Spending Christmas in Los Angeles will be the best vacation location for anyone because this place radiates festive vibes. This place follows several traditions during this holiday season, from boat parades, tree lighting, holiday shows and several events arranged in the theme park. One can discover several unusual traditions and events which are truly unique and are only celebrated during the Christmas season in Los Angeles. These activities begin in November and continue till February, and some of them will only last for 2 months, that is, November and December.

10 Best Places To Visit On Christmas In Los Angeles

Look at the best places to visit for a heartwarming Christmas in Los Angeles, whether you are with your friends or family!

  • Hollywood Christmas Parade – An Annual Parade
  • Outdoor Ice Skating – An Old Tradition
  • Disneyland Christmas Fantasy – Enchanting Experience For Full Family
  • Christmas Tree Lighting – A Custom Tradition
  • Knott’s Merry Farm – Holiday Shows, Unique Shopping And More
  • Sing Along – A Fun Tradition
  • San Gabriel Valley – For Food Lovers
  • L.A. Zoo Lights – Christmas Wonderland
  • Universal Studios Hollywood – Meet Your Fav Classic Characters
  • Six Flags Magic Fountain – Festive Decor, Lights Show And More

1. Hollywood Christmas Parade – An Annual Parade

Hollywood Christmas Parade, Christmas In Los Angeles

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Christmas Eve in Los Angeles is inseparable from this long-standing tradition. After the Thanksgiving tradition, Santa will accompany floats and march with a band down the land of Hollywood Boulevard. This parade will start at 6 pm sharp, and you will get many places to watch this parade without paying any price. You can also opt for the grandstand seats, which you must purchase. One can opt for the bleacher seats between Highland Ave and Orange Drive. It is u shaped route that will start from Hollywood Boulevard and Orange and then travel to the East.

What’s remarkable: The appearance of Santa Claus as per tradition after the parade

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2. Outdoor Ice Skating – An Old Tradition

Outdoor Ice Skating, Christmas In Los Angeles

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Outdoor Ice skating in Los Angeles is one of the most fascinating places everyone should visit during Christmas. It has been constructed at the Downtown on the Ice facility, and the venue spreads across the LA basin. Technology prevents the ice from melting even during warm weather, making it one of the best places to visit. Ice skating during Christmas is an old tradition.

What’s remarkable: The technology installed there prevents ice from melting even in warm weather

3. Disneyland Christmas Fantasy – Enchanting Experience For Full Family

Disneyland Christmas Fantasy, Christmas In Los Angeles

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Get yourself drenched in the magic of Disney this holiday season. Disneyland Christmas Fantasy is an enchanting place you can visit with your children or family. The park gets redecorated, and there are dazzling lights that light up. It also has nightly snowfall, artificially produced to keep the holiday spirit alive. Since November, different Disney cartoons have joined this place and made it even merrier.

What’s special: Decoration, dazzling lights and the whole vibe

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4. Christmas Tree Lighting – A Custom Tradition

Christmas Tree Lighting, Christmas In Los Angeles

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Tree lighting and shopping in Los Angeles are part of the custom tradition of Christmas in Los Angeles. At shopping places, you will find several programs that will not fail to lure you and keep you entertained the entire holiday season by showing traditional trees, menorah ceremonies, and much more. You will find several indoor and outdoor shopping malls in the Valley, which are beautifully decorated during this time.

What’s special: Enjoy different types of programs at the shopping places

5. Knott’s Merry Farm – Holiday Shows, Unique Shopping And More

Knott's Merry Farm, Christmas In Los Angeles

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This is much cheaper than the Disneyland experience and is not bad. It’s the perfect place to experience the best Christmas celebration at a decent price. All the rides will be open 24 hours a day. You will get the opportunity to enjoy holiday shows, unique shopping, festive food, and lavish decor, and you can have fun with your family members or people of different age groups. This is one of the most fun things to do in December in Los Angeles, and one cannot miss it. 

What’s special: Make the most of your holiday at a decent price

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6. Sing Along – A Fun Tradition

Sing Along

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Everyone loves Christmas carols, and if you are interested in becoming a part of a huge public performance, then you can participate and join the crowd. Everyone will sing together several Christmas songs like Jingle Bells, Silver Bells, and O Christmas Tree. You will receive the lyrics sheet, and a band will join you during the performance. It is one of the most fascinating Christmas events in Los Angeles, and you can do it as it is a part of the tradition with a modern twist.

What’s special: Everyone will sing together the famous Christmas songs

7. San Gabriel Valley – For Food Lovers

San Gabriel Valley, Christmas In Los Angeles

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Festivals are incomplete without delicious food, so you can visit San Gabriel Valley if you are hungry. Here, several open restaurants are ready to provide you with mouth-watering Chinese food. Dumplings, Beijing duck, and seafood are the three things you can begin with, and filling your stomach with delicious food will never be a problem if you sit there.

