Earn those Thanksgiving pies! Photo courtesy of Turkey Trot Los Angeles
Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2025 in Los Angeles: Parades, Turkey Trots, and More Things To Do
Stroll through vibrant foliage and gardens. Photo courtesy of Descanso Gardens
What's Open on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles? Places Open for Family Fun
Dine in or take out some of the best turkey in Tinseltown. Photo courtesy of the Huckleberry Cafe
Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles
LA Zoo Lights dazzle. Photo by Jamie Pham
16 Best Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids November 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow makes a festive family evening. Photo by Jamie Pham
10 Holiday and Christmas Events in Los Angeles to Book Now!
Get in the holiday spirit with a stroll through Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo. Photo by Gina Ragland
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Los Angeles
Photo courtesy of Surfing Santa Contest via Facebook
GUIDE
Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families
Ventura Botanical Gardens photo by Gina Ragland
GUIDE
Weekend Getaway Guide and Day Trips for Los Angeles Families
Holiday lights glow bright at the Mission Inn Hotel. Photo courtesy of the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Christmas Towns & Festive Hotels Near LA That Will Blow Your Mind
Raise your hands if you want to have fun in Big Bear. Photo courtesy of bigbearguide.com
Best Things To Do in Big Bear, CA with Kids: A Family-Friendly Guide for Every Season
Nothing says fall like apple picking, and believe it or not, there's great apple picking near LA!
Apple Picking near Los Angeles: Best Orchards for Apple Picking with Kids
Dig in to slime-making! Sloomoo Institute LA photo by Chelsie Hill, courtesy of BFA
21 Trending and Out-of-the-Box Activities for Kids in Los Angeles
Photo by Bill Soistmann
GUIDE
Los Angeles Visitors' Guide for Families
There is so much free fun to be had at places in LA like LACMA. Photo by Joey Zanotti via Flickr 2.0
100 Fun Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids
Dive into tons of fun in Long Beach. Photo courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific
39 Things to Do With Kids in Long Beach
Embrace the mess! Sloomoo Institute photo by Kylie Williams
NEW Sloomoo Institute Opens in Los Angeles for Kids to Enjoy Slime Fun
Dive into fun at the Cayton Children's Museum. Photo by Matthew Tucciarone
Best Children's Museums in Los Angeles and Orange County
This 3 day itinerary will make you fall in love with LA. Photo by Roberto Nickson, via Pexels
3 Days in Los Angeles with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Everything at the Cayton has been carefully crafted with one goal in mind: to help create a better world through the power of play.
Guide to the Cayton Children’s Museum in Santa Monica–A Parent Review
Imaginative play for preschoolers is music to our ears. Photo courtesy of Pretend City
39 Things To Do with Preschoolers in Los Angeles Before They Turn 5
Visit LACMA's Levitated Mass. Photo by Joey Zanetti
100 Things To Do in Los Angeles Before Kids Grow Up
Snoopy and his ensemble of elves are gliding onto the ice for Snoopy's Night Before Christmas. Photo courtesy of Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Merry Farm, CicLAvia x Stranger Things, and More Top Things To Do in Los Angeles This Weekend

38 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Los Angeles for Kids

DTLA sparkles each night during the holiday season. Photo courtesy of The Bloc
DTLA sparkles each night during the holiday season. Photo courtesy of The Bloc
11/23/25 - By Kylie Williams

Merrily, there are loads of free holiday and Christmas events in Los Angeles for when you've blown your budget on rare Labubus and a home Skee-Ball game but still need fun, festive things to do with the family. 

Christmas in Los Angeles is dazzling, magical, and frankly a little overwhelming. There are more light displays, Christmas parades, tree lightings, immersive experiences, holiday walk-throughs, and Santas to visit than any reasonable family can handle. Don't get your tinsel in a tangle, though. Before you tap your Apple Pay for every Christmas experience in the county, check out our list of totally free holiday and Christmas events. You'll be shouting "joy to the world" for these free parades on land and water, tree lightings, Santa Claus visits, and that's before we even start with the menorahs and gelt drops for Hanukkah celebrations. 

