5 of the Best Things to Do in Los Angeles for Christmas

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in LA — well, minus the snow-covered trees and below-zero temperatures. It’s sometimes easy to forget the holiday are right around the corner. Here are some of LA’s best places to get in the spirit — from over-the-top events to under-the-radar spots around town.

5. Ice Skating Without a Jacket or Gloves

Head towards the beach… for ice skating in Santa Monica

There is something just so novel about ice skating in the middle of a hot, sunny Southern California day. From now through the end of the month, you’ll be able to find spots all across LA including Santa Monica (where you can go to beach after your skate) or downtown LA in Pershing Square. But for the most striking area, I recommend the rink at LA Live with its massive Christmas tree as the centerpiece and the Staples Center in the backdrop.

4. Strolling Through Candy Cane Lane

Is your house on fire, Clark? The Christmas madness on Candy Cane Lane.

Growing up, we always decorated the house like we were the Griswald’s on Christmas Vacation. But here’s one neighborhood where everyone gets into the action. Located in Woodland Hills (yes folks, the valley!) is the aptly-named stretch called Candy Cane Lane. There are other crazy light displays around LA, but this is one that seems to keep on growing (and relatively still under the radar). You can either stay inside the car and drive through, or park it and stroll through the Christmas explosion (here is a blog post with recommendations). It may make you want to move to Woodland Hills (or in Kevin’s case — grateful we don’t because of all that pressure to decorate!).

3. LA Zoo Lights

LA Zoo Lights – running now through early January

Each year, the LA Zoo goes all out with their special holiday celebration called LA Zoo Lights… decorating the place with, well, thousands of lights. While most of the animals will probably be asleep, you’ll at least get to see some reindeer and LED monkeys. It runs from now through January 8. Admission to L.A. Zoo Lights is is $14 for adults and $11 for children ages 2 to 12. Or you can hop on Gold Star to get a few bucks off for an adult admission of $12.50.

2. Deck the Halls at Walt Disney Concert Hall

Disney Concert Hall – special holiday performances

Disney Concert Hall is always a spectacular place to visit during the holidays. A few years back we got to see Idina Menzel perform for New Years Eve. Or was it Adele Dazeem? Okay, that joke was so 2014! Anyway, this year there is a whole month of special concerts — called Deck the Halls — including a screening/sing-along on December 23 to the 1954 classic White Christmas.

1. A Christmas Explosion at The Grove

Just when you might start to think Christmas hasn’t hit Los Angeles, all you have to do is drive over to The Grove (or as I call it, LA’s best fake neighborhood!). It has become our little tradition each year to exchange gifts while dining al fresco in the thick of it all. There is a 100-foot fir tree decorated with lights, a santa and reindeer mid flight high above the crowds, choreographed dance routines with an awkwardly dancing snowman (seriously, look out for the snowman!). And timed snow storms on the hour (just watch your glasses of water or you’ll be drinking some suds!). It’s like a Vegas show for the holidays right in our backyard. Plus, while you’re there, you can pick up all those last minute presents… Not that we ever wait until the final moments to buy ours.