This holiday season, 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.
During November, December, and early January, the city is getting festive! From charming Christmas tree lighting ceremonies to ice skating under the stars, there’s so much happening to ring in the season! Here are some of our favorite events celebrating the holidays:
1. Go ice skating at one of these charming ice rinks around L.A.
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 and get ready for some ice skating!
2. Experience Danish-style Christmas events in Solvang
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.
🎄When: November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025
3. Enjoy a seasonal tour at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Ever wanted to enjoy a Friendsgiving feast next to the iconic Friends fountain? Or how about a trip to Gilmore Girls’ beloved Stars Hollow at Christmastime? Well good news for L.A., you can do both. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is bringing back some of its most iconic holiday tours and attractions this season, including the immersive Friendsgiving tour and Holidays Made Here. Both are sure to bring you closer to these legendary TV series, making your holiday season a memorable one.
📍Location: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, 3400 Warner Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505
🎄When: Holidays Made Here will run with all Studio Tours December 18, 2024 through January 5, 2025 (closed Christmas Day). Friendsgiving tours will depart at 10:30 AM, 1 and 3 PM on November 8-10, 15-17, 21-24, and 29-30
4. Experience a Christmas Candlelight concert
The festive season just got a whole lot more magical thanks to Candlelight’s series of Christmas concerts in L.A. Scores from movies like Love Actually and Home Alone, traditional carols including “12 Days of Christmas”, works from The Nutcracker and more are being performed at these heartwarming concerts. As talented musicians work their magic on stage, you’ll sit in an enchanting candlelit setting and immerse yourself in festive cheer this December.
📍Location: Multiple L.A. venues
🎄When: Selected dates in December
5. Get into the holiday spirit at one of these tree-lighting ceremonies
Here’s a reminder that it’s all about the moments shared with your community and loved ones that truly make this season so special. So get the hot chocolate ready, grab those jackets, and attend one (or all!) of these beautiful tree lighting ceremonies happening around Los Angeles. It really is the best way to get into the holiday spirit!
6. Take an enchanting walk through enchanting light displays at Astra Lumina
South Coast Botanic Garden’s Astra Lumina is back for its third year and tickets are already selling fast. Embark on an enchanting night walk with magical projections, astral music, and otherworldly installations to stimulate the senses. Pick up a coffee liqueur martini and wander the grounds for one of LA’s most dazzling seasonal experiences.
📍Location: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
🎄When: Open now, Thursday-Sunday
7. Wander through these magical candy cane lanes
When it comes to holiday traditions, few things are as magical as streets, homes, and neighborhoods decked out in festive lights and decorations. Luckily, there are several iconic spots near L.A. that go all out with their holiday displays, and you can enjoy them for free, whether on foot or by car, to really soak in the Christmas spirit!
8. Head to this twinkling night market at a century-old lavender farm near L.A.
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Image courtesy of Highland Springs Ranch & Inn
The picturesque 123 Farm, known for its beautiful swaths of violet lavender 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.
📍Location: 10600 Highland Springs Ave, Beaumont, CA 92223
🎄When: November 7 – December 23, 2024. 5-10 PM (Closed Tuesdays)
9. Explore 40 handmade lantern landscapes at Lektrik: A Festival of Lights
Starting at the end of November, Raging Waters will be decked out with over a million LED lights and hundreds of handmade lanterns. Wander through the glowing pathways to see performances by dazzling acrobats, purchase unique gifts from artisan vendors, and savor amazing dishes from on-site food trucks.
📍Location: Raging Waters LA, 111 Raging Waters Dr, San Dimas, CA 91773
🎄When: Opens November 27, 2024
10. 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.
📍Location: 26800 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas, CA 913023
🎄When: November 29 – December 28, 2024
11. Marvel at the iconic Boat Parade in Marina del Rey
Christmas is the best time of year for many reasons, one of which is the chance to witness this nautical parade in Marina del Rey, featuring over 70 boats with holiday lights and decorations competing for top honors. Some of the most picturesque categories include Best Theme, Best Animation, Best Band, and Best Lights.
📍Location: Burton Chace Park 13650 Mindanao Way Marina del Rey, CA 90292
🎄When: December 14, 2024. Lightshow 5:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Parade starts at 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
12. Head out with friends or family to get real Christmas trees
The magic of Christmas isn’t just about gifts, delicious food, and festive decorations, it’s also about creating cozy traditions. Having a real Christmas tree, a lush pine that fills your home with its fresh, woodsy scent, is the perfect way to add a little extra magic to the season. Luckily, there are plenty of farms and nurseries around Los Angeles where you can pick out or even cut down your very own tree!
13. Wander through these 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.
14. Snuggle up and catch a movie under the stars at Street Food Cinema’s 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 Street Food Cinema in L.A.!
