We have lived in Los Angeles for over a decade and have never spent the holiday season here. Once school is out for the holiday season, so are we...usually. Last year we took a 3.5 day (4 days if you ask my husband) TREK across the country for the holidays, this year is going to be drastically different, we are staying in Los Angeles. OH NO - we hope Santa remembers 😉

We are use to Michigan snow, amazing light displays and lots of family Christmas magic. Can Los Angeles deliver some magic for our boys? WE SURE HOPE SO!!! We have spent weeks researching, buying tickets and compiling our list of kid-friendly holiday events to hit up this holiday season, all under $35/person (most are under $25). We can't promise the events listed below are everything they are talked up to be, but don't worry - we will share our personal experiences as we cross them off over the next few weeks, one by one.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY LOS ANGELES WINTER BUCKETLIST:

  • Christmas on the Farm at Underwood Family Farms (Moorpark, CA) - we can not rave about this family-farm enough. We come back monthly!!!
    • Open November 26th-December 23rd (9am-5pm) & December 24th (9am-12pm)
  • Hot Cocoa & Bonfire on the Beach - Dockweiler Beach (Playa del Rey, CA) - be sure to arrive early to snag a fire ring. Nothing says LA Christmas like hot cocoa on a beach 😉
    • Monday - Thursdays 6am-8:30pm
    • Friday - Sundays 6am-6pm
  • El Dorado Frontier (Long Beach, CA) - they are offering night-time train rides this year, only on Dec. 10th & 17th - buy them now!!! Selling out fast (we snagged ours - PHEW).
    • Open Saturdays & Sundays 10am-4pm *no reservations required for daytime admission, but can purchase online!
  • Candy Cane Lane (Woodland Hills, CA) - this is a LA hotspot, a long lasting neighborhood tradition. We can't wait to drive thru.
    • Open December 2nd- (6pm-10pm *11pm on weekends)
  • Santa & Snowfall at The Grove (Los Angeles, CA) - the fake snowfall is MAGIC. The light display is MAGIC. The Grove in general is MAGIC. Love, love, love this holiday staple in LA County. Take the evening, stroll through the holiday displays, hit up the original farmer's market and wave hello to Santa.
    • November 26th - December 23rd, 2021 (7pm & 8pm)
    • December 24th (5pm, 6pm & 7pm)
Holidays at The Grove - 2018
Holidays at The Grove - 2018
Santa's Village at The Grove - 2018
  • L.A. Zoo Lights (Los Angeles, CA) - as members of the zoo we have done this event before and LOVED it. Every excited to head back this year after being away for two years.
    • November 19th - January 9th, 2022 (6pm-10pm)
LA Zoo Lights 2019 - Entrance Sign
LA Zoo Lights 2019 - Light Tunnel
LA Zoo Lights 2019 - Light Tunnel
LA Zoo Lights 2019 - Elephant Exhibit
LA Zoo Lights 2019 - Carousel Lights
  • Enchanted: Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens (La Canada Flintridge, CA) - this event is selling out quick and after going to "Carved" this season, we TOTALLY see why. The light displays are TOP KNOTCH.
    • November 21st - January 9th, 2022 (5:30pm-10:00pm) *MUST HAVE TIMED- ENTRY TICKET AHEAD OF TIME
  • The Science of Gingerbread - Discovery Cube LA (Sylmar, CA) - a hands-on museum with holiday exhibits? COUNT US IN.
    • November 20th - January 2nd, 2022
    • ONLY: Thursdays - Sundays 10am-5pm
  • Kidspace Winter Frolic (Pasadena, CA) - we are SO excited to do this, for an extra $5/person they have a sock-skating rink...our boys are going to be STOKED.
    • Closed on Mondays, visit website for all special hours per day!
  • LA Kings Holiday Ice - LA LIVE (Los Angeles, CA) - Ice-skating right outside the Staples Center, EPIC. Not sure our boys are ready for this, but it is a bucket list item!
    • November 27th - December 16th, 2021 (5pm-12:00am) *must get timed session
    • December 17th - January 7th, 2022 (4pm-12:00am) *must get timed session

Well, there you have it – a family-friendly winter bucket list for Los Angeles. We hope this list helps create some amazing winter family traditions, here goes year one! Follow our journey on instagram as we cross off each event. Wishing you and your family a safe & happy holiday season. Here comes 2022!

Frosty's Christmas Tree Farm 2021 - Santa Clarita, CA

XO, The Hansens