It’s about that time to dust off those ugly sweaters and ring in the holiday season with these magical December events and experiences in L.A. During the winter in our city, there are tons of dazzling spectacles that are filled with festive cheer for you to enjoy. Whether it’s a hillside wonderland decked out with oversized ornaments or NYE celebrations to ring in 2025 — you’ll find endless ways to make it a memorable month.
What’s the weather like in L.A. in December? SoCal’s balmy climate keeps us enjoying warming average temperatures than much of the country. Daily highs usually hover around the high 60s, while lows occasionally dip into the 40s. It can get quite chilly in the evenings, so make sure you layer up when exploring the city! Here are the most wonderful things to do in L.A. in December:
1. Kick off December with the Compton Christmas Parade
The annual Compton Christmas Parade is making its highly anticipated return this year with the theme A Hub City Christmas Parade, celebrating the spirit and community of Compton. The parade will start at the corner of Compton Blvd & Bullis Rd, winding through the city and concluding at Alameda Street.
Taking place on December 14, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the event promises to be a festive occasion, featuring a vibrant lineup of floats, performers, and local participants. It’s an exciting opportunity for families and residents to come together and enjoy the holiday season in the heart of Compton.
📍 Location: The parade will start at the corner of Compton Blvd & Bullis Rd, winding through the city and concluding at Alameda Street
🗓️ Dates: December 14, 2024,
2. Get an unprecedented look at a K-pop legend at Jimin “The Truth Untold : 전하지 못한 진심” Exhibition
Coming on the heels of Jung Kook’s GOLDEN: The Moments exhibition here in LA is another exciting new showcase for BTS fans. Learn about Jimin’s personal journey while creating his new solo albums FACE and MUSE in this exhibition featuring the artist’s lyric notebooks, diary entries, music video set recreations, and more.
📍 Location: Ace Mission Studios, 516 S Mission Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90033
🗓️ Dates: November 29 – December 15, 2024
3. Trade in your wheels for skates and glide into the season at an outdoor ice rink
Most of the year is spent cruising along boulevards on roller skates and skateboards, but this season is all about the ice skates. In SoCal, you have the unique opportunity to partake in this winter pastime with the summer-like sunshine kissing your face as you glide across a frozen rink. You can choose between skating at LA’s largest ice rink located right in front of the Crypto.com Arena, a cliffside rink in Palos Verdes or you could head a little further away for a legendary beachfront experience.
4. Explore Lite Brite: Worlds of Wonder
Looking for unique November plans in L.A.? Step into Lite Brite: Worlds of Wonder, where classic childhood games meet the magic of immersive tech! With 11 interactive rooms and a 360° LED theater showcasing underwater, prehistoric, and outer space worlds, this experience is perfect for a family-friendly day of adventure. Plan for about 60 minutes of captivating, nostalgia-fueled fun.
📍 Location: 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, 90401
🎫 Get your tickets here
5. Walk among the cosmos at Astra Lumina
Astra Lumina, which debuted in 2022, isback at South Coast Botanic Garden with a stunning array of celestial-inspired displays. This multimedia experience from the renowned studio Moment Factory combines projections, lighting, music, and a captivating story into an unforgettable night walk among the cosmos.
📍 Location: 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates, CA, 90274
🎫 Get your tickets here
6. Take in a stunning holiday Candlelight Concert
The wildly popular Candlelight Concert Series 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 sweet 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 — find all the seasonally-themed editions happening this December in Los Angeles.
7. Marvel at these Candy Cane Lanes around L.A.
Few things are more magical and immersive than walking through the many candy cane lanes around the city. Incredible decorations made by the neighbors themselves bring these streets to life, flooded with red and green colors, twinkling lights, reindeer, and Santas waiting to be explored during the holiday season.
8. Enter the dark and sultry side at Empire Strips Back
Let us deliver you to the dark side! With comedy and allure, loving detail, and hilarious parody, The Empire Strips Back drops classic Star Wars characters into the world of burlesque. Be prepared for some seriously sultry Stormtroopers, a dangerously enticing Boba Fett, some tantalizing Twi’leks, a delightfully luke-warm Taun Taun, a lady-like Skywalker, the Droids you are looking for, and much, much more.
