21 Magical Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Los Angeles and Beyond

Christmas in Los Angeles looks a little different from the holidays I grew up with in New York City. After living in the LA area for years, I’ll admit that some neighborhoods barely feel festive, while others go all out with Christmas lights, decorations, and holiday events. You just have to know where to look.

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My sister-in-law lived in LA for a few years before moving out of state, and to this day, she still talks about how much fun she had celebrating the holidays here. And I get it. LA may not have that traditional NYC Christmas atmosphere, but when it comes to holiday events and entertainment, this city knows how to put on a show.

From Christmas lights at The Grove and neighborhood displays in Pasadena to holiday train rides, ice skating, and festive day trips, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite ways to celebrate Christmas in Los Angeles and beyond, along with other seasonal activities worth considering.

Christmas Activities and Events in Los Angeles

Santa has made The Grove his LA headquarters for the holidays—seriously.

Each year, The Grove kicks off the season with a tree lighting celebration featuring live performances, Santa’s arrival, and plenty of entertainment. Throughout the holidays, the massive Christmas tree, festive decorations, and nightly snowfall make it worth visiting, even if you’re not planning to shop.

The crowds can be intense once the sun sets, particularly on weekends. I recommend visiting on a weekday evening if you want to enjoy the decorations without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.

2026 Tree Lighting: November 16 at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but arrive early because space is limited.

Hollywood Boulevard is known for its bright lights, but during the holidays, it gets a little extra Christmas sparkle with festive decorations along the famous street.

Ice skating at LA Live is a popular Christmas activity in Downtown Los Angeles. During the holidays, the entertainment complex near Crypto.com Arena transforms into a festive space with a large Christmas tree, festive lights, and an outdoor ice skating rink.

For 2026, the LA Kings Holiday Ice Festival is expanding beyond skating with a new Holiday Village featuring more than 20 vendors, seasonal food and drinks, a Christmas light tunnel, and visits with Santa. You can make an evening of it by browsing the market, enjoying the holiday activities, and grabbing dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Keep in mind that LA Live and Crypto.com Arena host concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment throughout the season, so the surrounding area can get busy.

2026 Event Dates: November 27, 2026, through January 3, 2027. Ice skating and the Holiday Village require separate tickets.

4. Holiday Ice Skating at Pershing Square

The Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square brings outdoor ice skating to the heart of Downtown Los Angeles every Christmas season. Surrounded by downtown buildings, the rink offers a fun way to enjoy a winter activity without leaving LA.

The rink offers 60-minute skating sessions, with skate rentals included in admission. Throughout the season, special events include DJ nights and themed skating sessions.

5. Las Posadas on Olvera Street

Every December, historic Olvera Street in Downtown Los Angeles hosts Las Posadas, a traditional Mexican Christmas celebration that has been part of the area since 1930.

The nine-night celebration reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging before Jesus’ birth. Visitors can watch the evening candlelight procession, accompanied by traditional songs and music. It’s a chance to experience one of LA’s longtime cultural holiday traditions.

Experience the LA Zoo after dark during LA Zoo Lights, a walk-through holiday light display featuring colorful illuminated animals, larger-than-life sculptures, and themed installations.

The displays change each year, giving visitors something new to see. Along the way, you’ll find festive treats, photo opportunities, and seasonal activities. The zoo’s animals generally aren’t on exhibit during this nighttime event, so the Christmas lights are the main attraction.

Plan to spend approximately 60 to 90 minutes exploring the displays.

2026 Holiday Details:

• Dates: November 20, 2026, through January 10, 2027, on select evenings.
• Tickets: Starting at $19 per person.
• Parking: Free.
• Note: The ice-skating rink requires a separate ticket. The event is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The annual Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens is a beautiful way to enjoy Christmas lights in Los Angeles. The botanical gardens transform into an illuminated walking experience with colorful light installations, glowing trees, and creative displays throughout the grounds.

Wander through the gardens as lights and music bring different areas to life. You’ll also find seasonal snacks and drinks, so grab a hot chocolate to enjoy along the way, particularly on a chilly evening.

For 2026, Enchanted is celebrating its 10th anniversary with new displays, a laser light show, and a snowfall finale.

