Christmas 2025 in Los Angeles: Top Parades, Holiday Events & Family Fun

Los Angeles transforms into a sun-soaked holiday paradise during Christmas, blending festive traditions with its iconic beaches, glamorous parades, and world-class theme parks. In 2025, the City of Angels shines brighter than ever with events that capture the spirit of the season while embracing SoCal’s unique vibe—no snow required. From the star-studded Hollywood Christmas Parade to twinkling lights along the Santa Monica Pier and immersive experiences at Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood, LA offers a diverse array of celebrations perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.

This guide explores the highlights of Christmas in Los Angeles, focusing on parades, beachside festivities, and theme park magic. Whether you’re seeking free public events or ticketed spectacles, these experiences highlight why LA’s holiday season is as warm and welcoming as its weather. Expect mild temperatures around 60-70°F, making outdoor activities comfortable, though evenings can be chilly near the ocean—pack layers!

Iconic Parades: Hollywood Lights Up the Season

Parades are a cornerstone of Christmas celebrations in Los Angeles, drawing crowds with celebrity sightings, floats, and community spirit. The standout is the Hollywood Christmas Parade, a tradition since 1928 that’s evolved into a national spectacle.

The 93rd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade marched down Hollywood Boulevard on Sunday, November 30, 2025, starting at 6:00 PM. Hosted by Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, and Elizabeth Stanton, with Grand Marshal Luke Wilson and Humanitarian Award recipient Anthony Anderson, it featured floats, balloons, marching bands, and celebrities like Estelle, Terry Fator, and Sebastian Bach. The 3.2-mile U-shaped route from Hollywood Boulevard to Sunset Boulevard supported Toys for Tots, collecting donations for children in need. Free curbside viewing was available, though grandstand seats sold out via Ticketmaster. The event aired on The CW on December 12, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET/PT.

Nearby, the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade on December 13, 2025, themed “A Nightmare Before Christmas,” lit up the harbor with decorated boats, fireworks, and a drone show. Free viewing from Burton Chace Park or Fisherman’s Village made it a family favorite. In Redondo Beach, the King Harbor Holiday Boat Parade on December 13 honored veterans with sparkling vessels.

Other parades included the Venice Canals Christmas Lights & Holiday Boat Parade on December 6, with canals aglow in lights, and the Los Angeles Harbor Holiday Boat Parade on December 6 in San Pedro, featuring community floats.

These parades embody LA’s showbiz flair, blending Hollywood glamour with coastal charm for unforgettable holiday memories.

Beachside Bliss: Christmas by the Ocean

Los Angeles’ beaches offer a uniquely relaxed take on Christmas, with events that mix sand, sea, and seasonal cheer. Santa Monica and Venice lead the way, proving holidays thrive in mild weather.

The Santa Monica Pier hosted “Holiday Cheer on the Pier” from November 20 to December 18, 2025, featuring a giant tree, ice skating at ICE Santa Monica (open through January 20, 2026), and Sandy Cane Lane on December 18 with live music, Santa photos, sand sculptures, and a car decorating contest. The pier’s Merry Go-Round Building offered letters to Santa and ornament painting.

Venice Canals twinkled with Christmas Lights & Holiday Boat Parade on December 6, where homes and bridges glowed, and boats paraded through the waterways. Hermosa Beach’s “Hermosa for the Holidays” on November 23 included tree lighting, open houses, and family activities.

Manhattan Beach’s Holiday Fireworks on December 21 capped the season with a beachfront show, preceded by snow park fun and Santa visits. Newport Beach’s Christmas Boat Parade from December 17-21 featured over 100 yachts, with viewing from the shore or boats.

These beach events highlight LA’s coastal Christmas—think palm trees wrapped in lights, bonfires, and ocean views, perfect for photos and relaxation.

Theme Parks: Magical Holiday Overlays

LA’s theme parks elevate Christmas with immersive overlays, parades, and entertainment, drawing millions for family fun.

Disneyland Resort

Holidays at Disneyland Resort ran from November 14, 2025, to January 7, 2026. Disneyland Park’s “A Christmas Fantasy Parade” featured Disney characters, reindeer, and Santa down Main Street, U.S.A. “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday delighted with seasonal twists. Fireworks “Believe…In Holiday Magic” lit the skies, and Santa met guests until December 24.

Disney California Adventure’s Disney Festival of Holidays celebrated multicultural traditions with food booths, live music, and ¡Viva Navidad! In Avengers Campus, holiday vibes mixed with superheroes. The resort’s 70th Celebration continued with “World of Color – Happiness!” and projections.

Tickets required park reservations; crowds peaked weekends, so early entry helped.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Holidays at Universal from November 24, 2025, to January 4, 2026, spotlighted Grinchmas in Universal Plaza with a 65-foot tree, Who-bilation shows, and snow flurries. Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter featured Hogwarts Castle projections, Frog Choir carols, and butterbeer.

Super Nintendo World got joyful decor with Mario-themed lights. Rides stayed open, with seasonal treats like peppermint bark.

Other Parks

Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Holiday in the Park (November 23-December 31) offered lights, shows, and thrill rides. Knott’s Merry Farm at Knott’s Berry Farm (November 21-January 4) included snowfall, parades, and Calico Mine Ride overlays.

These parks blend rides with holiday magic, ideal for all ages.

More Festive Highlights: Lights, Markets, and Shows

Beyond parades and parks, LA’s holiday scene includes dazzling lights and markets.

Neighborhood displays like Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo, Upper Hastings Ranch in Pasadena, and Sleepy Hollow in Torrance glowed nightly. Griffith Park’s Holiday Light Festival Train Ride (November 28-January 11) offered twinkling tracks.

Markets included Grand Park’s DTLA Holiday Festival with multicultural events and the Original Farmers Market’s holiday strolls.

Shows: Radio City Christmas Spectacular toured, and “The Nutcracker” at LA Ballet ran December 12-14.

Planning Tips for Christmas in LA 2025

Traffic eases on Christmas Day—perfect for beaches or hikes in Griffith Park. Book tickets early for parks and parades. Use Metro for parades. Dress in layers for cooler evenings.

LA’s Christmas celebrations—parades, beaches, theme parks—offer warmth, wonder, and West Coast flair. Merry Christmas from the City of Angels!