what to do in los angeles in december
With gorgeous weather and endless amusement 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 nearly some of the all-time 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 tin welcome Santa Claus when his sled lands on Hollywood Boulevard, watch a procession of colorfully busy boats, and experience the world-famous Rose Parade.
The whole family unit 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 Earth 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 hamlet while sipping a delicious Hot Butterbeer™, dine on savory festive fare at 3 Broomsticks™, and store for exclusive keepsakes like personalized ornaments, garlands, scarves and stockings. Enjoy delightful a cappella performances of holiday favorites by the Hogwarts Frog Choir.
Get-go at sunset each nighttime, The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts™ Castle dazzles visitors with stunning imagery and animation that illuminates Hogwarts™ Schoolhouse of Witchcraft and Wizardry and infuses the country with music from the Harry Potter moving-picture show serial.
GRINCHMAS™
The Who-tacular Grinchmas™ celebration returns in festive mode as park-goers assemble around the topsy-turvy 65 foot-alpine Grinchmas tree at Universal Plaza, adorned with hundreds of ornaments and thousands of LED lights. A dazzling tree lighting ceremony and snow flurry will have place every evening, bringing flavor's greetings from The Grinch, his faithful domestic 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.
"Skate similar a King" this holiday flavour at the almanac LA Kings Vacation Ice, located at L.A. Alive'south Xbox Plaza across the street from STAPLES Center. Featuring four daily sessions of outdoor ice skating, LA Kings Holiday Ice offers several ticket options. General Access is $25 per person and available on-site only, no online sales. Discounted $20 tickets for children (age six and under), seniors (62 and over), military with ID (up to 4 guests), and LA Kings Season Ticket Members with STM ID (up to iv guests, five tickets total).
A limited number of Fast Pass tickets are available daily for each session. Fast Passes are $45 and simply bachelor online. Group Tickets (25 or more guests) and Individual Rentals (not-public hours) are as well available.
Later on your water ice skating session, show your ticket stub and enjoy Supper & Skate discounts at participating 50.A. LIVE restaurants like Fleming's, Katsuya and Lucky Strike.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are hosting a Holiday Festival at Dodger Stadium in the newly-renovated Centerfield Plaza, the warning track, and both bullpens! Open up nightly, the festival includes entertainment, photos with Santa, an ice skating rink, scenic and light displays, and holiday-themed food and beverage.
Admission starts at $sixteen and must be purchased online in accelerate. Separate ticketing for Santa photos in the pitcher and water ice skating in the outfield (skate rental included). For tickets and more info, visit the Dodgers Holiday Festival website.
The holidays are in full swing at Westfield Century City,Westfield Topanga & The Village, and Westfield Santa Anita! All three locations are hosting visits with Santa and festive events to go on with your vacation shopping.
WESTFIELD CENTURY CITY
Taking place on select dates from November. 26 to Dec. 24, Santa'due south North Pole Journey will be hosted in The Atrium, Level ane between Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's. Embark on a journey to the North Pole, where Santa and his elves have been working hard to grant wishes and create magic this holiday season. Before he tin can make his trip around the world, Santa needs your help!
Tickets are at present on sale at Eventbrite and include:
- Private admission into Santa's Bungalow
- Interactive touchpoints at The Bungalow, Navigation System and Santa'south Carriage
- Multiple cocky-serve photograph moments, including one with Santa
- Snow at Santa'due south Carriage
- Postcard to make out and post to Santa at the Post Office inside the Holiday Market
- Exclusive offers from participating stores
WESTFIELD TOPANGA & THE Hamlet
- Photos with Santa from November. 12 to Dec. 24 (except Thanksgiving Day). Pre-booking your photo session is encouraged - walk-ups will be limited to availability.
- On Dec. v and 12, families with children with autism and other special needs tin can bask a visit with Santa in a more subdued and at-home surround. Sensory Santa events are free and emblem photo packages will be available for purchase.
- The Immersive Nutcracker (November. 26 - Dec. 31) is a family-friendly multimedia experience accompanied by Tchaikovsky's timeless score.
- Let it Snowfall at The Village with Friday-Sunday evening snow falls from Dec. 3 - Dec. 19.
- Taking place at The Village on Dec. eleven-12, Holidays Are Hither is a free weekend celebration with performers, kids activities, holiday photo ops and lights, holiday carolers and DJ, shopping, and more than.
WESTFIELD SANTA ANITA
- Photos with Santa (November. 18-24)
- Sensory Santa (Dec. 5 and 12)
- On Dec. 13, bring your fur baby to Santa Paws from 4pm - 8pm for a photo with Santa. Pets must be leashed and/or caged, dogs and cats but.
- The Immersive Nutcracker (November. 26 - Dec. 31)
Located in Downtown Los Angeles, The Music Center is abode to four of LA'southward most iconic venues: the Ahmanson Theatre, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Marker Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall. From concerts and sing-alongs to the metropolis's largest vacation celebration, visitors can spend the unabridged 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 formalism 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 metropolis.
Described as "the Black Greenwich Village" by the late John Singleton, Leimert Park is hosting Snow Nighttime in Leimert on Friday, December 17. Taking identify at Leimert Park Plaza from 5pm to 9pm, the family-friendly consequence is free and open to the public. Savour free snow sledding, live music, arts & crafts, hot chocolate, fresh treats, and a holiday night market with local vendors like Sole Folks. To RSVP, visit the Urban center Council 10 website.
Legendary musician Stevie Wonder is bringing back his House Full of Toys benefit concert for its 23rd edition, taking identify at Microsoft Theater on Sat, December eighteen. Business firm Total of Toys will benefit children, people with disabilities, and families in demand. Concertgoers are asked to bring an unwrapped toy or unwrapped gift of joy - their charitable gifts to Wonder's nonprofit organization, Nosotros Are You Foundation are 100% taxation-deductible. Tickets to Firm Full of Toys are on sale at AXS.
Presented by Street Food Cinema, Yuletide Cinemaland is a series of outdoor movie screenings at Heritage Square Museum. Scheduled holiday films include Elf (Dec. 4 & 23), The Santa Clause (December. eleven), Dwelling house Solitary two (Dec. 18), It'southward a Wonderful Life 75th Ceremony (Dec. xix), A Christmas Story (Dec. 20), Abode Alone (Dec. 21), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Dec. 22), and When Harry Met Sally (Dec. 26).
Tickets to Yuletide Cinemaland are now on sale and include Victorian Dwelling house Tours, a twinkling light tunnel, Santa See & 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 flavor during its almanac holiday caricature, Vacation in the Park. Feel the park's record-breaking 19 roller coasters (aka "Santa'southward Sleighs"), such equally CraZanity, the tallest pendulum ride on the West Declension; Due west Declension Racers, the world's first single-track quadruple racing coaster; and X2, the globe's first 4th Dimension coaster.
More than two million lights will transform the park into eight holiday-themed Winter Wonderlands: Gleampunk Commune, Holiday Foursquare, the new '50s-inspired HollyRock, Merry Lane, Peppermint Path, Polar Point, gift photos in Santa'south Hamlet, and Snowy Nights.
A Taste of the Holidays features a variety of festive eats in the Winter Wonderlands, including Holiday Poutine (turkey and craven), Enchilada Soup, Tamales, Vacation in the Park Churro Dip, Snow Balls (powdered Asain donuts), and adult beverages like Hot Toddy, Frosty's Elixir and Cranberry Mimosa.
Nightly entertainment includes crafts with Mrs. Claus, S'mores Fire Pits, a traveling toy soldier troupe, choreographed light entertainment, and live holiday music and dancers.
Guests can take dwelling house Holiday in the Park gifts and souvenirs, such equally novelty apparel, ornaments, and soft costly toys. For every Holiday Friend plush toy purchased, Six Flags will donate five dollars to the Special Olympics.
Located at its new abode in Highland Park, theBob Baker Marionette Theater presents its accommodation of The Nutcracker , ane of its most dear shows. More than 100 handcrafted puppets will take the whole family on an enchanting holiday run a risk - come across the Sugarplum Fairy and her Promenading Cakes; dance with the Waltzing Flowers, cheer for the Nutcracker band, The Become-Go'due south; and curiosity 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 ii options: theater seating, or "Criss-Cross-Applesauce" floor seating.
Become in the holiday spirit at the annual Hanukkah Festival, taking identify from 2pm - 6pm at the Skirball Cultural Center on Lord's day, Dec 5. Celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights with music, storytelling, art-making, and tasty treats. Move to the grooves of Dublab DJ Callie Ryan, folk troubadours Zingarella, and klezmer grouping Yale Strom and Hot Pstromi. Lookout man Skirball Storytellers recount the age-old story of Hanukkah, create a one-of-a-kind art projection, enjoy classic Hanukkah treats and holiday drinks, and celebrate community with a joyous sunset candle lighting.
Tickets to the Hanukkah Festival are on sale at the Skirball website. Limited one-hour, timed-entry tickets to Star Trek: Exploring New Worlds will be distributed on a first-come up, first-served basis. Throughout the upshot, ticketholders can visit the ongoing exhibitions Sustain: From Loss to Renewal and Visions and Values: Jewish Life from Antiquity to America. Noah'due south Ark and the Archeology Dig will exist closed on the day of the festival.
The countdown Wintertime Frolic volition transform the Kidspace Children's Museum into a joyful state of wonder and delight. The seven-week Winter Frolic is a fairytale come to life - little ones can experience free to explore, create, and gloat with their families (and a few new fantasy wood friends).
The Kidspace Winter Frolic offers a flurry of experiences and programs, including the no-water 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 Wintertime Craft Station.
Founded in 1890, the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena is America's New Year Celebration, a greeting to the world on the commencement twenty-four hours of the year and a salute to the community spirit and love of pageantry. From the pre-bowl game feasting atLawry's Beef Bowl, to the spectacular Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl Game on New year,the Tournament of Roses is a Southern California tradition that is unequaled anywhere in the earth.
Angelenos and visitors akin accept heard that in Los Angeles, y'all can surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon. With Downtown LA as your home base, we'll show you several options that volition make you the envy of your surfing and skiing friends and family unit. Whether information technology's during the holidays or whatsoever time of year, you can showtime your day in the beautiful Pacific Ocean and finish your take chances at the stunning mountains above LA County.
Source: https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/things-to-do/the-best-holiday-events-and-activities-in-los-angeles