The holiday season in Los Angeles looks a little different than most places since we don’t get any snow (but trust me — it still gets cold!), but you can find the holiday spirit all across the city if you look in the right places.
This year we’ve compiled a list of holiday events and activities for you to do in LA this winter to experience the holiday spirit in our beloved city!
Venture Through the Venice Canals
Just a short drive from Pacific Palisades is Venice, where most people typically head to the beach for a fun day in the sun, but there’s another hidden gem in Venice — the Venice Canals.
Away from all the hustle and bustle near Venice Beach, during the holidays, the Venice Canals essentially transforms into a Christmas light show as many of the residents in the area go all out with their seasonal decorations! While the traditional boat parade through the canals may or may not be held this year, you can still expect that the bridge and the homes in the area will be shimmering as bright as ever!
If you’re looking for a free activity that will surely get you in the holiday spirit, take a stroll through the Venice Canals this winter– you won’t be disappointed!
Cruise Down Candy Cane Lane
This year there will be online streaming of the event but, trust us, if you can make it down to Newport, observing the boat parade in person is more than worth it!
Visit the North Pole
For a family-fun holiday experience, head to Woodland Hills for the WonderLAnd drive-thru experience, where you can take a journey through millions of Christmas lights, holiday decorations, a winter forest, and even the North Pole.
Beyond the awesome holiday decorations, the family-friendly event also provides a handful of other fun experiences, including stuffed stockings filled with goodies, holiday story-telling sets, a ton of holiday spirit, and more!
WonderLAnd will take place from November 30th-December 23rd and then will reopen again after Christmas, December 26th-30th.
Since the 1950s, there have been eight blocks of homes in Woodland Hills that have competed in a friendly competition over who can create the most spectacular Christmas or Hanukkah decorations in the neighborhood.
You can expect the holiday displays on Candy Cane Lane to go up by the second Saturday of December, and, just so you know, Los Angeles is lucky not just to have one Candy Cane Lane, but two!
If the Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills is a bit too far of a Trek, there is also another Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo!
No matter which Candy Cane Lane you choose to cruise down, we can guarantee an incredible display of holiday decorations that truly feel like a winter wonderland!
Newport Beach Boat Parade
Located just south of Los Angeles in Orange County is the must-see 112th annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade!
The parade, which features over 100 holiday-decorated boats and yachts cruising through Newport Harbor, is held between December 16th-20th and is totally free unless you opt for one of the private seating and dining options available to you.