📍 Location: 14140 All American Way, Westminster, CA 92683
🎫 Get your tickets here
9. Walk on illuminated trails lined with dozens of light sculptures at Lektrik LA
Step into a world of dazzling 3D art at Lektrik: A Festival of Lights, now lighting up Raging Waters LA! Explore over 40 handmade lantern displays showcasing vibrant rainforests, ancient Aztec art, and more, all brought to life by 150+ artists. You can also enjoy artisan stalls, live entertainment, and delicious food while immersing yourself in this holiday season’s most luminous celebration. Learn more here!
📍 Location: Raging Waters LA, 111 Raging Waters Dr, San Dimas, CA 91773
10. Catch the latest movie releases in L.A.
If you’re more introverted and prefer to spend the holiday season indoors, then visiting one of the cinemas in Los Angeles is your best option, not only to avoid the crowds but also to catch the latest releases. From Moana to Nosferatu, watch the best movies in 70mm and also IMAX this December.
11. Catch the Survivor 47 finale with Jonny Fairplay
Watching reality TV shows with friends takes the excitement to another level, but now you can up the ante with a dose of real reality alongside Jonny Fairplay himself. Yes, that Jonny Fairplay from Survivor’s infamous Grandma Lie moment — is hosting a Survivor 47 Finale Viewing Party with other castaways!
12. From Dining in the Dark to hilarious standup comedy, catch one of the many events going on at The Spotlight
The Spotlight is a beautiful venue channeling golden-era Hollywood, with golden-toned lighting and curtain-draped walls. They constantly have new shows going on, and their December lineup does not disappoint:
- Super Secret Comedy Show ft. Iliza Shlesinger + more (12/3)
- Mr Fantastic’s Fantastic Fabricated Fiasco: A Toledo Show Affair (12/9)
- Dining in the Dark (12/14, 12/28, & 1/11/25)
- Spotlight Comedy (Tuesdays)
- Neon Brush (select Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays)
13. Celebrate the very best of L.A.’s culinary scene
Mark your calendars! On December 3rd, The L.A. Times invites culinary connoisseurs and curious visitors to an unforgettable evening at the Hollywood Palladium to celebrate their 101 Best Restaurants list reveal! Delight in unlimited food and drinks from the best food spots in L.A., and meet the masterminds behind the city’s finest eateries. DJ Andre Power will fill the soirée with a curation of tunes from his favorite up-and-coming artists, before the #1 restaurant in L.A. is revealed. Don’t miss this exciting celebration of Southern California’s food scene!
📍Location: Hollywood Palladium, 6215 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
📅 Dates: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
🎫 Ticket info: VIP: 7:15 – 10:30 p.m. General admission: 8 – 10:30 pm
14. From bowling to workshops and enough holiday shopping for Santa himself, the Beverly Center has it all
Beverly Center is the ultimate destination for unforgettable experiences during the holiday season. They’ve got festive Crafting & Cocktails workshops, complimentary Santa photos, new trending retailers and eateries, and so much more. And be sure not to miss the highly anticipated Lucky Strike, now open with brand-new bowling lanes, a cutting-edge arcade, indulgent menus, and signature cocktails—click here for more!
📍Location:8500 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
15. Witness a neon carnival on water in Marina del Rey
Holiday boat parades have been illuminating the SoCal coast for over half a century and each year gets bigger and brighter. It’s California, so naturally, you’ll find dozens of Santas captaining yachts, motorboats, and other aquatic modes of transport, not just the usual sleigh. One of the best and most iconic is the one that takes place every Christmas in Marina del Rey, giving us an incredible postcard of lights and celebration!
📍Location: Burton Chace Park 13650 Mindanao Way Marina del Rey, CA 90292
📅 Dates: December 14, 2024. Lightshow 5:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Parade starts at 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
16. Immerse yourself in festive movie magic At Yuletide Cinemaland
Heritage Square and Street Food Cinema present the incredible Yuletide Cinemaland. Soak up the holiday ambiance at one of LA’s largest outdoor cinema pop-ups where all your favorite Christmas classics and cult hits will be screened with fun singalongs, delicious street food, and multicolored lights dancing amongst historic Victorian buildings. You’ll even get to tour some of the homes decked out in holiday decorations this year.
