The Best Things To Do in LA in December

Just because SoCal doesn’t have the traditional “white Christmas” doesn’t mean there’s not plenty of holiday spirit to enjoy throughout the Greater LA area.

From the world’s best destinations for holiday shopping to some of the most impressive lights displays in the region, here are some top things to do in LA in December. 

Fantastic outdoor light displays in Greater LA

There are plenty of neighborhoods in LA that celebrate the holidays by decking out every visible surface in an impressive array of lights. While this list is subject to change depending on ever-changing city-wide restrictions, there are a few local favorites you shouldn’t miss:

• Christmas Tree Lane (Santa Rosa Avenue, between Woodbury Ave and Altadena Drive in Altadena)
• The famous Venice Canals
• The “Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Extravaganza” in Torrance
• Upper Hastings Ranch in Pasadena

LA’s enormous Christmas trees

There are plenty of places to check out LA’s most impressive tree displays. You can visit all of them for a DIY Christmas tree tour. Here’s where to go:

• The Grove
• Americana at Brand
• The Manhattan Beach Pier
• Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade
• Multiple spots around DTLA 

Snow in the Angeles National Forest

For an authentic “white winter” experience, take a day trip up to the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. The preserved land encompasses parts of the Angeles National Forest and the San Bernardino National Forest.

Up in this higher elevation, there’s plenty of snow during the winter months to play in. It’s just 90 minutes outside downtown LA but feels a world away.

Local tip: For this trip, make sure to use a safe, snow-equipped car to drive on the icy mountain roads. 

LA’s best warm mocha and hot chocolate

Los Angeles is a mecca for good coffee — which means the opportunity to enjoy a great hot chocolate on a chilly day (which for Angelenos, is anything under 60 degrees). Popular choices for a soul-warming treat would be ChocoVivo, a specialty chocolate shop in the Culver City neighborhood, or the famed Alfred Coffee & Kitchen for a handmade mocha. 

Shopping at LA’s decorated malls

Los Angeles is a global capital for shopping opportunities. Many of these malls are outdoors so you can enjoy the sunny December weather while you shop for everyone on your Christmas list. There are so many places you could go for holiday shopping, but these are some of the most popular, thanks to their festive decor and wide selection of stores:

• Hollywood & Highland (also home to the TCL Chinese Theatre)
• Americana at Brand
• Westfield Century City
• Santa Monica Place (right by the Santa Monica Pier)
• Newport’s Fashion Island
• The Grove

“Visions of Holiday Glamour” in Beverly Hills

The City of Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive Committee are debuting a new community outdoor holiday display this season, “Visions of Holiday Glamour.”

They plan to spread festive cheer with a Fashion Week-inspired runway spanning the entire center median from Santa Monica to Wilshire Boulevards. The runway will display festive mannequins dressed in glamorous holiday outfits fashioned from faux winter foliage, florals, and metallic ornaments.

Meanwhile, the 200 block of Rodeo Drive will embrace Hanukkah with a mannequin adorned by faux flowers and ornaments in hues of blue and silver. The famed palm trees in the center of Rodeo Drive will be embellished with dripping lights to mimic falling snowflakes.

When to go: “Visions of Holiday Glamour” will run Nov. 21, 2020, through Jan. 3, 2021.

Catalina Island’s giant gingerbread house

Each year, Avalon builds a larger-than-life, Catalina-Island-themed gingerbread house. Past creations have included a gingerbread Catalina Casino and a gingerbread Catalina Chimes Tower. This year they will be creating a gingerbread zip line.

When to go: The gingerbread masterpiece will be on display in the Shops at the Atwater Dec. 4-26 this year. 

Christmas Lights at the Inn

Each year, Riverside’s Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is covered in more than 4.5 million twinkly lights.

“Christmas Lights at the Inn,” a free six-week-long holiday tradition, begins the day after Thanksgiving and runs into January.

Top things to do in LA for December 2024

From harbor lightings and boat parades to family-friendly Santa encounters, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the holidays and get into a festive spirit this year in Greater LA and beyond.

As always, please confirm dates and times before visiting, since these are always subject to change.

Here are a few of our favorite things to do in December this year in and around LA.

Dana Point Harbor’s 46th Annual Boat Parade of Lights

When: Dec. 13-15, 2024

The 49th Annual Boat Parade of Lights will take place nightly Dec. 13-15 this year. Orange County boaters can glam up their vessels accordingly to the theme with over-the-top lights and decor, and spectators can watch from the shore. 

