SoCal may be best known for perfect weather and Hollywood celebrities, but the city's holiday festivities will leave you just as starstruck. Get ready for boat parades, holiday bar crawls, and magical train rides—all done as only LA can.

Get Your Thrills at Season’s Screamings

Season’s Screamings joins merry and bright with chills and thrills for a more sinister take on the holidays. The holiday horror convention features haunted attraction walk-thrus with a winter theme, hundreds of spooky vendors, celebrity guests, and plenty of creepy Santas, evil elves, and Krampuses running amuck!

Where: Pasadena Convention Center: 300 E Green St Pasadena, CA 91101
For more information on Season’s Screamings.

Make Spirits Bright at the SANTA Monica Pub Crawl

The 14th annual SANTA Monica Pub Crawl returns Saturday, December 17th! Dust off those antlers and Santa hats and join thousands of crawlers and dozens of Santa Monica bars and restaurants to raise money for the Westside Food Bank and help those in need for the holidays.

Tickets include free entry into participating bars, exclusive food and drink deals, one free drink, multiple routes to choose from, and priority entry into Santa’s after-party.

Where: Various locations, check route options for details.
For more information on the SANTA Monica Pub Crawl.

Visit Venice Winter Fest

Shop local this holiday season from over 200 artists and designers at Venice Winter Fest. Apart from finding one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your shopping list, you can also grab food from some of LA’s best food trucks, take photos with Santa, see a vintage car show, and enjoy live music and games.

Where: Venice Blvd in between Centinela & Inglewood Blvd. in downtown Mar Vista, CA.
For more information on Venice Winter Fest.

Eat your heart out at the Long Beach Tamales Festival

After its inaugural sold-out event, the Long Beach International Tamales Festival returns for its second year. This all-day holiday-inspired fair features tamales from different regions of Latin America, Latin-inspired dishes, drinks, tequila tastings, live music, art workshops for kids, performances, a best homemade tamales contest, shopping, and more!

Where: Long Beach City College (Pacific Coast Campus): 1305 E Pacific Coast Hwy. Long Beach, CA 90806
For more information on the Long Beach Tamales Festival.

Watch The Hollywood Christmas Parade

A festive staple of Tinseltown for over 80 years, the Hollywood Christmas parade is making its iconic return on November 27th at 6 PM. Come watch the floats, marching bands, celebrities, and downtown celebrations!

Where: The parade begins on Hollywood Blvd. at Orange Drive. The U-shaped parade route will travel east to Vine, south on Vine St to Sunset Blvd. and west on Sunset Blvd. back to Orange Drive.
For more information on the Hollywood Christmas Parade.

Ring in 2023

2023 is right around the corner, so it’s time to nail down your New Year’s Eve plans. Thankfully Los Angeles has no shortage of events to choose from when it comes to ringing in the New Year (in fact, choosing just one may be the hardest part). Whether you’re looking for glamour and iconic views, want to see stellar performances, or hit LA’s best bars with your crew, The City of Angels has you covered. We’ve rounded up all the best New Year's Eve parties and celebrations happening across the city, so all you have to do is pick one!

Where: Various locations.
For more information on New Year's Eve in LA.

Hit The Slopes At Big Bear Mountain

We're living for that beach time in the AM, slope time in the PM life. Get out of the city for the weekend and head to Big Bear Mountain, about a 2-hour drive from LA. Winter operations at Big Bear Mountain Resort typically begin in November and conclude in March/April, conditions permitting.

Where: 880 Summit Blvd. Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 
For more information on Big Bear Mountain Resort.

Go Holiday Shopping at the Grove

Make your list, check it twice, and then cross off your holiday shopping at The Grove. You’ll find something for everyone on your list, plus restaurants, and holiday events throughout the season. Stop by for performances, activities, and even opportunities to meet Santa Claus himself.

Where: 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA
For more information on The Grove.

Devour The Seasonal Menu At Big Sugar Bake Shop

Inventor of the first doughnut muffin and #19 on Food and Wine’s list of best cupcakes in all of America, Big Sugar’s extensive holiday menu is not to be missed! Stop by for molasses cookie sandwiches, gingerbread people, dogs and cats, Hanukkah-decorated cupcakes and peppermint brownies.

Where:
Studio City: 12182 Ventura Blvd., Studio City
DTLA: 612 South Flower Street Los Angeles, CA 90017
For more information on Big Sugar Bake Shop.

Visit Santa Village Skypark

Is that the sound of sleigh bells we hear? Santa has landed, and he's set up shop in LA with a nostalgic holiday village. It's the perfect setting for cookie decorating, exploring the winter lights, ice skating, and a photo with the big guy himself. 

