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16 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Los Angeles for Kids

Try sock skating at Kidspace Winter Frolic. Photo by Jamie Pham courtesy of the Museum
Try sock skating at Kidspace Winter Frolic. Photo by Jamie Pham courtesy of the Museum
11/8/24 - By Toby B

'Tis the season for Christmas events and holiday activities in Los Angeles! From the hundreds of Christmas events and holiday activities taking place this year, we've managed to trim our list to the top family favorites.

This year, Santa's bag is overflowing with festive fun for families in Los Angeles. This holiday season's stockings are full of theme parks dressed up in their holiday finest, traditional holiday parades, only-in-LA holiday shows, and other beloved holly jolly traditions. We can barely keep up with all the fun Christmas events and holiday activities in Los Angeles this year. 

 For more holiday activities, don't miss our Holiday Events and Christmas Activities Guide for Los Angeles, packed with every possible Santa breakfast, holiday and Christmas light shows, Nutcracker shows, Polar Express holiday trains, outdoor ice skating rinks, and so much more.

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It's a parade of lights! Newport Beach Boat Parade photo by Sergei Mutovkin via Flickr 2.0
It's a parade of lights! Newport Beach Boat Parade photo by Sergei Mutovkin via Flickr 2.0

Best Holiday Events for Kids in Los Angeles

Kidspace Winter Frolic

Best Holiday Event for Little Kids in Los Angeles
Pasadena
Tuesday - Sunday, November 8, 2024 - Sunday January 5, 2025
Kidspace Children’s Museum transforms into a land of wonder and delight at its third annual Winter Frolic. The Winter Frolic offers a flurry of experiences and programs, including no-ice sock skating, "ice" play, and a snowman photo op. READ MORE

LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow

Best Immersive Holiday Light Display 
Griffith Park
Select dates from November 15, 2024 - Sunday January 5, 2025
Zoo Lights once again lights up the night with a holiday light display at the LA Zoo. The event transforms select areas of the zoo into an immersive landscape filled with spectacular lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers, towering trees, and more. This year, Santa returns to join in the fun.  READ MORE

Holidays at Disneyland Resort

Best Theme Park Holiday Celebration in LA
Anaheim
Daily, November 15, 2024 - January 6, 2025
The Happiest Place on Earth becomes the merriest place on Earth this holiday season.  Disneyland Resort celebrates the holidays with themed shows and rides, festive decor, and seasonally dressed character favorites. (This year, Mickey and his friends are showing off their new wintry wear). Plus, just in time for the holidays, Disneyland debuts its newest ride: Tiana's Bayou Adventure! READ MORE

Science of Gingerbread Display (OC)

Best Holiday STEM Event
Santa Ana (Also at Sylmar location)
Daily, November 23, 2024 - January 5, 2025
The Discovery Cube OC's holiday attraction goes inside the kitchen, where guests can learn about the history and engineering behind gingerbread. READ MORE

Christmas Celebration & Tree Lighting at The Grove

Best Holiday Kick-Off/ Tree Lighting
Fairfax - FREE
Monday, November 25, 2024
The Grove launches its holiday season with a spectacular tree lighting event, featuring all-star performances and a fireworks spectacular. This year's event is hosted by Lance Bass and features legendary music director Rickey Minor, as well as a night full of special performances. READ MORE

Jingle Bell Jump

Best Place to See Santa's Arrival in Los Angeles
Thousand Oaks - FREE
Friday November 29, 2024
This guy knows how to make an entrance:  at noon sharp, Santa Claus parachutes into the Janss Marketplace for some holiday fun. The jolly old elf lands near Sharky's, for those looking to spot him.  Other activities are spread out throughout the center, including face painters, kids crafts, and story-time and sing-a-longs with Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm

Best Outdoor Holiday Celebration Where You Can Pick Your Tree in LA
Moorpark
Daily, November 29 - December 24, 2024
Underwood Farms' Moorpark Farm Center is brimming with activity this holiday season. A wide range of activities are included with admission, such as visits to the Animal Center, holiday photo ops, tractor-drawn wagon rides, animal shows, a baby goat experience, and combine & harvester slides. And on two select weekends: Santa"s Reindeer!  READ MORE

Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train

Best Holiday Train to see Santa Claus
Orange
Daily, November 29 - December 23, 2024
Irvine Regional Park's annual Christmas Train offers both daytime and nighttime rides through the historic park to meet Santa at his Village. Grab your tickets fast- this event sells out every year!  READ MORE

Holiday Train Ride at Griffith Park Southern Railroad

Best Budget-Friendly Holiday Train
Griffith Park
Daily, November 29, 2024 - January 3, 2025
Hooray! Griffith Park and Southern Railroad brings back its popular Santa train ride this year. The evening ride is gentle, and just the right size for kids and their parents to take in the festively decorated mile of track with thousands of twinkling lights.  READ MORE

A Panto Production: Rapunzel's Holiday Wish

Best Holiday Show in LA that's not The Nutcracker
Thousand Oaks
Select dates from December 13 - 29, 2024
The Lythgoe Family Productions presents a hair-larious panto production based on the classic Rapunzel tale. It's a spellbinding journey as Rapunzel tries to escape from from her tower with the help from her friends Dame Betty and Simple Simon, all while learning her true identity.   The first announced cast member is the legendary Sally Struthers. READ MORE

Skirball Hanukkah Family Festival

Best Hanukkah event in LA
Brentwood
Sunday, December 15, 2024
The Skirball Hanukkah Family Festival welcomes families of all backgrounds to revel in the spirit of the holiday with music, dance, and storytelling.  READ MORE

Newport Beach Boat Parade

Best Holiday Boat Parade 
Newport Beach - FREE
Wednesday - Sunday, December 18 - 22, 2024
A Christmastime tradition celebrating its 116th year, the country's oldest boat parade sets the harbor alight for five consecutive nights. Beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes flow to a holiday theme. READ MORE

Los Angeles Ballet's The Nutcracker at the Dolby

Best Nutcracker  Performance in LA
Hollywood
Thursday - Saturday, December 19 - 28, 2024
Los Angeles Ballet's production of The Nutcracker is a classic with a distinctly Southern California twist. In this production, set pieces are designed to mimic beloved landmarks and trademarks of Southern California, while the ballet stays true to Tchaikovsky's iconic score.  READ MORE

65th Annual LA County Holiday Celebration

Best Free Holiday Concert
DTLA - FREE
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Choirs, music ensembles, and dance companies from the many neighborhoods and cultures of LA celebrate the season during this free, three-hour extravaganza. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Bash at the Cayton

Best Noon Year's Celebration in Los Angeles
Santa Monica
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Craft your noisemaker and party hat to participate in a lively parade throughout the museum, then enjoy confetti countdowns and bubbles all day during this exciting daytime New Year's Eve bash.  READ MORE

Gloria Molina Grand Park's New Year's Eve LA

Best New Year's Celebration in Los Angeles
DTLA - FREE
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Angelenos can welcome 2025 in the heart of DTLA at the West Coast’s largest free New Year’s Eve event. Gloria Molina Grand Park's NYELA Celebration rings in the new year with live entertainment on two stages, food trucks, a snack alley, and activities for the whole family.. The experience is capped off with the park’s signature countdown-to-midnight light show projected onto iconic City Hall, celebrating 2025, the city of Los Angeles, and our rich diversity.   READ MORE

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