Holiday lights, outdoor skating, festive markets and tree-lighting celebrations are bringing holiday cheer to Los Angeles this November.
Whether you’re planning a date night, a family outing or a head start on holiday shopping, this guide highlights 15 seasonal events across the greater Los Angeles area. Several continue into December and January, giving you more time to enjoy them.
Here’s where to kick off the holiday season in November 2026.
This guide focuses on holiday celebrations. For no-cost ideas, see our free things to do in Los Angeles this November, or browse 20 things to do in Los Angeles this November for a wider mix of museums, food stops, and outdoor plans.
1. Explore the Christmas light maze at Enchant
Enchant returns to Santa Anita Park with a new maze adventure and storyline for 2026. Explore illuminated installations, stop for festive photos and enjoy seasonal food, drinks and entertainment. Ice skating adds another activity to the evening.
📅 Dates: November 20–December 27, 2026
⏰ Hours: Select your date and available entry time when booking.
📍 Location: Santa Anita Park, Arcadia
🎟️ Admission: Paid. Check ticket options for included activities and extras.
2. Visit the new Swiss Winter Village at Santa Monica Pier
A Swiss-inspired Christmas village is arriving at the Santa Monica Pier. Browse more than 60 chalets featuring gifts, crafts and seasonal food, with raclette, sweet treats and a skating rink adding to the festive atmosphere.
This seaside holiday outing brings shopping, food and winter activities together overlooking the Pacific.
📅 Dates: November 18, 2026–January 3, 2027
⏰ Hours: Opening night, November 18: 5–11 PM. Regular hours: Monday–Wednesday, 11 AM–9 PM; Thursday–Sunday, 11 AM–10 PM. Special holiday hours apply.
📍 Location: Santa Monica Pier Event Deck, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica
🎟️ Admission: Paid. Tickets and activity bundles are available through Fever via the official website.
3. Walk through Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens
Descanso Gardens becomes an illuminated evening escape during Enchanted Forest of Light. Follow garden pathways through colorful installations, including interactive displays that invite visitors to pause and explore.
Hot drinks and refreshments are available to purchase along the way, making this a festive option for an evening outdoors.
📅 Dates: November 22, 2026–January 9, 2027
⏰ Hours: 5:30–10 PM. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
📍 Location: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge
🎟️ Admission: Paid. A separate evening event ticket is required; daytime garden admission does not include Enchanted.
4. See glowing wildlife at L.A. Zoo Lights
L.A. Zoo Lights returns with illuminated displays inspired by plants, pollinators and wildlife. Look for larger-than-life birds, butterflies, flowers, marine creatures and Ice Age giants throughout the nighttime experience.
Seasonal treats, photo opportunities and an artificial skating rink add to the festivities. Some activities require an additional purchase.
📅 Dates: Select evenings, November 20, 2026–January 10, 2027
⏰ Hours: Check the official ticket calendar for entry times. Closed November 26 and 30, with additional closures later in the season.
📍 Location: Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles
🎟️ Admission: Paid. Skating and Santa photos cost extra.
🚗 Parking: Free.
5. Experience NightTales at the Natural History Museum
See the Natural History Museum after dark through NightTales, a new indoor-outdoor experience featuring artwork by Los Angeles artist Maggie West.
Glowing installations and cinematic projections reinterpret the museum’s collections and the natural world through light, sound and imagery. The experience takes place in selected museum halls and garden spaces.
📅 Dates: Select nights, November 12, 2026–January 10, 2027
⏰ Hours: Timed entries between 6–9 PM; check availability for your preferred date.
📍 Location: Natural History Museum, Exposition Park, Los Angeles
🎟️ Admission: Paid. Book through the museum’s official ticket page.
🚗 Parking: Available for an additional charge.
6. Watch Rodeo Drive light up for the holidays
Beverly Hills welcomes the season with the Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration. The free event brings live music, dance and festive entertainment to the famous shopping street.
The evening concludes with the illumination of the holiday décor and a fireworks finale. It’s a chance to enjoy a seasonal celebration without purchasing an admission ticket.
📅 Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
⏰ Time: 5–8 PM
📍 Location: Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills
🎟️ Admission: Free and open to the public. No ticket purchase is needed.
7. Celebrate the season at Union Station
Union Station’s 11th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony brings holiday festivities into its historic Ticket Concourse.
Enjoy live performances by Mariachi Ausente and Lizzy & the Triggermen, festive stilt walkers, sweet treats and photo opportunities with Santa and special guests from the North Pole.
📅 Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
⏰ Time: 6–8 PM
📍 Location: Los Angeles Union Station, Ticket Concourse
🎟️ Admission: Free for all ages. Tickets are not required.
8. Discover the expanded LA Kings Holiday Ice Festival
The seasonal skating tradition at L.A. LIVE is expanding into the LA Kings Holiday Ice Festival.
Alongside the outdoor rink, visitors can explore a holiday village featuring shopping, seasonal food and drinks, Santa experiences and illuminated photo spots. A light tunnel and holiday activities give visitors more to enjoy before or after skating.
