Los Angeles does Christmas its own way: palm trees wrapped in lights, a boat parade instead of snow, and a December sun that still reaches the high 60s. This guide lists the holiday events confirmed for the 2026 season, with dates checked on each organizer’s website, plus ideas for seeing the city’s lights in a classic Cadillac or a private SUV.
Christmas events in Los Angeles in 2026
Dates below were confirmed in late October 2026. Ticket prices and times can change, so check the organizer’s site before you go.
Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration: Thursday, November 19
The City of Beverly Hills and the Rodeo Drive Committee switch on the street’s holiday lights from 5 to 8 p.m., with music and performances. This year’s celebration also marks Rodeo Drive’s 50th anniversary. After the lighting, the decorations stay up through the season, so an evening drive down Rodeo and around the Beverly Wilshire is an easy way to see them.
L.A. Zoo Lights: November 20 to January 10
An evening walk through light and lantern displays at the Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park, on select nights (closed on some dates, including Thanksgiving). Tickets start at $19 and parking is free. Book a timed ticket in advance on weekends.
Enchanted: Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens: November 22 to January 9
Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge turns its oak woodland and camellia forest into an illuminated night walk, now in its tenth season. Tickets are timed and priced by date; it is one of the most popular holiday tickets in LA, so book early.
Hollywood Christmas Parade: Sunday, November 29
Celebrities, marching bands and floats on Hollywood Boulevard, the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Expect road closures around Hollywood all afternoon; if you are touring that day, plan the route around the parade.
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade: Saturday, December 12
The 64th annual parade of lighted boats runs from 6 to 8 p.m., with activities at Burton Chace Park from 4 p.m. Watching from the shore is the classic LA Christmas sight, and it goes ahead rain or shine.
Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood
- Holidays at the Disneyland Resort: November 13, 2026 to January 6, 2027. The Christmas Fantasy Parade, holiday versions of Haunted Mansion and “it’s a small world”, and holiday shows (park ticket required).
- Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood: November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Grinchmas, Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with the Hogwarts castle light show, and holiday décor across the park (included with admission).
Ice skating and holiday music
- LA Kings Holiday Ice at L.A. LIVE (Downtown) opens November 27, with a new holiday village around the rink through January 3.
- LA Phil Holiday Sing-Along at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Saturday, December 19 (11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.).
- The Pershing Square and Santa Monica outdoor rinks usually open in November; their 2026 dates had not been announced when we checked.
Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills
A free, resident-run tradition since 1952: about eight blocks of decorated homes near Pierce College. There is no official schedule, but the lights traditionally go up in early December and run until just after New Year’s. Please respect the residents: drive slowly, keep the noise down and stay on the street.
Still to be announced: The Grove usually lights its 100-foot tree in mid-November (in 2025 it was November 17), and the Music Center’s free L.A. County Holiday Celebration is traditionally held on Christmas Eve. We’ll add both once the dates are confirmed.
Seeing the holiday lights on a private tour
Most of LA’s holiday sights are spread out across the city, and parking near them in December is hard. A private tour solves both: your guide drives, waits while you walk around, and plans the route around parades and closures. Hotel pickup is included.
- A festive afternoon in a classic Cadillac. Our classic car tour in a 1970 Cadillac DeVille convertible is the most memorable way to see Hollywood and Beverly Hills dressed up for the season. On a mild December afternoon, top-down driving is still very much possible.
- An evening of lights in comfort. On cooler evenings, a private SUV tour in a Cadillac Escalade is the better choice: Rodeo Drive’s lights, Hollywood and the view from Griffith Park, without worrying about the temperature.
- The big sights in one day. The One Day in LA tour covers the Hollywood Sign, the Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills and the beaches, and can end at Rodeo Drive after dark.
- Beverly Hills at its most festive. A Beverly Hills tour fits naturally around the Rodeo Drive lights and the decorated hotels on Wilshire Boulevard.
Every tour is private, so the route is yours: add a stop for hot chocolate, a holiday market or photos at a lit-up tree. December weekends book up early, so it is worth reserving as soon as your dates are set.
Tips for visiting Los Angeles in December
- Weather: Downtown LA averages a high of about 67°F and a low of about 48°F in December. Bring layers: afternoons are warm, evenings are cool, and the beach is windier.
- Sunset is early: around 4:45 p.m. Plan daytime sights first and save the lights for the evening.
- Rain is rare but possible: December is one of LA’s wetter months. Most light shows go ahead in light rain; check the organizer’s site on the day.
- Traffic: holiday shopping and parades add to the usual traffic, especially around The Grove, Hollywood and Downtown on weekends.
- Book ahead: timed tickets (Zoo Lights, Descanso, theme parks) and private tours for the weeks before Christmas sell out first.
Christmas in Los Angeles: FAQ
Is Los Angeles worth visiting at Christmas?
Yes. December brings mild, sunny days, fewer crowds at the beaches and big seasonal events: the Rodeo Drive lighting, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Marina del Rey Boat Parade, Zoo Lights and the holiday seasons at Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood.
What is there to do in LA on Christmas Day?
Many restaurants and attractions close or keep short hours on December 25, so check before you go. Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood are traditionally open on Christmas Day, beaches and viewpoints are always open, and a private tour of the city’s sights is a relaxed way to spend the day. Ask us about availability.
Where are the best Christmas lights in Los Angeles?
For organized light shows: L.A. Zoo Lights in Griffith Park and Enchanted: Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens. For free lights: Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills and the lighted boats at the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade.