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10 Holiday and Christmas Events in Los Angeles to Book Now!

LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow makes a festive family evening. Photo by Jamie Pham
LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow makes a festive family evening. Photo by Jamie Pham
11/1/24 - By Kylie Williams

The time to book the best holiday and Christmas events in Los Angeles is now! These popular holiday events go on sale early and sell out quickly. 

The holiday season is magical, but for parents whose to-do list is longer than Santa's, it can be hard to track when to buy tickets to all the big holiday and Christmas events in LA. Set your alarms, mark your calendars (view our Los Angeles events calendar while you're at it), and prepare those ugly Christmas sweaters for all the festive family outings. 

From incredible light walk-throughs to holiday train rides and the dates they go on sale, keep reading for all the LA holiday events intel. 

Keep the holiday traditions going, or start a new one by bookmarking the must-do Christmas events in Los Angeles, seeing an LA Nutcracker ballet, and making more holiday memories with our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families. 

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Bob Baker's Nutcracker is a beloved holiday tradition. Photo courtesy of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater
Bob Baker's Nutcracker is a beloved holiday tradition. Photo courtesy of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater

Holiday and Christmas Events in Los Angeles to Book Now

LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow

Griffith Park
November 13, 2025 - January 11, 2025
Tickets on sale October 18, 2025
Zoo Lights once again lights up the night with a holiday light display at the LA Zoo. The event transforms select areas of the zoo into an immersive landscape filled with spectacular lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers, towering trees, and more. This year, Santa returns to join in the fun.  READ MORE

The Southern California Polar Express Train Ride

Perris
November 20, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Tickets on sale now
Step inside a holiday classic! The Polar Express Train Ride is a magical re-creation of the classic children’s story on board a real train. Have your golden tickets ready for the Conductor. Guests are served hot chocolate and shortbread by dancing chefs, enjoy a reading of the classic book, and get a gift from Santa. READ MORE

Enchanted: Forest of Light

La Canada-Flintridge
November 16, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Tickets on sale now
Enchanted: Forest of Light is an interactive, nighttime experience, featuring a one-mile walk through unique lighting displays throughout Descanso Gardens.  READ MORE

Bob Baker’s Nutcracker

Sierra Madre
November 29, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Tickets on sale now
Bob Baker's Nutcracker is spinning a tale of Christmas lore at the Sierra Madre Playhouse this year! This beloved version of the story has been running since 1969, and every performance ends with ice cream. Don't miss this LA holiday tradition!  READ MORE

Holiday Road Walk-thru at King Gillette Ranch

Calabasas
November 28, 2025 - December 27, 2025
Tickets on sale soon
Holiday Road returns as a walk-thru immersive holiday lights experience. King Gillette Ranch transforms into a winter wonderland filled with larger-than-life holiday displays and millions of Christmas lights. Guests can enjoy countless photo ops, a festive souvenir shop, and all of the holiday cheer. Santa Claus is available for photos on select days. READ MORE

Kidspace Winter Frolic

Pasadena
November 8, 2025 - December 24, 2025
Tickets on sale soon
Kidspace Children’s Museum transforms into a land of wonder and delight at its fourth annual Winter Frolic. The Winter Frolic offers a flurry of experiences and programs, including no-ice sock skating, "ice" play, and a snowman photo op. READ MORE

Holiday Train Ride at Griffith Park Southern Railroad

Griffith Park
Friday, November 28, 2025 - January 11, 2026
Tickets on sale November 1, 2025
Hooray! Griffith Park and Southern Railroad brings back its popular Santa train ride this year. The evening ride is gentle, and just the right size for kids and their parents to take in the festively decorated mile of track with thousands of twinkling lights.  READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm

Moorpark
November 28, 2025 - December 24, 2025
Tickets on sale November 1, 2025
Underwood Farms' Moorpark Farm Center is brimming with activity this holiday season. A wide range of activities are included with admission, such as visits to the Animal Center, holiday photo ops, tractor-drawn wagon rides, animal shows, a baby goat experience, and combine & harvester slides. And on two select weekends: Santa"s Reindeer!  READ MORE

Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train

Orange
November 28, 2025 - December 23, 2025
Tickets on sale November 3, 2025, at 10am (online only)
Irvine Regional Park's annual Christmas Train offers both daytime and nighttime rides through the historic park to meet Santa at his Village. Grab your tickets fast- this event sells out every year!  READ MORE

Once Upon a Christmas: A North Pole Adventure

Newport Beach
Dates TBA
Tickets on sale TBA
There is a portal to the North Pole on Balboa Island in Newport Beach! Kids will be enchanted as they enter the North Pole, get scanned by the Naughty-or-Nice Meter, take a virtual ride on the North Pole "Elfavator", and meet and talk with Comet in the reindeer's barn. Depending on which package you choose, kids can enjoy a storytime with Santa, make a toy with his elves, and experience a magic snowfall.  READ MORE

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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.
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