Things to Do in Los Angeles for Christmas

 

Los Angeles is the perfect place to visit during the holidays, with warm, inviting weather making Christmas feel like a summer day. Explore everything the City of Angels has to offer by visiting the numerous attractions and events happening during the festive month. If you’re planning an LA vacation, you’ll enjoy any of these exciting experiences in Los Angeles for Christmas.

Your Los Angeles vacation will be unforgettable when you visit this yearly tradition at Descanso Gardens. Just 20 miles outside of the city, this attraction in La Cañada Flintridge lets you walk through captivating exhibits that create a magical world of twinkling lights.

Get tickets to a spirited event to witness the talents of Los Angeles’ best players. The SoFi Stadium, Banc of California Stadium, and Crypto.com Arena all offer premium seating to take your sporting event experience to the next level. Indulge in a private box or floor seats as an exciting activity to do in LA for Christmas.

For fans of classical music, the LA Phil will add a touch of refinement to your visit. This world-renowned orchestra performs throughout the month bringing elegant sounds to the city. Witness their spellbinding performances at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Hollywood Bowl and The Ford theater.

Los Angeles for Christmas means you won’t see a flake of snow, but you can take advantage of the inviting weather by attending a rooftop movie screening. Melrose Rooftop Theatre is held on the top floor of EP & LP, a lively restaurant in the heart of West Hollywood. With a roster of classic Christmas movies to choose from, you’ll have a unique experience fit for an LA getaway.

Warm up from the inside out by enjoying craft holiday cocktails from a Christmas themed bar in Los Angeles. The roving, pop-up bar Miracle has been hosted by popular cocktail dens like Melrose Umbrella Company and Ever Bar at the Kimpton Everly Hotel. You can also visit Here & Now in Downtown LA for their festive event Blitzen’s that runs through December.

Downtown LA’s bustling Grand Central Market is an essential visit during your Los Angeles vacation. Taste from a variety of restaurants at this bazaar-style market where favorites like Eggslut, Wexler’s Deli and Clark Street Bread serve up mouth-watering dishes to the masses.

No need to wait until New Years Eve–Los Angeles has vibrant nightlife destinations to visit throughout the Christmas season. Nightclubs like Poppy, Hyde Sunset, and Warwick draw trendy partygoers to enjoy the night with bottle service, beautiful interiors, and live artist performances.

One of the best things to do in Los Angeles is to visit the renowned theme park Universal Studios. The park is decked out in festive decorations during December, including the famed attraction The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 

You won’t have access to a naturally frozen lake due to LA’s beautiful weather, but you can embrace the wintertime by ice skating at one of the many rinks around the city. LA Kings Holiday Ice is an outdoor rink at Downtown’s LA Live complex, and the Dodgers Holiday Festival creates a fun skating experience at Dodger’s Stadium.

While you’re in the entertainment capital of the world, take in a live show featuring highly acclaimed actors, singers, and dancers. Visit the Pantages Theater for an impressive Broadway play like Hamilton, Rent, or Moulin Rouge, or get in the Christmas spirit by watching The Nutcracker performed by The Los Angeles Ballet.