📍Location: 3800 Homer St, Los Angeles, CA 90031
🎫 Get your tickets here
17. Support local vendors and businesses at these Holiday markets in L.A.
Looking to handle some Christmas shopping? These holiday and Christmas markets in Los Angeles have something for everyone. We’ve tracked down the best holiday and Christmas markets in Los Angeles, ranging from enormous craft fairs to small specialty pop-ups.
18. Get your festive foliage on at one of these Christmas tree farms
What would this time of year be without the ritual of decorating a tree with the fresh smell of pine filling the air? Although it might seem more fitting to have a glittering palm tree during December in L.A., nothing quite marks the season like a traditional and real Christmas tree!
19. 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
📅 Dates: November 14, 2024 to January 5, 2025
20. Check out Homegirl Café, a restaurant with a powerful cause
Homegirl Café is part of Homeboy Industries, which provides a safe space and hands-on job training for those formerly incarcerated. Homegirl Café reminds the clients/staff that community is everything, and we don’t have to go through our worst days alone. You can support them and this incredible cause just by visiting Homegirl Café.
As you walk through those doors, you’ll be welcomed with warm words and even warmer coffee. We highly recommend trying their pastries which are baked fresh daily! Plus, nothing is more filling than knowing you’re supporting a powerful cause. Check out more of our favorite organizations here!
📍Location: Homegirl Café, 130 Bruno St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
21. Wander through these technicolor holiday light displays
The city is positively glowing with mesmerizing festive installations this year. Whether it’s the iconic Candy Cane Lane, a historic inn covered in fairy lights, parks and gardens with glittering decorations and lights, you’ll find plenty of dazzling displays around the city. From Buena Vista Street to Mission Inn, there are plenty of places to see holiday light displays around L.A.!
22. Experience the first-ever solo exhibition of the Guerilla Girls in L.A.
BEYOND THE STREETS presents: “Laugh, Cry, Fight… With the Guerrilla Girls!” The Guerrilla Girls is a legendary collective — and this is their first ever solo show in L.A. They’re bringing a powerful lineup of iconic new works. Plus, they’ll have interactive elements for an immersive experience. Known for their fearless activism, the Guerrilla Girls tackle bias in art, film, politics, and pop culture — using bold visuals and striking stats.
📍 Location: BEYOND THE STREETS (434 N. La Brea Ave, LA, CA)
🗓️ Dates: November 22, 2024 – January 18, 2025
23. Head to this twinkling night market at a century-old lavender farm near L.A
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 year, 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, Cherry Valley, CA 92223
24. 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
🗓️ Dates: November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025
25. Get a festive drink at Frosty’s Christmas Bar
Frosty’s Christmas Bar — Hollywood’s newest holiday hotspot, brings festive magic to the Walk of Fame. After successful locations in Chicago and New York, this enchanting pop-up bar offers a cozy winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, snowflakes, and twinkling decorations. It promises an over-the-top, magical experience for those seeking the joy and spirit of the holiday season in the heart of Hollywood — with the help of a drink or two!
📍Location: 6555 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
26. Go on a gondola cruise amongst the enchanting lights in Long Beach
No need to buy that ticket to Italy because you can still go on a Venetian escape along the canals in Long Beach. Cruise under the romantic bridges filled with festive lights and stunning surroundings.
27. Ski under the stars in Big Bear
This picturesque setting is your taste of Switzerland on the West Coast at this Big Bear spot. While it is a little bit of a drive, it’s worth seeing a real winter wonderland where you can partake in exhilarating sports all day and even some nights.
On select weekends when the weather allows, the powdery slopes are illuminated with glowing lights for nighttime skiing. Stay in one of the cute cabins in the resort and you’ll have yourself a very merry Christmas indeed!
28. Watch it all play out on the ice at a Kings game
Whether you’re a sports fan or not, the buzz of a full crowd in the City of Champions cannot be missed. It’s fall after all, which means catching a Kings game is a must!
