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Christmas Weekend 2023 in Los Angeles Top Things To Do: Holiday Shows, Disney on Ice, and More

Enjoy the holiday classic of The Nutcracker with the Los Angeles Ballet. Photo by Cheryl Mann Photography
Enjoy the holiday classic of The Nutcracker with the Los Angeles Ballet. Photo by Cheryl Mann Photography
12/20/23 - By Toby B

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles Christmas weekend? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for this holiday weekend.

Merry Christmas, folks! 2023's gift to us all has been a plethora of things to do in Los Angeles with holiday activities, with light shows, Nutcrackers, and theme park celebrations everywhere you turn. A few suggestions sure to make spirits bright: Christmas on the Farm, Underwood Farm's annual celebration; Las Posadas, the nightly free reenactment of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem; and the Los Angeles Ballet's stunning production of The Nutcracker in Hollywood. 

However you choose to celebrate, happy holidays from all of us at Mommy Poppins! 

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Holiday cheer will be sung out at the Annual LA County Holiday Celebration. Photo by Timothy Norris, courtesy of the Music Center.
Holiday cheer will be sung out at the Annual LA County Holiday Celebration. Photo by Timothy Norris, courtesy of the Music Center.

Best Things To Do Christmas Weekend in Los Angeles

Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

Costa Mesa
Tuesday - Sunday, December 19 - 24, 2023
Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale comes to life on stage. The Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic. READ MORE

Home Alone in Concert

DTLA
Wednesday - Friday, December 20 - 22, 2023
Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals. Home Alone screens at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, with John Williams' score peformed live-to-film by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. READ MORE

Babes in Toyland Immersive Experience

Pasadena
Wednesday - Saturday, December 20 - 23, 2023
Take a trip to Toyland based on the 1903 and 1986 films. Watch a 30-minute ballet performance by the Pasadena Civic Ballet, then participate in your own dance party led by none other than Mother Goose. Enjoy a teddy bear picnic complete with fried chicken, mac n' cheese and lemonade, followed by a visit from the lollipop sweet cart. Do some shopping at a holiday boutique, and take festive photo ops.  READ MORE

Locals’ Night at Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica - FREE
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Santa Monica Pier is known as a tourist destination that attract guests from around the country and the world. But it's also a great place for locals to hang out! READ MORE

Disney on Ice: Frozen & Encanto (Ontario)

Ontario
Thursday - Sunday, December 21 - 24, 2023
Casa Madrigal and Arendelle come to life on the ice, thanks to a touch of Disney magic! Audiences can sing-along to their favorite songs while marveling at world-class ice skating, aerial acrobatics and more as Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto makes its SoCal debut READ MORE

Holiday Teatime at American Girl

Century City
Thursday - Sunday, December 21 - 24, 2023
Holidays are extra sweet at American Girl, with special teatimes to celebrate the season. Kids can adults alike can enjoy holiday drinks, and teatime treats. Children are given a holiday craft to complete, and a build-our-own hot cocoa surprise to take home.  READ MORE

Los Angeles Ballet's The Nutcracker at the Dolby

Hollywood
Select dates from Thursday - Tuesday, December 21 - 26, 2023
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

Santa's Circus Cirque Show

Hollywood
Select dates from Thursday - Wednesday, December 21 - 27, 2023
Added dates!  Santa's Circus has been extended to December 27! Santa and his elves have a tumbling time in this creative, energetic, and thrilling interactive show. Admission includes awe-inspiring cirque acts, gymnastics, a meet and greet with the characters, and a photo with Santa.  READ MORE

Cocoa and Carols at Runway Playa Vista

Playa Vista - FREE
Friday, December 22, 2023
Head to the Runway turf for complimentary hot cocoa with a host of toppings and enjoy the music of a cappella carolers.  READ MORE

Benny Potter Snow Night

West Adams - FREE
Friday, December 22, 2023
Yer a blizzard, Potter:  Council District 10 hosts a Winter Wonderland Experience in Benny Potter Park. The free community event includes food, games, and snow! READ MORE

ICE at Santa Monica - Netflix Free Family Nights

Santa Monica - FREE
Friday, December 22, 2023
The new catchphrase is Netflix and ICE! Families can enjoy free skating sessions at ICE at Santa Monica on Netflix Family Nights. READ MORE

Warner Brother Studio Tour - Holiday Edition!

