Christmas cheer comes alive when festive events and holiday lights start rising in almost every corner of Los Angeles. Nothing can put you in a holiday mood more than the glittering lights and twinkling trees that light up your spirits and smiles. And while Los Angeles may not have the winter weather charm, they do a fantastic job of making its sunny warm weather feel like having a white Christmas. Kids are undoubtedly excited to visit their favorite spot, wander through the dazzling displays of color, light, and sound, and have a mesmerizing experience this yuletide season!
It’s been a family holiday season tradition to go to a place where the only thing to do is be amazed by your surroundings with all things merry and bright. From the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremonies to social events at popular attractions, we made a list of the best places to see dazzling holiday lights in Los Angeles with kids. So, start planning your tour route and prepare everyone for the magical experience of a lifetime!
Disneyland Anaheim
1313 Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, CA 92802
Phone Number: (714) 781-4636
November 10, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Daily | 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Talking about holiday lights in Los Angeles this Christmas season is hard without mentioning Disneyland. Sure, the Happiest Place on Earth is already sky-high in “wow factor,” but the resort ups its merriment ante big-time over the holidays. From a wintery light projection that makes Sleeping Beauty’s castle look like it’s dripping in high-def icicles to the “It’s a Small World” facade transformed into a wall of colorful twinkling lights, Disneyland shines in a whole new way this time of year!
You’ll experience holiday joy everywhere you turn, with decor and lights strewn all over the park and the “Believe in Holiday Magic” fireworks display, ending the night with stirring music, snow showers, and a spectacular light show. The lights also dazzle at California Adventure, where the streets are similarly adorned. Experience the most magical time of year with celebrations throughout both parks.
L.A. Arboretum
301 North Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007
Phone Number: (626) 821-3222
November 17, 2023 – January 2, 2024
Daily | 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Walk off that holiday meal at the best holiday light experience. Lightscape is an internationally acclaimed extravaganza of light, art, and music that transforms the Arboretum into an illuminated night experience. Wander along stunning new installations on an expanded trail that includes the magnificent Winter Cathedral. Lightscape is truly memorable and a family-friendly walking event in Los Angeles that is perfect for holiday entertaining and gatherings.
Uplit trees and over a dozen illuminated Christmas installations dot the roughly mile-long pathway at the second edition of Lightscape at the Los Angeles County Arboretum during the holiday season. Whether or not the cost of admission is worth it will primarily come down to just how badly you want to pose for photos inside the cathedral-like light tunnel.
Downtown Santa Monica
3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone Number: (310) 393-8355
November 16, 2023 – January 15, 2024
Daily | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Downtown Santa Monica brings the holidays to the Third Street Promenade, transforming the downtown district into an immersive, festive experience. Tens of thousands of colorful lights, decor, and garland will deck the Third Street Promenade and 2nd and 4th Streets, providing convenient, illuminating shopping and relaxing outdoor dining experiences.
The annual tree lighting will be held Thursday, December 1st, from 6 – 8 pm, and Third Street Promenade will glow under tens of thousands of lights illuminating festive outdoor retail and dining. There will be performances by local school groups, free photos with Santa, and a snowy surprise.
The Bloc
700 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone Number: (213) 454-4926
November 17, December 31, 2023
Daily | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Experience a magical holiday show as 18 million hues of lights illuminate the night and synchronize to festive tunes. SPARKLE DTLA at The Bloc will take you through an unforgettable nighttime journey that includes one of L.A.’s largest multi-colored interactive holiday displays. Capture your perfect photo-op moments at this ultimate holiday experience.
This experience is FREE to attend and is open to all ages. Furry friends are also welcome. Capture your perfect photo-op moments in this ultimate holiday experience. Visit and enjoy the holiday season and vibes at The Bloc.
Beverly Canon Gardens Park
241 North Cañon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone Number: (310) 248-1015
November 16, 2023 – January 1, 2024
Daily | 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Experience stunning sparkling light sculptures at Beverly Cañon Gardens near The Maybourne Beverly Hills. The Glowing Gardens is made from scribble sculptures in Beverly Cañon Gardens, full of graceful light ribbons that spring forth from the central fountain and nearby plazas. Visitors are enchanted by colors and animation moving along the cursive forms reminiscent of artful brushstrokes, water droplets, shooting stars, or golden embers rising from a fireplace.
Beverly Drive typically gets covered in white lights and a willow tree decked out in gold decor. A familiar form extends the light ribbon motif to create a glowing heart. Guests step inside the sculpture, embraced by the love of the community and the season for a unique photo op.
The Grove
189 The Grove Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone Number: (323) 900-8080
November 13 – December 25, 2023
Daily | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
At Christmas, The Grove pulls out all the stops, and the shopping destination transforms into a magical wonderland. Expect nightly “snow” nightly, the iconic installation of Santa and his slap with holiday music filling the air. Two of the tallest trees on the West Coast glitter with 25,000 lights and ornaments.
Immerse yourself in the season’s magic with twinkling lights, festive sights, and joyful experiences everywhere you turn. Enjoy live entertainment, the season’s first snowfall, a fireworks finale, and more alongside your local community.
Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone Number: (323) 644-4200
November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Daily | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
(Closed most Mondays and Tuesdays plus Thanksgiving Day, December 24 & 25)
Explore an immersive landscape filled with dazzling new lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers, towering trees, and more for a nature-focused holiday celebration that’s as inspiring as it is breathtaking. This year’s experience features all-new seasonal wonders, including a magical Winter Wildlands with majestic pine trees, glowing ice crystals, snow-loving animals, views of the “northern lights,” and spectacular photo spots for the ultimate holiday snaps.
The event’s “Animals Aglow” edition has gone all in on oversized animal-shaped lanterns, resulting in a colorful, charming trail celebrating the zoo’s natural inhabitants. The lanterns inspired by the venue’s wild residents are plentiful and vibrant, and many come to life with playful movements. Flora also shares some of the focus, particularly along the trail of pink cherry blossom lights.
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Phone Number: (818) 949-4200
November 19, 2023 – January 7, 20243
Daily | 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
(Closed on Nov. 23, Dec. 24 & 25)
Descanso’s Enchanted Forest of Light is an interactive nighttime holiday experience unlike many other Holiday events in Los Angeles, featuring a one-mile walk through unique lighting experiences in some of the most beloved areas of Descanso Gardens this Christmas season. Each year, the botanical garden masterfully mixes hands-on art installations with atmospheric, luminescent forests, all against a background of uplit trees and shimmery sound effects.
Don’t miss popular returning illuminated favorites, including an entire town of magical “stained glass” creations on the Main Lawn by contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin, sparkling geometric installations from HYBYCOZO in the Rose Garden, Flower Power on the Promenade, and exquisite lighting effects in the Ancient Forest. Stroll through it and marvel at the variety of large-scale light displays allowing visitors to manipulate the lights and sounds.
O.C. Fair & Event Center
88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone Number: (714) 708-1500
November 24, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Thursday – Friday | 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday | 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Winter Fest OC is a celebration that brings the magic of winter to Southern California, creating an immersive experience that will leave you captivated and filled with wonder. Embrace the spirit of the season as you create unforgettable memories with loved ones, surrounded by the enchanting sights, sounds, and tastes of winter. Over a million lights, massive holiday decor, and thrilling activities await.
Journey to a magical winter wonderland with oversized holiday decor, more than a million lights, and endless opportunities for memory-making. This year’s new attraction is “North Pole Journey,” an immersive walkthrough experience that guides guests through 5 themed areas on a critical mission to meet Santa and save the holidays.
Burton Chase Park
13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Phone Number: (310) 306-9900
December 1-31, 2023
Daily | 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The holiday season in Marina del Rey will offer locals and visitors a festive atmosphere, including the annual Marina Lights at Burton Chace Park and the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show. The family-friendly GLOW party returns to Burton Chace Park this year on New Year’s Eve. And, of course, the beloved Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade will bring joy to the waterfront.
The public is invited to walk, bike, or paddle throughout the harbor to see the boats decorated in holiday lights. Take a stroll and shop throughout Fisherman’s Village, Boardwalk Shops, Waterside Shops, and nightly twinkling holiday lights throughout December.
VENICE Sign
100 Windward Ave., Venice, CA 90291
Phone Number: (310) 822-425
December 2, 2023
Saturday | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Join the Venice Chamber of Commerce, special guests, and your community for what has become a beloved tradition of changing the lights on the Venice Sign from white to red and green for the holidays. The 12th Annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting Event marks the onset of the holiday season in Los Angeles, uniting the local community, businesses, and artists in a spectacular event celebration.
This year, Venice’s streets will come alive with photo opportunities with Santa, complimentary carnival games at “Windward Wonderland,” and a tantalizing array of free food and drinks at “Holiday Taste of Venice.”This West Los Angeles holiday extravaganza will also feature live performances by Grammy winners, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, and emerging local talents.
South Coast Botanic Garden
26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Phone Number: (424) 452-0920
November 9, 2023 – January 1, 2024
Daily | All Day
Wednesday | 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Astra Lumina returns to Los Angeles for an enchanted night walk at South Coast Botanic Garden that invites visitors to discover the wonder of visiting stars. Set off across mysterious grounds to discover a celestial pathway of lustrous light, cosmic visions, and astral song. Created by the visionary minds at Moment Factory, Astra Lumina LA is the 17th experience in the Lumina Night Walk series.
Invites stargazers to set off across the garden’s celestial pathway to encounter the wonder of the stars and embrace their own human light. As the night unfolds, these luminous orbs regenerate, rise, and reunite in the night sky, to shine brighter than ever before.
Christmastime is all about family gatherings, gift-giving, holiday greetings, and of course, Christmas lights. Amid the holiday frenzy and the city lighting up, this is the best time to take the whole family on a fantasy tour and indulge in yuletide festivities. Our list of Christmas lights and jolly events in Los Angeles offers thrilling holiday experiences for everyone to spend the best quality time together during this beautiful time of year.
Los Angeles offers so many opportunities for kids to enjoy and have fun all year round! Check out our list of resources, or browse through our things to do in Los Angeles with kids. Still looking for more activities for kids in Los Angeles? No problem! Check out our comprehensive listing of places to go in the region and our highly recommended seasonal blog posts.
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