Where: 28950 CA-18, Skyforest, CA 92385
For more information on Skypark Santa Village.

Go to the Music Center LA County Holiday Celebration

Christmas is a magical time for shows, so don’t miss the 63rd Annual LA County Holiday Celebration! The show will feature music ensembles, choirs, and dance companies from the many cultures that make up LA, all meant to celebrate the artistry and diversity of our city. See the epic show December 24th at 3 PM for a special Christmas Eve event. Admission is free!

Where: 135 N. Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012
For more information on the Music Center LA County Holiday Celebration.

Volunteer Or Donate To The LA Food Bank

Many people in our community are still recovering from the pandemic and the related economic fallout. One of the most rewarding and vital things you can do during the holidays is to volunteer or donate to a worthy cause, like LA's Food Bank. It’s an amazing program, with every dollar donated distributing enough food for four meals to hungry children, seniors, and families.

For more information on the LA Food Bank.

Attend Las Posadas on Olvera Street

See a nightly program that will pull at your classic Christmas heartstrings: a reenactment of the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem at Olvera Street. The story is rooted in Catholicism, but all are welcome to participate.

The show starts with a Children’s Pinata at 6:30 PM. Music will be performed by musicians specializing in string instruments and traditional Christmas songs sung in Spanish, and free sweet bread will be offered to everyone after the show. Happening from December 16th through the 24th. 

Where: 845 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA, United States, California
For more information on Las Posadas on Olvera Street.

Drive Down Christmas Tree Lane

A beloved 100-year holiday tradition is back across North Van Ness Blvd in Fig Garden! Some 140 homes and 300 trees are decorated and displayed for nearly two miles. Although there will be no walk-only nights this year, visitors can drive the stretch from Shields to Shaw all December long.

Where: N Van Ness Blvd between Shields Ave and Shaw Ave in Fresno, California
For more information on Christmas Tree Lane.

Play in a Holiday Snow Shower at The Point

Experience a snow flurry in LA! From November 25th to December 23rd every Friday and Saturday from 6–8 PM, you can be covered in a gust of “snow.” The flurries are happening on the grass at the dining and shopping complex, The Point, making it a fun attraction to combine with some holiday shopping. 

Where: 850 S. Pacific Coast Highway El Segundo, CA 90245
For more information on the Holiday Snow Showers at the Point.

Celebrate Christmas on the Farm

Get into the spirit with Christmas on the Farm at Underwood's Family Farms in Moorpark! From November 25th through December 24th, enter the festive farm and visit the animals (including Reindeer viewings on select dates), write letters to Santa, take sleigh rides, and much more. 

If you’re looking to get a live Christmas tree this year, you can explore Big Wave Dave’s Christmas Trees on the farm, open through December 19th.

Where: Moorpark Farm Center 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark, CA
For more information on Christmas On The Farm.

Attend the Winter Fantasy Art Festival

Take the holiday shopping up a notch by doing it at this one-of-a-kind art festival. Peruse the winter fantasyland of handcrafted gifts by over 165 artists, plus enjoy three stages of live music and community performances, attend art classes, and catch daily visits from Santa himself. Sawdust Winter Fantasy is open from November 19th through December 18th for five weekends of holiday magic!

Where: 935 Laguna Canyon Road Laguna Beach, CA 92651
For more information on the Winter Fantasy Art Festival.

Watch The Rose Parade

Born from horse-drawn carriages covered in flowers over a century ago, the now iconic Rose Parade is a 5.5-mile stretch of state-of-the-art floats woven together with flowers and all-natural materials. Catch the event live on January 2nd.

Where: The parade travels north on Orange Grove Blvd., then turns east onto Colorado Blvd., where the majority of the parade viewing takes place. 
For more information on the Rose Parade.

Take A Ride on The SoCal Polar Express

Hosted at the Socal Railway Museum, the Polar Express Train Ride is a fantastical re-creation of the classic children’s story you can experience IRL! Take the whole family aboard a real train led by a cast of talented actors, and indulge in hot chocolate and holiday treats served by dancing chefs. You’ll also get to enjoy a storybook reading of the classic tale by Chris Van Allsburg. 

Where: 135 N. Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012
For more information on the SoCal Polar Express Train Ride.

See The Festival Of Lights At The Mission Inn

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's Festival of Lights is one of the nation's largest holiday light collections and was voted "Best Public Lights Display" by USA Today.  Back for its 30th year, the inn's festival continues to gain popularity and draws visitors from all over the Riverside area. Don’t miss the display, which will commence the day after Thanksgiving (Friday, November 25th) and last until Friday, January 6th, 2023.