What’s special: Enjoy delicious food at the several open restaurants

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8. L.A. Zoo Lights – Christmas Wonderland

L.A. Zoo Lights

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Los Angeles Christmas celebrations can be best experienced at the LA Zoo Lights with your children. It is a wonderland occupied by animals. On the eve of Christmas, you will be able to encounter this glowing tradition. So, you can easily end your day by looking into all the lights, walking through this zoo, and having a warm beverage in your hand.

What’s special: Encounter the glowing tradition

9. Universal Studios Hollywood – Meet Your Fav Classic Characters

Image Credit: Holger Schué for Pixabay

Universal Studios Hollywood is one of LA’s best places to celebrate Christmas. On the eve of Christmas, Grinch and the Whos of Whoville delight both young and old visitors. Throughout December, you can enjoy rides, meet your favourite characters, and attend special events and performances.

What’s special: There is a dancing show of light inside the castle in the downtown area of Hogsmeade.

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10. Six Flags Magic Fountain – Festive Decor, Lights Show And More

Image Credit: Michal Osmenda for Wikimedia

You can visit many parks to participate in the beautiful LA Christmas celebration. Six Flags Magic Fountain is one of them. The place has festive decorations, a lights show, and holiday fare. Enjoy homemade fudge, hot cocoa, and a special Christmassy cake.

What’s special: Enjoy the festive vibe, homemade cakes

Places To Stay In Los Angeles At Christmas

With fireside stories, ornate displays of light, and breakfast with Santa, here is a list of three hotels that everyone should stay in if they visit Los Angeles during the holiday season. This is one of the most recommended festive places where you can have a wonderful time.

1. The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

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It is a historic hotel on the Riverside that draws a huge crowd because of the heralded annual events, the festival of lights, and many more, which include about 4 million lights displayed gracefully. Santa Claus visits this place, and it is a popular place known for its largest man-made mistletoe, carriage rides drawn by horses, and many more.

Location: 3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, 951-784-0300

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2. Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills

Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills

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If you are in Beverly Hills, this place will drench you in the festive spirit. You will never see a hotel lobby decorated like this, taking inspiration from a Winter Wonderland. It will provide you with Christmas Day events, and you can eat ornament desserts, enjoy live music, and much more.

Location: 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-275-5200

3. Ritz-Carlton, Marina Del Rey

Ritz-Carlton, Marina Del Rey

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If you are considering lodging in a posh hotel, this is the right place for you. You will be able to enjoy the gorgeous views of the Marina, and the hotel ensures that the guests are enjoying all the holiday spirit. You will also get a prime view of the famous fireworks and boat parade from here.

Location: 4375 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, 310-823-1700

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Weather In LA During Christmas

Image Credit: Geographer for Wikimedia

LA weather during Christmas might be one of the rainiest months of the year. The average high temperature during this time will be approximately 20 degrees Celsius, while the average low will be 10 degrees Celsius. It is a perfect time to explore tourist attractions; in fact, the last two weeks of the month are jam-packed with tourists because of holiday vibes. Remember to carry a raincoat or an umbrella to keep you dry. 

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Christmas is all about beautiful decorations, such as Carol singing, Christmas dinner, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and many more. So, even if you are in Los Angeles during this time with your family, these are the things to do at Christmas in Los Angeles. The Christmas weather in Los Angeles is different, and winter will not ultimately come to Los Angeles during this time. Still, it will not stop the people from celebrating the holiday season with the same enthusiasm. So whether it’s a celebration of Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year or a combination, you have everything you need to celebrate Christmas in Los Angeles. So, what are you waiting for? Plan a trip to Los Angeles right now!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas In Los Angeles

Where is Christmas celebrated in Los Angeles?

Here are some of the happening spots in Los Angeles where you can spend your Christmas: 1. The Queen Mary 2. Disneyland 3. LA Zoo 4. Descanso Gardens 5. Long Beach 6. Griffith Park

How is the weather in Los Angeles in December?

Los Angeles in December is perfect for you if you hate cold, shivering minds. The maximum temperature is 20 degrees Celsius, and the minimum is 14 degrees Celsius. The winter in LA is mild and pleasant.

What is there to do in LA on Christmas?

Have these awesome experiences in Los Angeles on Christmas: 1. Watch the Hollywood Christmas Parade 2. Go Ice-skating 3. Enjoy watching Disneyland Christmas Fantasy 4. Hop on a Christmas Boat Parade 5. Watch the NutCracker Ballet

What is there to do on Christmas Day in Hollywood?

You can do the following things on Christmas Day in and near Hollywood: 1. Watch Hollywood Christmas Parade 2. Visit the Winter Wonderland at The Grove 3. Visit the Griffith Observatory 4. Check out the Museum of Illusions

Is December a good time to visit LA?

Yes, December is a good time to visit Los Angeles, California as the weather is amazing. It is a festive season all over the country. Enjoy the Christmas and New Year celebrations in Los Angeles and have a memorable experience.

Where should I go for Christmas in California?

These are the places you should head to for Christmas holidays: 1. Queen Mary 2. Solvang 3. The Mission Inn 4. Newport Beach 5. Anaheim 6. Palm Springs


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