The Best Holiday Events and Activities in Los Angeles

With gorgeous weather and endless entertainment options, the holidays in Los Angeles are like no other city. From classic Christmas music concerts to dazzling light displays and outdoor ice skating, read our guide and learn about some of the best Los Angeles holiday events and activities that will keep you joyfully warm throughout the season.

During holiday nights, dazzling light displays throughout Los Angeles bring the city to vibrant life with traditional lighting ceremonies and festive decorations.

Everyone loves a parade! In Los Angeles you can welcome Santa Claus when his sled lands on Hollywood Boulevard, watch a procession of colorfully decorated boats, and experience the world-famous Rose Parade.

The whole family can get in the festive spirit with spectacular holiday experiences at Universal Studios Hollywood! Celebrate Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, join in the most Who-tacular Grinchmas™ celebration ever, and end the day at Universal CityWalk, where you can enjoy holiday shopping, the 40-foot Christmas tree, and fantastic dining.

CHRISTMAS IN THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER™
The quaint wizarding village of Hogsmeade™ is transformed with merry decor to celebrate Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Stroll through the village while sipping a delicious Hot Butterbeer™, dine on savory festive fare at Three Broomsticks™, and shop for exclusive keepsakes like personalized ornaments, garlands, scarves and stockings. Enjoy delightful a cappella performances of holiday favorites by the Hogwarts Frog Choir.

Beginning at dusk each night, The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts™ Castle dazzles visitors with stunning imagery and animation that illuminates Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and infuses the land with music from the Harry Potter film series.

GRINCHMAS™
The Who-tacular Grinchmas™ celebration returns in festive fashion as park-goers gather around the topsy-turvy 65 foot-tall Grinchmas tree at Universal Plaza, adorned with hundreds of ornaments and thousands of LED lights. A dazzling tree lighting ceremony and snowfall flurry will take place every evening, bringing season’s greetings from The Grinch, his faithful dog Max, and the Who-ville Whos, who will be performing on select nights. Themed sweet treats such as hot cocoa will be available for purchase.

Celebrate the holiday season at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood! Starting December 22, Warner Bros. is offering enchanting holiday photo opportunities that will create lasting memories for you and your loved ones. From beautifully adorned Christmas trees to whimsical holiday displays, Warner Bros. has recreated the holiday magic at Luke’s Diner and the Gazebo from Gilmore Girls.

Whether you’re seeking a family-fun photo, romantic couple’s shot, or a group photo with friends, talented photographers will be on hand to ensure you capture the joy and excitement with that picture-perfect moment.

Holiday costumes from some of your favorite television shows and movies are currently on exhibit at Stage 48: Script to Screen:

• Jack Frost Snowman from Jack Frost
• Ice Princess costume from Batman Returns worn by Cristi Conaway
• Papa Elf costume from Elf worn by Bob Newhart
• Costumes from A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas worn by Neil Patrick Harris playing himself, and Danny Trejo as Mr. Perez
• Costumes from Gilmore Girls worn by Lauren Graham as Lorelai Gilmore, Alexis Bledel as Rory Gilmore, and Scott Patterson as Luke Danes; including Christmas stockings for Lorelai Gilmore and Rory Gilmore
• Puppets from A Miser Brothers’ Christmas

The Friends Boutique is festively decorated for the holidays and offers Friends themed items exclusive to the store. This holiday season on display is the Holiday Armadillo costume worn by David Schwimmer as Ross Geller in “The One with the Holiday Armadillo.”

The annual LA Kings Holiday Ice brings outdoor ice skating to L.A. LIVE on Peacock Place, in front of Crypto.com Arena. Gather with friends and family, or enjoy a date night before and after a game or concert! The LA Kings Holiday Ice rink will run through New Year's Eve.

General Admission tickets are $25 and only sold on-site at the rink. Pricing includes skate rental and admission. Tickets are $20 for Children (ages 6 and under), Seniors (62 and over), Military with ID (up to 4 guests) and LA Kings Season Ticket Members (up to 4 guests).