2026 Holiday Details:

• Dates: November 22, 2026, through January 9, 2027.
• Hours: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Tickets: Required. Prices vary by date, with member discounts.
• Parking: Free.
• Closed: Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Read more: Your Guide to Descanso Gardens: 10 Must-Do Activities

Hop aboard the Griffith Park Holiday Lights Train Ride for a 10-minute journey along a one-mile track decorated with thousands of colorful Christmas lights and holiday displays.

This is a fun Christmas activity for families, but adults can enjoy it just as much. We had a great time riding through the light displays, and the enthusiastic staff made the experience even better.

Outside the train area, you’ll find snacks, light-up toys, and holiday souvenirs.

9. Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade

The annual Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade is a free Christmas event where boats and yachts decorated with colorful lights, garlands, and creative holiday displays parade through the marina’s main channel.

The evening begins with a light show, followed by the boat parade. Each year brings a different theme, with participants going all out decorating their vessels.

For some of the best views, head to Burton Chace Park or Fisherman’s Village. Arrive early to find a good viewing spot, and expect to pay for parking.

Outdoor ice skating in Santa Monica is a fun holiday activity just a few blocks from the beach. The seasonal Frost on 5th Ice Rink, formerly known as Ice at Santa Monica, returns each winter at Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue.

You can make it an outing by skating, then walking to Third Street Promenade for shopping, dining, and holiday decorations.

The Americana at Brand in Glendale celebrates Christmas much like its sister property, The Grove. The outdoor shopping center is decorated with thousands of lights, a towering Christmas tree, and festive displays surrounding the fountain.

You don’t have to shop to enjoy the decorations. It’s a nice place to walk around with family, grab something to eat, and enjoy the holiday atmosphere. One highlight is the nightly snowfall, which adds a little Christmas magic to Southern California.

Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena has become one of our annual holiday traditions since it’s so close to home. Every December, the towering deodar cedar trees along Santa Rosa Avenue are covered in Christmas lights, making it a beautiful drive through the neighborhood.

The tradition dates back to 1920 and is one of the area’s longest-running Christmas light displays. It’s free to enjoy, and you can drive through at your own pace.

Local Tip: Enter Santa Rosa Avenue from Woodbury Avenue and drive north toward Altadena Drive to enjoy the lights.

Upper Hastings Ranch Holiday Light Up is another Christmas tradition close to home that we visit every year. This Pasadena neighborhood goes all out for the holidays, with entire streets decorated in different themes, colorful lights, and elaborate displays.

One of the highlights is Harbeck Lights on Tropical Avenue, where Christmas lights are synchronized to music you can listen to through your car radio. Over the years, we’ve also spotted a giant musical clock tower and a house with Jack Skellington dressed as Santa on the roof. It’s always fun to drive around and see what the neighbors have come up with.

The tradition dates back to 1951, when residents began decorating their driveways with luminarias to help guide Santa.

Local Tip: Start around Hastings Ranch Drive and Sierra Madre Boulevard, then explore the residential streets. Drive slowly, respect the neighbors, and stay off lawns and decorations.

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Christmas at Universal Studios Hollywood brings holiday celebrations throughout the park, starting with Grinchmas. Meet the Grinch and Max, enjoy live entertainment, and watch the towering Grinchmas tree light up with a little snowfall.

Over in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Hogsmeade is decorated with garlands, wreaths, and Christmas lights. Grab a hot Butterbeer, listen to the Frog Choir, and stay until evening for The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle, a holiday light show set to music from the Harry Potter films.

For 2026, Universal is also introducing Merry Minions, with festive character appearances and decorations in Minion Land. You’ll find holiday touches in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, too.

Budget Tip: Enjoy the Christmas decorations and giant tree at Universal CityWalk without buying a theme park ticket.

Read more: What to Eat at Universal Studios Hollywood: 10 Delicious Picks

Christmas Activities and Day Trips Beyond Los Angeles

16. Christmas at Disneyland Resort

Christmas at Disneyland is one of my favorite holiday experiences whenever we get the chance to visit. From the decorations along Main Street to Sleeping Beauty Castle all lit up for the season, Disney knows how to do Christmas. Even the grumpiest, grinchiest person would have a hard time denying that there’s something special about the atmosphere during the holidays.

At Disneyland Park, you can watch A Christmas Fantasy Parade, enjoy the holiday fireworks, and ride seasonal favorites like “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday.

