Updated for 2024
There’s no rule that says you have to spend Christmas Day inside. In fact, Christmas Day might be the perfect time to get out and explore. You’ll generally find fewer crowds, less traffic, and more parking! Heck, you’ll probably find FREE parking that day!
Here are some suggestions for what to do on Christmas Day in LA — some free, some not; some requiring tickets and reservations, some not. Have fun and Happy Holidays!
Things To Do on Christmas Day in Los Angeles (and SoCal)
Winter Fest OC
OC Fair and Event Center
88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Winter Fest OC is described as “Southern California’s largest winter festival.” There is so much to see and do including immersing yourself in an incredible winter experience, “surrounded by over a million twinkling lights, massive holiday décor, and thrilling attractions.” Those attractions include a 150-foot ice tubing slide, a Snow Play Area, the “North Pole Journey,” and more. Many attractions are included in general admission while others, including ice skating, polar putt putt, and the winter carnival, are available as add-on’s. Tickets are available online. (If you can’t make it on Christmas Day, you can still visit Winter Fest through Sunday, January 5th, 2025.)
LA Kings Holiday Ice
L.A. Live – Peacock Place
800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015
The annual LA Kings Holiday Ice is open on Christmas Day, with four sessions available beginning at 4:00 pm. All tickets include skate rentals. The rink’s location means you’ll find other things to do in the general area, including going to a movie and/or getting something to eat. (A few restaurants are offering special dining deals when you show your LA Kings Holiday Ice receipt.) Ticket information is available online.
Pacific Park
Santa Monica Pier
380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA
Pacific Park is open on Christmas Day from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. Go for a ride on the Pacific Wheel, a solar-powered Ferris wheel that “gives visitors a panoramic view of the Southern California coastline from more than 130 feet above the Santa Monica Pier,” play some games, and have a delicious meal. You won’t run out of things to do at this iconic spot!
Wheel Fun Rentals – Echo Park Swan Pedal Boat
Echo Park
751 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90026
When was the last time you rented one of those iconic Swan Pedal Boats in Echo Park? Guess what? They’re open on Christmas Day and available for daytime or evening rental. At night, the Swan Pedal Boots are illuminated with LED lights, creating a magical feel to the experience. All participants wear Coast Guard-approved life vests for safety. A small swan pedal boat can seat two adults and two children 10 or younger, and a larger swan pedal boat can seat up to 5 passengers. Pedal boats are rented out for one hour and are priced per person. Reservations must be made in advance and are available online.
Related: Where to find the Best Tamales in Los Angeles.
Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Niños Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Go for a drive — traffic will most likely be light — and head up to Santa Barbara because the Santa Barbara Zoo is open on Christmas Day! Zoo hours are 9:30 am to 3:30 pm on Christmas Day. Reservations are required and are available online.
La Brea Tar Pits
5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
While the Museum is closed on Christmas Day, families are still able to stroll around the famous La Brea Tar Pits. “Witness ‘tar’ bubbling to the surface, discover our iconic Lake Pit, and walk through this amazing natural phenomenon and active dig site.” The La Brea Tar Pits really is an incredible spot; in fact, it’s the “only Ice Age fossil site in the world that’s being actively excavated in the middle of a city!”
Related: Restaurants Serving Christmas Dinner in Los Angeles
Christmas Night Skate
Moonlight Rollerway
5110 San Fernando Rd., Glendale, CA 91204
On December 25th, from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm, families are invited to Moonlight Rollerway for Christmas Night Skate. All ages are welcome to participate. Skates are available to rent if you don’t have your own. All details are available online.
Family-Friendly Hike
Spend some time outside, enjoying the sights and sounds of our city. Think about the age and abilities of your family members, and then check out our post LA County Hiking Trails for Outdoor Fun for some fun ideas.
Sand Sledding
Dockweiler State Beach
12000 Vista Del Mar, Playa Del Rey, CA
Yes, it is possible to go sledding in Southern California on Christmas Day. Sand sledding at the beach, that is! Sand berms are generally constructed in November and remain until February. A saucer or boogie board is all you need! (Other sand berm locations include Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Venice Beach, and Zuma Beach.)
Sunset Ranch Hollywood
3400 N. Beachwood Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90068
What better way to get a sense of our city than on horseback? And on Christmas Day, you’ll enjoy a quieter, more relaxed L.A. Three tours are offered on Christmas Day — the Mulholland Trail Tour (one-hour tour with great views of the Hollywood Sign), the Mt. Hollywood Trail Tour (a two-hour tour providing 360 degree views of L.A.), and the Evening Mt. Hollywood Trail Tour (a two hour evening tour taking riders up to Mount Hollywood for stunning views of the city). (A few rules to keep in mind — Children must be at least 8 years old. Maximum weight allowed is 240 pounds.) Reservations may be made online.
A Visit to Chinatown
LA Chinatown Central Plaza
943 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
When was the last time you played tourist in your own city? What about spending some time exploring Chinatown, “a neighborhood steeped in culture and history.” Be sure to bring your appetite! After all, eating Chinese food is a long-standing tradition for many families on Christmas Day. Check the website for information, including a map and directory of stores and restaurants. (Plus – you could also try a restaurant in the San Gabriel valley.)
