![\"Sleepy](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/12\/Sleepy-Hollow-Holiday-Lights-Extravaganza-1024x654.jpeg\")
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\u2019t miss:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Christmas Tree Lane (Santa Rosa Avenue, between Woodbury Ave and Altadena Drive in Altadena)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The famous Venice Canals<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The \u201cSleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Extravaganza\u201d in Torrance<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Upper Hastings Ranch in Pasadena<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
LA\u2019s enormous Christmas trees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are plenty of places to check out LA\u2019s most impressive tree displays. You can visit all of them for a DIY Christmas tree tour. Here\u2019s where to go:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The Grove<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Americana at Brand<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Manhattan Beach Pier<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Multiple spots around DTLA<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Snow in the Angeles National Forest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/snow-in-the-forest.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor an authentic \u201cwhite winter\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Up in this higher elevation, there\u2019s plenty of snow during the winter months to play in. It\u2019s just 90 minutes outside downtown LA but feels a world away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Local tip: <\/strong>For this trip, make sure to use a safe, snow-equipped car to drive on the icy mountain roads.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
LA\u2019s best warm mocha and hot chocolate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/hot-chocolate-for-LA-in-December.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLos Angeles is a mecca for good coffee \u2014 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shopping at LA\u2019s decorated malls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/LA-outdoor-mall-decorated-for-Christmas.jpg\")
Credit: Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Hollywood & Highland (also home to the TCL Chinese Theatre<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Americana at Brand<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Westfield Century City<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Santa Monica Place (right by the Santa Monica Pier<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Newport\u2019s Fashion Island<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Grove<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\u201cVisions of Holiday Glamour\u201d in Beverly Hills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/12\/Visions-of-Glamour-in-Beverly-Hill.jpg\")
Credit: Molly O’Brien<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The City of Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive Committee are debuting a new community outdoor holiday display this season, \u201cVisions of Holiday Glamour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, the 200 block of Rodeo Drive<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When to go:<\/strong> \u201cVisions of Holiday Glamour\u201d will run Nov. 21, 2020, through Jan. 3, 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Catalina Island\u2019s giant gingerbread house<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When to go: <\/strong>The gingerbread masterpiece will be on display in the Shops at the Atwater Dec. 4-26 this year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christmas Lights at the Inn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Each year, Riverside\u2019s Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is covered in more than 4.5 million twinkly lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChristmas Lights at the Inn,\u201d a free six-week-long holiday tradition, begins the day after Thanksgiving and runs into January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Top things to do in LA for December 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As always, please confirm dates and times before visiting, since these are always subject to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are a few of our favorite things to do in December this year in and around LA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dana Point Harbor\u2019s 46th Annual Boat Parade of Lights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Christmas](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Dana-Point-Harbor-Christmas-Boat-Parade-in-2019.jpg\")
Credit: Dana Point Harbor<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n When: Dec. 13-15, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort’s \u201cLighting of the Bay\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Lighting](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Lighting-of-the-Bay-at-Newport-Dunes.jpg\")
Credit: Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n When: Nov. 25-Dec. 21<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Santa\u2019s Speedway, Irwindale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Driving-through-a-tunnel-of-Christmas-lights-in-Irwindale-outside-Los-Angeles.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhen: Not happening in 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The chance to drive along an actual NASCAR track during an illuminated display \u2014 called Santa\u2019s Speedway<\/a> \u2014 has been on hiatus for the past couple years. Previously, the two-mile route included a Santa\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Six Flags Holiday in the Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When: Nov. 28, 2024-Jan. 5, 202<\/strong>5<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Holiday in the Park<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, Santa Claus will be there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Elf on the Shelf\u2019s Magical Holiday Journey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/The-Elf-on-the-Shelfs-Magical-Holiday-Journey.jpeg\")
Credit: Alex J. Berliner \/ ABImages<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n When: Not happening in 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s Magical Holiday Journey<\/a> in Pomona returns next year, we’ll update here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Winter Fest OC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When: Dec. 22, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Billed as Southern California’s largest winter festival, Winter Fest OC<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMeet Me Under The Fig Tree\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When: Dec. 15, 202<\/strong>4<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows is hosting a \u201cMeet Me Under The Fig Tree<\/a>\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When: Nov. 17, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
At Descanso Gardens in La Ca\u00f1ada Flintridge, you can wander through an “Enchanted Forest of Light<\/a>” 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n