Here’s What’s Ho Ho Happening this December in Los Angeles
It’s officially the holiday season, and the city of angels is quickly transforming into the city of lights. No matter how you celebrate, avoiding the holiday spirit is impossible – so you might as well let it move you. Here are 34 Wintertastic Things to do in December in Los Angeles, separated by week, plus specific holiday events happening daily all month long toward the end.
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November 30th to 7th
Sunday, November 30th, is The Hollywood Christmas Parade, beginning at 6 p.m. It’s been a star-studded tradition since 1928, featuring celebrities, marching bands, and floats – but it also does great work for Toys for Tots. Tickets are sold out for this year, but there will also be free viewing screens along the boulevard and a televised event on The CW, among other networks.
Monday, December 1st, at 5:00 p.m., is the L.A. County Tree Lighting Ceremony presented by The Music Center at the Jerry Moss Plaza in DTLA. The event is FREE, and features live music, art-making activities, and complimentary hot chocolate. Also, be sure to check out the Pink Sphere Tree and Menorah at Gloria Molina Park, which turns on its lights the same night.
Wednesday, December 3rd, is the opening of Hermon’s from the people who brought you Barra Santos and Queen’s Raw Bar & Grill. It’s located in a former church banquet hall in Highland Park, so cool vibes all the way.
Visit RUNWAY Playa Vista on December 5th, where they’ll be serving up cups of holiday cheer with their Cocoa & Carols event. It’s FREE to attend, and cocoa is available while supplies last. Other dates include the 12th and 19th, from 6 to 8 p.m.
December 5th is also the first night of Home Alone in Concert by the L.A. Phil. Performances run from the 5th to the 8th. Purchase here.
December 5th, 6th, 7th, and 13th are the nights left with tickets to the Chain Holiday House, which is a fine-arts meets fast food event with celeb chefs. Tickets are $75, and it’s definitely FOMO food.
Saturday, December 6th, is the 14th Annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting & Block Party, when Windward Avenue becomes a block party! Events include Grammy-winning live entertainment, restaurant tastings, artisan vendors, and photos with Santa. The FREE event runs from 6 to 9 p.m.
December 8th to 14th
Wednesday, December 10th, has got some discounted tickets to La Bohème at the L.A. Opera with this link. Always nice to enjoy Puccini at half price.
Thursday, December 11th, is a screening of It’s a Wonderful Life at 6:30 p.m., presented by the Rooftop Cinema Club in DTLA. This is one of MANY Holiday films they have on the schedule as part of their Fireside Films series, which includes a portable heater to keep you warm in the frigid Los Angeles air. Tickets begin at $30 and also include a warm, non-alcoholic drink.
Friday, December 12th, is the 3rd Annual Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree Celebration at The Original Farmers Market from 6 to 9 p.m. The FREE event features a Photo Booth, Live Performances, Free Hot Chocolate, and Gift Wrapping by the Salvation Army.
Saturday, December 13th, is the 32nd Annual King Harbor Holiday Boat Parade, featuring a regatta of tropical holiday cheer beginning at 5:30 p.m. A trophy for best decorations will be awarded at 8 p.m. Enjoy the parade from the nearby Portofino Hotel & Marina in Redondo Beach, where you can watch from their Living Room Lounge or a Pop-up Holiday Bar on the grass patio. Events begin as early as 2 p.m.
Saturday, December 13th, is the annual Holiday Boat Parade for Marina del Rey, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m.The light show begins at 5:45 p.m. The nearby Marina Del Rey Hotel offers a front-row seat with cocktails. Get all the details on their website.
Beginning December 13th, it’s Nutcracker Season! Get tickets to The Nutcracker Ballet, presented by the Long Beach Ballet, for performances until December 21st.
Also, December 13th is the 17th Annual SANTA Monica Pub Crawl, which benefits the Westside Food Bank! Crawlers will enjoy Food and Drink Specials at such establishments as Jameson’s Irish Pub, Barney’s Beanery, and the Brittania Pub. Your $20 Ticket includes one free drink, specialty pricing on the second round, and no cover charges. The event runs from 4 p.m. to midnight. It’s the easiest charity work you’ll do all year 🙂
If you’re in Pasadena on Saturday, December 13th, then head to the Pasadena Playhouse for Jingle & Mingle, which offers two performances beginning at 1 p.m. plus lots of community arts activities, including a FREE Open House. See details here.
