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Things To Do in LA: Lighting of the Bay, WonderLAnd, Tree Lightings, Charlie Brown

Lighting of the Bay, photo courtesy of Newport Dunes
Lighting of the Bay, photo courtesy of Newport Dunes
11/24/20 - By Toby B

Happy Thanksgiving, folks! We’ve been through a lot this year, and there’s more yet to come, but we can still take a moment to be thankful, to appreciate what we have, and to express gratitude for the many ways Southern California brings light to our lives—such as Newport Beach’s Lighting of the Bay, which starts this weekend.

For another: drive thrus! If there’s one thing Angelenos have down it’s driving (both in and thru), and as of this weekend we can experience the lights and snow of WonderLAnd, reflect in the shine of Hikari at Tanaka Farms, and bask in the glow of our home team champions at the Dodgers Holiday Festival. All aboard for the railroady goodness of the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train and Fillmore & Western Railway’s North Pole Express; get in gear for Santa’s Speedway in Irwindale.

And on Thanksgiving Day itself? We can experience Macy’s Parade and feast with the Peanuts gang while staying safer at home. Folks who usually prep for their turkey dinners with 5K/10Ks can participate in virtual editions. (You’re supposed to run, but if you choose not to, be grateful no one will know!)

Don’t forget, Saturday is Shop Small day, when we are asked to patronize small local businesses—a boost they need this year more than ever. (Online purchases count!) And as always at this time of year, what we are grateful for most is you, our Mommy Poppins readers. Keep well, keep safe, and keep reading for our most grateful picks for this week.

While we are trying to promote safer activities that occur outdoors or with social distancing guidelines in place, please keep your family and others safe by always wearing a mask and maintaining appropriate distance. If you arrive at an event that appears too crowded, try using the “nearby” search feature on our event calendar to find something else to do. 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Magic Mountain debuts Holiday in the Park. Photo courtesy of Six Flags
Magic Mountain debuts Holiday in the Park. Photo courtesy of Six Flags

Thanksgiving Week Things To Do in LA with Kids

Annual Lighting of the Bay

Starts November 27
The 34th Annual Lighting of the Bay kicks off the holiday season at Newport Dunes,  illuminating the bay each evening at dusk with more than 50 electric Christmas trees and holiday decorations. Opening night festivities include holiday crafts, festive food and concessions, photos with Santa, a fire dance performance, and a holiday movie on the beach. Santa takes center stage at dusk as he flips the magic switch to illuminate the bay with more than fifty floating holiday decorations and Christmas trees.  Opening Night is also the launch of the  Fire... READ MORE

WonderLAnd

Starts November 30
You don't have to drive far to find snow: LA families can celebrate the holiday season with millions of lights and themed decor during a festive WonderLAnd drive-thru show filled with lights, stories, and Santa. READ MORE

Santa's Speedway - Christmas Lights Experience

Starts November 25
Santa's Speedway returns in a new Christmas festival experience, featuring a dazzling light show. Highlights of this year's event include a snow play area, dining and drinks in the Christmas Village, photos with Santa, tram and hayrides, and massive holiday light exhibits, along with much more. READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm

Starts November 27
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

The North Pole Express Experience

Starts November 28
Fans of Christmas trains take heart: North Pole Express is on for 2020! The train pulls out from Prancers Christmas Farm in Santa Paula for a magical hour-long evening train ride to the "North Pole."  Kids can see and wave at Santa (from a safe distance) and enjoy some storytelling. READ MORE

Spring Farm Movie Nights by the Fire

Starts November 27
Sanctuary Animal Assisted Therapy, a sanctuary for rescued animals, hosts a new movie night series, under the night sky and by the fire! May's double feature is Babe and Charlotte's Web. READ MORE

Happy Place - The Drive-thru

November 20 - January 10
Happy Place returns to LA this winter with an all-new and re-imagined drive-thru experience. Happy Place: The Drive Thru offers happy and pure entertainment from the safety of visitors' cars. READ MORE

Knott's Taste of Merry Farm

November 20 - January 3
Due to new stay-at-home requirements issued by the state of California, Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm is closing beginning 12/11 through 12/26. READ MORE

Fair Foodie Fest Drive-Thru at Westminster Mall

November 13 - 29
We may not be able to do big fairs at this point, but we can indulge in fair foods. The drive-thru food fest at Westminster Mall offers fair food classics such as deep fried Oreos, funnel cakes, giant turkey legs, corn dogs, and Krispy Kreme donut cheeseburgers. READ MORE

Holidays at Legoland

November 20 - January 10
The holidays click into place at Legoland California. This year's event is an Elf Extravaganza, as the elves use festive décor, twinkling lights, garland, and falling snow to set the stage for the season. Guests can immerse themselves in the holiday spirit by training to become an elf at the new Elf Training Academy, taking “elfies” with the all-new Lego elf characters, Ivy and Frode, and  mastering their jolly good dance moves at the new Holly Hype Dance Party.  READ MORE

GLOW

November 21 -January 8
South Coast Botanic Garden transforms from a lush garden to a luminous oceanic experience with GLOW, a visually stunning art installation. Thousands of lights illuminate the gardens to a theme of Garden Lights & Ocean Waters; the experience is enhanced by a curated soundtrack. READ MORE

Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park

November 20 - January 3
Magic Mountain is illuminated with millions of lights for a festive holiday experience. Park-goers can enjoy festive foods, seasonal entertainment, and favorite thrilling coasters decorated for the holidays. Santa Claus and his elves visit with park guests; Mrs Claus leads festive crafts and seasonal activities. READ MORE

The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey Drive Thru

November 12 - January 3
In 2021, the Elf on the Shelf experience is presented as a walk thru. READ MORE

Holidays in Your Car - Ventura

November 22 - January 2
One million animated LED lights keep the 2020 holidays bright. The Holidays in Your Car drive-thru experience combines light and sound in a dazzling holiday display, with holograms, projection mapping, and lasers synchronized to holiday tunes. READ MORE

Not-So-Spooky Holiday Adventure

Through November 29
From not-so-spooky to heartwarming: Not So Spooky Farms presents a family friendly holiday adventure, where guests follow the story of Stingy Jack from the safety of their own car. READ MORE

Snowy Nights and Holiday Lights

November 14 - December 31
This year marks the debut of the Citadel's newest holiday tradition: “Snowy Nights & Holiday Lights,” a spectacular holiday performance with snow flurries and a laser light show. READ MORE

Santa Monica Pier Secret Story Experience

Ongoing
Santa Monica Pier re-imagines the way to experience the Pier with Secret Story Tour, an immersive, outdoor digital quest that travels back in time to discover the most legendary secret stories from the landmark’s 110 year legacy. READ MORE

Weekend Scenic Train Ride

Saturdays
All aboard for one last ride on the Fillmore & Western Railway! READ MORE

Reflections at Descanso

November 14 - January 10
Take a moment to smell the flowers. Then think about  them. And maybe take a picture. Descanso visitors are invited to take a moment to reflect and enjoy the beauty that’s all around us. READ MORE

Sparkle DTLA

November 16 - January 3
The magic of the holidays is alive and well at the Bloc in Downtown LA. Each night, millions of lights (over 18 million!) illuminate the night and synchronize to festive tunes, for one of LA’s largest multi-colored interactive holiday displays. READ MORE

Gardena Drive-In Cinema

Back to the Future & Terminator
Gardena Cinema is the only old-fashioned single-screen stand-alone independent movie theater in South Los Angeles. It began operating outdoor cinema in the parking lot in August 2020 and continues to do so, this month with movies such as Interstellar and Wonder Woman 1984. READ MORE

Movies in Your Car—Ventura

The Wizard of Oz & Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Ventura County Fairground's upcoming drive-in movie offerings include Angels in the Outfield. READ MORE

Windows of Wonderment - Flashback Edition

November 25 - January 5
The historic Santa Monica Pier Merry Go-Round windows come to life with a one-of-a-kind festive, iconic and nostalgic holiday installation  READ MORE

Thanksgiving at the Santa Barbara Zoo

November 26
Here's something to be thankful for: the Santa Barbara Zoo is open on Thanksgiving Day. READ MORE

Hollywood Legion Theater Drive-In

November 27- 29
The Hollywood Legion Theater’s drive-in is the first-ever drive-in cinema in the heart of Hollywood. READ MORE

Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train

Starts November 27
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

Dodgers Holiday Festival

Starts November 27
The 2020 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers are hosting a drive-thru Holiday Festival, complete with a light show, LED video displays, fake snow, and interactive displays honoring the Dodgers' World Championship and the holidays! READ MORE

Festive Cookie Decorating with American Girl

December 3
American Girl celebrates the season with fall holiday cookie decorating fun. READ MORE

Hikari - A Festival of Lights

November 27 - January 10
Hikari means "shine" in Japanese, and this holiday season Tanaka Farms shines with over a mile of twinkling lights. The 30-acre farm dazzles with farm-themed lighting on trees, tractors, and sugarcane. Enjoy live music, food, photo ops, arts & crafts, barnyard animals, photos with Santa, and holiday lights! READ MORE
Enjoy Kermit and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade online. Photo courtesy of Macy's, Inc.
Enjoy Kermit and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade online. Photo courtesy of Macy's, Inc.

Top Virtual Events Thanksgiving Week

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Apple TV+ starting November 18; free November 25 -27
We have much to be thankful for, including A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving airing on PBS, free for one night only. READ MORE

Virtual Turkey Trot Los Angeles

November 26
Turkey Trot LA goes virtual in 2020. Participants choose their distance between a 5k or 10k. A Widdle Wobble option is available for kids 10 and under. READ MORE

Virtual Burbank YMCA Turkey Trot

November 26
Burbank's annual Turkey Trot returns to an in-person event in 2022.  Participants are invited to run, jog, walk, or push a stroller in their neighborhood or at home for the Thanksgiving Day Trot 5K/10K.  READ MORE

98th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

November 26
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marches down the streets of New York City for its 98th annual holiday celebration. READ MORE

We Heart Eagle Rock Shop Small Weekend

November 27 (live and online)
The small businesses of Eagle Rock host pre-holiday shopping fun at the 13th annual event. Each shop is hosting its own promotions. READ MORE

Gettysburg Virtual Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 27
Which tree has four score and seven lights? We're guessing it's this one, though there are probably a lot more lights than that on the giant Gettysburg Christmas tree. Join the historic town's live stream tree lighting event Thanksgiving weekend. READ MORE

Outta the Books: Melody Sings the Blues

November 28
When the Treasury of Tales begins to crumble, an unlikely bunch of fairy-tale characters save the day using their powers of magic and music. Featuring stars of the West End production of Hamilton, Outta the Books tells simple, time-tested, and meaningful tales. READ MORE

Virtual Festival of International Dance

November 29
The Bowers Museum's latest  free virtual festival celebrates international dance. The livestream features performances, art projects, and a food experience.  READ MORE

The Disney Holiday Singalong

November 30
Silent night? Not around here—we're all gonna be singing our hearts out!  And also: Andrea Bocelli is singing Silent Night. The opera superstar is joined by BTS, Chloe x Halle, P!NK, and more for the Disney Holiday Singalong. READ MORE
Grab a board and try sand sledding.
Grab a board and try sand sledding.

More Things To Do in LA this November

Sand Sledding: The Sand Berms in Los Angeles Return for Winter Fun

In some parts of the country sledding involves getting cold and wet. How un-LA. READ MORE

Iconic LA Street Art and Murals for Must-Have Angeleno Kid Photo Ops

Snap some of LA's best photo ops before the kids are too big to pose! READ MORE

Drive-In Movie Theaters in and around Los Angeles for Outdoor Movie Nights with Kids

Drive-in movies are an old-school summer treat. READ MORE

Hiking in Los Angeles with Kids: The Best Hiking Trails for Families

Kids climbing the walls? Sounds like it's time to take a hike. READ MORE

Christmas Trains, Polar Express Rides, and Holiday Railroad Fun around Los Angeles and Orange County

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Los Angeles

These holiday light shows dazzle in gardens, zoos, trains, and more! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
Sanctuary Animal Assisted Therapy
Silverlakes Sports Complex
Ventura County Fairgrounds
Hollywood American Legion Post 43
American Girl Store at the Grove
Colorado Blvd between Eagle Rock Blvd and Townsend