Burbank
Starts Friday, December 22, 2023
The Warner Brothers Studio Tour is getting dressed up in its holiday finest! From December 22 through New Year's Day, guests on the tour can immerse themselves in cinematic holiday magic. Seasonal additions include enchanting photo ops and the chance to view iconic holiday props and memorabilia. READ MORE

Aquarium Holidays

Long Beach
Saturday, December 23, 2023
The animals at the Aquarium of the Pacific get their holiday treats early from Mr. Claus! Santa Diver delivers an ocean of gifts to the Aquarium of the Pacific for its penguins, sea otters, lorikeets, fish, and more. The aquarium also celebrates the holiday season with festive decor, a snowfall on the great hall, a Kwanzaa celebration, Hanukkah storytime, and more.  READ MORE

Fiesta Navidad

Costa Mesa
Saturday, December 23, 2023
Mexican holiday traditions are celebrated in a joyous annual tradition at Segerstrom Center. Fiesta Navidad features the Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos in a concert filled with festive music and dance. READ MORE

Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train

Orange
Ends Saturday, December 23, 2023
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

It's a Wonderful Life (Egyptian Theatre)

Hollywood
Saturday & Sunday, December 23 & 24, 2023
Christmas just isn't Christmas without at least one round of It's a Wonderful Life; The newly reopened Egyptian Theatre offers a chance to catch Jimmy Stewart lifting our hearts on the big screen. READ MORE

65th Annual LA County Holiday Celebration

DTLA - FREE
Sunday, December 24, 2023
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

Las Posadas

DTLA - FREE
Ends Sunday, December 24, 2023
A reenactment of Mary and Joseph's search for a room at the inn is presented by the Olvera Street merchants, their families, and friends. Visitors are encouraged to join the nightly candlelight processions and Christmas carol singing in Spanish and English. READ MORE

Fiddler On the Roof Sing-Along

Multiple Locations
Sunday, December 24, 2023
Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof. With this in mind, select Laemmle Theaters offer an alternative Christmas Eve tradition: the annual Fiddler On the Roof sing-along. Costumes welcome!   READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm

Moorpark
Ends Sunday, December 24, 2023
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

A Christmas Carol

Pasadena
Ends Sunday, December 24, 2023
A Noise Within brings back its popular annual production of the Dickens classic. Production quality is high, with beautiful costumes, fun ghost effects, and a large, talented cast presenting a highly traditional rendition of the Victorian Christmas tale of goodwill to all men. READ MORE

Christmas at the Santa Barbara Zoo

Santa Barbara
Sunday & Monday, December 24 & 25, 2023
Looking for something to do Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?  The Santa Barbara Zoo is open! READ MORE

Free Admission on Christmas Day

Ventura - FREE
Monday, December 25, 2023
On Christmas Day, Ventura Botanical Gardens offers the gift of free admission.  Leashed dogs are welcome. READ MORE

Christmas Double Feature (New Beverly)

Hollywood
Monday, December 25, 2023
Merry Christmas! The New Beverly Cinema returns to its annual Christmas Day tradition with a Marx Brothers double feature.   READ MORE

Holidays at Disneyland Resort

Anaheim
Daily through Sunday, January 7, 2024
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

Knott's Merry Farm

Buena Park
Daily through Sunday, January 7, 2024
'Tis the season to celebrate at Knott's Merry Farm. Knott’s Christmas celebration transforms the entire park into a classic holiday festival, featuring a landscape of thousands of twinkling lights, miles of themed garland, jumbo snowflakes, and a variety of picturesque seasonal settings. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Howard Motor Company Building
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument
Multiple Laemmle Theatres, including Laemmle’s Town Center 5