Related: Get Christmas Dinner To Go in Los Angeles
Arlington Garden
275 Arlington Dr., Pasadena, CA 91105
Arlington Garden is a three-acre garden, on Caltrans-owned land. The garden is a “water-wise garden that celebrates Southern California’s mediterranean climate.” Through the years, the garden’s mission has “evolved to include promoting urban wildlife habitat and demonstrating the use of regenerative gardening techniques, which include refraining from the use of herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers.” The Garden is open seven days a week, every day of the year, from sunrise to sunset. Admission is free and does not require a ticket.
Catalina Express
Three ports – Long Beach, Dana Point, San Pedro
Maybe you’re looking to do something really different this Christmas. Why not spend the day in Catalina? Catalina Express operates daily ferry trips to and from Catalina Island every day of the year. They operate out of three mainland ports – Long Beach, Dana Point, and San Pedro. Reservations may be made online.
See Christmas Lights in Los Angeles
Multiple Locations
Go for a drive and check out the amazing holiday light displays all around southern California. You can also go for a walk, venturing into some hotels and admiring their festively decorated lobbies. Or, you can make it easy and stay in your neighborhood, admiring both the simplicity and the lavishness you’re sure to see.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Another fun way to play tourist — park the car and get out and explore the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Take some pictures near your favorite stars’ “stars,” put your hands in their handprints in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre, visit the Hollywood Wax Museum (they’re open on Christmas Day), and more!
See a Movie in a Movie Theater
Multiple Locations around SoCal
Sure, we can all stream movies at home these days, but if you’re up for it, why not head out to a movie theater and see a movie as a family? Get some popcorn, maybe try one of the fancy theaters with reclining seats, and have a ball! If you’re not feeling like being indoors, try one of the cool Drive-in Movie Theaters in SoCal.
Spend the Day at a SoCal Theme Park
We are lucky in SoCal to have several fantastic theme parks to choose from on any given day, and most are open on Christmas Day. The Holidays at Disneyland is quite magical, so reserve tickets early because they have been known to sell out. Universal Studios Hollywood is super fun at the Holidays, and is a terrific way to spend the day with your family. Though Knott’s Berry Farm is not open on Christmas, lucky for us, LEGOLAND and Six Flags Magic Mountain are! And don’t forget about Southern California’s newest theme park — A Very Furry Christmas Celebration is happening at Sesame Place, and they’re open on Christmas Day!
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA and
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo Dr., San Diego, CA
Why not take advantage of the lighter traffic and head down to San Diego? Both the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and San Diego Zoo are open on Christmas Day. Tickets may be reserved online.
Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square
532 S. Olive St., Los Angeles, CA 90013
Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square is open on Christmas Day from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm. “An enchanting holiday activity, ice skating in downtown LA guarantees to delight everyone, from first-time gliders to experienced skaters. Come visit us for merrymaking, outdoor fun and guaranteed smiles.” Ice skating sessions are 60-minutes long, and general admission fees include skate rental. Tickets and details are available online. (The rink will be open daily through Sunday, January 12th, 2025.)
Angels Flight Railway
California Plaza
350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90071
Angels Flight has the distinction of being “the world’s shortest railway.” Enjoy a short ride between Hill Street and Grand Avenue on a method of transportation that is more than 100 years old. Angels Flight is open seven days a week, every day of the year, from 6:45 am to 10:00 pm. The fare is $1 each way.
Ice at Santa Monica
Arizona Ave. and 5th Street, Santa Monica, CA
Ice at Santa Monica returns for the 2024 holiday season. “Located in the heart of Santa Monica, our rink offers the unique opportunity to skate under the California sun by day and the twinkling stars by night.” You’ll enjoy “nearly 8,000-square feet of shimmering ice with a 400-square-foot tot rink for the little ones.” Each skating session is 60 minutes. The seasonal ice rink is open on Christmas Day from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm and remains open until January 20th, 2025). Reservations are available online.
Grand Illuminations
The Yard at Cal Plaza
350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA
Head to Downtown LA to experience something new this holiday season — Grand Illuminations at The Yard at Cal Plaza. This special event is described as “an immersive world of light and color as LA-based Liquid PXL paints the night with holiday lights.” Families will be amazed by the 25-foot LED tree, 10 Electric Dandelions, Lumiverse light columns, and the festive holiday décor at The Plaza. Nightly light shows are planned from dusk until 10:00 pm each night through Wednesday, January 8th, 2025.
Balloon Museum: Let’s Fly
1601 E. 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Balloon Museum’s Let’s Fly exhibition “explores the interplay between lightness and heaviness, using air as a medium in all of the artworks.” The exhibition features art installations from 21 world-renowned artists, and “blends contemporary art with hands-on experiences where the audience is meant to touch, interact, and explore.” Let’s Fly is based on the idea of lightness and flight, and “at the same time, we would like to investigate the opposition between heaviness, darkness and gravity in contrast with light, weightlessness, and hovering that could be expressed in the artworks.” The Balloon Museum is open on Christmas Day from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with last entry being at 6:00 pm. Tickets are available online. This is an all-ages experience, and is free for children under 3. Families can visit Balloon Museum through March 16th, 2025.
Wendy Kennar is a mother, writer, and former teacher who has lived her entire life in the same Los Angeles zip code. You can read more from Wendy at her website WendyKennar.com where she writes about books, boys, and bodies (living with an invisible disability).
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