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As we put a bow on 2024, Los Angeles is lined up for a host of holiday parades, annual concerts, family-friendly “snow” days, block parties, lights displays, tree lightings, art activations and outdoor movies (just be sure to bring a blanket!). And of course there will be plenty of ways to ring in New Year’s Eve.
It’s all on deck for this December in L.A. Check out the full list below, and enjoy the last (best) to-dos of the year!
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M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Hollywood Christmas Parade (December 1) -> One of the city’s largest (and most festive!) annual events is back on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This year’s Hollywood Christmas Parade will feature a U-shaped parade route running east on Hollywood Blvd, to Vine St, south on Vine St to Sunset Blvd, and west on Sunset Blvd. back to Orange Drive. It all kicks off at 6 p.m. More info here.
Deck the Hall Holiday Concerts at The Walt Disney Concert Hall (starting December 1) – M > The LA Phil’s annual lineup of Holiday-themed concerts is sprinkled throughout December, including an opening concert with Lesile Odom Jr., a holiday sing-Along, jazzed-up holiday tunes with Arturo Sandoval, Home Alone in concert, and New Year’s Eve with D-Nice. More info here.
The Front Yard Holiday Block Party (December 1) -> The Front Yard restaurant inside The Garland Hotel hosts a holiday benefit to support Toys for Tots to start December. The “block party” style affair features live music by FM Station Quartet, a pop-up holiday shop, and samples from over a dozen participating wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Tickets are $45 in advance. New, unwrapped gifts are welcome too! Starts at 2 p.m. More info here.
L.A. County Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Music Center (December 2) – FA M TP > L.A. County’s official holiday tree lightning event at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza is scheduled for the first Monday in December. The annual free celebration to of open to the public, offering live music, art-making, snow flurries and complimentary hot chocolate. Runs 5 to 7 p.m.
City of San Gabriel Holiday Tree Lighting (December 3)- M FA >The City of San Gabriel hosts a Holiday Tree Lighting featuring photos with Santa, mini train rides, and live entertainment. Taking place in the Mission District the festive event will also include a Taste of San Gabriel experience with samples from local restaurants and cafes. Free to attend. More info here.
Grand Illuminations Opening Night (December 4) – FA M TP > DTLA Alliance’s Grand Illuminations is bringing a holiday light spectacle to Downtown Los Angeles hosted at The Yard at Cal Plaza. Here you’ll find special installations by LA-based artist group Liquid PXL including large-scale kinetic sculptures, ten radiant Electric Dandelions and a custom designed 25-food LED light tree. It’s all open to the public through January 8. The light sculptures debut during a Grand Holiday Celebration on December 4 when things kick off with a lightning ceremony, live music and refreshments from 5 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Long Beach Christmas Tree Lighting 2024 (December 4) – M FA > The 10th annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Long Beach returns Live music, photo ops with Santa, food trucks, and a 67-foot tall Christmas tree featuring more than 500,000 lights. Runs 5 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Downtown Culver City 2024 Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Sled-tacular (December 5) – M FA > Downtown Culver City welcomes the holiday season with 50 tons of fresh snow (twice as much as last year), fun sledding activities (waiver required), live music, and a tree Lighting ceremony with the Culver City Mayor. Event starts at 5 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Hot Chocolate Nutcracker (December 5-8) -> Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) presents its award-winning production of “Hot Chocolate Nutcracker” at Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. The highly-anticipated performance follows a young girl, Kara as she steps into a land of wonder journeying to fantastical places such as Candy Cane Land, Egypt, the Indian Rainforest/Bollywood, Jazzland, Russia and the Land of the Kimono Dolls. Tickets start at $54.59. More info here.
Tree Lighting at Pasadena City Hall (December 6) – M FA > Pasadena City Hall gets the holiday treatment with a special tree lighting ceremony hosted by the mayor of Pasadena. The celebration features local singers and dancers, crafts for kids provided by Armory Center for the Arts, light refreshments, and an appearance by Santa Claus. Runs to 5 to 7 p.m., with the lighting taking place at 6 p.m. More info here.
First Friday in Chinatown (December 6) – M FA > L.A.’s Chinatown stays open late for an evening of exploring the unique small businesses, restaurants and contemporary art and culture spaces that make up the historic neighborhood. This month First Friday is bigger than ever teaming up with dozens of businesses, music, extended hours at art galleries, a pop up market at Chung King Plaza and the new addition of the Damnoen Saduak Thai Market at Far East Plaza. More info here.
Venice Sign Lighting and Holiday Block Party (December 7) – FA M > The Venice Sign is getting the holiday treatment, and to celebrate the occasion a portion of Windward Avenue will be closed down for a street festival, staged entertainment, and family friendly activities. More info here.
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Hollywood Park’s Second Annual Winter Fest (December 7) – FA > Winter Fest, Hollywood Park’s holiday celebration, is a free event for all ages that includes photos with Black Santa, a celebrity pickleball tournament hosted by Baron Davis, activities from future Hollywood Park tenants and local businesses, food trucks, music from DJs, live performances, and more. Free to attend. Additionally, Hollywood Park’s monthly Farmers Market by FarmHabit will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. More info here.
101st Annual Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony and Winter Festival (December 7) – FA TP > Every year, Altadena’s one-mile stretch of Deodar Cedars gets decked out in holiday lights, and to mark the beginning of the 2024 transformation, there will be family-friendly festival at Altadena Library featuring food, drink, and arts and crafts vendors. More info here.
Creative Communal Holiday Market at Runway Playa Vista (December 7 & 14) – FA > Creative Communal brings it’s brand of holiday market to Runway Playa Vista on two Saturdays in December, offering 30+ vendors offering jewelry, leather goods, men’s apparel, fine art, home goods, and more. Runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both dates. Free to attend. More info here.
Yuletide Cinemaland (December 7-23) – M > Street Food Cinema’s annual lineup of festive favorites is back at Heritage Square Museum with holiday inspired cocktails, a Yuletide Market, live piano sing-along, guided Victorian home tours and more, all paired with outdoor movie screenings Tickets cost $40.60 for adults and $23.64 for kids 6-11 years-old with parking passes starting at $28.93. More info here.
Downtown Burbank Winter Arts Festival (December 7-8) – FA M -> Indie artisan market Jackalope has curated a special winter lineup of vendors for the Downtown Burbank Winter Arts Festival this December. The two-day event covers a stretch of San Fernando Blvd from Magnolia to Angeleno with over 170 vendors offering hand-crafted artisan goods, visual art, photography, jewelry, paper goods, housewares, and more. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both dates. Free to attend. More info here.
The Annual Ebell Holiday Ball – An Enchanted Soirée -> The Ebell of Los Angeles, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring women and building community through arts, culture and education, is celebrating 130 years of storied history with an Enchanted Soirée featuring cocktails, a 3-course dinner, music and dancing. Tickets are $135. More info here.
Holiday Movie Night at Ivy Station (December 7) – M FA -> Culver City’s Ivy Station will host a Holiday Movie Night screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000). Bring a blanket and snag a spot on the lawn, snap a festive photo at their selfie station and enjoy complimentary popcorn courtesy of Motion Flix. Free to attend. More info here.
CicLAvia – The Valley (December 8) – M FA > L.A.’s signature open streets event caps 2024 by carving out 5 miles of walkable/bikeable road in the San Fernando Valley with a route along Sherman Way. Runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get more info here.
A Snowy Wonderland in Inglewood (December 8) – FA > Crenshaw Imperial Plaza hosts an afternoon of snow sledding and snow play with a real snowman, kids crafts, raffle prizes and photos with Santa. Free to attend! More info here.
