Christmas in Los Angeles

Your guide to Christmas events and activities in Los Angeles, including a holiday gift guide, the best Christmas movies and fun ways to warm up

By Time Out editors Posted: Tuesday November 13 2018

Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
Photograph: Courtesy Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade

While we may not be dreaming of a white Christmas in Los Angeles, we can certainly look forward to tons of shopping and more than a few Christmas lights on palm trees. We’ve gathered together a list of the best Christmas events, activities, movies and songs for this most magical time of year. If it’s shopping you’re after, we have the ultimate holiday gift guide and some great stocking stuffer ideas. Don’t miss out on these holiday events because before you know it New Year’s Eve planning will be in full swing and then it’ll be back to work (or whatever pays for all your partying). Merry Christmas!

Best selling Christmas events

Los Angeles Holiday Lights Tour
Things to do Buy tickets

Los Angeles Holiday Lights Tour

$22

Buy
Annual Yule Log Bake & Take
Things to do Buy tickets

Annual Yule Log Bake & Take

$125

Buy
The Nutcracker
Dance Buy tickets

The Nutcracker

From Nov 24-Dec 24

Buy
Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square
Things to do Buy tickets

Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square

Now- Jan 21

Users say
4 out of 5 stars
Buy
Show more

Christmas events in Los Angeles

Christmas events in Los Angeles
Things to do

Christmas events in Los Angeles

There are plenty of Christmas events and holiday activities to get you in the festive mood.

Where to see Christmas lights in L.A.
Things to do

Where to see Christmas lights in L.A.

Take the time to check out these twinkling neighborhoods and attractions.

Where to go ice skating in Los Angeles
Things to do

Where to go ice skating in Los Angeles

Make the city your winter wonderland at these outdoor rinks.

Holiday markets in Los Angeles
Shopping

Holiday markets in Los Angeles

Fed up with mass-produced merch and crowded stores? Try a holiday market instead.

The best Christmas shows and ‘Nutcrackers’ in Los Angeles
Theater

The best Christmas shows and ‘Nutcrackers’ in Los Angeles

What better way to get in the festive spirit than with a Christmas show?

Where to hear and go Christmas caroling in Los Angeles
Things to do

Where to hear and go Christmas caroling in Los Angeles

Belt out classic Christmas songs or hum along to traditional hymns at these performances.

A guide to SantaCon
Things to do

A guide to SantaCon

SantaCon is a holiday celebration with a pretty simple premise. Get a whole bunch of people to dress up like Santa Claus and hit the town. 

A guide to the Hollywood Christmas Parade
Things to do

A guide to the Hollywood Christmas Parade

Every year we don our gay apparel (still too tight from Thanksgiving dinner) and head to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

See more in our December events calendar
Things to do

See more in our December events calendar

The holidays are here for real and they’ve taken over our December events calendar.

More ways to celebrate Christmas

Where to buy Christmas trees in Los Angeles
Things to do

Where to buy Christmas trees in Los Angeles

Start decorating with a tree from one of these places, including real, fake and live trees, along with places where you can cut your own.

Grocery stores open on Christmas in L.A.
Shopping

Grocery stores open on Christmas in L.A.

Need a last minute ingredient? These grocery stores have you covered.

Where to go for pictures with Santa in Los Angeles
Things to do

Where to go for pictures with Santa in Los Angeles

Whether for your Christmas cards or a keepsake, here are the best places to get a picture with Santa.

The 50 best Christmas movies
Movies

The 50 best Christmas movies

Roast a chestnut, nog an egg and settle in with some cookies and milk to Time Out’s top Christmas movies.

The best L.A. Christmas ornaments
Shopping

The best L.A. Christmas ornaments

Los Angeles may have the nickname of “Tinseltown,” but at Christmas time, it’s all about the ornaments.

1
Where to eat Christmas dinner in L.A.
Restaurants

Where to eat Christmas dinner in L.A.

Skip the at-home turkey basting and dine out instead.

Where to have Christmas brunch in L.A.
Restaurants

Where to have Christmas brunch in L.A.

Take a break from unwrapping presents with a fantastic Christmas brunch at these festive L.A. restaurants.

15 Christmas tree fails on Instagram
News

15 Christmas tree fails on Instagram

Some of these are worse than Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree

The best local charities to donate to in L.A.
Things to do

The best local charities to donate to in L.A.

Spread the wealth during the holiday season with these 10 fantastic local organizations 

2
30 things we wish Santa would bring L.A. for Christmas
News

30 things we wish Santa would bring L.A. for Christmas

Here’s what we want for Los Angeles this year.

Holiday gift guide

The best L.A. experiences to give as gifts
Shopping

The best L.A. experiences to give as gifts

We’re all about experiences over things.

The best gift shops in Los Angeles
Shopping

The best gift shops in Los Angeles

These shops are full to the brim with giftable goodies.

Christmas gifts for her this holiday season
Shopping

Christmas gifts for her this holiday season

Doing a little holiday shopping for a special lady in your life?

Christmas gifts for him that he’ll actually love
Shopping

Christmas gifts for him that he’ll actually love

Always running out of gift ideas for him?

Show more

See more of our past Christmas coverage

13 winter cocktails to keep you warm and fuzzy
Bars

13 winter cocktails to keep you warm and fuzzy

We scoured LA's best bars to find the drinks that make you want to curl up by the fire and get toasted.

12 L.A. beers of Christmas
Bars

12 L.A. beers of Christmas

Here are 12 holiday beers from local breweries that are just as tasty as they are festive.

Where to find the best Christmas cookies
Restaurants

Where to find the best Christmas cookies

Head to these bakeries for all your holiday cookie needs.

Best gift shops in L.A. for anyone on your list
Shopping

Best gift shops in L.A. for anyone on your list

We searched the city for the best gift shops and bring you the top places for the next time you need to buy a present.

Artisans in L.A. show off their handmade wares
Shopping

Artisans in L.A. show off their handmade wares

Meet 13 local artisans and shop their hand-crafted wares—you'll never give a boring gift again.

The best ugly Christmas sweaters
Shopping

The best ugly Christmas sweaters

Shop our picks of the season's hilarious knits, sure to stand out at any ugly sweater party.

You might also like