📍Location: Crypto Arena, 1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
29. Sip on festive themed cocktails at these pop-up Christmas bars around L.A.
Seasonal pop-ups are endless in L.A. every winter, and we love the opportunity to indulge in themed cocktails that capture the flavors of the season. Whether you’re craving a piping hot toddy, or just want to pose for pics with an over-the-top background, these holiday bars make for delightful winter escapes dotted all around the city.
Consider Frosty’s on Hollywood Blvd, which is always dripping with tinsel; Krampus Cove at Lost Property, which offers a macabre holiday experience; or any of these other tried-and-true holiday bars.
30. Have an unforgettable snow day at these mountains around SoCal
Do you know where to find snow around L.A.? When the urge to go sledding, make a snowman, or seek out some winter landscapes hits, we know exactly where you can go. Here’s what to know about the best snowy destinations around SoCal perfect for a weekend trip, from Mammoth Mountain to Idyllwild.
31. Check off some more seasonal activities from our winter bucket list
Winter in L.A. might not drop far below 60, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy all the same seasonal activities as the rest of the country. We compiled a list of some quintessential cold weather activities to seek out every year, from killer whale watching to après-ski experiences.
32. Ring in 2025 with once of these unforgettable events
It’s that time of year when we say Goodbye to the old and Hello to the new—and what better way to do that than with the help of some spectacular fireworks shows or glamorous parties in town? There are many things to do this New Year’s Eve to ring in 2025 in Los Angeles that you just can’t miss!
33. Enjoy a Magical Snowfall at Downtown Disney
Starting November 15, 2024, and running through January 6, 2025, from 6-10 pm, the most magical place on Earth becomes even more enchanting for the holiday season. The artificial snowfall in Downotown Diseny District doesn’t require a pass to Disneyland and it also gives us in L.A. a rare chance to enjoy a “white Christmas” without leaving town!
📍Location: Downtown Disney District, Anaheim, CA 92802
34. Visit This Spooky Speakeasy Hidden In A DTLA Distillery
Find the entrance illuminated with a dim amber lantern along Santa Fe Avenue in DTLA — and you’ll be welcomed into The Obscure. That’s if you have an invitation. This enchanting den pairs creative cocktails and art with craft spirits and creepy surroundings that will transport you to Hogwarts. Find out how to get in here.
35. Captivate all your senses at Chromasonic Field
Step into Chromasonic Field, a captivating 10,000 sq. ft. experience in Downtown LA where color, sound, and space converge to stir your senses. Wander through 21 distinct, awe-inspiring zones, each designed to envelop you in waves of light and sound that transform your perception. Whether you’re seeking a personal retreat or a shared adventure with loved ones, reward yourself with this “mind-altering” journey, hailed by KCRW as a truly transformative experience for the mind and soul. Grab your tickets to Chromasonic Field here!
36. Head to Solvang for a magical Christmas experience
America’s Danish capital is a must-visit every winter, especially at Christmas. It’s the easiest way to get a taste of Northern Europe without a trip through LAX! This charming small town is famous for its Julefest celebration, bringing all the holiday spirit in true Scandinavian style.
37. Enjoy a cozy dinner by a fireplace
December and the holidays are synonymous with chilly temperatures, and what better way to face them than by savoring a delicious comfort food dinner by the warmth of the fire while listening to the crackling wood. Luckily, Los Angeles is home to many cozy restaurants that offer these perfect experiences for this time of year.
38. Hike to these aqua thermal springs and treat yourself to a healing soak
Just a few miles away from Santa Barbara, nestled amongst the lush hills, you’ll find a stunning outdoor spa. These cascading thermal pools known as the Montecito Hot Springs can be reached with an easy trek and are filled with sulphur which is known for its healing properties. Is there anything better than rewarding yourself with a free, hot soak after a long week?
39. Forget about cooking and enjoy a Christmas dinner at a restaurant
Indulge in a festive Christmas dinner in L.A. at one of the city’s best restaurants. Whether you’re enjoying a luxurious multi-course meal or a cozy, intimate setting, L.A. offers an array of dining options to make your holiday season special.
Edited by Sofía Delpueche.