December in Los Angeles is pure magic. The air gets cooler (at least by California standards), palm trees sparkle with lights, and the city feels wrapped in its own kind of holiday spirit. Whether you’re in the mood for outdoor movies, glowing art shows, or cozy winter markets, LA proves you don’t need snow to feel the season.

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From beachside parades to holiday lights that outshine the stars, here are 15 December events in Los Angeles that bring the city to life as the year winds down.

Category Events & Festivals Why Go
Holiday Magic LA Zoo Lights, Enchanted Forest of Light, Holiday Road Bright lights, family fun, and festive walks
Music & Culture LA County Holiday Celebration, Mariachi USA Christmas Concert Seasonal tunes and cultural showcases
Food & Drink Smorgasburg Holiday Market, Echo Park Holiday Festival Local bites and community cheer
Outdoor Fun Marina del Rey Boat Parade, Venice Canals Lighting SoCal holiday vibes by the water
Arts & Movies Street Food Cinema Holiday Series, The Nutcracker (various venues) Classic favorites under twinkling lights
New Year’s Celebrations Grand Park NYELA, Long Beach Fireworks Ring in the new year, LA style

1. LA Zoo Lights: Animals, Glow, and Family Fun

When the sun goes down, the Los Angeles Zoo transforms into a glowing wonderland. Twinkling pathways, giant animal lanterns, and light tunnels make this an easy family favorite. Bring cocoa, bundle up, and wander through a forest of color that feels equal parts festive and wild.

2. Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens

In La Cañada Flintridge, Descanso Gardens turns into an illuminated dreamscape. Giant glowing tulips, interactive displays, and softly lit trees line the trails : perfect for evening strolls with friends or little ones. It’s quiet, calm, and pure winter magic.

3. Holiday Road at King Gillette Ranch

This Malibu event takes “holiday lights” to another level. Walk through immersive tunnels, glowing forests, and cheerful scenes straight out of a Christmas card. There’s also music, snacks, and hot drinks to keep the holiday mood glowing.

4. Marina del Rey Boat Parade

Only in LA can you trade reindeer for sailboats. The Marina del Rey Boat Parade lights up the harbor with decorated yachts and festive music. Bring a blanket, find a good viewing spot along the water, and watch the reflections dance across the bay.

5. Venice Canals Holiday Lighting

Every December, the Venice Canals shimmer with lights and floating decorations. It’s one of LA’s most peaceful, picture-perfect events : no crowds, just the sound of water and laughter under strings of glowing bulbs.

6. LA County Holiday Celebration at the Music Center

This free, long-running tradition is pure holiday joy. The LA County Holiday Celebration brings together choirs, mariachi bands, and dance groups from across the city for an evening that celebrates LA’s incredible diversity.

If you love community, this is where the season truly shines.

7. Smorgasburg Holiday Market

The beloved Smorgasburg LA gets a festive twist in December. Picture your favorite food trucks and stalls decked out in lights, with holiday treats like churro donuts, mulled cider, and warm empanadas. Bring your appetite : and maybe stretchy pants.

8. Echo Park Holiday Festival

Local, low-key, and full of heart, the Echo Park Holiday Festival celebrates community spirit with live music, art booths, and even snow (yes, real snow) for kids to play in. It’s small-town warmth right in the middle of the city.

9. Street Food Cinema: Holiday Edition

Outdoor movies don’t stop in LA just because it’s winter. Street Food Cinema hosts special screenings of holiday classics : from Elf to Home Alone : with food trucks, cozy blankets, and a sky full of stars.

10. The Nutcracker Performances Around Town

No December list would be complete without The Nutcracker. Whether it’s the Los Angeles Ballet or community productions across the region, these performances bring elegance and nostalgia to the holidays. A must for families and tradition lovers alike.

11. Griffith Park Holiday Train Ride

For a dose of pure childhood wonder, head to Griffith Park. The Holiday Light Festival Train Ride takes you through tunnels and displays filled with glowing reindeer and candy canes. It’s short, sweet, and utterly charming.

12. Beverly Hills Holiday Lights

Palm trees wrapped in gold and silver lights, storefronts dressed to impress, and a little holiday sparkle at every turn : Beverly Hills goes all out in December. Walk down Rodeo Drive after sunset, and it feels like you’re in a Christmas movie with a California twist.

13. Grand Park’s NYELA

When the clock strikes midnight, Grand Park in Downtown LA hosts the city’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration : with live music, light projections on City Hall, and a crowd full of energy and excitement. It’s festive without the chaos, making it one of the best ways to welcome the new year.

14. Long Beach New Year’s Eve Fireworks

If you’d rather ring in the new year by the ocean, Long Beach has you covered. Fireworks burst over the bay, and restaurants along the waterfront host special menus and live music. It’s relaxed, fun, and the perfect coastal sendoff to the year.

15. Holiday Ice Skating at Pershing Square

Even if it’s 70 degrees, LA finds a way to feel like winter. The Pershing Square Ice Rink brings cold-weather charm downtown : twinkling lights, pop-up DJs, and skating under skyscrapers. It’s pure holiday cheer, SoCal-style.

Experience December in LA Like a Local With HomeExchange

December in LA is all about moments : not crowds. With HomeExchange in LA, you can stay in real homes and enjoy the city at your own pace.

Wake up in a cozy bungalow near Silver Lake, sip coffee on a Santa Monica balcony, or end your night in a family home near Griffith Park after a day of holiday lights. You’ll feel connected to the neighborhoods, the people, and that special LA glow that shines brightest this time of year.

Because the best part of the holidays here isn’t just the weather : it’s feeling at home in the middle of it all.

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December in Los Angeles at a Glance

Category Events Why Go
Lights & Magic LA Zoo Lights, Enchanted Forest, Holiday Road Dazzling night walks and family fun
Local Flavor Smorgasburg Market, Echo Park Festival LA’s creative spirit in every bite
Music & Culture Holiday Celebration, Mariachi USA, The Nutcracker Heartfelt performances across the city
New Year’s Fun Grand Park NYELA, Long Beach Fireworks Big endings, bright beginnings