Save your cash for the stocking stuffers for kids by filling your festive days and evenings with these fun, free holiday and Christmas events, and visit these free neighborhood light displays in LA. If you need even more ideas for holiday events, check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for Los Angeles Families. 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Kids with sensory needs can meet Santa during Santa Cares at the Citadel Outlets.Photo courtesy of Citadel Outlets
Kids with sensory needs can meet Santa during Santa Cares at the Citadel Outlets.Photo courtesy of Citadel Outlets

Best Free Holiday & Christmas Events in Los Angeles for Families

Sparkle DTLA

DTLA
Nightly, December 7 - December 31, 2025
The magic of the holidays is alive and well at The Bloc in DTLA. Each night, millions of lights (over 18 million!) illuminate the night and synchronize to festive tunes, for one of LA’s largest multi-colored interactive holiday displays. READ MORE

Live Performance at Holiday Village Westfield Century City

Century City
Thursdays - Sundays, November 22 - December 24, 2025
The Westfield Century City gets into the holiday spirit with live performances every 30 minutes from 4pm to 8pm on Thursday - Sunday during the holiday season. The shopping enter comes alive with the sounds of Christmas cheer, followed by a flurry of snow. Snowfall happens every two hours daily starting at 12pm and ending at 9pm.  READ MORE

Mission Inn Festival of Lights

Riverside
Nightly, November 22, 2025 - January 6, 2026
What could be worth the trip to Riverside? How about one of the nation's largest holiday light collections! READ MORE

Free Photos with Santa

Hollywood
Select dates from November 28 - December 24, 2025
If you're hoping to snap a photo with Santa on a budget, Ovation Hollywood is the place to go! Santa (and sometimes Mrs. Claus) is ready to meet and greet with the kiddos of LA at Ovation at no cost. Souvenir prints can be purchased for $5, but digital copies are complimentary.  READ MORE

Annual Lighting of the Bay

Newport Beach
Thursdays - Sundays, November 28, 2025 - January 4, 2026
The 35th Annual Lighting of the Bay kicks off the holiday season at Newport Dunes,  illuminating the bay each evening at dusk with more than 50 electric Christmas trees and holiday decorations. Opening night festivities include holiday crafts, festive food and concessions, photos with Santa, a fire dance performance, and a holiday movie on the beach. Santa takes center stage at dusk as he flips the magic switch to illuminate the bay with more than fifty floating holiday decorations and Christmas trees.    READ MORE

45th Annual San Pedro Spirit of the Holidays Parade

San Pedro
Sunday, December 7, 2025
The annual San Pedro Spirit of the Holiday Parade celebrates its 45th year. This festive tradition brings families, little leagues, scouts, students, high school bands, equestrian units, and volunteers to downtown San Pedro to celebrate the holiday season and the community. READ MORE

Marina Lights

Marina del Rey
Nightly, December 1 - 31, 2025
Marina del Rey's Burton Chace Park twinkles to life each evening with a nightly seasonal holiday lights program.  READ MORE

Winter Workshops at the Marketplace

Tustin
Sundays, November 30 - December 14, 2025
Enjoy holiday fun with family experiences every Sunday afternoon that include crafts, entertainment, giveaways, and more.  READ MORE

La Pintoresca Tree Lighting Ceremony

Pasadena
Friday, December 5, 2025
Neighbors, family, and friends gather to celebrate the holiday season at La Pintoresca Park. Guests can enjoy arts & crafts and holiday-themed fun while awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus. Attendees are invited to bring an unwrapped toy for the Spark of Love toy drive.  READ MORE

Holly Jolly Artisan Market at Runway Playa Vista

Playa Vista
Saturdays, December 6 - 13, 2025
Enjoy unique products, live music, great grub, photo ops, and free admission as more than 40 local artisans sell their holiday wares at Runway Playa Vista for the Christmas season.  READ MORE

Parks After Dark: Winter Wonderland

Various locations
Fridays & Saturdays, December 5 - 20, 2025
31 LA County Parks turn into winter wonderlands - complete with snow! - on select Fridays and Saturdays this December. The free events include sled and snow play areas, visits with Santa Claus, holiday crafts, hot cocoa and snack stations, edible holiday crafts, stocking decoration, craft zone, and carnival games. The Teen Zone features a DJ, holiday t-shirt silk screening, and Santa hats. There is a toy giveaway with Santa Claus and his helpers give toys to kids 0 to 17 (while supplies last) READ MORE

