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December in Los Angeles has its own kind of magic. Palm trees wear strings of white lights, the air smells of jasmine and woodsmoke after sunset, and you can skate outdoors at 7 PM and still eat breakfast on a sunny terrace the next morning. The best things to do in Los Angeles for Christmas in 2026 are spread across the whole city, from the parade on Hollywood Boulevard to a quiet tree in Malibu, and the trick is knowing which ones are worth the drive.
At Stay Awhile, we host guests in homes across Malibu, Beverly Hills and the Hollywood Hills, and every December we get the same question: what should we actually do for Christmas while we are here? What follows is where we send them, with current notes on dates, tickets, parking and timing.
Start With Hollywood and The Grove
The season officially begins the weekend after Thanksgiving, and these two classics set the tone.
The Hollywood Christmas Parade
The Hollywood Christmas Parade is the city’s oldest holiday tradition, with marching bands, celebrity floats and Santa closing the show on Hollywood Boulevard. We prefer grandstand seats over the curb: the sidewalks fill hours early, and the seats give children a clear view.
- Address: Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028
- Dates: Sunday, November 29, 2026
- Tickets: Curbside viewing is free; grandstand seats are sold on the official site.
- What to know: Expect road closures across Hollywood all afternoon. Arrive by Metro to the Hollywood/Highland station if you can.
- Best for: Families, first-time visitors
View the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Google Maps
The Grove
The Grove raises a 100-foot Christmas tree each year, and every evening of the season it drops a short burst of biodegradable “snow” over the plaza. Come for the snowfall, then walk next door to the Original Farmers Market for dinner.
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (over 28,000 Google reviews)
- Address: 189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036
- Dates: Tree lighting announced in the fall; check thegrovela.com
- Parking: The Grove’s own parking structure fills on December weekends. Weeknights are far easier.
- Best for: Families, couples, holiday shopping
Walk Through the Lights
Los Angeles does not get snow, so it does light instead. These are the displays we think are worth an evening.
Descanso Gardens Enchanted Forest of Light
Enchanted Forest of Light is a mile-long walk through glowing installations set among old oaks and camellias. It is our favorite light walk for adults: calm, beautiful and never rushed. Book the earliest timed entry for the quietest paths.
- Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (over 10,000 Google reviews)
- Address: 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
- Dates: November 22, 2026 to January 9, 2027
- Tickets: Timed entry only, on sale now. December weekends sell out first.
- What to know: It is cooler in the foothills than in the city. Bring a warm layer.
- Best for: Couples, adults, photographers
View Descanso Gardens on Google Maps
L.A. Zoo Lights
L.A. Zoo Lights fills the zoo with illuminated animal sculptures, projections, hot chocolate and s’mores. This season adds an artificial ice rink, which makes it the easiest all-in-one evening for families with young children.
- Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (over 22,000 Google reviews)
- Address: 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
- Dates: Select nights, November 20, 2026 to January 10, 2027
- Tickets: Buy online in advance; the ice rink is a separate ticket.
- Best for: Families with young children
View Los Angeles Zoo on Google Maps
Holiday Light Festival at Griffith Park
The Griffith Park & Southern Railroad runs a short evening train ride around a mile of lit holiday scenes, traditionally starting the day after Thanksgiving. The ride is about ten minutes and inexpensive. It sits a few minutes from the zoo, so we often suggest pairing the two on the same night.
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (over 1,500 Google reviews)
- Address: 4400 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
- Dates: Announced in the fall; check griffithparktrainrides.com
- Best for: Toddlers and young children
View Griffith Park & Southern Railroad on Google Maps
Candy Cane Lane
Candy Cane Lane is an eight-block neighborhood near Pierce College where residents have decorated their homes every Christmas since 1952. Park on a side street and walk it; you see far more than from a car.
- Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (69 Google reviews)
- Address: Lubao Ave and Oxnard St, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
- Dates: Traditionally the first Saturday of December into early January; lights 6 to 10 PM
- What to know: Arrive before 10 PM on weeknights and 11 PM on weekends, when many homes switch off.
- Best for: Free evenings, families, classic Christmas lights
View Candy Cane Lane on Google Maps
Christmas on Rodeo Drive and by the Coast
Beverly Hills and Malibu celebrate in very different registers: one polished and glittering, the other relaxed and salt-aired. Both are worth an evening.
Rodeo Drive Holiday Lights
The Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration switches on the street’s holiday lights with live performances, and the decorations stay up through the season. We like it best on a weeknight after dinner, when you can stroll the Golden Triangle and the cobblestones of Two Rodeo without the crowds.
- Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (over 2,300 Google reviews)
- Address: Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
- Dates: Lighting celebration Thursday, November 19, 2026
- Parking: City-run garages surround the Golden Triangle and are the easiest option.
- Best for: Couples, holiday shopping, an elegant free evening
View Rodeo Drive on Google Maps
Malibu Country Mart
Malibu Country Mart decorates its courtyard with a tall Christmas tree and string lights for December, and has hosted free Santa visits, carolers and hot cocoa on Saturdays. Pair it with a sunset walk at Surfrider Beach, a short drive away, and see our guide to Christmas in Malibu for where to stay on the coast.
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (over 2,300 Google reviews)
- Address: 3835 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu, CA 90265
- Dates: Announced in the fall; check malibucountrymart.com
- Best for: Families, a slower coastal afternoon
View Malibu Country Mart on Google Maps
Skating, Markets and Theme Parks
These are the plans we arrange most often for the rest of the season.
Ice at Santa Monica
Ice at Santa Monica puts an outdoor rink a few blocks from the beach. Skate late in the afternoon, then walk to the pier for sunset.
- Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (over 470 Google reviews)
- Address: 1324 5th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Dates: Announced in the fall; check icesantamonica.com
- Tickets: Sold by session, with skate rental included.
- Best for: Families, teens, a beach-and-ice day
View Ice at Santa Monica on Google Maps
Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square
The Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square is the city’s largest outdoor rink, set among the downtown towers and opened each year with a tree lighting.
- Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (nearly 7,000 Google reviews)
- Address: 532 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
- Dates: Announced in the fall; check holidayicerinkdowntownla.com
- Best for: Night skating, combining with a downtown dinner
View Pershing Square on Google Maps
Union Station Holiday Festival and Market
The closest thing Los Angeles has to a European Christmas market. Union Station fills its South Patio with a 30-foot tree, artisan vendors, live music and seasonal drinks.
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (over 14,000 Google reviews)
- Address: 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
- Dates: Announced in the fall; check unionstationla.com
- Parking: Arrive by Metro and skip downtown parking entirely.
- Best for: Gift shopping, a market afternoon
View Union Station on Google Maps
Photo: Adam Jones, CC BY 2.0
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort brings back A Christmas Fantasy Parade, its holiday fireworks and festive versions of Haunted Mansion and “it’s a small world.” We send guests on a weekday in early December, before school breaks fill the park.
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (over 128,000 Google reviews)
- Address: 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
- Dates: November 13, 2026 to January 6, 2027
- Best for: Families, a full day out
View Disneyland Park on Google Maps
Photo: Justin Ennis, CC BY 2.0
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood answers with Grinchmas, a tall tree with a nightly lighting, and Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, both included with admission. It is closer than Disneyland for guests staying in the Hollywood Hills.
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (over 175,000 Google reviews)
- Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
- Dates: Announced in the fall; check universalstudioshollywood.com
- Best for: Families, Harry Potter fans
View Universal Studios Hollywood on Google Maps
Christmas in Los Angeles Reveals Itself Slowly
You arrive for the parade and the big tree, then start noticing the smaller things: the smell of a fire in the hills after dark, a lit-up lifeguard tower, a Woodland Hills neighborhood glowing as it has every Christmas since 1952. The best way to enjoy it is to keep the days loose, with one plan each evening and a home to come back to.
When you are ready to plan your holidays here, browse our collection of Los Angeles vacation rentals, from Malibu to Beverly Hills and the Hollywood Hills, or contact our concierge to design a Christmas around the way you actually want to spend it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Christmas activities can I do in LA?
Watch the Hollywood Christmas Parade, walk the Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens, see L.A. Zoo Lights, skate at an outdoor rink and catch the nightly snowfall at The Grove.
What is open on Christmas Day in Los Angeles?
Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, beaches, hiking trails and many restaurants stay open. The L.A. Zoo and Griffith Observatory close, so check holiday hours before you plan.
Where is the best place to see Christmas lights in LA?
Descanso Gardens and L.A. Zoo Lights are the top ticketed light shows. For free lights, try Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and The Grove.
When is the Hollywood Christmas Parade in 2026?
The parade takes place on Sunday, November 29, 2026, along Hollywood Boulevard.
Is there a Christmas market in Los Angeles?
Yes. Union Station hosts a holiday festival and artisan market on its South Patio each season, with vendors, live music and a 30-foot tree.
Does it snow in Los Angeles at Christmas?
Not in the city. Daytime highs usually sit in the 60s°F, so the closest you will get is the nightly snowfall at The Grove or the mountains a few hours away.
