We get it, with all the holiday shopping this time of year, it’s so easy to lose sight of what truly matters during this time. 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 Los Angeles Christmas tree lighting ceremonies. It really is the best way to get into the holiday spirit!
1. Downtown Los Angeles Music Center
The DTLA Music Center invites Angelenos to get into the holiday spirit with a very special tree lighting ceremony on their outdoor plaza. Enjoy the sweet sounds of holiday favorites from local music artists and community groups, then gather around the magnificent 75-foot-tall tree to watch it twinkle with holiday lights.
📅 Date: Monday, Dec. 2, 2024 from 5-7pm
🎄 Learn more: The Music Center
2. Kia Forum
The Kia Forum will light their stunning holiday tree with a festive evening event featuring music, games, prizes, delicious food, and special giveaways. Families can play in an epic snow zone with real snow or go ice skating on the pop-up rink.
📅 Date: Monday, Dec. 2, 2024 from 5-8pm, ceremony at 6:30pm
🎄 Learn more: @thekiaforum on Instagram
3. Inglewood
The City of Inglewood hosts its Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Inglewood City Hall. The evening usually features live entertainment, refreshments for all, and a special holiday visit by Santa.
📅 Date: Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 from 4-8pm
🎄 Learn more: City of Inglewood
4. Irvine Spectrum Center
Experience the magic of a Christmas tree lighting every single day this season at Irvine Spectrum Center. Their 75-foot-tall tree will light up with a brilliant choreographed light show, cycling through every 30 minutes after 5pm.
📅 Date: Nightly from Nov. 29 to Jan. 5, every 30 minutes starting at 5pm
🎄 Learn more: Irvine Spectrum Center
5. The Grove
Join The Grove for their 2024 Christmas tree lighting ceremony full of music, snow, fireworks, and dazzling holiday lights! That’s not all, get ready to be mesmerized by breathtaking performances from the legendary Lance Bass, Rickey Minor, and a lineup of other talented special guests.
📅 Date: Monday, Nov. 25, 2024 at 7pm
189 The Grove Dr. Los Angeles, 90036
🎄 Learn more: The Grove
6. Manhattan Beach
Calling all families! Manhattan Beach is hosting its 34th Annual Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting this year. Along with the lighting, this family-friendly event is set to be a festive one with holiday music, shopping, and dining. The pier lighting will kick off with two different choral performances from 6-7pm, and lights going on at 7pm. Look out for Dickens-style carolers at Metlox Fountain Plaza and live reindeer on Manhattan Ave.
📅 Date: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 from 6-9pm
Downtown Manhattan Beach and Manhattan Beach Pier, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
🎄 Learn more: City of Manhattan Beach
7. Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills is ringing in the holiday season with CoryLive, DJ Lady Sha, The Red Hot Band, a Yuletide Irish Dance Ensemble, and UCLA’s Scattertones a cappella group. The event will include classic holiday songs to charm the crowd, festive photo ops, two wine gardens, delicious food and drink vendors, and plenty of festive cheer to go around.
📅 Date: Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 from 5-8pm
Rodeo Drive between Wilshire Blvd and Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
🎄 Learn more: Love Beverly Hills
8. Citadel Outlets
Citadel Outlets’ 23rd annual tree lighting celebration is promising a stellar evening of live music and festive cheer. Watch five talented acts perform live, leading up to a highly-anticipated show courtesy of singer Spencer Sutherland. After the tree lighting, the courtyard will be dusted with a shower of magical snowfall.
📅 Date: Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 at 5pm
Citadel Outlets, 100 Citadel Dr, Commerce, CA 90040
🎄 Learn more: Citadel Outlets
9. Santa Monica
Can you hear the bells in the distance? Santa is coming to the Promenade for their annual lighting of the official City of Santa Monica 24-foot-tall holiday tree. Join them for performances by local school groups, complimentary photos with Santa, and a gorgeous winter snow surprise. After that, you can visit on every Thursday in December to enjoy festive “snowfall,” sip hot cocoa, live caroling, and crafts.
📅 Date: Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 from 6-8pm
Third Street Promenade, 1300 block at Santa Monica Boulevard
🎄 Learn more: Downtown Santa Monica
10. Long Beach
Join the City of Long Beach and neighbors in celebrating the holiday spirit as their dazzling Christmas tree illuminates the Long Beach skyline. Guests will also enjoy a variety of live entertainment and activities, and if you arrive early, you’ll receive a special snowflake wand to light up the tree.
📅 Date: Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 from 6-9pm
🎄 Learn more: 2nd & PCH
11. The Bloc SPARKLE DTLA
18 million hues of lights will twinkle at The Bloc’s 6th annual Sparkle DTLA display. You can wander through multiple glowing installations any time of day, but they’ll only be synchronized to festive tunes at the beginning of the hour. The best part is, it’s all completely free and everyone is welcome (including your furry friends).
📅 Date: Saturday, Nov. 16 from 5-7pm
🎄 Learn more: The Bloc
12. Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach is back with Hermosa for the Holidays, a full weekend of festive family-fun activities. Families can have a holiday wonderland experience right on the beach with activities including a Ferris wheel, an Elf on a Shelf scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, a storytime tent, Santa photos, and much more.
📅 Date: The tree lighting ceremony is Sunday, Nov. 24th from 3:30-8pm. Hermosa for the Holidays will run from Nov. 22-24, 2024.
🎄 Learn more: Hermosa for the Holidays
13. Union Station
Union Station is summoning all the sights and sounds of the season with their annual 30-foot Christmas tree lighting under the stars, made even more joyful with the presence of Santa Claus himself and a selection of milk and cookies. Metro Art will also present gorgeous performances by Kingston Ska Orchestra and Los Rebeldes Romanticos.
📅 Date: Monday, Nov. 25, 2024 from 6-9pm
🎄 Learn more: Union Station
14. Manhattan Village
Manhattan Village will light up their 41-foot holiday tree with a festive lighting ceremony the day after Thanksgiving. Take advantage of Black Friday deals and get a photo with Santa while you’re there.
📅 Date: Friday, Nov. 29 from 3-6pm
🎄 Learn more: Manhattan Village
Edited by Jamie Ferrell