The year is almost over and there are plenty of things to do to celebrate the holidays and say goodbye to 2024.
So from light shows to parades to tree lighting ceremonies and even pics with Santa for the pets, here are 24 ways to celebrate the holidays in 2024.
Astra Lumina
When: Through Jan. 31
Where: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates
Cost: $26-$39
Information: astralumina.com/los-angeles
The interactive light display transforms the South Coast Botanic Garden into pretty much another world where light displays are enhanced by music. There are several themed zones inspired by the stars and space.
Belmont Shore Christmas Parade
When: 6 p.m. Dec. 7
Where: On Second Street starting at Livingston Drive in Long Beach’s Belmont Shore neighborhood.
Information: belmontshore.org/christmasparade
Thousands of people are expected to line up to see marching bands, classic cars, plus the SoCal Corgi Beach Day dogs and, of course, Santa Claus.
Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights
When: 3-6 p.m. select evenings Dec. 7-29
Where: Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano
Cost: $9-$20
Information: missionsjc.com
Mission San Juan Capistrano lights up for the holidays with its annual Capistrano Lights. The event includes Dickens-era carolers, a full-scale nativity scene, light features and a nightly tree lighting ceremony.
Culver City Holiday Tree Lighting Sled-tacular
When: 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5
Where: Town Plaza, 9300 Culver Blvd., Culver City
Information: downtownculvercity.com
Downtown Culver City has 50 tons of snow that people can sled down during a tree lighting ceremony that will include carnival games, booths and visits with Santa at the North Pole.
Enchanted Forest of Light
When: Through Jan. 5
Where: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge
Tickets: $15-$45 for adults, $10-$30 for children
Information: descansogardens.org
As the sun goes down the lights come on a turn the Gardens into a bright forest. Expect to see popular returning installations including the l “stained glass” houses by contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin; geometric installations, Flower Power on the Promenade and lighting effects in the Ancient Forest.
Festival of Lights
When: Through Jan. 6
Where: Mission Inn, 3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside
Information: missioninn.com
More than 10 million dazzling lights make up this elaborate holiday display in Riverside at The Mission Inn. Visitors can take a self-guided tour and see giant nutcrackers, palm trees, buildings and pretty much everything around the inn wrapped in holiday lights.
Fontana Christmas Parade and Festival of Winter
When: Thursday, Dec 5 and Dec. 14
Where: 8353 Sierra Ave., for tree lighting and Miller Park Amphitheater, 17002 Arrow Blvd., Fontana for parade.
Information: fontanaca.gov/387/Festival-of-Winter
There’s a lot going on in Fontana for the holidays. It all starts with a Dec. 5 tree lighting ceremony at City Hall with a visit from Santa. Then on Dec. 14 there’s a parade that starts at 10 a.m. at Sierra Avenue and Arrow Boulevard with floats, music and community groups. The parade culminates at the Festival of Winter at Miller Park Amphitheater.
Grand Illuminations
When: Wednesday, Dec. 4-Jan. 8
Where: The Yard at Cal Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
Information: downtownla.com/explore/holidays/grand-illuminations
Los Angeles based artist group Liquid PXL created a light spectacle that features large-scale kinetic sculptures including 10 “Electric Dandelions,” light columns and a 25-foot LED light tree.
Holiday Road
When: 5- 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29-Dec. 28
Where: King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas
Cost: Tickets start at $24.99 per person
Information: holidayroadusa.com
King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas turns into a merry road with a mile-long walk that includes larger-than-life holiday installations and thousands of Christmas lights. Visitors will be able to walk to the North Pole, through an Elf Village, Gingerbread Lane, light tunnels, massive Christmas tree forests and see musical light shows.
Hollywood Christmas Parade
When: 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1
Where: Hollywood Boulevard at Orange Drive, the U-shaped parade route will travel east to Vine, then to Sunset and west back to Orange Drive.
Cost: $120 for bleacher seats
Information: thehollywoodchristmasparade.org
The annual parade will include celebrities like Mario Lopez, Jeremy Renner, who is this year’s Grand Marshall, plus the real Hulk, Lou Ferrigno.
Ice at Santa Monica
When: Through Jan. 20
Where: 1324 Fifth St., Santa Monica
Information: iceatsantamonica.com
The corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue is transformed into a winter wonderland that will include holiday entertainment. There will be themed events, DJ nights and even a Taylor Swift-themed night and a family-friendly New Year’s Eve countdown plus a mini-rink attached just for the kids.