📍Location:4760 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
🎄When: November 30 – December 23, 2024
15. Celebrate Hanukkah with these brilliant events and activities
If you’re looking for some wonderful ways to celebrate Hanukkah, LA has a nice lineup of events and activities in store. Read our list for an overview of menorah lightings, Jewish delis serving delicious sufganiyot and latkes, and numerous events such as the popular Skirball Hanukkah Festival.
16. 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. It’s definitely one of the most unforgettable Christmas events.
📍Location: Naples Canal, Long Beach, CA 90803
17. Attend Santa’s Secret, a sultry holiday burlesque show
In a thrilling departure from your average pop-up Christmas bar, Santa’s Secret takes things up a notch with this walk-through burlesque experience. Sip on a themed drink while watching mesmerizing dancers and a live variety show featuring everything from burlesque to ballet.
18. Transport yourself to a winter wonderland at Winter Fest OC
Escape the ordinary SoCal winter and let Winter Fest OC weave its magical festivities around you. Step into a whimsical world of shimmering snow play, twinkling light displays, and carnival adventures. Embrace the chill, feel the thrill, and let your inner child dance at this winter wonderland!
📍Location: 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
🎄When: November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025
19. Pretend it’s really winter with a decadent hot chocolate from one of these L.A. spots
What are Christmas events without hot chocolate? 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.
20. Pay a visit to Santa’s magical hood
Contrary to popular opinion, Santa is actually a huge fan of the sunny West Coast and he 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.
📍Location: 28950 CA-18, Skyforest, CA 92385
🎄When: Thursday to Sunday, 10 AM–6 PM, 2024
21. See the works of local artists at Descanso Gardens’ luminous Enchanted Forest Of Light
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Image courtesy of Descanso Garden
The one-mile-long trail of illuminated installations, Enchanted: Forest of Light in Descanso Garden, will be returning this year. One of the most beloved Christmas events with charming artistic displays, promises to be brighter and more magical than ever.
📍Location: 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
🎄When: November 17, 2024 to January 5, 2025
22. Discover the mischievousness 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 at Cole’s French Dip ―and they are inviting mischievous guests to enter their Krampus’ macabre world. You can surround yourself with oddities while sipping on devilishly good cocktails! See a full list of our favorite Christmas bars here.
📍Location: Downtown LA – Cole’s French Dip, 118 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
🎄When: Opens December 5, 2024
23. Go gift shopping at one of L.A.’s many magical Christmas markets
Pick up unique holiday gifts for your loved ones at LA’s most eclectic craft fairs and Christmas markets. From the Creative Babe Market, which highlights woman-owned businesses on weekends; to the massive Renegade Craft Fair, which will descend upon L.A. only once this season, these are some of our favorite markets coming to local venues in November and December.
24. Embark on a magical journey aboard the Polar Express
Experience the immersive theater of feeling like you’re in the classic movie The Polar Express. This family-friendly show is especially great for enjoying with kids. Tickets start at $43, and the show takes place at the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris.
25. Catch a snowfall at Downtown Disney
The most magical place on Earth becomes even more enchanting during the holiday season, giving us in SoCal a chance to experience a “white Christmas.” While we do have snow nearby, it’s rare to see it around Los Angeles, so this is a perfect chance to enjoy it without the need to travel! The “snowfalls” start November 15, 2024, and continue through January 6, 2025, from 6-10 pm.
📍Location: Downtown Disney District, Anaheim, CA 92802
🎄When: November 29, 2024 through January 6, 2025, from 6-10pm
26. Have a merry outdoorsy Christmas at Underwood Family Farms
Underwood Farms’ Moorpark Farm Center is packed with holiday fun. Your admission covers plenty of activities, including visits to the Animal Center, festive photo opportunities, tractor-drawn wagon rides, animal shows, a baby goat experience, and combine & harvester slides. Don’t miss Santa’s Reindeer on two special weekends, in this perfect spot to cleebrate the holidays with kids!
📍Location: 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark, CA, 93021
🎄When: November 29 – December 24, 2024
27. Camp or glamp to catch the Urseids meteor shower
If traditional holiday spirit, photos with Santa, or ugly sweaters aren’t your thing, you can enjoy Christmas night in a unique way connected to nature, camping or glampinng.
Just head to one of the many great stargazing spots, grab your telescope or camera and some hot chocolate, and watch the Ursid shooting stars. These will occur between December 17 and 25, with an expected rate of 5 to 10 meteors per hour. Of course, check the local weather for visibility before heading outdoors.
28. Get tickets to The Nutcracker and other seasonal performances
Ring in the spirit of the season with an evening at one of LA’s most highly-anticipated seasonal performances and Christmas concerts. Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker is always a hit, made even more special with the addition of several SoCal elements in the set design such as calla lilies and the Pacific Ocean. We’re also looking forward to an unbelievable lineup of seasonal shows at Walt Disney Concert Hall, featuring powerhouses like Leslie Odom Jr. and Jennifer Hudson.
Edited by Sofía Delpueche.