Christmas in LA sparkles with an array of holiday festivities. As a native Angeleno, it’s my favorite time of year. There’s ice skating under the stars and holiday themed activities in downtown and at theme parks, beaches, the zoo and other fun attractions.
And with our sunny climate, winter is an ideal time to visit Southern California. Check out these festive Christmas events and activities in Los Angeles.
Read More: Christmas Lights Boat Parades Brighten California December Nights
Christmas in LA at the Los Angeles Zoo
L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow features a self-guided 90-minute stroll through a nighttime winter attraction that transforms its grounds into an immersive landscape with lantern sculptures of animals among flowers, towering trees and more.
At the entrance, a 90-foot-long shimmering wall of lights features snowflake displays set to music. For example, the light show features a high-tech interactive display where dancing lights respond to guests’ voices. In addition, the light show features giant glowing animals and wildlife-inspired displays. More festivities include holiday treats, food and visits with Santa.
The holiday display takes place from 6 – 10 pm November 15, 2024 to January 5, 2025 at the Los Angeles Zoo.
Santa Monica Holiday Shopping and Festivities
Slather on sunscreen for the daytime, but bring a scarf for chilly evenings while shopping and enjoying seasonal events in Downtown Santa Monica. The beach community is decked out for the holidays starting November 21, 2024 with a Tree Lighting Ceremony and free photos with Santa from 6 to 8 pm.
Festivities include ICE, featuring an 8,000-square-foot ice-skating rink through January 20, 2025. At Santa Monica Place, scoop up trendy and luxury items.
Celebrate Hanukkah and join in the community tradition of lighting the menorah at the Third Street Promenade starting December 25, 2024. The final lighting ceremony will take place at the ice rink on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
Read More: How to Ring in the New Year, Family Style
Christmas in LA at the Santa Monica Pier
The pier is celebrating Holiday Cheer on the Pier with window display installations, music and performances on the Merry Go-Round Building November 21 to December 19, 2024. In addition, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier will light the Pacific Wheel in holiday colors in December 2024. It will also feature several holiday-themed icons, such as wreaths, reindeer and an 80-foot tall snowman.
Enjoy watching the Ferris wheel light program live at santa-monica-pier-live-cams/wheel/
Urban Ice Skating
Christmas in LA means swapping out flips flops for skates at outdoor ice rinks set up for the holidays through the New Year.
Downtown on Ice
Skate under the sun and stars at the 27th Annual Downtown on Ice in Pershing Square in Los Angeles November 21, 2024 to January 12, 2025. It’s L.A.’s biggest outdoor rink, located in the heart of the city at 532 South Olive, Los Angeles. The rink is open from 11:30 am – 8:30 pm. For beginning skaters under 48-inches tall, the rink offers Skate Helpers: Penguin & Polar Bear Helpers that glide with the skater along the ice. Must be able to stand independently. General admission: $21.20 includes skate rental.
The annual LA Kings Holiday Ice
The LA Kings Holiday Ice Rink brings outdoor ice skating to L.A. LIVE’s Xbox Plaza starting in November, 2024.
Christmas in LA at Universal Studios Hollywood
The annual Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood features a variety of themed activities November 29, 2024 to January 6, 2025. The special events are included in the price of theme park admission.
Christmas In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter transforms the quaint town of Hogsmeade into an enchanting holiday village. Seasonal décor is uniquely themed to each of the individual storefronts. In addition, a dazzling light projection spectacular brings the iconic Hogwarts castle to life.
As night falls, The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle illuminates Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with colorful imagery. There are also dimensional animations that dance across Hogwarts castle in tandem to a musical arrangement from the Harry Potter movies. Musical performances from the a cappella Frog Choir entertain with their harmonized holiday-themed songs.
Shoppers will delight in the selection of custom-made Christmas ornaments created especially for “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.” And, of course, holiday-themed fare and hot butterbeer further complement the overall experience.
Grinchmas
A 55-foot tall Grinchmas tree is adorned with ornaments and LED lights choreographed to music for the annual Who-lebration. Dazzling Grinchmas tree lighting ceremonies take place every evening, accompanied by a snowfall flurry. The festival features The Grinch, his faithful dog Max and a roster of Who-ville Whos.
Universal CityWalk
Universal CityWalk’s 40-foot tall Christmas tree sparkles with 200,000 LED icicles choreographed to the lights and sounds of the season. Feel the magic of the holiday in the “5 Towers” outdoor plaza along with a slate of free concert performances and an eclectic ensemble of talented street performers. Admission to Universal CityWalk is free but there’s a parking fee. This event takes place November 29, 2024 through January 6, 2025.
Los Angeles
The Original Farmers Market
Not just any market, this fun venue is a gathering place for meals, shopping and seasonal events. Celebrate the holidays with Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree: A Holiday Kick-Off from 6 – 9 pm December 13, 2024. The event features live music, entertainment and a holiday photo booth. Yuletide carolers serenade visitors from 12 – 3 pm December 20-22, 2024.
Christmas in Downtown L.A.
Holidays at The Music Center features a variety of festive events – some free – throughout December. The annual L.A. County Tree Lighting ceremony kicks off the holidays at 5 pm on December 2, 2024 at the Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center.
Raise your voices at the Holiday Sing-Along at 11:30 am December 14, and at the Messiah Sing-Along at 7:30 pm December 16, 2024. Both take place at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
The 65th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration is the city’s largest multi-cultural celebration. The free event takes place from 3 – 6 pm on Christmas Eve at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The three-hour show features numerous musical groups and nearly 500 performers, representing the diverse cultures and holiday traditions of L.A. County.
Beverly Hills
This posh city has several holiday events.
The annual Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration will take place from 5 -to 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, 2024. Festive fireworks will light up the sky from both ends of Rodeo Drive simultaneously in a dazzling finale, officially kicking off the holiday season. The event features Santa, live music and two wine gardens with food and beverages from local favorite 208 Rodeo.
Enjoy a festive light show at the City’s iconic Beverly Gardens Park at the Beverly Hills Sign & Lily Pond from November 14, 2024 through January 1, 2025. It displays every 15 minutes from 6 – 9:30 p.m.
The Glowing Gardens at Beverly Cañon Gardens features sparkling light sculptures from 5 to 11 p.m. November 14, 2024 through January 1, 2025. The gardens are adjacent to The Maybourne Beverly Hills.
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