Sunday Studio at MOCA Geffen (December 8) – M FA > The Museum of Contemporary Art’s quarterly art party features food, music, and local vendors, plus guests can stop in for special activities including a creative session with optical devices and play inspired by Olafur Eliasson: OPEN, plus a hands-on pickling workshop introducing folks to basic concepts in fermentation, led by L.A.-based fermented food instructor Jess Wang. Admission is free, but you have to RSVP in advance. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info here.
Miracle on Main Street 2024 – FA > Miracle on Main Street returns to Santa Monica with an evening of kids activities, carolers, an appearance by Santa, a performance by the Santa Monica High School Choir, and a tree lighting on the California Heritage Museum lawn. It’s all free to attend. Runs from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. More info here.
El Segundo Holiday Parade (December 8) – FA > The 60th Annual El Segundo Holiday Parade returns with the theme “Candy Cane Lane on Main”. Expect magical displays of festive cheer from local schools and organizations, to marching bands, vintage cars, businesses and floats. More info here.
Seth & Dylan’s 24 Hour Hallmark Holiday Movie Craptacular! (December 13) -> Join Seth Kirschner and Dylan Dawson for their annual whirlwind tradition of writing an entire Hallmark-style holiday movie from scratch in just 24 hours! With no rehearsals, their talented comedian and actor friends perform a completely cold reading of the script live—hilarity guaranteed. Catch the one-night-only event at The Lyric Hyperion in Silver Lake. Tickets are $17.85. More info here.
Ivy Station Holiday Market (December 13) – M FA >Take a walk and shop for gifts from 30+ local vendors at the Ivy Station Holiday Night Market in Culver City. Plus, you’ll find gourmet food trucks, pop-ups, craft beer from Los Angeles Ale Works, photos with Santa, DIY ornament-making, adoptable dogs from A Purposeful Rescue, and more. Runs 5 to 10 p.m.
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The 69th Compton Christmas Parade (December 14)- FA > The 69th Compton Christmas Parade runs along Compton Blvd and Bullis St, with a 2024 theme of “Holly Jolly Hub City”. Runs 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. More info here.
CAAM Kwanzaa Kuumba Celebration 2024 (December 14) –FA M> California African American Museum hosts a Kwanzaa celebration focused on the sixth principal of Kwanzaa, Kuumba—or creativity. The programming includes a Self-Care yoga session with instructor Constance Hartwell followed by interactive family storytime, and zine making AbleARTS. Runs 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. More info here.
Valley Cultural Foundation’s 4th Annual Holiday Arts & Music Festival (December 14) – FA > Enjoy some holiday fun including free photos with Santa, snow play, small business shopping, food trucks and crafts for kids, all presented at the Valley Cultural Foundation’s annual holiday fest at Warner Park. Free to attend. More info here.
Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade (December 14) – FA TP > The Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade returns for the 62nd edition, offering musical entertainment, food trucks, and a pre-parade lights display. The public can enjoy from viewing spots at Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village. The parade begins at 6 p.m., immediately preceded by the fireworks display. More info here.
PetCon (December 14) -> The Wallis Annenberg PetSpace welcomes PetCon, a day focused on all the special animals in our lives. Put on by The Dog Agency, the convention features pet expert panels, fun activities (including agility courses and pet tattoos) plus meet + greets with celebrity pet guests. Oh, and of course there will be plenty of adoptable pups on hand too! GA tickets start at $35. More info here.
Discovery Cube LA’s Holiday Village (December 14, 2024 through January 5, 2025) -> Step into a winter wonderland at Discovery Cube LA’s Holiday Village. Explore gingerbread houses, enjoy festive décor, and get into seasonal crafts and activities. Tickets are $20 for adults and $17 for children ages 3–14. More info here.
The Echo Park Community Parade (December 14) – FA> The Echo Park Community Parade returns with a route along Sunset Blvd. The parade starts at 11 a.m. More info here.