Irvine Spectrum Center
When: Through Jan. 5
Where: 670 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine
Information: irvinespectrumcenter.com/entertainment/attractions/ice-rink
Skate to live DJs and themed nights that include ugly sweater, Hawaiian shirt and Anaheim Ducks nights.
LA County Tree Lighting Ceremony
When: 5- 7 p.m. Dec. 2
Where: Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
Cost: Free
Information: musiccenter.org
The city kicks off the holiday season by lighting a 50-foot holiday tree. Besides the tree there will be live music, hot chocolate and art making.
LA Kings Holiday Ice
When: Friday, Nov. 29-Jan. 10
Where: L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles
Information: lalive.com/la-kings-holiday-ice-la-live
Thanks to a giant holiday tree right in the middle, this is one of the best rinks for a selfie. And since it’s surrounded by the many restaurants at the venue, there is usually a skate and dining deal offered during the season.
LA Zoo Lights
When: 6-10 p.m. nightly through Jan. 5
Where: 5333 Zoo Drive Los Angeles
Cost: $18-$35
Information: lazoo.org
The zoo will light up at night during this annual celebration that turns the park into a landscape filled with lantern sculptures of animals, blooming flowers and trees, ice crystals, light tunnels, twinkling forests and more.
Lektrik: A Festival of Lights
When: Through March
Where: Raging Waters LA, 111 Raging Waters Drive, San Dimas
Cost: $23.31 and up
Information: lektrik.com/los-angeles
More than 1 million LED lights will illuminate more than 100 light structures that celebrate the spirit of Los Angeles. Visitors will walk through jungle scenes, underwater worlds and beaches. There will also be live performances, artisan vendors and acrobats.
Lighting of the Bay and Fire & Lights Festival
When: Friday, Nov. 29-Jan. 5
Where: Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach
Information: newportdunes.com/fire-and-lights-festival
Check out more fifty illuminated displays and floating Christmas trees that light up the bay each night. The festival, which is open Thursday-Sunday evenings includes an Igloo Bar, fire dancer performances, holiday-themed inflatables and photos with Santa.
Pershing Square Holiday Ice Rink
When: Through Jan. 12
Where: 532 S. Olive St., Los Angeles
Information: holidayicerinkdowntownla.com
The downtown Los Angeles skyline will be your background while skating to weekly DJ Spotlight Nights. And if you have your eyes on becoming a winter Olympic athlete, there will be curling lessons on select nights.
Pet Photos with Santa
When: 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Dec. 15
Where: THE BLOC, 750 W. Seventh St., Los Angeles
Information: theblocla.com
Dress your dogs in holiday gear and have them meet and take a picture with Santa. Dog owners will get a free printed picture and digital copy.
Queen Mary 12 Days of Christmas
When: Dec. 12-23
Where: The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach.
Cost: $25
Information: queenmary.com
The Queen Mary is marking the holidays with a 12-day celebration that starts with the lighting of the Queen Mary stacks and tree on night one. Night two gets a little scary at the famously haunted ship with a Spooktacular Bazaar aboard the ship, showcasing local vendors specializing in year-round spooky creations. The evening includes a Krampus screening, a Q&A with the film’s writers, and a photo-op with Krampus.
Santa Paws
When: 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 14
Where: Malibu Bluffs Park, 24250 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
Information: malibucity.org
Because dogs deserve to be on the nice list, this free event brings Santa to the beach to take pictures with your furry friends, and they’ll get a treat too. Just make sure your dog is on a leash.
Temecula On Ice
When: Dec. 12-Jan. 5
Where: 41902 Main St., Temecula
Information: temeculaca.gov
The city’s annual ice rink returns with music playing from its very own radio station, plus Bobby skating for young kids and a New Year’s Eve skate night.
Victorville Festival of Lights & Tree Lighting
When: 4-7 p.m. Dec. 7
Where: Victorville City Hall, 14343 Civic Drive, Victorville
Cost: Free
Information: victorvilleca.gov
Get free hot chocolate, cookies, food and check vendors, listen to music or go on carriage rides when the city lights the Christmas tree. There will also be ice skating and snow and of course Santa will be there.
Winter Fest OC
When: Select dates through Jan. 5
Where: OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
Cost: $34.99-$94.99
Information: winterfestoc.com
Visitors will feel like they’re in another world as the venue is engulfed in holiday decorations plus snow, carnival rides, games, a new holiday light show, an ice skating rink and a 150-foot ice tubing slide.
