Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families

There are so many Christmas events and holiday activities to help families enjoy the season around Los Angeles and Orange County. Keep checking our Holiday Activities Guide for all of your family's holiday season needs (and whims!).

Looking for a tree? A Nutcracker performance? The best neighborhoods to see Christmas lights? Where to donate gifts? What to do on Christmas Day? All that and more is in our Holiday Guide.

Holiday Activities and Events
DTLA sparkles each night during the holiday season. Photo courtesy of The Bloc
38 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Los Angeles for Kids
Try sock skating at Kidspace Winter Frolic. Photo by Jamie Pham courtesy of the Museum
16 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Los Angeles for Kids
Say hi to the conductor before meeting Santa on the Southern California Polar Express Train Ride. Photo courtesy of the train
Best Polar Express Train Rides & Christmas Trains in Los Angeles
Enchanted: Forest of Light is one of the best holiday light displays in LA. Photo by Kathryn Rapier, courtesy of the event.
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Los Angeles
Ice skate and ride the Ferris wheel at Irvine Spectrum Center. Photo by Allen Ling
Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Los Angeles for Kids and Families
Those eight crazy nights are approaching and we’ve got everything you need to celebrate Hanukkah with your family. Photo courtesy Cottonbro Studios
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Holiday Fun at Home
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Uh-oh! The elf tangled up your tree lights! Photo by Mark Baylor, courtesy of Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
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Latest Christmas/Hanukkah News

Pull on the iconic blue parka and check out ICE! featuring The Polar Express. Photo courtesy of the author
What is Open on Christmas Day in DC: A List of Awesome Things To Do
Need something to do on Christmas Day? Here are some places you can visit near DC.
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Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens is one of several light shows open between Christmas and New Year's. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery Parks
DC Top Things to Do Between Christmas and New Year's with Kids
Keep kids entertained with these fun things to do over Christmas vacation 2025.
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Don't want to cook this Christmas? Treat your family to a festive meal at a restaurant! Photo courtesy of Canva
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Skip the cooking and cleanup and head to one of these restaurants on Christmas Day.
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You don't need to go outside to make and throw snowballs! Photo by the author
Christmas at Gaylord National Resort with Kids: ICE! and More Holiday Fun Near DC in National Harbor
Here's all the inside info on Christmas at Gaylord National Harbor.
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Enjoy snow every night at Winter City Lights. Photo by Kyle Lanzer courtesy of the Winter City Lights event
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Here are our picks for the best holiday and Christmas lights displays in the DC area.
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The Holiday Boat Parade is visible from both the Wharf and the Alexandria waterfront. Photo courtesy of the Wharf DC
33 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids
Discover holiday fun in and around DC that doesn’t break the piggy bank.
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