75 Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles this Winter Break

The Santa Monica Pier is stunning at Sunset. Photo by David Pruter

12/12/21 - By Roberta B

Shhhhh. Do you hear that silence? They're gone! All those people standing in their socks at airport security, telling their kids to hurry up and knock back the juice box, they've all cleared the highways for winter break! Doesn't it make you glad to be in LA? While all those other Angelenos are away, you can do anything, anywhere, and it probably won’t take you more than 20 minutes to get there.

Have friends you miss in Burbank? Never get to the beach? Now is the time to start checking items off our 100 Things To Do in LA Bucket List, or try a few of the far-fetched and fun outings below that won't feel nearly so far during Christmas vacation.

LAUSD schools are closed from December 20, 2021 through January 9, 2022 for Christmas vacation. So if (when?) you need more fun things to do over the 2021-2022 winter break, check out our Weekly Picks and our daily Event Calendar.

Be sure to check with the venue for its COVID guidelines and requirements before heading out to any event. Many places in LA now require guests to show either proof of vaccination or a negative test; some events are getting canceled or postponed at the last minute due to the latest COVID surge.

1. Pretend City

Yes, this is always a fabulous museum for the under 7 set. But one of the reasons we really recommend visiting during winter break 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. Moorpark Teaching Zoo

See the rescued animals perform in animal shows, assisted by students at Moorpark College. If you go before Christmas, you can take part in Wild Nights and Disco Lights.

Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles this Winter Break: Visit the El Capitan
See the best reviewed movie of the year. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios

3. West Side Story at the El Capitan

You could see this multi-generational toe-tapping pleaser in any number of places, but why wouldn’t you see it at the grandest movie theater in town?

4. Kidspace Children's Museum

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

5. International Printing Museum

History comes to life in this Carson museum showcasing the history of printing. This lesser-known museum is one of our favorite hidden gems.

6. Pacific Marine Mammal Center

Pay a visit to the rescued sea lions at this seaside center.

Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles this Winter Break; Enchanted Lights at Descanso
Within the Enchanted Forest of Light, a glass sculpture by Tom Fruin. Photo courtesy of Descanso Gardens

7. Enchanted Forest of Light

Wander the woods of Descanso Gardens in the evening, and bring your camera for lots of photo opportunities.

8. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Explore the tidepools and marine life at this gem of an aquarium.

Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles this Winter Break: Tournament of Roses Parade
Kids can help decorate the floats! Photo courtesy of Burbank Tournament of Roses, Facebook

9. 2022 Rose Parade

Attend events before, after, or during this iconic parade. You could even help decorate a float!

10. Battleship Iowa

Tour the historic ship down on the LA Waterfront.

11. K1 Speed Indoor Karting in Burbank

This new indoor go karting track just recently opened in Burbank this year and is a perfect outing for kids with a need for speed.

12. Nixon Museum

Drive down to this museum highlighting the life and work of our 37th president.

13. Reagan Museum

Drive up to Simi Valley to learn about the 40th president.

Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles this Winter Break: Science of Gingerbread
A gingerbread Hogwarts illustrates the Science of Gingerbread. Photo courtesy of Discovery Cube, Facebook

14. Science of Gingerbread

Build and learn holiday-style at the Discovery Cube. This is perhaps the greatest holiday museum exhibit in town, and we’re so thrilled it’s back this year at both the OC and LA locations.

15. Santa Barbara Zoo

Head north (maybe on the train?) to a great little zoo that feels like an adventure.

16. Over-the-top Christmas light shows and drive-through experiences

See some really awesome light shows and displays.

17. Over-the-top Christmas lights on homes in LA

Take a drive to see amazing neighborhood Christmas lights.

18. Ice skate downtown

Skate at LA Live. It’s not Rockefeller Plaza, but it’s not too shabby! There are more places to ice skate in the LA area, too!

Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles this Winter Break: Little Tokyo
Visit Little Tokyo for great food, shopping, and culture. Photo by Florent Lamoureux, Flickr

19. Little Tokyo

Spend an afternoon steeped in Japanese culture.

20. Mini golf

Tee off with the whole family in a game of golf.