Over at Disney California Adventure, the Disney Festival of Holidays celebrates different holiday traditions with seasonal food, music, and live performances. There’s also World of Color – Season of Light at night, which brings a Christmas twist to the fountain show.

You can experience plenty of the holiday festivities in just one day at Disneyland, although there’s enough happening during Christmas to make a longer visit worthwhile.

2026 Holiday Details:

• Dates: November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027
• Admission: Theme park tickets and reservations are required.

Budget Tip: You don’t need a theme park ticket to enjoy Christmas at Downtown Disney. Holiday decorations, seasonal treats, live entertainment, and even nightly snowfall are available. You can also admire the gingerbread display inside Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, although hotel access may be restricted during busy periods. Parking fees still apply.

Read more:
Disneyland Treats You Have to Try at Least Once
Disneyland Packing List: Things to Bring for a Park Day

The Mission Inn Festival of Lights in Riverside is a longtime Southern California Christmas tradition. Every holiday season, the historic hotel is covered in millions of lights, while the surrounding downtown streets fill with decorations, holiday shopping, and seasonal activities.

You can walk around the Mission Inn to admire the lights without staying there. For a closer look inside, the hotel offers paid holiday tours and dining experiences.

The celebration kicks off with a lighting ceremony featuring live entertainment and fireworks. If you’re planning a holiday day trip from Los Angeles, you can make an evening of it by exploring downtown Riverside before seeing the lights.

Solvang celebrates the Christmas season with its annual Julefest. The Danish-inspired town fills with Christmas lights, holiday decorations, seasonal treats, and events throughout the season.

Festivities include a tree lighting ceremony, Christmas parade, Santa’s Village, candlelight tours, and Wednesday Maker’s Markets. There’s also a nightly light-and-music show at Solvang Park and a Danish elf scavenger hunt called the Nisser Adventure.

With its Danish architecture, bakeries, and charming shops, it’s easy to see why Solvang has been named one of the best Christmas towns in the U.S. It’s a fun holiday getaway from Los Angeles, with plenty to explore around Solvang and the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley.

Planning Tip: December can get crowded, particularly around the tree lighting and parade. Arrive earlier to explore the shops and bakeries, then stay after dark for the Christmas lights.

Read more: Your Guide to the Best of Solvang

Christmas Nights at 123 Farm in Cherry Valley is one of our favorite Southern California holiday outings. The farm is covered in more than a million lights, illuminating the lavender fields, olive groves, and trees. I love walking the grounds after dark, taking in all the decorations.

There’s plenty to do beyond admiring the lights, including browsing the Christmas village, exploring the 12 Days of Christmas shops, walking through the holiday maze, and taking a tractor wagon ride. For us, stopping for lavender hot chocolate is part of the experience, too. It’s one of the little things we love about Christmas Nights at 123 Farm.

Planning Tip: Wear comfortable shoes since you’ll be walking around a working farm with some uneven ground. Purchase admission and parking in advance.

Located in the San Bernardino Mountains near Lake Arrowhead, SkyPark at Santa’s Village brings a little North Pole atmosphere to Southern California. Surrounded by towering evergreens, the Christmas-themed adventure park has holiday decorations, festive entertainment, and activities for the whole family.

Visitors can meet Santa, go ice skating (weather permitting), enjoy holiday shows, and explore the Fantasy Forest Light Walk. At night, the Village of Lights show brings the Christmas tree and surrounding displays to life with synchronized music and lights.

Planning Tip: Plan to spend several hours here to enjoy the attractions before the evening light show. Holiday dates can sell out, so buy tickets ahead of time.

Read more: Why You Should Visit Christmas Nights at 123 Farm

Oak Glen isn’t just for apple picking in the fall. At Riley’s Farm, the Christmas season brings old-fashioned holiday celebrations inspired by American history.

Two of the farm’s annual events are A Christmas Carol, a dinner-theater experience featuring scenes from Charles Dickens’ classic story, live music, caroling, and dancing, and Christmas in the Colonies, an 18th-century-inspired Christmas feast with traditional music and activities.

Both are ticketed events held on select December dates. If you’re planning a holiday trip to Oak Glen, these offer something different from the usual Christmas light displays.

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