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Sand Snowman Contest, Manhattan Beach Holiday Fireworks, and More Top Things To Do in Los Angeles This Weekend

Forget Frosty, these snowmen are sandy! Sand Snowman Contest photo by Nick Shattuck, A Little Warm Light Photography.
Forget Frosty, these snowmen are sandy! Sand Snowman Contest photo by Nick Shattuck, A Little Warm Light Photography.
12/4/24 - By Toby B

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles this weekend? Here are some of our favorite events and activities to add to your list this weekend

Bust out those mittens: it's time to make a snowman! This being Southern California, we make our snowmen beach-ready at the annual Sand Snowman Contest in Hermosa Beach. 

Santa Claus is coming to town in many forms: he makes a Grand Arrival at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw and has a Big Day at the Citadel. Angelenos learn there are more things to light than just trees, with the lighting of the Apollo Capsule at Columbia Memorial Space Center (it ain't rocket science, kids—until it is).

And the weekend ends with a colorful bang, as fireworks light the sky at the Manhattan Beach Annual Holiday Fireworks Festival.

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Venice Canals Boat Parade photo by photoNiki via Flickr 2.0
Venice Canals Boat Parade photo by photoNiki via Flickr 2.0

Best Things To Do This Weekend in Los Angeles

Wicked at the Pantages

Hollywood
Starts Wednesday, December 4
Popular! You're gonna be popular... when your family finds out you got tickets to see Wicked at the Pantages! The Broadway sensation looks at what happened in the Land of Oz…before Dorothy ever got there. There is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin - smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.” READ MORE

Debbie Allen's Hot Chocolate Nutcracker

Redondo Beach
Thursday - Sunday, December 5 - 8
Debbie Allen brings her Dance Academy's popular adaptation of the classic dance tale to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. The show has become a local holiday classic directed, choreographed by, and starring the unstoppable Ms. Allen. READ MORE

Parks After Dark: Winter Wonderland

Multiple Locations - FREE
Starts Friday, December 6
31 LA County Parks turn into winter wonderlands - complete with snow! - on select Fridays and Saturdays this December. The free events include sled and snow play areas, visits with Santa Claus, holiday crafts, hot cocoa and snack stations, edible holiday crafts, stocking decoration, craft zone, and carnival games. The Teen Zone features a DJ, holiday t-shirt silk screening, and Santa hats. There is a toy giveaway with Santa Claus and his helpers give toys to kids 0 to 17 (while supplies last) READ MORE

Santa's Big Day

Commerce - FREE
Saturday, December 7
Santa Claus has a big day planned at the Citadel Outlets, and everyone is invited to join in the fun.  The day starts with a pancake breakfast (ticket purchase required), and continues with everything from balloon twisters, to carolers, to storytime with Mrs. Claus, as well as many photo taking opportunities. READ MORE

Sand Snowman Contest

Hermosa Beach - FREE
Saturday, December 7
Who needs snow?  In Hermosa Beach, families can make their snowmen out of sand.  READ MORE

LA Master Chorale's "Festival of Carols"

DTLA
Saturday, December 7
The Los Angeles Master Chorale fills Walt Disney Concert Hall with yuletide cheer offering an afternoon performances of its popular Festival of Carols, featuring new arrangements of cherished Christmas carols and traditional favorites performed by 62 members of the Chorale. READ MORE

La Habra Tamale Festival

La Habra - FREE
Saturday, December 7
La Habra's annual Tamale Festival is the largest tamale festival in the OC. The event includes the Holiday Tree Lighting and a holiday fireworks show. READ MORE

Holiday in the Park at LA County Parks

Multiple Locations - FREE
Starts Saturday, December 7
Multiple LA County Parks celebrate the holidays with free events on select nights this December. Angelenos can enjoy a festive night with holiday characters, snacks, arts & crafts, games, caroling, special performances, music, children's story time and more.  See the LA County Parks website for more details on times and locations!  READ MORE

Santa's Grand Arrival Event

Baldwin Hills - FREE
Saturday, December 7
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw celebrates the arrival of Santa Claus. Guests can engage in a variety of arts & crafts projects, including an ornament station, cookie decorating and more. Santa's Elf leads storytime in both spanish and english; DJ's entertain with festive music. READ MORE

Animation and Me Opening Day

Mid-Wilshire
Saturday, December 7
The Academy Museum celebrates the opening of its newest Gallery. Animation and Me is an immersive experience that uses projections of clips, concept art, and behind-the-scenes footage to illustrate the art and process of animation. READ MORE

SIJCC Festival of Lights

Silver Lake
Saturday, December 7
Silverlake Independent JCC's Festival of Lights carnival is open to the entire Silver Lake community and annually draws hundreds of families to the SIJCC campus Highlights of this winter block party include the Critter Squad, a Game Zone, craft booths, a Toddler Zone, music and magic, and activities for all ages. The Hollow Trees perform at 11:30am. READ MORE

Christmas Tree Lane Winter Festival & Tree Lighting

Altadena - FREE
Saturday, December 7
The neighborhood that brings us Christmas Tree Lane presents its 104th Annual Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony & Winter Festival. READ MORE

Apollo Lighting

Downey - FREE
Saturday, December 7
Anyone can light a tree, but it takes rocket scientists to light a space capsule!  Columbia Memorial Space Center illuminates its Apollo capsule, its unique tradition to ring in the holiday season. READ MORE

PST ART Weekend: Downtown LA

DTLA - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, December 7 & 8
Cultural institutions in Downtown LA host an exciting variety of events including outdoor activities, workshops, performances, and street festivals as part of Getty’s PST ART: Art & Science Collide. Participating venues this weekend include the Broad, MOCA, The Institute of Contemporary Art,  and La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, among others. READ MORE

Manhattan Beach Annual Holiday Fireworks Festival

Manhattan Beach - FREE
Sunday, December 8
Manhattan Beach's annual fireworks extravaganza returns in 2024!  Activities throughout the day include the SKECHERS Snow Park,  Santa Claus, live musical performances, and of course, fireworks.  READ MORE

Venice Canals Boat Parade

Venice - FREE
Sunday, December 8
The 43rd annual Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade punts its way down the windy canals of Venice, between homes that challenge the boats for best lights. Pick a bridge, any bridge, to enjoy a close-up view of the festive floating display. While the date has been announced, details for 2024 are to come.  READ MORE

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