Eager for the festive season in Los Angeles? Check out our guide for all the holiday events! Whether you're rediscovering Los Angeles or falling in love with it for the first time, our guide maximizes your festive experience.
Popular Events: One standout attraction is the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, where stunningly decorated boats illuminate the harbor in a captivating display. Another highlight features live entertainment and festive floats at the Hollywood Christmas Parade. And don't forget the LA Kings Holiday Ice, an exciting opportunity to skate and enjoy the season at a charming outdoor rink. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Los Angeles
- Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade & Holiday Lights Cruises (Newport Beach)
- Hollywood Christmas Parade
- LA Kings Holiday Ice
- Aquarium Holidays (Long Beach)
- Holiday Lights in LA (Various)
- South Lake Avenue Holidayfest (Pasadena)
- Las Posadas at Olvera Street
- Westfield Century City Holiday Market
- Marina Del Rey Holiday Parade (Marina Del Rey)
- Enchanted Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens (La Cañada Flintridge)
See these and even more events listed below!
Los Angeles Holiday Light Displays
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade & Holiday Lights Cruises
What to Expect:
Spectacularly decorated boats and bayfront estates.
Description:
The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade & Holiday Lights Cruises feature beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes sailing through Newport Harbor, showcasing elaborate holiday light displays and waterfront decorations. The event includes a waterfront decorating competition with special commemorative items and awards for participants.
Where: Newport Beach | More Info: Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade & Holiday Lights Cruises
Holiday Lights in LA
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Explore an immersive landscape filled with dazzling new lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers, towering trees, and glowing rivers. This nature-focused holiday celebration features all-new wonders, including the magical Holiday Forest and spectacular holiday photo spots.
Where: Various | More Info: Holiday Lights in LA
Marina Del Rey Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Decorated boats with Christmas lights and live music.
Description:
The Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade features decorated boats, fireworks, and live music, celebrating the holiday season with community spirit.
Where: Marina Del Rey | More Info: Marina Del Rey Holiday Parade
Enchanted Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations in a botanical garden setting.
Description:
Descanso Gardens transforms into a vibrant, luminescent forest with interactive art installations and atmospheric lighting, featuring a one-mile walk through beloved garden areas.
Where: La Cañada Flintridge | More Info: Enchanted Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens
LA Zoo Lights - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
What to Expect:
Nature-focused holiday celebration with wildlife-themed lantern sculptures.
Description:
LA Zoo Lights features an immersive landscape with dazzling new lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers, towering trees, and glowing rivers, celebrating the holiday season with nature-focused displays and interactive experiences.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: LA Zoo Lights - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Los Angeles Holiday Markets and Shopping
South Lake Avenue Holidayfest
What to Expect:
Live music and holiday activities around the district.
Description:
South Lake Avenue Holidayfest is a family-friendly event featuring live music, in-store promotions, photos with Santa, holiday activities like cookie decorating, and more.
Where: Pasadena | More Info: South Lake Avenue Holidayfest
Westfield Century City Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Snowfall and live performances.
Description:
Westfield Century City Holiday Market offers a curated selection of seasonal gifts, live performances, and a winter village atmosphere.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Westfield Century City Holiday Market
Los Angeles Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Hollywood Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Charitable mission with Toys For Tots
Description:
The Hollywood Christmas Parade is a cherished tradition that kicks off the holiday season with spectacular fanfare. Since its inception in 1928, the parade has been a cornerstone of the entertainment industry, drawing participation from legendary celebrities. The event features dazzling floats, marching bands, and performances that create unforgettable memories. It also carries a profound charitable mission, featuring Toys For Tots and other important organizations that help underprivileged people during the holiday season.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Hollywood Christmas Parade
Los Angeles Other Holiday Activities
LA Kings Holiday Ice
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating in downtown Los Angeles.
Description:
The LA Kings Holiday Ice brings outdoor ice skating to L.A. LIVE's Peacock Place, right out front of Crypto.com Arena. This annual event invites you to skate your way into the holiday season and enjoy the rink while it is here for a limited time.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: LA Kings Holiday Ice
Aquarium Holidays
What to Expect:
Explore ocean exhibits with festive decorations.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at the Aquarium of the Pacific with festive decor, shopping, and ocean wonders.
Where: Long Beach | More Info: Aquarium Holidays
Las Posadas at Olvera Street
What to Expect:
Traditional Christmas songs and colorful processions.
Description:
Las Posadas at Olvera Street is a nine-night celebration reenacting the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem with traditional songs, colorful costumes, and vibrant music. Each night, the crowd gathers as shepherds are led by an angel to ask for shelter, culminating in songs of celebration and the distribution of sweet bread and champurrado.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Las Posadas at Olvera Street
Holiday Ice Rink in Pershing Square
What to Expect:
Weekly DJ Spotlight Nights and Learn to Curl sessions.
Description:
The Holiday Ice Rink in Pershing Square offers outdoor ice skating in downtown Los Angeles, open daily from November 21 through January 12, 2025. Sessions are 60 minutes long, and general admission includes skate rental. The rink features special events like weekly DJ Spotlight Nights and Learn to Curl sessions.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Holiday Ice Rink in Pershing Square
Santa Ana Winter Village
What to Expect:
Family-friendly activities including ice skating and a toy giveaway.
Description:
The Santa Ana Winter Village is a month-long celebration featuring ice skating, a holiday light show, food vendors, and special events like a tree lighting ceremony, breakfast with Santa, and a toy giveaway.
Where: Santa Ana | More Info: Santa Ana Winter Village
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Echo Park (2 miles)
- Boyle Heights (3 miles)
- Silver Lake (3 miles)
- Koreatown (3 miles)
- East Los Angeles (5 miles)
- Huntington Park (5 miles)
- Maywood (6 miles)
- Hollywood (6 miles)
- Florence-Graham (6 miles)
- Bell (6 miles)
- Glendale (6 miles)
- South Pasadena (7 miles)
- Monterey Park (7 miles)
- South Gate (7 miles)
- Cudahy (7 miles)
- West Hollywood (7 miles)
- Alhambra (7 miles)
- Bell Gardens (8 miles)
- Westmont (8 miles)
- San Gabriel (8 miles)
- Montebello (8 miles)
- Lynwood (9 miles)
- Universal City (9 miles)
- Pasadena (9 miles)
- Inglewood (9 miles)
- Culver City (9 miles)
- Beverly Hills (9 miles)
- Willowbrook (9 miles)
- Burbank (10 miles)
- Pico Rivera (10 miles)
- Rosemead (10 miles)
- Downey (10 miles)
- Lennox (10 miles)
- La Canada Flintridge (11 miles)
- Compton (11 miles)
- Studio City (11 miles)
- Hawthorne (11 miles)
- South El Monte (11 miles)
- Temple City (11 miles)
- West Whittier-Los Nietos (11 miles)
- North Hollywood (11 miles)
- Altadena (11 miles)
- Gardena (12 miles)
- Paramount (12 miles)
- El Monte (12 miles)
- Lawndale (13 miles)
- Whittier (13 miles)
- Venice (13 miles)
- Arcadia (13 miles)
- Sherman Oaks (14 miles)
- South Whittier (14 miles)
- Bellflower (14 miles)
- Norwalk (14 miles)
- Tujunga (14 miles)
- Santa Monica (14 miles)
- Van Nuys (15 miles)
- Manhattan Beach (15 miles)
- Lakewood (15 miles)
- Valley Glen (15 miles)
- Carson (15 miles)
- Monrovia (15 miles)
- West Puente Valley (16 miles)
- Torrance (16 miles)
- West Carson (16 miles)
- La Mirada (16 miles)
- Hacienda Heights (16 miles)
- Redondo Beach (16 miles)
- Baldwin Park (16 miles)
- Duarte (16 miles)
- Encino (16 miles)
- Cerritos (17 miles)
- La Puente (17 miles)
- Valinda (17 miles)
- West Covina (17 miles)
- Lomita (18 miles)
- North Hills (19 miles)
- La Habra (19 miles)
- Buena Park (19 miles)
- San Fernando (19 miles)
- South San Jose Hills (20 miles)
- Long Beach (20 miles)
- Azusa (20 miles)
- Rowland Heights (20 miles)
- Cypress (20 miles)
- Covina (20 miles)
- Northridge (21 miles)
- Walnut (22 miles)
- Brea (22 miles)
- San Pedro (22 miles)
- Fullerton (22 miles)
- Woodland Hills (22 miles)
- Glendora (22 miles)
- Stanton (22 miles)
- Canoga Park (23 miles)
- Rancho Palos Verdes (23 miles)
- Seal Beach (23 miles)
- Calabasas (24 miles)
- Anaheim (24 miles)
- Westminster (24 miles)
- Placentia (25 miles)
- Diamond Bar (25 miles)
- Chatsworth (25 miles)
- West Hills (25 miles)
- San Dimas (25 miles)
- Garden Grove (26 miles)
- Yorba Linda (27 miles)
- La Verne (27 miles)
- Chino Hills (28 miles)
- Pomona (28 miles)
- Canyon Country (29 miles)
- Orange (29 miles)
- Fountain Valley (29 miles)
- Agoura (29 miles)
- Santa Clarita (29 miles)
- Claremont (30 miles)
- Santa Ana (30 miles)
- Huntington Beach (30 miles)
- Agoura Hills (31 miles)
- Montclair (32 miles)
- Chino (32 miles)
- Tustin (32 miles)
- North Tustin (33 miles)
- Ontario (34 miles)
- Costa Mesa (34 miles)
- Valencia (34 miles)
- Upland (34 miles)
- Simi Valley (34 miles)
- Thousand Oaks (35 miles)
- Newport Beach (35 miles)
- Irvine (36 miles)
- Palmdale (37 miles)
- Rancho Cucamonga (37 miles)
- Eastvale (39 miles)
- Moorpark (40 miles)
- Norco (41 miles)
- Corona (41 miles)
- Jurupa Valley (42 miles)
- Lake Forest (42 miles)
- Laguna Hills (43 miles)
- Glen Avon (44 miles)
- Laguna Beach (44 miles)
- Aliso Viejo (45 miles)