Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families

There are so many Christmas events and holiday activities to help families enjoy the season around Los Angeles and Orange County. Keep checking our Holiday Activities Guide for all of your family's holiday season needs (and whims!).

Looking for a tree? A Nutcracker performance? The best neighborhoods to see Christmas lights? Where to donate gifts? What to do on Christmas Day? All that and more is in our Holiday Guide.

Holiday Activities and Events
DTLA sparkles each night during the holiday season. Photo courtesy of The Bloc
38 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Los Angeles for Kids
Try sock skating at Kidspace Winter Frolic. Photo by Jamie Pham courtesy of the Museum
16 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Los Angeles for Kids
Say hi to the conductor before meeting Santa on the Southern California Polar Express Train Ride. Photo courtesy of the train
Best Polar Express Train Rides & Christmas Trains in Los Angeles
Enchanted: Forest of Light is one of the best holiday light displays in LA. Photo by Kathryn Rapier, courtesy of the event.
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Los Angeles
Ice skate and ride the Ferris wheel at Irvine Spectrum Center. Photo by Allen Ling
Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Los Angeles for Kids and Families
Those eight crazy nights are approaching and we’ve got everything you need to celebrate Hanukkah with your family. Photo courtesy Cottonbro Studios
8 Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah with Kids: Hanukkah Gifts, Fun Crafts, and a Little History

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Holiday Fun at Home
Armed with our giant list of Christmas crafts, you'll keep kids busy until the New Year!
101 Fun Christmas Crafts and Games for Kids to Do at Home
We’ve tested out dozens of Christmas cookie recipes over the years, and these are the very best.
10 Best Christmas Cookies to Bake with Kids (Easy, Fun, and Festive Recipes for Families)
It's just not Christmas until you hear Mariah Carey's
50 Best Christmas Songs for Kids
Get in the holiday spirit with Christmas movies filled with Santa, elves, and reindeer.
A Charlie Brown Christmas and More Kids' Holiday Movies to Watch This Holiday Season
Christmas jokes for kids make the season a bit jollier all around!
25 Christmas Jokes for Kids and Holiday Riddles
Uh-oh! The elf tangled up your tree lights! Photo by Mark Baylor, courtesy of Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
50 Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas for 2025: Easy & Funny Ideas to Delight Kids

Latest Christmas/Hanukkah News

Zootopia 2 is playing at the Cranford Theater on Christmas. Photo by JF Photography
What’s Open Christmas Day 2025? Stores & Family-Friendly Places for Parents in New Jersey
We've got ideas for Christmas Day fun once the presents are unwrapped.
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The twinkling lights at Turtleback Zoo sparkle into the new year. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
New Jersey's Top Things to Do Between Christmas and New Year’s with Kids
These are the best things to do over the holiday break with kids in NJ.
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Sofia serves festive brunches and dinners on Christmas Day.
Best Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in New Jersey 2025
Skip the cooking on Christmas Day and enjoy a meal at one of these local restaurants.
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Holland Ridge Farms blooms with tulips in all seasons thanks to its holiday light show. Photo courtesy of the farm
New Jersey's Unusual and Underrated Christmas and Holiday Activities
Looking for something new this holiday season? Here are some off-the-beaten path picks.
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Tour the Sussex County Fairgrounds in horse-and-carriage during a visit to the German Christmas Market of New Jersey.
The German Christmas Market of NJ Could Be Your Family's New Go-To Holiday Tradition
This local market might be the best Christmas tradition you've never heard of.
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The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes,
Best 2025 Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in New Jersey
Check out one of NJ's stunning outdoor light shows this season.
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