The holidays are here, and so is our weekend round-up of fun local events. From yuletide screenings to hitting the ice, we have you covered on merry holiday cheer. Read on below!
Los Angeles Weekend Events | Holidays 2022 Edition
L.A. County Holiday Celebration
When: December 24
Where: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion | DTLA
What: Gather your loved ones and make your way to DTLA for the biggest holiday show of the year. Enjoy more than 20 choirs, music ensembles, and dance troupes from all over the city. The free three-hour show celebrates L.A.’s multicultural observation of the holidays with everything from an all-women soul ensemble to Hawaiian music to Indian dance.
Yuletide Cinemaland
When: December 23
Where: Heritage Square | San Pedro
What: The holidays are not complete without a fair share of timeless holiday film classics. Street Food Cinema invites you to Heritage Square for Yuletide Cinemaland. Enjoy Victorian home tours, piano sing-alongs, strolls through a light tunnel, and sips on hot chocolate, mulled wine, and craft beer. Likewise, you can catch screenings of flicks (showing twice each night, typically at 6 and 8 pm) like Elf, Home Alone, A Christmas Story, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and more.
Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square
When: Until January 8, 2023
Where: Pershing Square | DTLA
What: If you are in search of a winter wonderland, then make your way to DTLA’s Pershing Square. The downtown park has been transformed into a holiday wonder with a skating rink amongst the city’s skyscrapers. Skate rentals are included in admission, though lockers and skating aids cost a few dollars extra.
Westside & Beach Communities Weekend Events | Holidays 2022 Edition
Long Beach Nutcracker
When: December 23
Where: Long Beach
What: Venture to Long Beach for a stunning performance of The Nutcracker. The holiday classic production will feature a live full orchestra, a flying sleigh, and pyrotechnics.
Astra Lumina
When: Until January 15, 2023
Where: Rancho Palos Verdes
What: Stroll through a garden illuminated by celestial-inspired lights during this year-end event at South Coast Botanic Garden. Astra Lumina will set up about an hour-long nighttime trail through the Palos Verdes garden, with eight starry installations along the way.
Ice at Santa Monica
When: Until January 16
Where: Santa Monica
What: Hit the ice in Santa Monica! The 8,000-square-foot outdoor rink runs daily on the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue. All-day admission ($20) includes skate rentals, and you can book private parties and cabanas if you’re looking for something a bit more premium.
San Fernando Valley Weekend Events | Holidays 2022 Edition
Christmas at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
When: Until January 1
Where: Universal Studios | Universal City
What: Add some sorcery and magic to your holidays! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter invites all muggles, witches, and wizards to Universal Studios Hollywood for a proper Potter-themed celebration. Catch the evening showing of “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts” (Nov 25–Jan 1) and pick up some tasty holiday treats that you can only find in Hogsmeade.
Holidays Made Here
When: Until January 1
Where: Warner Bros. Studio | Burbank
What: Calling all Gilmore Girls fans! Warner Bros. Studio Tour switches things up from its regular tour for something a bit more festive. The Holidays Made Here tour decks out the Stars Hollow section in festive decor, among other cheerful additions.
Christmas Night Skate
When: December 25
Where: Moonlight Rollerway | Glendale
What: If you prefer to ditch the ice but keep the skates, you’ll love Christmas Night Skate at Moonlight Rollerway. The Saturday skate night goes for full festive fun at the Glendale skating rink.
Conejo Valley Weekend Events | Holidays 2022 Edition
Wild Lights and Jungle Nights at America’s Teaching Zoo
When December 23 and December 26-30
Where: Moorpark College
What: America’s Teaching Zoo shines bright this holiday season during the holiday light event – WILD LIGHTS & JUNGLE NIGHTS. Take a self-guided 45-minute stroll throughout the zoo, which will be filled with dynamic lights, immersive interactive experiences, photo ops, and seasonal magic.
“A Christmas Carol” Hosted by Tim Conway on KVTA 1590
When: December 24-25
Where: On the Radio
What: For those staying in and bundled up this holiday weekend, you can opt for a retro way to celebrate. Tune into KTVA 1590 for the 3x award-winning 2003 revised radio theatre broadcast of “A Christmas Carol.” Hosted by Tim Conway, the late legendary master of mirth will guide you through a spirited, fast-paced, commercial-free 57min ghost story. The broadcast will air nationwide on KTVA 1590 and online via www.kvta.com.
Holiday Road
When: Until December 30
Where: Santa Monica Mountains
What: Stroll across the grounds of King Gillette Ranch as the Santa Monica Mountains hideaway is illuminated during Holiday Road. Enjoy festive decor like a treetop canopy of icicle lights, a small Christmas village, and more! There are also food trucks and a holiday bar for bites and beverages.