Los Angeles becomes a surprising holiday destination every December. Instead of snow-covered streets, you get palm trees wrapped in lights, historic plazas filled with music, outdoor markets serving warm seasonal food, and nightly snowfall at one of the city’s most iconic shopping districts. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or simply enjoying the spirit of the season, LA’s neighborhoods offer experiences that feel warm, theatrical, and full of charm.
We love staying near Hollywood Boulevard, especially at places like the Loews Hollywood Hotel and the Holiday Inn Express Hollywood. Hollywood isn’t traditionally seen as a “holiday neighborhood,” but the mix of classic film atmosphere, street decorations, and easy access to the Metro makes it a surprisingly festive home base. One of our happiest surprises was passing a fresh-cut Christmas tree lot every day on our walk to the train, filling the air with the smell of pine.
Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- When This Guide Helps You
- How To Use This Guide
- Starting Your Day in Hollywood
- Taking the Metro to Union Station
- Christmas on Olvera Street
- An Evening at The Grove
- Hanukkah in Los Angeles
- Seasonal Entertainment Across LA
- Light Parades and Waterfront Celebrations
- Holiday Shopping Destinations
- Holiday Food Crawl Across Los Angeles
- 3–Day Christmas in Los Angeles Itinerary
- What To Do Next
Key Takeaways
- Los Angeles blends Christmas, Hanukkah, and multicultural traditions into one festive citywide season.
- The LA Metro makes it easy to explore without needing a car.
- The Grove offers nightly snowfall, one of the best Christmas trees in the city, and incredible seasonal food.
- Olvera Street hosts traditional posadas, nativity scenes, and holiday food.
- Hanukkah is widely celebrated across LA, especially in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood.
When This Guide Helps You
This guide is perfect if you want a holiday trip to LA that goes beyond the theme parks. These experiences capture the spirit of Christmas and Hanukkah through architecture, food, markets, concerts, and waterfront celebrations. It’s also ideal if you enjoy exploring walkable neighborhoods, historic sites, and festive seasonal events.
How To Use This Guide
Use this guide as a pick-and-choose reference or follow our three-day itinerary below. We provide links to 2025 event calendars, museum schedules, winter celebrations, and transit maps so you can confirm everything before you travel. You can also explore Metro’s Rider Guides for trip planning.
Starting Your Day in Hollywood
Hollywood is full of unexpected holiday moments. Staying at the Loews Hollywood Hotel puts you right above the Dolby Theatre complex and steps from the Walk of Fame. Meanwhile, the Holiday Inn Express near the Hollywood Bowl lets you start each day with that magical walk past the Christmas tree lot. Hollywood lights, holiday decorations, and street musicians create a festive backdrop to your December mornings.
Map: Hollywood & Highland
Taking the Metro to Union Station
From Hollywood, hop on the B Line (Red Line) downtown. Union Station becomes especially beautiful during Christmas. With Spanish Revival architecture and warm amber lighting, even a simple walk through the station feels festive. Each year, the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony brings music, decorations, and family activities.
Map: Union Station
Christmas on Olvera Street
Olvera Street combines Mexican American heritage with classic Christmas traditions. December brings Las Posadas processions, a traditional nativity installation, live folk music, and stalls decorated with holiday garlands and lanterns. It’s one of the best ways to experience cultural Christmas celebrations in Los Angeles.
Map: Olvera Street
An Evening at The Grove
The Grove is one of the most festive places in the entire city during Christmas. Each night features artificial snowfall made with fake snow foam—often called “snoap.” The massive Christmas tree, live performances, and seasonal decorations create a warm and theatrical holiday experience.
Just next door, the historic Original Farmers Market offers warm dinners, holiday desserts, and seasonal coffee drinks in a cozy, bustling atmosphere.
Map: The Grove
Hanukkah in Los Angeles
Hanukkah celebrations appear all across LA, and the city embraces the Festival of Lights through public menorah ceremonies, music, and cultural programming. Look for menorah lightings organized by Chabad in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Santa Monica. Museums like the Holocaust Museum LA host programs, musical performances, and candle lighting gatherings during the holiday.
Seasonal Entertainment Across LA
The LA Philharmonic’s holiday calendar includes classical Christmas concerts, choral nights, jazz winter specials, and holiday film music showcases at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. While the Hollywood Bowl has fewer winter events, they occasionally host festive programs worth checking.
Light Parades and Waterfront Celebrations
Along the water, holiday boat parades fill the coastline with lights and music. Two of the most popular are the Long Beach Parade of 1000 Lights and the Los Angeles Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade near the Port of Los Angeles. They offer a California-style version of Christmas with decorated boats gliding along the water.
Holiday Shopping Destinations
- The Grove – Light displays, snowfall, boutiques, and holiday markets.
- Americana at Brand – Glendale’s version of The Grove with festive decor and dining.
- Beverly Center – Upscale indoor shopping with seasonal installations.
- Melrose Avenue – Trendy boutiques and holiday pop-ups.
- Santa Monica Place – Coastal shopping with winter programming.
Holiday Food Crawl Across Los Angeles
If you’re hungry (and it’s the holidays, so you should be), this food crawl hits the city’s best seasonal treats.
Stop 1: Porto’s Bakery
Start with Porto’s Bakery for gingerbread cookies, festive pastries, and hot chocolate.
Stop 2: Original Farmers Market
Visit the Farmers Market for warm holiday meals, pies, and international holiday dishes.
Stop 3: Tam O’Shanter
End at The Tam O’Shanter, a historic Christmas favorite with roast dinners and Dickens-style decor.
3–Day Christmas in Los Angeles Itinerary
Day 1: Hollywood & The Grove
- Morning: Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Lunch: Eat at the Original Farmers Market.
- Evening: Wander The Grove and stay for snowfall.
Day 2: Union Station, Olvera Street, and Downtown
- Morning: Take the Metro to Union Station.
- Afternoon: Explore Olvera Street posadas and markets.
- Night: See a concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Day 3: Waterfront Parades & Coastal Shopping
- Morning: Head to Santa Monica for holiday shopping.
- Afternoon: Explore coastal markets.
- Evening: Watch a waterfront holiday parade in San Pedro or Long Beach.
What To Do Next
If this guide helped you plan your holiday trip, you may enjoy exploring more of our travel inspiration or creating a cozy holiday-at-home treat night. There’s so much holiday magic to explore, whether you’re traveling or spending a December night at home.
