Ultimate Christmas Experience in Los Angeles: Festivals, Events & Activities

Many shopping centers and public plazas around LA kick off the holiday season by inviting the community to a holiday tree lighting celebration with music, family fun, and festive food. From roaming carolers to possibly the planet’s most fashionable Santa, here are the top holiday celebrations taking place around Los Angeles and Orange County.

BOLD Holidays in Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills comes alive throughout November and December as businesses remain open late and a schedule of celebrations and concerts takes to the streets of the country’s most famous zip code. The season kicks off with a holiday lighting ceremony in mid-November. Following that date, you’ll have a chance to mingle with both regular Santa and location-appropriate “Fashion Santa” on Rodeo Drive, at Two Rodeo, and at the Paley Center for Media.

Impressive (and Instagram-worthy) lighting installations are aglow every night until January 6th across the Business District. Live holiday music will be playing at Beverly Cañon Gardens on certain days through November and December.

If you do any shopping in the area after 6 p.m., be sure to save your receipt and set your sights on dinner—29 local restaurants (including favorites like hip vegan sensation Café Gratitude, world-famous Ladurée and Jean-Georges at the brand new Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills) are offering enticing deals and freebies to same-day shoppers. Special parking rates include 1-2 hours free in effect at select local lots.

Santa and Snowfalls at the Grove

The holiday season starts with the Grove’s annual tree-lighting ceremony. The free event features the season’s first snowfall, a fireworks display, and a Santa appearance.

Santa will be in residence at the Grove through Christmas week. Santa’s Workshop hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through early December, and vary later in the month. Check the schedule to find out the best times to go.

Moreover, it’s guaranteed to be a white pre-Christmas holiday season at the shopping mall, where flurries will be pumped out every night, regardless of the actual weather. We dare you to bring the ingredients for a snowman.

Downtown Burbank Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting and Events

The Burbank Mayor’s Tree Lighting occurs on the steps of City Hall. This all-ages public event also includes live music. Most other festivities in Burbank will be centered around the Rink in Downtown Burbank.

Americana at Brand in Glendale

Americana at Brand in Glendale also has a 100-foot tree with an official Tree Lighting event that usually takes place in mid-November, complete with musical performances, a winter wonderland of magical elves, flying reindeer, dancing snowmen, and Santa Claus culminating in a fireworks finale. Like the Grove, Americana at Brand brings on the snow at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. every evening through Christmas Eve. They also have similar roaming musicians and singers around the tree.

Furthermore, through Christmas week, there will be holiday crafts and the chance to take a photo with Santa in his house.

Universal CityWalk Holidays

Universal CityWalk hosts DJ Holiday Parties from late November through Christmas week on Friday and Saturday nights. Rockin’ Santa and his sleigh are usually on hand for photo ops near the City Walk’s Christmas tree (with 200,000 choreographed LED lights) from 1-9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, along with 4-9 p.m. on select Mondays and Fridays.

Pasadena Holiday Celebrations

One Colorado in Old Pasadena has dozens of events and promotions throughout the month of December. The season will bring treats, live entertainment, sing-alongs, giveaways, and tours. Bring your Christmas lists and letters to Santa—all notes dropped into Santa’s Mailbox will receive a reply to your return address.

Moreover, Old Pasadena hosts special holiday events such as Holiday Karaoke, Santa Photos, Holiday Tour at Castle Green, Bob Baker Marionette Holiday Show, and Holiday Music at One Colorado.

Holidays by the Sea in San Pedro and Wilmington

The Los Angeles Waterfront in San Pedro kicks off their holiday celebration in early December. Wilmington Winter Wonderland will bring 20 tons of snow to play in at Wilmington Waterfront Park in Wilmington (Harry Bridges Blvd and C Street). You’ll also catch the 56th Annual Harbor Holiday Afloat Boat Parade that starts up the channel at 6 p.m. and ends around 9 p.m.

On land, you can watch the Wilmington Holiday Parade.

The Farmers Market

The Farmers Market gets decked out for the holidays during the week of Christmas. Strolling carolers and the Toy Soldier Band will be on hand to entertain shoppers. Additionally, you can watch a Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration—where locals light a giant Lego Menorah, listen to live music, and participate in arts and crafts.