Can't wait for holiday joy in Studio City? Dive into our guide for the best events and activities! For Studio City natives and travelers, this guide reveals the city's holiday treasures.
Popular events this season include the enchanting LA Zoo Lights, where stunning light displays bring the zoo to life after dark. Plus, experience the unique Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens, featuring a breathtaking array of illuminated art installations that capture the magic of the holidays. And the festivities at Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood is something you definitely don't want to miss, with themed attractions and seasonal shows. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Studio City
- Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood (Universal City)
- Enchanted Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens (La Cañada Flintridge)
- LA Zoo Lights - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens (Los Angeles)
- Hollywood Christmas Parade (Hollywood)
- Holiday Tree Lighting - Center City Bishop Ranch (San Ramon)
- ICE Santa Monica (Santa Monica)
- Miracle on Main Street (Santa Monica)
- Montana Ave Winter Shopping Festival (Santa Monica)
- Movie Friday: Die Hard (Santa Monica)
- Holiday Events at the Music Center (Los Angeles)
See these and even more events listed below!
Studio City Holiday Light Displays
LA Zoo Lights - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Explore an immersive landscape filled with dazzling wildlife-themed lantern sculptures, including magical Holiday Forest and spectacular holiday photo spots.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: LA Zoo Lights - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
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, atmospheric lighting, and ambient music, featuring returning favorites like Tom Fruin's stained glass houses and HYBYCOZO's geometric sculptures.
Where: La Cañada Flintridge | More Info: Enchanted Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens
Studio City Holiday Markets and Shopping
Montana Ave Winter Shopping Festival
What to Expect:
Unique gifts and handcrafted goods from local businesses.
Description:
Montana Avenue transforms into a vibrant holiday marketplace, featuring local businesses, unique gifts, handcrafted goods, and treats.
Where: Santa Monica | More Info: Montana Ave Winter Shopping Festival
Studio City Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with themed attractions and decorations.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Universal Studios Hollywood with themed attractions, festive decorations, and special events that bring the magic of Hollywood to life.
Where: Universal City | More Info: Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
Holiday Tree Lighting - Center City Bishop Ranch
What to Expect:
Live music and Santa's arrival in a red convertible T-Bird.
Description:
Join us for the Holiday Tree Lighting at City Center Bishop Ranch, featuring heartwarming performances by the Monte Vista band, singers, and dancers. Witness Santa's grand entrance and enjoy memorable visits with Santa throughout the holiday season.
Where: San Ramon | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting - Center City Bishop Ranch
Hollywood Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Iconic parade with legendary celebrities and charitable mission.
Description:
The Hollywood Christmas Parade is a cherished tradition that brings the Hollywood community together with dazzling floats, marching bands, and performances. It features legendary celebrities and a profound charitable mission, including Toys for Tots, to help underprivileged children during the holiday season.
Where: Hollywood | More Info: Hollywood Christmas Parade
Movie Friday: Die Hard
What to Expect:
Free outdoor screening of a classic action film.
Description:
Enjoy a free outdoor screening of the classic action film "Die Hard" on the iconic Third Street Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. The event features a themed photo opportunity, free snacks, and a lively atmosphere perfect for a family outing.
Where: Santa Monica | More Info: Movie Friday: Die Hard
The Nutcracker - Bob Baker Marionette Theater
What to Expect:
Handcrafted puppetry adaptation of The Nutcracker.
Description:
The Bob Baker Marionette Theater presents a unique adaptation of The Nutcracker, featuring over 100 handcrafted puppets in a cabaret-style performance. The show includes memorable characters like the Sugarplum Fairy and the Waltzing Flowers, set in an enchanted world of puppetry joy.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: The Nutcracker - Bob Baker Marionette Theater
Holiday Events at the Music Center
What to Expect:
World-class holiday performances with diverse artistic offerings.
Description:
The Music Center offers a variety of holiday events, including concerts, plays, and cultural celebrations that showcase the city's rich artistic heritage. From classical music performances to theatrical productions, these events provide a diverse and enriching experience for all attendees.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Holiday Events at the Music Center
Studio City Other Holiday Activities
ICE Santa Monica
What to Expect:
Seasonal outdoor ice skating with special themed events.
Description:
Ice at Santa Monica offers a unique opportunity to skate under California's sun and twinkling stars. Located in the heart of Santa Monica, the rink features nearly 8,000 square feet of shimmering ice and a 400-square-foot tot rink for little ones. Special events include the Rink Opening Celebration, Taylor's Birthday, and a New Year's Eve celebration.
Where: Santa Monica | More Info: ICE Santa Monica
Miracle on Main Street
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa, tree lighting, and street-wide festivities.
Description:
Miracle on Main Street is a holiday celebration featuring kids' activities, Santa, tree lighting, carolers, and street-wide festivities on the Heritage Museum lawn.
Where: Santa Monica | More Info: Miracle on Main Street
Las Posadas at Olvera Street
What to Expect:
Traditional reenactment of Mary and Joseph's journey with live music and festivities.
