December in Los Angeles brings a full spectrum of seasonal experiences, from large-scale light installations and immersive holiday walks to neighborhood theaters and open-air markets. New Year’s Eve shifts the tone, with the city offering everything from formal dining rooms and rooftop celebrations to high-energy concerts and late-night parties. This guide highlights where to spend the holidays—and how to ring in the new year—across Los Angeles.
Holiday Things to Do
1. Melrose Trading Post Holiday Sundays
Until Dec. 28. December Sundays. Melrose Trading Post leans fully into the season every Sunday in December, transforming the Fairfax High School campus into a holiday-forward marketplace packed with more than 260 local artists, vintage vendors, and makers. Expect live music, artist-led gift-making workshops, Rock ’n’ Roll Santa photo ops, and performances by groups like the Grand Arts Jazz Carolers and Little Women Ballet. Select dates also include on-site puppy adoptions, while toy drive donations unlock free entry on designated Sundays.
Hours: Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 7850 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles
melrosetradingpost.org
2. Grand Illuminations at California Plaza
Now-Jan. 4. Downtown L.A.’s California Plaza becomes a luminous holiday landmark with Grand Illuminations, a free, large-scale light installation designed to pull people into the public space after dark. Highlights include a 25-foot LED tree, the immersive Lumiverse display, and the towering Electric Dandelions kinetic sculptures by L.A.-based art collective Liquid PXL. The installation stays lit nightly through early January, making it one of the city’s most accessible seasonal experiences.
Hours: Opening daily, noon–7 p.m.; nightly until 10 p.m.
Location: 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.
melrosetradingpost.org
3. Enchant Christmas at Santa Anita Park
Now-Dec. 28. Select dates through December. Positioned as the world’s largest Christmas light maze, Enchant Christmas turns Santa Anita Park into a sprawling holiday playground anchored by a glowing 100-foot tree. Beyond the illuminated labyrinth, guests can ice skate, ride a Ferris wheel, play mini golf, browse a holiday village, and meet Santa. It’s designed as a one-stop, all-ages destination that goes well beyond lights alone.
Hours: Times vary.
Location: 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia
enchantchristmas.com
4. Bob Baker Marionette Theater: Winter Wonderland
Until Jan. 18. Select dates through December. Positioned as the world’s largest Christmas light maze, Enchant Christmas turns Santa Anita Park into a sprawling holiday playground anchored by a glowing 100-foot tree. Beyond the illuminated labyrinth, guests can ice skate, ride a Ferris wheel, play mini golf, browse a holiday village, and meet Santa. It’s designed as a one-stop, all-ages destination that goes well beyond lights alone.
Hours: Times vary.
Location: 4949 York Blvd., Los Angeles
bobbakermarionettetheater.com
5. Holiday Road at King Gillette Ranch
Until Dec. 27. Holiday Road transforms King Gillette Ranch into a nearly mile-long immersive walking experience filled with light tunnels, projection mapping, and themed holiday worlds. New this season are enhanced visual effects and select appearances by both Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with food trucks, holiday bars, and a winter market. It’s become a seasonal tradition for families and groups across Southern California.
Hours: Times vary per schedule.
Location: 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas
bobbakermarionettetheater.com
6. Tinselcolor: Holiday Soundtracks Live
Until Dec. 30. For The Record, the live production company known for reimagining iconic film soundtracks as immersive stage musicals, returns for the holidays with a new, nostalgia-driven production. The show features more than 25 beloved songs from classic holiday films and premieres inside FTR’s new permanent home, CineVita—the world’s largest Spiegeltent—located in Inglewood. Hosted by New Kids on the Block’s Joey McIntyre, the performance pulls from movies including Home Alone, Elf, White Christmas and Love Actually, all brought to life by a professional cast of singers, dancers and musicians, with themed cocktails and seasonal bites rounding out the evening.
Hours: Times vary per schedule.
Location: 1001 S. Stadium Drive, Inglewood
tinselcolor.com
7. Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery Holiday Takeaway Feast
Order by Dec. 24.Order by December 24. Agnes takes the pressure off home hosting with a generous take-home holiday feast built around a take-n-bake beef wellington. The spread includes house-made cheddar biscuits, pimento party potatoes, glazed brussels sprouts, roasted mushrooms, gravy, and a curated cookie box. Everything is also available à la carte for smaller gatherings.