Sand Snowman Contest

Hermosa Beach
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Who needs snow?  In Hermosa Beach, families can make their snowmen out of sand.  READ MORE

Apollo Lighting

Downey
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Anyone can light a tree, but it takes rocket scientists to light a space capsule!  Columbia Memorial Space Center illuminates its Apollo capsule, its unique tradition to ring in the holiday season. READ MORE

Manhattan Beach Annual Holiday Fireworks Festival

Manhattan Beach
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Manhattan Beach's annual fireworks extravaganza returns in 2025!  Activities throughout the day include the SKECHERS Snow Park,  Santa Claus, live musical performances, and of course, fireworks.  READ MORE

El Segundo Holiday Parade

El Segundo
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Santa Claus is comin' to town—actually his whole workshop is!  READ MORE

Miracle on Main Street (Santa Monica)

Santa Monica
Sunday, December 7, 2025
The businesses of Santa Monica's Main Street host an evening of holiday fun for the whole family. The festivities start at the lawn of the California Heritage Museum with crafts and activities for kids, and the lighting of the tree. Santa Claus greets kids and poses for photos (bring your own camera). READ MORE

Annual Holiday Sing-Along

Westlake Village
Sunday, December 7, 2025
The annual holiday event at The Shoppes includes live music and caroling, arts & crafts, caroling, a photo booth, and more READ MORE

Homestead Holiday Open House

City of Industry
Sunday, December 7, 2025
The Homestead Museum invites families to discover how Christmas traditions in Los Angeles have changed from the days of the Mexican ranchos.  Tour the museum’s 1920's decorated mansion, La Casa Nueva, take photos, hear holiday music, visit with Santa, sit in for a story, or make a craft. READ MORE

Santa Cares - Citadel

Commerce
Sundays, December 7 & 14, 2025
Santa Cares is a sensory-friendly opportunity for children with special needs to enjoy the time-honored tradition of meeting Santa Claus. Citadel Outlets turns down overhead music, eliminates the need to stand in line by using a reservation system and provides special activities to keep children engaged and prepare them for their visit with Santa. READ MORE

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree Holiday Kick-Off

Fairfax
Friday, December 12, 2025
The Farmers Market welcomes the holidays with a rockin' kick-off celebration. Guests can enjoy live entertainment, youth performances, and get free photo prints from the holiday photo booth. The Salvation Army Hollywood Corp offers gift wrapping services (donations encouraged), and don't miss the kids' craft station from 5pm - 7pm and the drummer boy meet-and-greet. Plus, free hot chocolate! READ MORE

Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights & Fireworks 2025

Ventura
Friday & Saturday, December 12 & 13, 2025
This year, Ventura Harbor ups the anti at the 49th Annual Boat Parade with an entrancing parade on the water, followed by a fireworks display!  The annual boat parade kicks off the holidays in Ventura Harbor. READ MORE

50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point

Dana Point
Friday - Sunday, December 12 - 14, 2025
It's time for the 50th Annual Dana Point Parade of Boats Golden Jubilee, and this year the theme is "Carol of the Boats."  READ MORE

Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade: A Nightmare Before Christmas

Marina del Rey
Saturday, December 13, 2025
The Marina del Rey Boat Parade returns for its 63rd year! Prepare to be awed as spectacularly decorated boats light up Marina del Rey's main harbor. This year's theme is Nightmare Before Christmas (with pirates!).  READ MORE

Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane Parade

Long Beach
Saturday, December 13, 2025
The Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane Parade returns for year 71.  This neighborhood parade is unique in that it runs through a residential street, not a commercial district. The procession includes marching bands, musical groups, and great floats. READ MORE

Annual Holiday Concert on the Pier

Redondo Beach
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Redondo Pier celebrates the holidays with the Annual Concert on the Pier. The festivities include live holiday music, activity books, a charity toy drive, a holiday photos, and sponsor giveaways. READ MORE