21. The Proud Bird Food Bazaar

Have a bite and a holiday drink, while your kids watch the planes and explore the airplane playground at the place named LA’s hottest new food hall by Food Network this year.

22. Huntington Library

Visit the gardens and exhibits in this gorgeous museum. The Children’s Garden is open again, the newer additions to the Chinese Garden are spectacular, and Kehinde Wiley’s fascinating A Portrait of a Young Gentleman is on display through January 3.

23. Autry National Center

Learn some real cowboy history.

Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles this Winter Break: Grammy Museum
Check out a great museum that kids and adults alike love. Grammy Museum photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins

24. Grammy Museum

Rock out at this unique music museum.

25. Broad Museum

While the kid-favorite exhibit, Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away, is currently closed, the bright colors of the Warhol, Basquiat, and Lichtenstein exhibits delight kids.

26. San Juan Capistrano

See why the swallows are so into this place.

27. La Habra Children's Museum

Take a drive to this hands-on museum.

28. Skypark at Santa's Village

Take a longer drive up into the mountains, for Lake Arrowhead's delightful Santastic theme park.

Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles this Winter Break: Olvera Street
Immerse yourself in the history of the city. Olvera Street photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins

29. Olvera Street

Enjoy some treats (Mr. Churro!) and shop on DTLA's iconic, oldest street.

30. Noah's Ark

Visit the Skirball's wonderful, endlessly entertaining play space. And while you’re here, be sure to swing by the amazing Star Trek exhibit that’s on display through February.

The peacocks at the LA Arboretum don't go on vacation. Photo by Mommy Poppins

31. Los Angeles Arboretum

Hang with the peacocks on over 120 acres of natural beauty.

32. Hansen Dam

The fabulous Discovery Cube LA used to be our whole reason for coming here. But while you’re visiting the Science of Gingerbread exhibit (mentioned above), don’t sleep on Hansen Dam Park’s other wonders, like the wide open spaces, bike paths, and natural beauty around the mini-lake.

33. Go on a sand sledding adventure

Head up the coast to the giant sand hill on PCH in Point Mugu State Park.

34. Ventura Harbor

Take a Boat Sleigh ride to see the holiday lights in the harbor.

35. Whale watching cruise

The season of the Pacific Gray Whale is just beginning, and boats are taking families on cruises.

36. Redondo Pier

When there's traffic on the 405 it sounds far away, but a drive to Redondo is an easy escape at this time of year. Stroll the pier, the beach, and get some takeout.

37. South Coast Botanic Gardens

Get lost amid the greenery and trails during the day, and stay for the GLOW at night.

38. Christmas Nights at 123 Farm

Take advantage of the non-existent traffic to drive out to these lovely lavender fields that are all lit up for the holidays.

Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles this Winter Break: Cupcake ATM
The Cupcake ATM is always open. Photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins

39. Cupcake ATM in Beverly Hills

Hit the ATM anytime of the day or night for a classic red velvet confection.

Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles this Winter Break: Snow Tubing
Tubing at the North Pole is not so far away. Photo by the author

40. Wander to winter at a local ski slope or tubing park

Hit the slopes or go sledding or for the day.

41. Camarillo Outlets or The Citadel

Do some outlet store shopping for great deals—especially after Christmas.

Los Angeles Kiss Mural
Art is everywhere you look. Photo by Jackie Jones

42. Check out the street art scene

Art is everywhere. Take pics with Wild Things and against the second most photographed wall in the world (behind the Great Wall of China!).

Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles this Winter Break: Frozen Bananas on Balboa
The frozen bananas are practically required eating on Balboa Island. Photo courtesy of Dad's Donuts, Balboa Island

43. Balboa Island

Take a walk, smell the salt air, and enjoy some food or snacks at one of the great local restaurants.

44. Festival of Lights

See the famous festival at Riverside's Mission Inn.

45. Local Farmers Market

Go out and get some fresh fruits and flowers and savor living in LA, while the rest of the country is shopping in the frozen food aisle.

46. Santa Monica Pier

Watch the sunset over the ocean, ride the Ferris wheel, and play a little Skeeball.