📅 Dates: November 27, 2026–January 3, 2027
⏰ Hours: Check the booking calendar for skating and village entry times.
📍 Location: Peacock Place at L.A. LIVE, 800 W. Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles
🎟️ Admission: Paid ticket options for skating and the Holiday Village. Tickets are sold through Bucket Listers.
9. Go ice skating at Pershing Square
Outdoor skating returns to Pershing Square, bringing a seasonal rink to the heart of Downtown Los Angeles.
Plan a daytime skate or an evening beneath the skyline. November programming includes a Onesies Tuesday skate on November 17 and a Friendsgiving skate on November 24. The opening celebration and tree lighting take place November 19.
📅 Dates: November 12, 2026–January 3, 2027
⏰ Hours: Sessions vary by date. November 19 celebration: 5–7 PM.
📍 Location: Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive Street, Los Angeles
🎟️ Admission: Paid skating admission includes skate rental.
Official information and tickets (holidayicerinkdowntownla.com)
10. Enjoy the Hollywood Christmas Parade
The Hollywood Christmas Parade returns over Thanksgiving weekend for its 94th edition.
The longtime holiday tradition brings floats, marching bands and entertainment to Hollywood while supporting Toys for Tots and other charitable organizations. Check the official website for the updated lineup, viewing information and road closures before heading out.
📅 Date: Sunday, November 29, 2026
⏰ Time: Check the official event schedule for arrival and parade timing.
📍 Location: Hollywood; see the official parade route map.
🎟️ Admission: Reserved seating is ticketed. Consult the official website for viewing options.
Official parade information (thehollywoodchristmasparade.org, discoverlosangeles.com)
11. Spend a festive day at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates the season with Grinchmas, Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the new Illumination’s Merry Minions festivities.
Holiday décor, character encounters and seasonal food add to the experience, while Super Nintendo World also receives festive touches.
📅 Dates: November 21, 2026–January 3, 2027
⏰ Hours: Theme park operating hours vary by date.
📍 Location: Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City
🎟️ Admission: Included with valid theme park admission. Pass restrictions and blockout dates may apply.
Official information and tickets (universalstudioshollywood.com)
12. Start holiday shopping at Renegade Craft
Renegade Craft’s holiday fair brings more than 275 curated artists to Santa Monica Airport for a weekend of shopping and supporting independent businesses.
Browse handmade goods and creative gifts at this outdoor fair. It’s an early-November option for anyone hoping to get their holiday shopping started before Thanksgiving.
📅 Dates: November 7–8, 2026
⏰ Hours: 10 AM–4 PM daily
📍 Location: Santa Monica Airport — Interim Open Space, 3233 Donald Douglas Loop S., Santa Monica
🎟️ Admission: Optional entry contribution accepted onsite; no advance ticket requirement is listed.
🚗 Parking: Free onsite parking.
🐶 Leashed pets are welcome. The fair takes place rain or shine.
13. Catch the Citadel Outlets Tree Lighting Concert
Citadel Outlets starts its holiday celebrations with a free tree-lighting concert featuring live performances and an appearance by Santa.
Following the music and tree lighting, a staged snow show adds a wintry finish to the evening.
📅 Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
⏰ Time: Performances begin at 5 PM.
📍 Location: Citadel Outlets, Commerce
🎟️ Admission: Free with open entry. No tickets are required.
14. Enjoy music and a tree lighting at the Autry
The Autry’s Tree Lighting Holiday Celebration combines seasonal music with an evening at the museum.
Hear holiday classics performed by The Sugarplums, watch the tree lighting and then enjoy a live DJ, line-dancing lessons and access to the museum galleries. Food and holiday drinks will be available to purchase.
📅 Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
⏰ Time: 6–9 PM; The Sugarplums perform at 6:30 PM.
📍 Location: Autry Museum of the American West, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles
🎟️ Admission: Paid general admission. Book through the Autry’s official Fever ticket page.
🚗 Parking: Free.
15. Join Westwood Village’s Holiday Tree Lighting
Broxton Plaza hosts a neighborhood holiday celebration with crafts, Santa photos, music, hot cocoa and cookies.
The family-friendly gathering also includes a bounce house and artificial snow, ending with the lighting of the Westwood Village holiday tree.
📅 Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
⏰ Time: Confirm the latest start time on the organizer’s registration page before attending.
📍 Location: Broxton Plaza, 1036 Broxton Avenue, Los Angeles
🎟️ Admission: Free and open to all. RSVP is available through the Westwood Village Improvement Association’s Eventbrite listing.
November offers plenty of ways to welcome the holidays across Los Angeles, from free community celebrations to ticketed light experiences and seasonal skating.
Choose your favorites, check the official schedule and reserve ahead where needed. Event dates, hours and availability may change, and some attractions operate only on selected nights.
Follow Places Los Angeles for more local events, seasonal guides and things to do around the city.