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort’s “Lighting of the Bay”

When: Nov. 25-Dec. 21

The Lighting of the Bay marks the official start to the holidays at Newport Dunes, and this year is the 32nd annual event. This cherished scene illuminates the picturesque, waveless bay each evening at dusk with more than 40 electric Christmas trees and holiday decorations.

At this popular LA holiday event, guests can choose to enjoy the scene while taking an evening stroll on the beachfront walking path which circles the bay or view it from the comfort of their car.

Santa’s Speedway, Irwindale

When: Not happening in 2024

The chance to drive along an actual NASCAR track during an illuminated display — called Santa’s Speedway — has been on hiatus for the past couple years. Previously, the two-mile route included a Santa’s village set up on a drag strip and a 100-foot-tall tree constructed out of strings of lights. We’ll update here if this event at Irwindale Speedway returns. 

Six Flags Holiday in the Park

When: Nov. 28, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia will include several immersive, distinctly different areas throughout the 125-acre theme park. Bring your camera. The whole park will be filled with a palette of colorful twinkling lights, choreographed to festive music.

Yes, Santa Claus will be there!

The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey

When: Not happening in 2024

This was a drive-through experience featuring an original story brought to life by artists from theater, TV, and film. There were lots of the Hollywood-level pros involved, from scene design to original music by an Emmy nominee. The elf-sized world included a scavenger hunt for hidden sleigh bells, a quest to find Christmas spirit, and more. If the The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey in Pomona returns next year, we’ll update here!

Winter Fest OC

When: Dec. 22, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025

Billed as Southern California’s largest winter festival, Winter Fest OC boasts over a million lights, extravagant holiday decorations, and the chance to play with real snow. Ice tubing on the 150-foot slide is included with admission. 

“Meet Me Under The Fig Tree”

When: Dec. 15, 2024

Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows is hosting a “Meet Me Under The Fig Tree” December event to celebrate the holiday season, open to the community. There will be festive bites, hot cocoa, gingerbread house display, take-home crafts, and cookie decorating.

The property is joining forces with Santa MoniCARES to benefit Westside Food Bank and Chrysalis. Visitors can bring non-perishable food items or gently worn business clothing for donation. 

Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens

When: Nov. 17, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025

At Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge, you can wander through an “Enchanted Forest of Light” filled with art installations and twinkling lights. This daytime event includes special plantings, self-guided activities, hot drinks and treats for purchase, and Instagrammable houses of stained glass created by sculptor Tom Fruin.

At night, the gardens sparkle and shine with colored lights against the backdrop of flowers and art. It’s easier to show than describe. Check out the video below!

Sparkle DTLA at The Bloc

When: Nov. 16, 2024

Visitors can experience a magical holiday show with millions of colorful lights illuminating the night and synchronizing to festive tunes at The Bloc in DTLA.

Sparkle DTLA at The Bloc will take visitors through a dazzling nighttime journey that includes one of LA’s largest multi-colored interactive holiday displays and endless photo ops. 

Shop Catalina in Avalon

When: Dec. 7, 2024

Shop Catalina supports local retailers on Catalina Island and kicks off the holiday shopping season with a grand event every year. Visitors can enjoy special offers from participating shops with a festive atmosphere that includes live caroling, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the lighting of the Catalina Island holiday tree.

Tree Lighting Concert at Citadel Outlets

When: Nov. 11, 2024

Here’s one that’s free! Enjoy a live holiday concert by the giant illuminated Christmas tree outdoors at Citadel Outlets.

Can’t make it for the concert? Visit on one of the Snowy Nights for their snowfall show every night on the hour from 5-8 p.m. 

This 15-minute show happens on the hour, and it’s choreographed to the tunes of Christmas songs performed by previous tree lighting concert artists such as Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato, and Sabrina Carpenter.

Bonus: Santa Claus will also be at the Citadel Outlets on Dec. 2 and happy to take photos with kids! They even have sensory-friendly visits with Santa Dec. 3-10

Did we miss anything?

If we missed a fun event happening in LA in December, please drop us an email at [email protected] or give us a shout on Facebook, and let’s end the year with some festive memory-making.

If you’re looking for more memorable experiences, check out our guided LA tours for tourists, locals, and private groups. We can’t wait to welcome you to sunny LA this December — or anytime!