Where: 3700-3662 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501
For more information on the Mission Inn Festival of Lights.

Grab A Lavender Hot Chocolate At Cafe Demitasse

Cafe Demitasse’s decadent cocoa drinks are extra-rich and topped with fluffy, sweet marshmallows that are blow-torched to order. Try the lavender hot chocolate for a twist on the classic, topped with vanilla and lavender oil.

Where: 1149 3rd St, Santa Monica, CA 90402
For more information on Cafe Demitasse.

Get ready for the holidays and experience Netflix at the Grove

Experience Netflix at The Grove, an unforgettable, immersive retail experience that brings fans of all ages closer to the series and films they know and love. The pop-up store will feature a broad range of limited edition items from some of Netflix’s most popular titles, including Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Squid Game and more—in other words, lots of options for the binge-watchers on your list.

In early December, Netflix at The Grove will get into the holiday spirit and expand its experiential offerings to include a second floor bursting with new immersive elements tied to the programming coming to Netflix this holiday season!

Where: The Grove: 189 The Grove Dr.
For more information on Netflix at the Grove.

Go Skating at LA Kings Ice Rinks

There simply isn't a more quintessential winter activity than gliding across the ice. Skate your way through the holiday season at various LA Kings Ice rinks throughout the LA area. With public skating sessions, learn-to-skate lessons, party options, and more, there's no excuse not to lace up your skates and hit the ice!

Where:  
Burbank: 1001 W. Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91506
El Segundo: 555 N. Nash Street, El Segundo, CA 90245
Palos Verdes: 550 Deep Valley Drive #107, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
Paramount: 8041 Jackson Street, Paramount, CA 90723
Santa Clarita: 27745 Smyth Dr., Valencia, CA 91355

For more information on LA Kings Ice.

Watch your favorite festive movies at Yuletide Cinemaland

This festive celebration centers around a Charles Dickens-style town square that combines the nostalgia of classic holiday movies with Christmas carolers, food trucks, mulled wine, craft beer, hot chocolate, and more. Explore picturesque Victorian-era homes dressed for the holidays, join piano sing-alongs and experience the Instagram-worthy Holiday Light Tunnel. Each event features two outdoor screenings of your favorite winter and holiday films, plus a welcome cocktail and Santa hat!

Where: Heritage Square Station: 3545 Pasadena Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031
For more information on Yuletide Cinemaland.

Take A Holiday Gondola Cruise

Step onto a cozy gondola to glide through a sparkling Newport Harbor this winter. Starting November 30th, you can enjoy a Winter Lights Cruise, which tours the lighted houses of Newport.

You can also book a gondola and watch the famous Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Harbor. Your cruise will include a decorated parade boat viewing and some of the decorated homes in Newport's waterfront neighborhoods.

Where: Gondola Adventures, 200 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
For more information on Gondola Adventures.

See the Los Angeles Philharmonic Perform Holiday Favorites at Walt Disney Concert Hall

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra has a festive lineup planned for the season. Catch performances of The Nutcracker with Dudamel: Tchaikovsky & Ellington, which will include selections from Tchaikovsky’s original score as well as Duke Ellington’s jazzy Nutcracker suite.

You can also watch the holiday favorite, Home Alone, while the Orchestra performs the score live. Don’t miss cocktails paired with ugly sweaters and trivia before the event!

Where: The Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 South Grand Avenue, LA
For more information on Holiday Performances at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Travel Down Holiday Road

See larger-than-life holiday installations, thousands of Christmas lights, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Elves, and more at Holiday Road in Calabasas. This attraction is jam-packed with festive fun and activities for all ages. You can also grab a bite from a selection of food trucks, and peruse a variety of gifts and stoking stuffers at the Souvenir Shop.

Where: King Gillette Ranch: 26800 West Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas, CA 91302
For more information on Holiday Road.

Experience the Magic at Winter Fest OC

Winter Fest OC transforms the OC Fair & Event Center into a winter wonderland with oversized holiday décor, more than a million lights, and endless opportunities for memory-making. Don’t miss the all-new “North Pole Journey” pop-up walk-through experience featuring dazzling lights, music, unique photo opportunities, live entertainment, and interactive activities, including meeting Santa! Enjoy the magic of the holiday season with family-favorite attractions like outdoor ice skating, a nine-lane 150-foot-long ice tubing slide, ice bumper cars, LED mini golf, carnival thrills, and much more.

Where: 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
For more information on Winter Fest OC.