Los Angeles has a number of holiday lights and festive events. Here are some standout locations and events you can enjoy this season.
Parks and Outdoor Displays
- Descanso Gardens' "Enchanted Forest of Light" (La Cañada Flintridge): Walk through illuminated gardens and interactive displays nightly through January 7, 2024. This event requires tickets and features music, sculptures, and unique installations.
Address: 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
- Griffith Park Holiday Light Festival Train Rides: Enjoy a ride through awesome light displays. Perfect for families and train enthusiasts.
Address: 4400 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Address: 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
-Annual Long Beach Christmas Boat Parade: Visitors will enjoy a vibrant, nautical-themed holiday spectacle along the coast.
If you’re planning a road trip, here are some helpful sites that I use. Note, below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission for every booking, with no extra cost to you. Thanks so much, in advance!
Outdoor Malls and Markets
- Santa Monica's Winterlit Festival: Third Street Promenade lights up with colorful decorations, an ice rink, live entertainment, and a holiday tree through mid-January.
Address: 1351 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Los Angeles Christmas Market at ROW DTLA: A festive experience running until December 24, offering handmade crafts, seasonal treats, and live caroling. Heads up, I've seen multiple reviews of long lines and things running out at vendor booths. You've been warned!
Address: 777 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
-The Grove at the Farmer’s Market: The Christmas lights at The Grove at the Farmers Market in Los Angeles transform the area into a festive wonderland, with sparkling decorations, a towering Christmas tree, ideal for the holiday season.
Address: 189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036
-Westfield Century City: Not only does the Century City mall offer photos with Santa but they also have a full theater show, live music, and carolers. Mall goers get to enjoy Christmas displays, twinkling trees, and it gives the area the best holiday vibes.
Address: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Neighborhood Displays
- Candy Cane Lane (Woodland Hills): A classic tradition with decked-out houses at Lubao & Oxnard Streets, showcasing Christmas spirit through December.
- Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane (Long Beach): Features a parade, festive lights, and live entertainment in the Wrigley neighborhood.
Events
- Zoo Lights at the Los Angeles Zoo: The zoo transforms into a luminous wonderland with animal-inspired displays and holiday music.
Address: 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
- Lightscape at the Arboretum: A mile-long trail of stunning light displays set in the Los Angeles County Arboretum.
Address: 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
- Astra Lumina L.A., South Coast Botanic Garden, Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA: Visitors get to experience a night walk consisting of lighting, projection, and sound.
Address: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
-Annual Marina Del Rey Christmas Boat Parade: Festively decorated boats light up the harbor.
Address: 13755 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Have you been to any of these locations? Let me know in the comments.
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Trip Resources
If you’re planning a road trip, here are some helpful sites that I use. Note, below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission for every booking, with no extra cost to you. Thanks so much, in advance!
Booking.com - Anytime we need a rental car, we use this site to find deals.
Expedia.com - I like to use this site to explore upcoming cruises that I'd like to take. I also refer to it to compare hotel prices, flights, and car rentals.
GetYourGuide.com - Book things to do, attractions, tours and discover new food.
VRBO.com - When we’re not staying in an AIRBNB, we’re in a VRBO rental. We use this option when we want to enjoy a full house with individual bedrooms, a kitchen, backyard and other amenities.
TripAdvisor.com - Anytime I want reputable reviews, tips, and overall advice about a vacation area, I leverage this site.
Viator.com - Looking for cool tours in your vacation area? This site has a number of options.
Hey, I'm Christy Scronce, a Filipina-American Los Angeles native and travel enthusiast. I love visiting new places and trying new food. Welcome to my adventure blog where I capture both State & National Park visits, family excursions, and road trips, while sharing my travel photos and recaps. My goal is to visit as many National Parks using my “America the Beautiful” annual pass. 
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