Sunday, December 14th, is the first night of Hanukkah with a Menorah Lighting at RUNWAY in Marina del Rey. The event is FREE to attend and begins at 5 p.m. Reserve your spot here. Similar events will be happening on the Third Street Promenade nightly at sundown until December 22nd.
Sunday, December 14th, is also the Manhattan Beach Holiday Fireworks presented by Sketchers. While the fireworks begin at 7 p.m., there are activities beginning at 3 p.m., including a Snow Park with sled runs! It’s sure to be fine (and free) holiday fun.
Sunday, December 14th, is the Hanukkah Festival at The Skirball Cultural Center in West L.A. The event runs from noon to 5:00 p.m., and tickets begin at $20, but they are FREE for members. Expect Performances, Latkes, and Community.
December 15th to the 21st
Monday, December 15th, is the Menorah Lighting Celebration in Beverly Hills, from 5:30 to 6 p.m. at Beverly Gardens Park Lily Pond. No reservations are necessary.
Thursday, December 18th, until December 21st, is Disney on Ice Let’s Dance at the Crypto.com Arena. Get tickets here.
December 22nd to the 28th
Head to Downtown Los Angeles to sing Carols with the Los Angeles Master Chorale during Carols on the Plaza. It’s a free 30-minute concert on December 22nd at 6 p.m. at the Jerry Moss Plaza. No reservations are required, and it’s a great way to experience one of the best choirs in the country for a lot less money.
On December 24th, it’s The 66th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Admission is FREE, but an RSVP is appreciated. You can also stream it at home on PBS SoCal.
December 25th is a day for family and friends, but there’s always food to consider. The 24 Meals of Christmas from 2024 should give you some good ideas to start with. Stay tuned for updates as the month rolls on if you’re reading this on December 1st.
December 29th to the 31st
December 31st is New Year’s Eve, and Gloria Molina Grand Park’s NYELA is one of the West Coast’s biggest FREE New Year’s Eve Events. It takes place from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. beginning on December 31st, 2025. Food trucks will be on-site, and alcohol will not. This is a family-friendly event that includes powerful performances inspired by the “Power of One” theme.
Let’s Get Lit!
Here’s where you can enjoy a city all lit up at night all month long:
- Enchanted at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada, Flintridge offers a nightly light-up of the botanical gardens and a chance to feel what it’s like to walk through a forest at night. The lights are accompanied by an ethereal, meditative soundtrack that you can enjoy on Spotify on the car ride home. The event runs from now until January 4th. Tickets are available here.
- L.A. Zoo Lights features light-up animals at night while the real animals sleep tight. Enjoy it until January 11th. Discounted tickets are available here for select nights.
- Holiday Road is back for the 6th year at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas. Expect larger-than-life installations, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and holiday bars. The event runs from now until December 27th.
Holidays on Ice
These holiday rinks are sure to keep you on your toes:
- The L.A. Kings Holiday Ice Event features the largest outdoor skating rink in Los Angeles, located at L.A. Live in DTLA. Dates are now through January 10th. Reserve your skate here for evening skate sessions beginning at 5 p.m. most days. Tickets are $27 and under.
- Ice at Santa Monica takes place near the Third Street Promenade at 5th Street and Arizona and is open DAILY from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. It’s on now until January 19th. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on-site or pre-purchased online to secure your time.
- Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink is open in DTLA through January 11th. Tickets are $22, and time slots can be pre-purchased beginning at 11:30 a.m. Fun events included with this one are Classical Skates on Sundays.
Festive Feels
Westfield Century City has transformed into a winter wonderland with a Holiday Village Market, Santa’s North Pole Adventure, and Blitzen’s Bar. Guests can enjoy this daily and make reservations to see Santa with this link until December 24th. The Holiday Village will be set up until the 28th.
If you’re in the Glendale area, be sure to stop by The Americana at Brand for Photos with Santa until December 24th. There’s also Nightly SnowFall at 7 and 8 p.m. until December 31st.
Perfect for kids, the Holiday Light Festival Train Ride is a ten-minute train ride in Griffith Park, offering just the right amount of fun for $8. Lines open at 5 p.m. and can get long – so I recommend purchasing tickets online and getting the priority pass if you can for just a few dollars more (those are selling out fast). There are also timed tickets available. This event can be enjoyed until January 11th.
Enjoy Real Snow
Take advantage of one of the things that makes Los Angeles so great: the ability to be in snow and sand all in one day. Mountain High Resorts is just an hour and a half from downtown Los Angeles in Wrightwood, California. No stay is required, and you can sign up for Snow Play Day activities that range from tubing to sledding and cost just $30 for kids.