Glendora Hometown Christmas Parade

Glendora
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Santa Claus is coming to Glendora: he wouldn't want to miss the parade!  The 2025 Glendora Christmas Parade follows a 1.25-mile route, starting in the Glendora Village on Bennett & Glendora Ave and heading south. The parade then proceeds west on Foothill Blvd. to Grand Ave, then north to Bennett. The parade concludes at Sandburg Middle School. READ MORE

Huntington Harbour Holiday Boat Parade

Huntington Beach
Saturday & Sunday, December 13 & 14, 2025
The 63rd annual Huntington Harbor Holiday Boat Parade cruises through the harbor for two nights, sharing brightly-colored displays. Judging occurs on the first night, and the honorees strut their stuff on the second night. This year, the parade is themed Fun with Music and will be led by Grand Marshall Madeline Fields.  READ MORE

Chatsworth Holiday Parade & Festival

Chatsworth
Sunday, December 14, 2025
The 2025 Annual Chatsworth Holiday event is filled with marching, equestrian, motorized, and float units. This community event also includes a festival area with food vendors, a holiday boutique, games, and more. READ MORE

Hanukkah Celebration at The Point

El Segundo
Sunday, December 14, 2025
The Point in El Segundo celebrates Hanukkah for the 8th year with children’s activities, storytelling, crafts, balloon animals, latkes, magic & crafts, and festive eats.  READ MORE

Hanukkah Celebration (Original Farmers Market)

Fairfax
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Nothing says Hanukkah like a giant menorah -- that's sculpted out of ice! The Farmers Market celebrates Hanukkah with musical performances, a sing-along, arts and crafts, and more. READ MORE

Hanukkah in Santa Monica

Santa Monica
Nightly, December 14, 2025 - December 21, 2025
Downtown Santa Monica celebrates Hanukkah with a traditional menorah lighting at sundown each night during the holiday. READ MORE

Grand Menorah Lightings in Culver City

Culver City
Sunday, December 14 - Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Culver City celebrates Chanukah with the Chabad of Culver City at four consecutive menorah lightings throughout the area.  READ MORE

Newport Beach Boat Parade

Newport Beach
Nightly, Wednesday - Sunday, December 17 - 21, 2025
A Christmastime tradition celebrating its 117th year, the country's oldest boat parade sets the harbor alight for five consecutive nights. Beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes flow to this year's theme: Magical Night of Lights READ MORE

Hanukkah in the Foothills 2025

Sunland
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Families can celebrate the season at the annual Hanukkah in the Foothills celebration.   The free evening includes a candle lighting, along with food, games, and door prizes. Guests at the celebration can enjoy latkes. READ MORE

Winter Wonderland at Ventura Harbor

Ventura
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Snow is falling at the harbor at this special celebration complete with a visit from Santa, arts and crafts, live music, and even live reindeer! Winter Wonderland is a free event perfect for all ages. Four-legged friends are welcome to join in the fun, as well.  READ MORE

Santa Snacks and Stories

Pasadena
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Stories and snacks, just what was on our wish list! One Colorado and Santa Claus host an enchanting afternoon filled with festive fun and holiday cheer. The fun takes place in the ONE Colorado Courtyard near Sage.  READ MORE

66th Annual LA County Holiday Celebration

DTLA
Tuesday, December 24, 2025
Choirs, music ensembles, and dance companies from the many neighborhoods and cultures of LA celebrate the season during this free, three-hour extravaganza. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Fireworks + Glow Party (MDR)

Marina del Rey
Sunday, December 31, 2025
Marina del Rey celebrates the new year with two fireworks displays, the first on east coast time, the second at our own midnight. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
Daisy Avenue, starting at West Burnett Street
Glendora Chamber of Commerce
Numerous Viewing Spots in Newport Beach/ Balboa, including 10th Street Beach

About the Author

Kylie Williams
Kylie Williams is a mom of four who loves exploring Los Angeles with her kids and reporting back about the exciting events, attractions, and hidden gems she discovers. When she's not schlepping the kids around the city, she's probably at the gym, reading a book, or putting together snack bags for one of the kids' sports teams. If you know of a place she should check out, drop a line at Kylie@MommyPoppins.com.
Recent Articles By Kylie Williams:
Read more articles by Kylie Williams.