Hours: Up by next Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 40 W. Green Street, Pasadena
agnesla.com
8. Holiday Dining at Mastro’s (LA Locations)
Dec. 24-25. Mastro’s Steakhouse locations across Los Angeles remain open through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, offering their full menu alongside seasonal additions. Highlights include premium USDA prime steaks, seafood towers, and a limited-time cinnamon pecan butter cake. Takeout options are also available for those celebrating at home.
Hours: Wednesday-Thursday, Christmas Eve 3–10 p.m.; Christmas Day 2–9 p.m.
Location: Multiple Los Angeles locations.
mastrosrestaurants.com
New Year’s Event
1. Zouk LA New Year’s Eve
Dec. 31. Zouk LA closes out the year with a full-scale New Year’s Eve production inspired by roaring ’20s glamour and modern nightlife spectacle. Expect immersive design elements, champagne moments, surprise performances, and a crowd that reflects the club’s fast rise as a West Hollywood power player. It’s a high-energy option for those who want to ring in the year on the dance floor.
Hours: Wednesday, New Year’s Eve at 10 p.m.
Location: 643 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles
zouk.la
2. Fairmont Breakers Rooftop New Year’s Eve Party
Dec. 31. Fairmont Breakers’ rooftop celebration offers a more social, cocktail-forward countdown to midnight. Guests can expect skyline views, live entertainment, and a prime vantage point for fireworks as the clock turns. The party runs late into the night for those avoiding a formal dinner.
Hours: Wednesday, New Year’s Eve at 8 p.m.–1 a.m.
Location: 210 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach
visitlongbeach.com
3. Gatsby New Year’s Eve at Hotel Ziggy
Dec. 31. Hotel Ziggy transforms into a Great Gatsby–inspired playground for one night only, complete with burlesque dancers, themed décor, and celebrity DJs. The event spans multiple remodeled spaces, encouraging guests to move, mingle, and dress the part. It’s nightlife-forward with theatrical flair.
Hours: Wednesday, New Year’s Eve, doors open at 9 p.m.
Location: 8462 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
Get Tickets Now
4. New Year’s Eve with The Roots
Dec. 31. Spend New Year’s Eve with The Roots as the Grammy-winning Philadelphia hip-hop group and longtime house band for The Tonight Show brings its acclaimed live performance to Walt Disney Concert Hall for two special shows in Downtown Los Angeles. Guests are invited to arrive early for a complimentary glass of champagne and a DJ set by Novena Carmel in BP Hall before heading into the main performance, where drinks are allowed at seats and dancing is encouraged. Attendees should note that multiple street and freeway off-ramp closures will be in effect between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. around the concert hall, with all streets reopening by 6 a.m. on January 1.
Hours: Wednesday, New Year’s Eve at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Location: 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
laphil.com
5. Marelle at Sandbourne Santa Monica New Year’s Eve
Dec. 31. Marelle welcomes 2026 with a four-course dinner paired with Don Julio 1942 pours throughout the evening. A live DJ keeps the energy up while guests enjoy dishes ranging from lobster tagliatelle to wagyu striploin. Each guest receives a mini bottle of 1942 for the midnight toast.
Hours: Wednesday, New Year’s Eve at 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
Location: 1740 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica
Reserve Now
6. Uchi West Hollywood New Year’s Eve Omakase
Dec. 31. Uchi’s New Year’s Eve experience centers on a meticulously crafted 10-course omakase highlighting seasonal seafood, dry-aged bluefin, and A5 wagyu. The progression is designed to feel celebratory without excess, balancing precision and indulgence. Beverage pairings are available separately.
Hours: Wednesday, New Year’s Eve at 5 p.m.
Location: 9039 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
Reserve Now
7. The Front Yard at The Garland: Disco Pajama Brunch
Jan. 1. The Front Yard keeps the celebration going with a playful New Year’s Day brunch soundtracked by disco-era hits. Guests are encouraged to show up in pajamas, sip breakfast cocktails, and ease into the new year with comfort-driven brunch classics. It’s festive without the pressure of staying up past midnight.
Hours: Thursday, New Year’s Day, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: 4222 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood
thefrontyardla.com
Photo credits: Photos courtesy of business/venue.
