What’s open on Thanksgiving day in Los Angeles

This delightful tribute to the horticultural magic of Southern California includes more than 600 varieties of camellias and some five acres of roses. Just a heads-up that Enchanted Forest of Light, the illuminated, after-hours holidays event at Descanso, won’t be running on the evening of Thanksgiving but will be the rest of the weekend.

Cinephiles study their ABCs at this beloved movie theater, defined by its bargain prices, shabby charm and film-for-film’s-sake attitude—not to mention that its owner is none other than Quentin Tarantino, making for an always-eclectic bill. Its Thanksgiving picks are typically more interesting than whatever you’ll find at the multiplex. This year, it’s screening new horror film Keeper and the latest installment of Knives Out. Meanwhile, Tarantino’s other theater, the Vista, will be showing Stephen King’s The Running Man and classic Thanksgiving flick Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

L.A. doesn’t typically seem like much of a winter wonderland, until, that is, you create an ice skating rink right in the midst of Downtown’s skyscrapers. Come glide around and pretend there’s snow on the ground at Pershing Square’s outdoor holiday skating rink—which will be open from noon to 10pm on Thanksgiving.

These gorgeous grounds in Arcadia are perfect for a little peace and quiet on the holiday. You could wander these gardens for hours; many do, taking in tropical forests and waterfalls, trees and fish—and listening to the cries of the resident peafowl.

If watching sea otters and penguins is more your speed than making small talk over dinner, then spend the afternoon at this Long Beach aquarium. Reservations are currently required on weekends and holidays—and if you’re hungry, you can book a Thanksgiving lunch on the veranda, as well.

OK, so the museum portion of Griffith Observatory is technically closed on Thanksgiving Day, but our favorite part of the landmark is taking in the views, which you’ll still be able to do. The star attraction here has always been the building itself and the vantage point it affords of the cityscape, the hills of Griffith Park and the famed Hollywood Sign. It’s one of the city’s must-see attractions and a perfect place to watch the sun set over another Thanksgiving.

Drift into the Convention Center for the L.A. Auto Show, which runs for 10 days and features cars that would even make Bond drool. With world and North American debuts from a slate of manufacturers, rev up for the machines of the future. If you’re a car nerd, get behind the wheel to test drive one of the cherry rides; see custom, exotic and luxury vehicles in the Showcase Hall; or tackle an obstacle course in a Ford Bronco or Jeep. Wish you had a pup to ride shotgun? You can even adopt a pet on-site. On Thanksgiving, the expo is open from 9am to 4pm.

This South Bay botanic garden covers 87 acres on the northeast side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. To visit, you’ll just need to secure a timed entry ticket—including on Thanksgiving. Or you can come at night for the ticketed Astra Lumina light show—a celestial delight.

Located just blocks from the ocean, Ice in downtown Santa Monica brings a bit of winter to the comfortable coastal city. The 8,000-square-foot outdoor rink runs daily from November to mid-January on the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue (less than a 10-minute walk from the E Line). The rink will be open on Thanksgiving from noon to 10pm.

We can’t think of a better way to spend a traditionally stressful holiday than luxuriating away from the hustle and bustle, tucked away in the relaxing embrace of clay and steam. There are Korean spas—a classic L.A. experience—and then there’s Wi. The 24-hour mega spa offers treatment rooms; five different saunas including jade, clay, salt and ice rooms; hot and cold tubs; a TV lounge area; a restaurant; library; and even sleeping areas. Just make sure you’re comfortable with nudity—bathing suits aren’t allowed in the spas.

The Laugh Factory is one of those clubs where you bring visitors if they want to see comedy celebrities—its round glowing orange sign is an iconic image synonymous with L.A. comedy. On Thanksgiving, the Factory typically hosts an annual free Thanksgiving feast that’s open to anyone—the visiting, the hungry, the homeless, the lonely—and served by comics and other celebs, who also perform sets throughout the afternoon. There are also two ticketed shows later in the evening—the lineups are T.B.A.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s hillside theme park offers some worthwhile thrills fueled by silver-screen memories. And what better way to partake in a bit of holiday magic than at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where it always feels like a Thanksgiving feast anyway. Make sure to catch “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts” light show once it gets dark. The adjoining CityWalk will be open, too, from 11am to 9pm.

You’re going to need a reservation, and you’re almost surely going to walk in thinking, “I can’t believe all of these other families decided to come today, too.” But by Thanksgiving, Disneyland, California Adventure and their rides will already be decked out in a bit of holiday magic.

If you fancy a day trip on Thanksgiving, may we suggest the Festival of Lights? Riverside’s stunningly beautiful Mission Inn is bathed in over 10 million twinkly lights during the annual event, which has lit up the city for 33 years now. The free, six-week-long holiday tradition runs from November 22 to January 6 this year and typically features more than 400 festive, animated figures.