47. Tanaka Farms

See the twinkling Festival of Lights or take a tractor ride with Santa through the u-pick fields.

48. Underwood Farms

Even after Christmas on the Farm closes, the Animal Center and Pick Your Own Fields remain open.

49. Trapeze school

Your family can book a class on the Santa Monica Pier. Soon you’ll all be flying through the air, with the greatest of ease!

50. Horseback ride under the Hollywood Sign

Kids ages 8 and up can take a one or two-hour ride in the storied hills.

51. Pedal around Echo Park Lake

Walk around the lake, bring a picnic lunch, feed the ducks, and then definitely take a pedal around the lake on the swan boats!

52. Holidays at Disneyland

The Happiest Place on Earth becomes the merriest place on Earth this holiday season.

Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles this Winter Break: Universal Studios
It's a winter wonderland at Hogwarts. Photo courtesy of Universal Studios

53. Holidays at Universal Studios

At night, Hogwarts Castle is illuminated in 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.

54. Knott’s Merry Farm

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

55. LACMA

The Obama Portraits are at LACMA through Jan. 2, and while they are indeed stunning, we loved the adjacent exhibition, Black American Portraits, even more.

56. The brand new Academy Museum

While you’re Mid-City, check out the newest museum to open in Los Angeles: the incredible Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles this Winter Break: Tar PIts
The Page Museum at the Tar Pits and a perfect little museum for kids. Photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins

57. La Brea Tar Pits

Visitors can watch paleontologists at work at the excavation site in the park, visit one of the best hills in the city for rolling down, and check out the mammoths stuck in the Lake Pit. And that’s all before you even go inside the museum!

58. Go hiking!

Take advantage of the cooler weather to take a nice long hike. We’ve got favorite family hikes, hikes for toddlers, hikes for strollers, and even wildlife walks for little animal lovers.

59. Exposition Park Rose Garden

The Tournament of Roses Parade is back this year, and everything in LA is coming up roses.

60. Malibu Legacy Park is a park for the birds

Literally. It’s part outdoor classroom, part living-learning center, and all fun nature walk filled with giant tile animals to climb on. If kids want to see more birds (and surfers) up close, walk to Malibu Lagoon State Beach across the PCH.

Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles this Winter Break: Storrier Stearns Japanese Gardens
Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is a gorgeous getaway in town. Photo courtesy of japanesegardenpasadena.com

61. Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

This beautiful, off-the-beaten-path spot is never crowded because guests have to register for 2 hour visit times on weekends only. But for a few, serene outdoor moments, it’s definitely worth the planning ahead a visit requires.

62. California Botanic Garden

Take a drive to Claremont and enjoy a garden you may not have visited before.

63. Bike along the beach

If the kids got new bikes for the holidays, now is the time to test them out on over 20 miles of beach bike paths! But if they didn’t, several bike rental shops are open along the strand from Santa Monica to the South Bay.

64. Walk, jog, or bike the Hollywood Reservoir

With sweeping views of the Hollywood Sign and city skyscrapers, this peaceful lake is both a piece of LA history and a great spot to jog, teach kids to ride bicycles (no cars!), and look for wildlife, right in the heart of the city.

65. Head down to Legoland

And stay into the evening for the Holiday Light Show.

66. See Santa in the bullpen

The Dodgers Holiday Festival 2021 features Santa in the bullpen, a winter wonderland of holiday lights, and an ice rink in the outfield.

67. Tour LA’s newest stadium

Tickets to see the Rams or Chargers can get a little pricey, but if you want to check out the state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium, you can book tickets for a tour that includes a tunnel run onto the field.

68. See a game

Speaking of sports, the Lakers, Clippers, Kings, and Ducks all have home games over the holiday break, so take your little leaguer to see some pros at work.

69. See an immersive holiday show

Yes, Van Gogh is still here, as are several other immersive shows, but for the holidays we recommend checking out the Immersive Nutcracker or The Gingerbread Man's Spectacular Holiday Light Adventure.

Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles this Winter Break: Art of the Brick
The Art of the Brick is at the Science Center through the end of the year. Photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins