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Try sock skating at Kidspace Winter Frolic. Photo by Jamie Pham courtesy of the Museum
Try sock skating at Kidspace Winter Frolic. Photo by Jamie Pham courtesy of the Museum
11/14/25 - By Toby B

'Tis the season for Christmas events and holiday activities in Los Angeles! From the hundreds of Christmas events and holiday activities taking place this year, we've managed to trim our list to the top family favorites.

This year, Santa's bag is overflowing with festive fun for families in Los Angeles. This holiday season's stockings are full of theme parks dressed up in their holiday finest, traditional holiday parades, only-in-LA holiday shows, and other beloved holly jolly traditions. We can barely keep up with all the fun Christmas events and holiday activities in Los Angeles this year. 

 For more holiday activities, don't miss our Holiday Events and Christmas Activities Guide for Los Angeles, packed with every possible holiday and Christmas light show, Nutcracker shows, Polar Express holiday trains, outdoor ice skating rinks, and so much more.

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It's a parade of lights! Newport Beach Boat Parade photo by Sergei Mutovkin via Flickr 2.0
It's a parade of lights! Newport Beach Boat Parade photo by Sergei Mutovkin via Flickr 2.0

Best Holiday Events for Kids in Los Angeles

Kidspace Winter Frolic

Best Holiday Event for Little Kids in Los Angeles
Pasadena
November 7 - December 24, 2025
Kidspace Children’s Museum transforms into a land of wonder and delight at its fourth annual Winter Frolic. The Winter Frolic offers a flurry of experiences and programs, including no-ice sock skating, "ice" play, and a snowman photo op. READ MORE

LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow

Best Immersive Holiday Light Display 
Griffith Park
Select dates from November 13, 2025 - Sunday January 11, 2026
Zoo Lights once again lights up the night! This beloved holiday event transforms select areas of the zoo into an immersive landscape filled with spectacular lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers, towering trees, and more. This year, Santa returns to join in the fun.  READ MORE

Holidays at Disneyland Resort

Best Theme Park Holiday Celebration in LA
Anaheim
Daily, November 14, 2025 - January 7, 2026
The Happiest Place on Earth becomes the merriest place on Earth for the holiday season. Enjoy themed shows and rides, festive decor, and seasonally dressed character favorites. In 2025, look for Mickey and his friends to debut sparkling new holiday looks. The Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration continues to offer special anniversary entertainment, experiences and more. READ MORE

Christmas Celebration & Tree Lighting at The Grove

Best Holiday Kick-Off/ Tree Lighting
Fairfax - FREE
Monday, November 17, 2025
The Grove launches its holiday season with a spectacular tree lighting event, featuring all-star performances and a fireworks spectacular. Hosted by Lance Bass, this year's event features a lineup of special musical performances by Nick Carter, Dasha, Natalie Jane, Loud Luxury, Kevin Woo, Straight No Chaser, and more. READ MORE

Science of Gingerbread Display (OC)

Best Holiday STEM Event
Santa Ana (Also at Sylmar location)
Daily, November 23, 2024 - January 5, 2025
The Discovery Cube OC's holiday attraction goes inside the kitchen, where guests can learn about the history and engineering behind gingerbread. READ MORE

Jingle Bell Jump

Best Place to See Santa's Arrival in Los Angeles
Thousand Oaks - FREE
Friday November 28, 2025
If there's one thing we all know, it's that Santa knows how to make an entrance! At noon sharp, Santa Claus parachutes into Janss Marketplace near Sharky's, so be on the lookout. Other activities are spread out throughout the center, including face painters, kids' crafts, and storytime and sing-a-longs with Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm

Best Outdoor Holiday Celebration Where You Can Pick Your Tree in LA
Moorpark
Daily, November 28 - December 24, 2025
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

Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train

Best Holiday Train to see Santa Claus
Orange
Daily, November 28 - December 23, 2025
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

Holiday Train Ride at Griffith Park Southern Railroad

Best Budget-Friendly Holiday Train
Griffith Park
Daily, November 28, 2025 - January 11, 2026
Hooray! Griffith Park and Southern Railroad brings back its popular Santa train ride this year. The evening ride is gentle, and just the right size for kids and their parents to take in the festively decorated mile of track with thousands of twinkling lights.  READ MORE

Lythgoe Panto: The Wonderful Winter of Oz

Best Holiday Show in LA that's not The Nutcracker
Thousand Oaks
Select dates from December 12 - 28, 2025
Dorothy, I don't think we're in Thousand Oaks anymore!  Lythgoe Family Productions once again ushers in the holiday season with a British Panto-style production, this year presenting an off-the-wall spin on The Wizard of Oz. Making their panto debuts are Aubrey Anderson-Emmons (Modern Family) as Dorothy, and Tamyra Gray (American Idol) as Glinda. Panto veteran John O’Hurley (Seinfeld) returns as The Wizard. READ MORE

Skirball Hanukkah Family Festival

Best Hanukkah event in LA
Brentwood
Sunday, December 14, 2025
The Skirball Hanukkah Family Festival welcomes families of all backgrounds to revel in the spirit of the holiday with music, dance, and storytelling.  READ MORE

Newport Beach Boat Parade

Best Holiday Boat Parade 
Newport Beach - FREE
Wednesday - Sunday, December 17 - 21, 2025
A Christmastime tradition celebrating its 117th year, the country's oldest boat parade sets the harbor alight for five consecutive nights. Beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes flow to this year's theme: Magical Night of Lights READ MORE

Los Angeles Ballet's The Nutcracker at the Dolby

Best Nutcracker  Performance in LA
Hollywood
Thursday - Saturday, December 19 - 28, 2025
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

66th Annual LA County Holiday Celebration

Best Free Holiday Concert
DTLA - FREE
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Choirs, music ensembles, and dance companies from the many neighborhoods and cultures of LA celebrate the season during this free, three-hour extravaganza. More than 20 local music ensembles, choirs and dance companies perform. READ MORE

Pretend City New Year's Eve Around the World

Best Noon Year's Celebration in Los Angeles
Irvine
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Pretend City rings in the New Year with its annual daytime celebration at noon.  The fun includes festive activities such as a confetti countdown,  photo ops and a glow dance party.  Kids get to celebrate the new year at different times throughout the day as the sun travels across the different time zones! Space is limited; advance registration advised. READ MORE

Gloria Molina Grand Park's New Year's Eve LA

Best New Year's Celebration in Los Angeles
DTLA - FREE
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Angelenos can welcome 2026 at the West Coast’s largest free New Year’s Eve event. Highlights include live entertainment on two stages, food trucks, a snack alley, and interactive art installations. The experience is capped off with the park’s signature countdown-to-midnight light show projected onto iconic City Hall, celebrating 2026 and paying tribute to L.A.’s strength and resilience. READ MORE

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