Courtesy of 123 Farm
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It’s about that time to dust off those ugly sweaters and ring in the holiday season with these magical December events and experiences in L.A. During the winter in our city, there are tons of dazzling spectacles that are filled with festive cheer for you to enjoy. Whether it’s a hillside wonderland decked out with oversized ornaments or NYE celebrations to ring in 2026, you’ll find endless ways to make it a memorable, magical month.
What’s the weather like in L.A. in December? SoCal’s balmy climate keeps us enjoying warming average temperatures than much of the country. Daily highs usually hover around the high 60s, while lows occasionally dip into the 40s. It can get quite chilly in the evenings, so make sure you layer up when exploring the city!
Here are the most wonderful things to do in L.A. in December:
1. Kick off December with the 70th Annual Compton Christmas Parade
The annual Compton Christmas Parade is making its highly anticipated return this year celebrating the spirit and community of Compton. The parade will start at the corner of Compton Blvd & Bullis Rd, winding through the city and concluding at Alameda Street.
Taking place on December 13, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the event promises to be a festive occasion, featuring a vibrant lineup of floats, performers, and local participants. It’s an exciting opportunity for families and residents to come together and enjoy the holiday season in the heart of Compton.
📍 Location: The parade will start at the corner of Compton Blvd & Bullis Rd, winding through the city and concluding at Alameda Street
🗓️ Dates: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Image by Hotel del Coronado
Most of the year is spent cruising along boulevards on roller skates and skateboards, but this season is all about the ice skates. In SoCal, you have the unique opportunity to partake in this winter pastime with the summer-like sunshine kissing your face as you glide across a frozen rink. You can choose between skating at L.A.’s largest ice rink located right in front of the Crypto.com Arena, a cliffside rink in Palos Verdes or you could head a little further away for a legendary beachfront experience.
Image by Astra Lumina
Astra Lumina, which debuted in 2022, is back at South Coast Botanic Garden with a stunning array of celestial-inspired displays. This multimedia experience from the renowned studio Moment Factory combines projections, lighting, music, and a captivating story into an unforgettable night walk among the cosmos.
📍 Location: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
🎫 Get your tickets here!
Credit: Alex M. Wang via Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, Flickr.
Few things are more magical and immersive than walking through the many candy cane lanes around the city. Incredible decorations made by the neighbors themselves bring these streets to life, flooded with red and green colors, twinkling lights, reindeer, and Santas waiting to be explored during the holiday season.
Wicked, Universal Pictures
If you’re more introverted and prefer to spend the holiday season indoors, then visiting one of the cinemas in Los Angeles is your best option, not only to avoid the crowds but also to catch the latest releases. From Wicked:For Good to Bugonia, watch the best movies in 70mm and also IMAX this December.
Image courtesy of Candlelight Concerts
The wildly popular Candlelight Concert Series will be setting the winter nights aglow with these mesmerizing musical concerts set in some of L.A.’s most beautiful venues. Wrap yourself in sweet seasonal nostalgia with awe-inspiring renditions of classics across genres.
Whether it’s jazz numbers like “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” by Ella Fitzgerald or classical renditions of holiday hits — find all the seasonally-themed editions happening this December in Los Angeles.
Image courtesy of Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade via Meta
Holiday boat parades have been illuminating the SoCal coast for over half a century and each year gets bigger and brighter. It’s California, so naturally, you’ll find dozens of Santas captaining yachts, motorboats, and other aquatic modes of transport, not just the usual sleigh. One of the best and most iconic is the one that takes place every Christmas in Marina del Rey, giving us an incredible postcard of lights and celebration!
📍Location: Burton Chace Park 13650 Mindanao Way Marina del Rey, CA 90292
🎄When: Saturday, December 13, 2025. Lightshow 5:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Parade starts at 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Courtesy of Highland Springs Ranch & Inn
Looking to handle some Christmas shopping? These holiday and Christmas markets in Los Angeles have something for everyone. We’ve tracked down the best holiday and Christmas markets in Los Angeles, ranging from enormous craft fairs to small specialty pop-ups.
What would this time of year be without the ritual of decorating a tree with the fresh smell of pine filling the air? Although it might seem more fitting to have a glittering palm tree during December in L.A., nothing quite marks the season like a traditional and real Christmas tree!
Image by Skywalk Santa’s Village
Contrary to popular opinion, Santa is actually a huge fan of the sunny West Coast and he and his elves have been bringing that North Pole magic to Lake Arrowhead for years. Adventurers of all ages will find an alpine adventure with gingerbread men, candy, and seasonal decorations filling this festive village. Partake in workshops, find souvenirs, take hikes and so much more at Skywalk Santa’s Village.
📍Location: 28950 CA-18, Skyforest, CA 92385
📅 Dates: November 20, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Credit: The Mission Inn
The city is positively glowing with mesmerizing festive installations this year. Whether it’s the iconic Candy Cane Lane, a historic inn covered in fairy lights, parks and gardens with glittering decorations and lights, you’ll find plenty of dazzling displays around the city. From Buena Vista Street to Mission Inn, there are plenty of places to see holiday light displays around L.A.!
Image courtesy of Highland Springs Ranch & Inn
The picturesque 123 Farm, known for its beautiful swaths of violet flowers over the summer, has a stunning night market. Its towering trees and fields have been 1,000 years in the making and you can continue to enjoy its beauty post the summer blooms. Every year, you can stroll through the lavender fields and olive groves draped with lights to enjoy food, live music, games and unique handmade goods.
📍Location: 10600 Highland Springs Ave, Cherry Valley, CA 92223
Winter Fest OC returns for its 11th anniversary with festive thrills for the whole family! Enjoy the largest outdoor ice skating rink in the region, an 8,000-square-foot snow play area, and a 150-foot ice tubing slide. Don’t miss the dazzling holiday light show with over 2 million synchronized lights and the expanded carnival, featuring a kids-only section. Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend, and keep the fun going through early January! Get tickets here!
📍 Location: 88 Fair Dr. Costa Mesa, CA 92626
🗓️ Date: November 28, 2025 – January 4, 2026
No need to buy that ticket to Italy because you can still go on a Venetian escape along the canals in Long Beach. Cruise under the romantic bridges filled with festive lights and stunning surroundings.
Credit: Big Bear Cabins
This picturesque setting is your taste of Switzerland on the West Coast at this Big Bear spot. While it is a little bit of a drive, it’s worth seeing a real winter wonderland where you can partake in exhilarating sports all day and even some nights.
On select weekends when the weather allows, the powdery slopes are illuminated with glowing lights for nighttime skiing. Stay in one of the cute cabins in the resort and you’ll have yourself a very merry Christmas indeed!