LAUSD schools are closed from December 19, 2024, through January 6, 2025, for the holiday break. If you're taking advantage of this long Christmas vacation to travel, check our other cities for the coolest things to do all over the US. We’ve got whole sites dedicated to the best things to do with kids in most major US cities, complete with calendars filled with events for every day of the week. Heck, even if you’re traveling abroad, we’ve got you covered! 

Things to do with Kids During Christmas Vacation in Los Angeles 

 
Entertainment over Christmas vacation awaits at Pretend City. Photo courtesy of Pretend City

1. Pretend City — Irvine 

Yes, this is always a fabulous museum for the under-seven set. However, one of the reasons we recommend visiting during Christmas vacation is that the museum is fabulous at holiday programming. Whatever your family celebrates, this little hands-on museum has an event for you, from Christmas countdowns to Kwanzaa celebrations to Noon Year’s Eve and more. 

2.  Kidspace Children's Museum — Pasadena

Pasadena's kid heaven is a must for anyone growing up in LA. During Christmas vacation, kids can take part in the annual Winter Frolic, complete with a Sock Skating Rink. 

3. Enchanted Forest of Light — La Canada-Flintridge

Wander the woods of Descanso Gardens in the evening and get lost in this enchanting light display. Bring your camera for lots of photo opportunities. This one is an annual tradition for our family. 

4. Lite-Brite: Worlds of Wonder — Santa Monica

This brand-new immersive experience in LA is inspired by the classic colorful toy. Step into some nostalgic fun for all ages. 

5. Pixar Putt — Long Beach 

Get your golf on at this unique mini-golf course themed after everyone's favorite Pixar movies, such as Toy Story, Up, Monsters Inc., Coco, and more. 

6. Sloomoo Insititute — Mid-City

Don't get your kids slime for Christmas—get them tickets to Sloomoo Institute, where they can squish, stretch, and squelch slime to their hearts' desire without getting it all over your carpet! 

RELATED: Best Children's Museums in Los Angeles and Orange County

 
Take flight at the Balloon Museum. Photo courtesy of the Balloon Museum and Lux Entertainment

7. Balloon Museum: Let's Fly LA — DTLA 

Looking for something unique to do this winter? The Balloon Museum is as "Instagrammable" as it gets. Plus, your kids will get to play in a room full of balloons. 

8. 2025 Rose Parade — Pasadena

Attend Rose Parade events before, after, or during this iconic parade. You can even help decorate a Burbank Rose Parade Float!

9. CAMP — Century City

Step behind the magic door to discover the ever-changing fun at Westfield Century City. This winter break, the theme is The Little Mermaid. We checked this one out, and it was a 2024 highlight for my three-year-old daughter. It's the perfect experience to "gift" your kids for the holidays. Going under the sea to Ariel's Grotto? Now, that's the way to spend a Christmas vacation. 

10. Science of Gingerbread — Santa Ana & Sylmar 

Build and learn holiday-style at Discovery Cube. This is perhaps the greatest holiday museum exhibit in town, and this year, it's at both the OC and LA locations. If you're willing to drive south, the Orange County location has one of the most impressive collections of gingerbread houses on display in the entire southland. 

11. Skypark at Santa's Village — Lake Arrowhead

Take a longer drive up into the mountains (this one is worth it) for Lake Arrowhead's delightful Santa-themed outdoor adventure park.  

RELATED: Snow Play near Los Angeles: Places LA Families Can Pretend It's Winter

 
Noah's Ark at the Skirball is one of the best indoor playgrounds in LA. Photo by Mercie Ghimire

12. Noah's Ark — Brentwood 

Visit the Skirball's wonderful, endlessly entertaining, and interactive play space. 

13. Sand Sledding — Venice Beach

The famed slopes for beach sledding are meticulously crafted each year by bulldozers. 

14. Mission Inn Festival of Lights — Riverside

See the famous Festival of Lights at Riverside's Mission Inn through Monday, January 6, 2025. 

15. El Dorado Frontier — Long Beach

This small amusement park is a Long Beach gem, open on weekends through February. 

16. Holidays at Disneyland — Anaheim

The Happiest Place on Earth becomes the merriest place this holiday season and makes the perfect getaway for a Christmas vacation outing. 

RELATED: Disneyland with a baby? All You Need is This Game Plan

 
It's a winter wonderland at Hogwarts. Photo courtesy of Universal Studios

17. Holidays at Universal Studios — Hollywood

At night, Hogwarts Castle is illuminated by a dazzling display of festive lights and music. And the Who-tacular festivities are back with The Grinch, Max, and all the Who-ville denizens.

18. Knott’s Merry Farm — Buena Park

Where else can you see Merry Christmas, Snoopy!, an ice show featuring the Peanuts Gang and a cast of world-class ice skaters?

19. The Strand — Santa Monica

If the kids got new bikes for the holidays, now is the time to test them out on 22 miles of this popular beach bike path! But if they didn’t, several bike rental shops are open along the strand from Santa Monica to the South Bay.

20. LA Zoo — Griffith Park   

LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow shine bright until January 7, 2024. 

21. Bob Baker’s Nutcracker — Highland Park 

If you haven’t ever seen this marionette show, you simply must. It’s an LA holiday classic. 

22. Southern Railroad Train — Griffith Park

The Holiday Lights Festival train runs through January 3, 2025, and you do not want to miss it! At only $8, this holiday memory is a steal. 

Originally published on December 21, 2012

We may earn a small commission if you click through our link and make a purchase. This revenue helps us maintain this site, so thank you for supporting us.