Holiday Block Party in the Arts District (December 15) – M FA > Makeshift Muse, in partnership with Angel City Brewery and Truly LA, is brings their brand of curated vendors to the Arts District for a block party holiday event, featuring food, music, and goods for purchase. Both Rose and Traction avenues will be closed and 50+ local brands will dot the streets ready for you to explore unique gifts. There will be festive bites and seasonal beverages at both Truly LA and Angel City Brewery. Free to attend. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info here.
Hanukkah Festival at the Skirball Cultural Center (December 15) -> The Skirball’s annual Hanukkah Festival is multigenerational celebration featuring live music, kid friendly activities, tasty traditional treats, and access to exhibition galleries. The Skirball Storytellers will also bring the Hanukkah story to life with a theatrical performance featuring music and puppetry. Then, as sundown approaches, there will be a community candle lighting ceremony. GA tickets start at $20. More info here.
Snow Day at Common Space Brewery (December 15) – FA > Common Space Brewery in Hawthorne transforms into a snowy wonderland with 20 tons of fresh snow for one special morning. Families can enjoy arts and crafts, story time, games, and a kids’ holiday market. It’s all free to attend. Runs 9:30 a.m. to noon. More info here.
Chanukah Celebration at the Original Farmers Market (December 19) – FA > Spend a joyous afternoon at the Original Farmers Market celebrating Chanukah with youth performances by JLA, LEGO menorah building, and Chanukah crafts and sing-a-longs. It all takes place on the Market Plaza from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. More info here.
National Geographic Live: Adventures in Caving (December 19) -> A new edition of NatGeo Live comes to BroadStage this December, highlighting the life and work of Robbie Shone. For more than two decades, Stone has traveled to remote regions to put his lens on the world’s deepest, largest, and longest cave systems. Adventures in Caving offers an in depth look at the mesmerizing beauty in some of Earth’s last true frontiers of exploration. Tickets start at $65. More info here.
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The Queer Mercado (December 21) – M > The Queer Mercado brings queer product and food vendors to the East L.A. Civic Center every third Saturday of the month. In addition to shopping the market will also feature drag performances, DJ, and other live entertainment. Runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.
LA County Holiday Celebration (December 24) – M FA > The 65th annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration returns live to The Music Center with a diverse lineup of L.A.-based artists performing holiday favorites. If you can’t make it out for the show, remember the performance will also be broadcast on PBS SoCal and streamed live on pbssocal.org. Runs 3 to 6 p.m. More info here.
Grand Park New Years Eve Celebration (December 31) – M FA TP > Take part in Los Angeles’ flagship NYE celebration with live music, family-friendly activities, and a spectacular countdown show featuring 3D light projections at City Hall. Free to attend as always! More info here.
Dreamland New Year’s Eve Party (December 31) -> Hawthorne’s Common Space Brewery welcomes 2025 with a pajama party feature special visuals, food options, and DJ-spun tunes. No cover to attend. 21+ only. Runs 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. More info here.
Night Dive New Year’s Eve (December 31) – M > The Aquarium of the Pacific rings in the New Year with a special edition of their adults-only, Night Dive program. The evening includes live music, magic, and a confetti countdown to 2025. Tickets run $89.95 person. More info here.
Noon Year’s Eve at Discovery Cube Los Angeles (December 31) -> Celebrate the new year early with the whole family at Discovery Cube Los Angeles! The event features music, dancing, engaging science exhibits, and a spectacular balloon drop, complete with apple cider toasts at noon and 3 p.m. Tickets are $26 per person. More info here.
New Years Eve Fireworks & GLOW Party at Marina del Rey (December 31) – M FA > Celebrate the New Year with fireworks in Marina del Rey. Enjoy a ten-minute fireworks show, at 8:59 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. The shows will be shot from the Marina’s south jetty and can be viewed from virtually anywhere in Marina del Rey. The free family-friendly Glow Party takes place at Burton Chace Park, 7 p.m. to midnight. More info here.
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