Present your LA Kings Holiday Ice receipt on the day you skate at these restaurants for a 10% discount:

• Fleming’s
• Katsuya
• Lazy Dog
• Lucky Strike
• Savoca

Experience magical moments of snowfall and live performances while you explore curated gift shops at the Westfield Century City Holiday Market:

• Academy Museum of Motion Pictures - Film collectibles and products supporting the Museum's programming, exhibitions, access and educational initiatives
• B Sweet - Coffee, Tea & Baked Goods Eclai - Seasonal styles and home accessories
• Flour Shop - Small batch cakes and cookies
• Holy Moly Gifts - Giftable stationery and stocking stuffers
• JLUXLabel - Holiday-themed loungewear and home accessories
• Luna Lili Jewelry - Handmade precious gemstone jewelry
• Malik Boots - Independent and minority-owned bookstore serving the African American community
• Peace of Cake - Prepackaged customizable mini-cakes
• Pop Mart - Limited edition and collectible character-based figures and art created by independent artists & collaborators
• Royce Chocolate - Chocolate & confections

Located in Downtown Los Angeles, The Music Center is home to four of LA's most iconic venues: the Ahmanson Theatre, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Mark Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall. From concerts and sing-alongs to the city’s largest holiday celebration, visitors can spend the entire season at The Music Center and never see the same event twice.

Each year from Dec. 16 until Christmas Eve, Olvera Street merchants and their families walk through El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument in a ceremonial re-enactment of Joseph and Mary’s nine-night search for sanctuary. The tradition features a procession with sing-alongs and piñata breaking, and is one of the oldest events in the city.

Presented by Street Food Cinema, Yuletide Cinemaland is a series of outdoor movie screenings at Heritage Square Museum. Tickets to Yuletide Cinemaland are now on sale and include Victorian Home Tours, a twinkling light tunnel, Santa Meet & Greet, the Tinsel Tavern Bar, piano sing-alongs, food trucks and more.

Renowned as the “Thrill Capital of the World,” Six Flags Magic Mountain lights up the season during its annual holiday extravaganza, Holiday in the Park. Experience the park’s record-breaking 20 roller coasters (aka “Santa’s Sleighs”), such as CraZanity, the tallest pendulum ride on the West Coast; West Coast Racers, the world's first single-track quadruple racing coaster; and X2, the world’s first 4th Dimension coaster.

More than two million lights will transform the park into holiday-themed Winter Wonderlands: the new Holiday Village, the ‘50s-inspired HollyRock, The North Pole, Holiday Square, Gleampunk District, Arctic Alley, Peppermint Path, Polar Bear Pass, Jingle Bell Way and Snowy Nights.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2023, the Bob Baker Marionette Theater presents its adaptation of The Nutcracker, one of its most beloved shows. More than 100 handcrafted puppets will take the whole family on an enchanting holiday adventure - meet the Sugarplum Fairy and her Promenading Cakes; dance with the Waltzing Flowers, cheer for the Nutcracker band, The Go-Go's; and marvel at the wonders beyond the Mysterious Door. Guests are invited to partake in the theater's post-show tradition: ice cream for everyone! Tickets are now on sale with two options: theater seating, or "Criss-Cross-Applesauce" floor seating.

Get in the holiday spirit at the annual Hanukkah Festival, taking place from noon to 5:30pm at the Skirball Cultural Center on Sunday, December 10. Beloved klezmer rockers Mostly Kosher return to headline this year’s festival, along with Skirball Storytellers who will bring the Hanukkah story to life with a theatrical performance featuring music and puppetry. Take a spin in the Dreidel Lounge, share a plate (or two) of latkes and jelly doughnuts, strike a pose in a holiday-themed photo booth, and light up the night with a handcrafted torch-making activity. At sundown, join in for a joyous community candle lighting.

The Winter Frolic transforms the Kidspace Children's Museum into a joyful land of wonder and delight. The seven-week Winter Frolic is a fairytale come to life - little ones can feel free to explore, create, and celebrate with their families (and a few new fantasy forest friends). The Kidspace Winter Frolic offers a flurry of experiences and programs, including the no-ice Sock Skating Rink; “ice fishing” in the Kidspace Interpretive Arroyo Stream; winter sculpture building with special "ice blocks"; and snowflake decorating at the Kidspace Winter Craft Station.

Founded in 1890, the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena is America's New Year Celebration, a greeting to the world on the first day of the year and a salute to the community spirit and love of pageantry. From the pre-bowl game feasting at Lawry’s Beef Bowl, to the spectacular Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl Game on New Year's Day, the Tournament of Roses is a Southern California tradition that is unequaled anywhere in the world.

Angelenos and visitors alike have heard that in Los Angeles, you can surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon. With Downtown LA as your home base, we’ll show you several options that will make you the envy of your surfing and skiing friends and family. Whether it's during the holidays or any time of year, you can start your day in the beautiful Pacific Ocean and finish your adventure at the stunning mountains above LA County.