Updated for 2022
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)
Disney on Ice: Road Trip Adventures
Toyota Arena
4000 Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764
Seeing the Disney on Ice Road Trip Adventures show is one of those experiences that makes for special family memories. You can even make attending a show another gift for the family! There are two shows available on Christmas Day – one at 1:00 pm and another at 5:00 pm. Tickets are available online.
Pacific Park
Santa Monica Pier
Pacific Park is open on Christmas Day from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm so get outside and enjoy the sights and sounds. Go for a ride on the Pacific Wheel, “the first solar-powered Ferris wheel,” play some games, and have a delicious meal. You won’t run out of things to do!
Double Feature: Animal Crackers and Horse Feathers
The New Beverly Cinema
7165 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
The New Beverly Cinema is screening a Marx Brothers Double Feature on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25th. There is a 2:00 pm screening of Animal Crackers and a 4:05 pm screening of Horse Feathers. Ticket information is available online.
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. 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! Advance reservations are required and are available online. Zoo hours are 9:30 am to 3:30 pm on Christmas Day.
LaBrea Tar Pits
5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
While the Museum is closed on Christmas, families are still able to stroll around the famous LaBrea Tar Pits. “Witness ‘tar’ bubbling to the surface, discover our iconic Lake Pit, and walk through this amazing natural phenomenon and active dig site.”
Related: Restaurants Serving Christmas Dinner in Los Angeles
Christmas Night Skate
Moonlight Rollerway
5110 San Fernando Rd., Glendale, CA 91204
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. Depending on the age and abilities of your family members, you can plan a hike, a bike ride, or a leisurely stroll. Here in Southern California there are plenty of options. You can also check out our post LA County Hiking Trails for Outdoor Fun for even more ideas.
Sand Sledding
Dockweiler State Beach
12000 Vista Del Mar, Playa Del Rey, CA
Yes – that’s how families in Southern California sled in the winter. At the beach! 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. Two tours are offered on Christmas Day — the Mulholland Trail Tour (one-hour tour providing “unforgettable views of the LA Basin and the Hollywood Sign”) and the Evening Mt. Hollywood Trail Tour (a “two-hour evening tour option with unbeatable views of all of Los Angeles”). (A few rules — Children must be at least 8 years old. Helmets are required. Maximum weight allowed is 240 pounds.) Reserve your spot online.
A Visit to Chinatown
LA Chinatown Central Plaza
943-951 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.” Check the website for information, including a map and directory of stores and restaurants. Be sure to bring your appetite! Eating Chinese food is a long-standing tradition for many families on Christmas Day. 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 “climate-appropriate, habitat garden offering learning, inspiration, and enjoyment for all.” This three-acre garden, on Caltrans-owned land, is Pasadena’s only public garden. As you stroll through the garden, you’ll enjoy the sights and smells of the Citrus Grove, the Pine Forest, the Olive Allee, and more. 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 are available 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. Knott’s Berry Farm is not usually open on Christmas, but double check in case they changed their minds!
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA
Why not take advantage of the lighter traffic and drive down for a visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. (They’re open from 9 am to 5 pm.) You and your family will feel as if you’ve traveled much further, as if you’re on safari in Africa, as you observe these incredible animals. Ticket information is available online.
Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating
532 S. Olive St., Los Angeles, CA 90013
Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating is open on Christmas Day from 10:00 am to 9:30 pm. Get ready for lots of smiles and laughter! Everyone is welcome, from “first-time gliders to experienced skaters.” Ticket information is available online. (The rink will be open daily through January 1st, 2023.)
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.
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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