Description:
Las Posadas at Olvera Street is a nine-night festival reenacting the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem with traditional songs, colorful costumes, and vibrant music. The event, rooted in Christian and Catholic traditions, welcomes all participants. Each night, the crowd gathers as shepherds are led by an angel to ask for shelter at shops on Olvera Street, culminating in songs of celebration and the distribution of hot champurrado and sweet bread.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Las Posadas at Olvera Street
Yuletide Cinemaland - Heritage Square Museum
What to Expect:
Immersive Halloween experience with guided tours and horror-themed entertainment.
Description:
Immerse yourself in a spine-tingling Halloween experience at Heritage Square Museum, featuring eerie entertainment, delicious street food, and hair-raising movie screenings. Explore the historic Victorian mansions, participate in Adult Trick-or-Treating, and enjoy spooky treats and horror-centric market vendors. The event includes double features presented in partnership with Paramount Scares, along with a 40th anniversary screening of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and a face-off between Freddy Krueger and Jason.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Yuletide Cinemaland - Heritage Square Museum
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- North Hollywood (2 miles)
- Universal City (3 miles)
- Sherman Oaks (3 miles)
- Van Nuys (4 miles)
- Valley Glen (4 miles)
- West Hollywood (5 miles)
- Beverly Hills (5 miles)
- Hollywood (5 miles)
- Burbank (5 miles)
- Encino (6 miles)
- North Hills (8 miles)
- Glendale (8 miles)
- Koreatown (8 miles)
- Silver Lake (8 miles)
- Culver City (9 miles)
- Echo Park (9 miles)
- Tujunga (9 miles)
- San Fernando (10 miles)
- Northridge (10 miles)
- Santa Monica (10 miles)
- Los Angeles (11 miles)
- Venice (11 miles)
- Woodland Hills (12 miles)
- Canoga Park (12 miles)
- La Canada Flintridge (12 miles)
- Inglewood (13 miles)
- Boyle Heights (14 miles)
- Calabasas (14 miles)
- Chatsworth (14 miles)
- South Pasadena (14 miles)
- Pasadena (14 miles)
- West Hills (15 miles)
- Lennox (15 miles)
- Huntington Park (15 miles)
- Florence-Graham (15 miles)
- Westmont (15 miles)
- Altadena (15 miles)
- East Los Angeles (15 miles)
- Alhambra (16 miles)
- Hawthorne (16 miles)
- Maywood (16 miles)
- Monterey Park (17 miles)
- Bell (17 miles)
- San Gabriel (17 miles)
- South Gate (17 miles)
- Cudahy (18 miles)
- Willowbrook (18 miles)
- Lawndale (18 miles)
- Manhattan Beach (18 miles)
- Lynwood (18 miles)
- Gardena (19 miles)
- Santa Clarita (19 miles)
- Bell Gardens (19 miles)
- Rosemead (19 miles)
- Montebello (19 miles)
- Canyon Country (19 miles)
- Agoura (20 miles)
- Temple City (20 miles)
- Compton (20 miles)
- Pico Rivera (21 miles)
- Arcadia (21 miles)
- Redondo Beach (21 miles)
- Downey (21 miles)
- South El Monte (21 miles)
- Agoura Hills (22 miles)
- El Monte (22 miles)
- Torrance (22 miles)
- West Whittier-Los Nietos (22 miles)
- Paramount (22 miles)
- Monrovia (23 miles)
- Carson (23 miles)
- West Carson (23 miles)
- Simi Valley (24 miles)
- Valencia (24 miles)
- Whittier (24 miles)
- Duarte (24 miles)
- Bellflower (24 miles)
- South Whittier (25 miles)
- Norwalk (25 miles)
- Lomita (25 miles)
- Thousand Oaks (25 miles)
- Baldwin Park (25 miles)
- Lakewood (25 miles)
- West Puente Valley (25 miles)
- Hacienda Heights (27 miles)
- West Covina (27 miles)
- Valinda (27 miles)
- La Puente (27 miles)
- La Mirada (27 miles)
- Cerritos (28 miles)
- Rancho Palos Verdes (28 miles)
- Azusa (28 miles)
- Long Beach (29 miles)
- San Pedro (29 miles)
- Covina (29 miles)
- Moorpark (29 miles)
- South San Jose Hills (30 miles)
- La Habra (30 miles)
- Buena Park (30 miles)
- Glendora (30 miles)
- Rowland Heights (31 miles)
- Cypress (31 miles)
- Walnut (32 miles)
- Brea (33 miles)
- Seal Beach (33 miles)
- Fullerton (33 miles)
- Stanton (33 miles)
- Palmdale (34 miles)
- San Dimas (34 miles)
- Diamond Bar (35 miles)
- Westminster (35 miles)
- Anaheim (35 miles)
- Placentia (36 miles)
- La Verne (36 miles)
- Garden Grove (37 miles)
- Camarillo (37 miles)
- Pomona (37 miles)
- Yorba Linda (38 miles)
- Chino Hills (38 miles)
- Claremont (39 miles)
- Fountain Valley (40 miles)
- Orange (40 miles)
- Santa Paula (40 miles)
- Huntington Beach (41 miles)
- Montclair (41 miles)
- Lancaster (41 miles)
- Santa Ana (41 miles)
- Chino (42 miles)
- Tustin (43 miles)
- Upland (43 miles)
- Ontario (43 miles)
- North Tustin (44 miles)
- Costa Mesa (45 miles)
- Oxnard (45 miles)