arrowhead for years. Adventurers of all ages will find an alpine adventure with gingerbread men, candy and seasonal decorations filling this festive village. Partake in workshops, find souvenirs, take hikes and so much more at Skywalk Santa’s Village. Find out all the details here.
14. Get Merry With Boozy Drinks, Burlesque & Delicious Holiday Puns
Blitzen’s, the beloved holiday pop-up, has a very shiny, tinsel-wrapped bar and even without the boozy beverages, it absolutely glows. Upon arrival at this holiday haunt in DTLA, you’ll be sprinkled with a bit of snow before you pull up next to Santa at the bar, sip on decadent drinks before you’re served up a menu of carolers, drag queen bingo, re-gift your sh*t games, and a holiday puppy pageant. Then of course there’s a delicious fare to keep you filled up for holiday shenanigans. Find out more about their Christmas events and activities here.
15. Experience Danish-Style Christmas Events With Solvang’s Charming Julefest
- Credit: Solvang USA
Bring a little Hygge into your holidays with this Danish-style holiday festival. If you think Solvang, a.k.a. “The Danish Capital of America,” is already Christmas-y most of the year, then just wait until you see it during the Julefest. It’s a month-long celebration where the quaint hamlet is filled with twinkling lights, traditional ornaments, festive treats, and other holiday delights. Find out more about these fun merrymakings here.
16. See The Works Of Local Artists At Descanso Gardens’ Luminous ‘Enchanted Forest Of Light’
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- Credit: Descanso Gardens / Meta
The one-mile-long trail of illuminated installations, Enchanted: Forest of Light will be returning this November 21 through January 9, 2022. The beloved Christmas event with charming artistic displays, promises to be brighter and more magical than ever. Find out more here about this wonderous holiday tradition here.
17. Discover The Michieviousness Of Christmas At Krampus’ Cove
Halloween may have passed, but it’s not too late to get into a spooky mood this Holiday season. Krampus’ Cove is a pop-up Christmas event inside the Lost Property Bar―and they are inviting mischievous guests to enter their Krampus’ macabre world. From now until December 31, 2022, you can surround yourself with oddities while sipping on devilishly good cocktails! Check them out here.
Location: 1704 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.