If you live in
Los Angeles, you already know that this is a hectic city. It's sunny and glamorous, sure, but it's also busy. Naturally, there's no busier time than the holiday season! The city has tons on offer for those of you who have time to go out and enjoy yourselves. Spend a day at Disneyland, for example, and revel in some holiday cheer with your favorite Disney characters. You can go to the LA Zoo too, which turns into a dreamscape of beautiful lights and breathtaking decor every holiday season. And if you go to Marina Del Rey, you can watch its annual boat parade!
Spend The Day at Disneyland
You can always trust Disneyland to be the best place to celebrate Christmas in Los Angeles. The theme park's holiday celebrations start as early as mid-November and go on until early January. So for the entire month of December, you can feel the festive holiday spirit throughout this world-famous wonderland. See the iconic Sleeping Beauty's castle all decked out in fairy lights, go on the famous “It’s a Small World” and listen to the little people sing Christmas carols, and take photos with the characters of your favorite
Disney films in their “gay apparel.” What's not to love?
See The LA Zoo Christmas Lights
Did you ever think that LA Zoo would be one of the must-sees when celebrating Christmas in Los Angeles? If you didn't then, well, you do now! The park is always a good time no matter the time of year, but it's especially exciting during the holiday season. LA Zoo's annual “Animal Aglow” display turns the animal-filled park into a bright and warm Christmas wonderland. The zoo stays open later than normal, usually way into the night, and lights up with the most fantastical holiday decor you'll ever see in any zoo in the world. From fairy lights to animal-shaped lanterns, it will all keep you feeling the holiday spirit!
Source: LA Zoo
Skate at Pershing Square
Part of the appeal of
moving to Los Angeles is enjoying its eternally warm weather. Though the city still cools down a bit during the holiday season, it's still far warmer than the snow-capped East Coast. Here, you can still step out in light clothes and you'll barely need to sit by the fire. You can still, however, go ice skating too. Pershing Square arguably features the best skating rink in Los Angeles at this time of the year. Located in Downtown LA and surrounded by bright Christmas decor, you'll feel as if you're in New York City, which many consider the best place to spend the holidays.
Visit The Westfield Century City Holiday Market
There's no denying that Europe's Christmas markets are among the dreamiest holiday destinations in the world. Often located in the cities' Old Town quarters, they evoke a strong sense of nostalgia for a time you may not even be familiar with. Such is their power and it's the reason why other places set up their own holiday fairs too. Here in Los Angeles, the Westfield Century City Holiday Market is among the best of them. The beloved shopping center features stalls upon stalls filled with cute trinkets, yummy snacks, and more, all reminiscent of Europe's many old-world charms.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Shop Till You Drop on Rodeo Drive
What's the best place to Christmas shopping in Los Angeles? If you can afford it, Rodeo Drive!
Beverly Hills is best known as the most luxurious town in the entire LA County and Rodeo Drive is its crown jewel. This world-famous strip of high-end stores, designer boutiques, and upscale restaurants draws in locals, tourists, and even celebrities alike, making it one of the ultimate shopping destinations in the country. Naturally, this is where you'll want to spend money for the holidays, especially if you want to give your friends and family the best (material) things money can buy. Rodeo Drive is also decked in eye-catching decor for the holidays, brightening your shopping here even more.
Watch a Puppet Show at The Bob Baker Marionette Theater
Christmas is arguably the best time of year to watch all sorts of fantastical shows. Why do you think Christmas carol concerts and the Nutcracker Ballet are holiday traditions for a lot of people. These spectacular shows offer nice bits of escapism, especially if you're personally having a hard time during the holidays this year. So what sort of show can you expect in Los Angeles? The annual famous puppet show at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Since it opened in 1963, the city's oldest children's theater company puts on the funniest puppet shows to delight the young and old alike.
Source: Bob Baker Marionette Theater
Go on a Movie Marathon at Yuletide Cinemaland
Los Angeles, home to Hollywood and the moviemaking business, is naturally the best place for cinephiles. And what's the best place to get into the holiday spirit? Watch Christmas movies! They're great for spending the holidays with your family in your
luxury home in Los Angeles, but you can also go out and watch movies outside. Yep! LA's annual Yuletide Cinemaland on Pasadena Avenue screens the most beloved Christmas films outside. Surrounded by the area's beautiful houses all decked out in their most extravagant decorations, it's the ultimate Hollywood holiday destination.
Check Out The Marina Del Rey Boat Parade
Want a more unique experience when you celebrate Christmas in Los Angeles? Watch the annual Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade. This relatively underrated seaside area of the city lights up unlike any other every December when the community holds its bright and beautiful boat parade. The event is simply what it sounds—a parade of yachts decked out in fairy lights, Christmas decorations, and joyful music. It's not exactly a Disneyland Parade or the Rose Parade, but it's still a fun, vibrant, and fairly unique sight to see during the holidays.
Source: Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade Facebook Page
From Disneyland to the LA Zoo, you'd be surprised at what's in store when you celebrate Christmas in Los Angeles. The city is already a lot of fun no matter the time of year, but it becomes even livelier during the holiday season.
