Los Angeles might be known for its sunny skies and palm trees, but when the holiday season rolls around, the city transforms into a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, festive cheers and fun celebrations. From dazzling light displays to holiday markets, seasonal performances, savory meals and cozy outdoor ice skating rinks, there’s no shortage of Christmas magic to be found in the City of Angels.
The Belvedere
Dec. 24-25. Celebrate the holiday season with a classic Christmas feast at The Belvedere. Enjoy a festive prix fixe menu featuring duck leg confit, slow-braised short rib, Santa’s milk and cookies and Naturally Peninsula plant-based options. Available on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the meal is complemented by elegant décor and live entertainment.
Hours: Tuesday, 5–9 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Address: 826 N La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles
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The BLVD
Dec. 24. The talented team at THE Blvd will be making spirits bright with a special three-course dinner by Chef Rafael Alcala at $160 per adult and $65 per child ages 6 to 12. Begin the meal with the smoked chicken broth, salad of poached pear or tuna tartare. For the entree, enjoy the maple spiced glazed duck breast with burnt orange, wagyu NY striploin, lion’s mane mushroom, or ora king salmon. Next up, choose one of the Pastry team’s tantalizing desserts – the Yule log or Christmas wreath made with gingerbread, apple, brown butter, vanilla fluff and pecans. And to end things on a “high note,” the restaurant will have live music from 6 to 9 p.m.
Time: Tuesday, from 5-9:30 pm
Address: 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills
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Crustacean Beverly Hills
Dec. 24.Celebrate Christmas Eve with festive prix fixe lunch and dinner offerings alongside Crustacean’s full à la carte menu. Highlights include lobster, potato and leek soup with salt and pepper lobster tempura, five-spiced roast duck served with duck fat rice and raspberry hoisin and the snow globe dessert featuring whipped banana Chantilly, vanilla wafer crumble and meringue.
Time: Tuesday, 5-10 p.m.
Address: 468 N. Bedford Drive, Beverly Hills
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The Hideaway
Dec. 24-25. Christmas Eve Dinner: The Hideaway offers a special three-course Christmas Eve dinner for $85 per person, alongside its regular dinner menu. Featured dishes include a chile morita New Zealand braised lamb shank with grilled corn, poblano tamale and mint salsa fresca. Guests can enhance their dining experience with optional tequila flights ($50) or wine flights ($28).
Christmas Day Brunch: On Christmas Day, The Hideaway serves its weekend brunch menu from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., transitioning to its regular menu until 11 p.m. Brunch highlights include a churro sticky bun, a breakfast burger with black truffle aioli and avocado toast with an optional addition of butter-poached Maine lobster. Diners can enjoy a festive escape with boozy popsicles, including strawberry and mint or kiwi and lime. The Uno, Dos, Tres menu will not be available.
Time: Tuesday, 11:30 am.-11:59 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Address: 421 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills
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Bourbon Steak at the Americana at Brand
Dec. 24. This Christmas Eve, enjoy a festive dinner at Bourbon Steak Los Angeles with a refined prix-fixe menu. Starters include Michael’s Waldorf salad or French onion soup gratin, followed by entrées such as pastrami-spiced wagyu short rib with horseradish whipped potatoes or phyllo-crusted Dover sole with dijon beurre blanc. Shared sides and desserts like warm beignets or brûléed Basque cheesecake complete the meal. Optional champagne pairings and caviar selections are available to enhance the evening. The experience is priced at $135 per person.
Time: Tuesday, 4-9 p.m.
Address: 237 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale
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SHOR Bazaar
Dec. 23-29. SHOR Bazaar invites guests to celebrate the holidays with a special limited-time menu blending Desi flavors with traditional Chinese dishes. Available Christmas week, the menu pays homage to the tradition of dining at Chinese restaurants during Christmas week. Highlights include cauliflower 65 with tangy jaggery chutney, szechuan chicken fried rice, hakka noodles and chili garlic shrimp with rice. Complementing the menu, SHOR’s holiday mocktail offerings feature seasonal creations like the roseberry mule and the eggnot, made with oat milk, coconut cream and Seedlip Spice.
Hours: Times vary, check website for details
Address: 12155 E. Carson St., Hawaiian Gardens
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CUT Beverly Hills
Dec. 24. Executive Chef Drew Rosenberg crafts a three-course holiday menu for $180 per adult and $65 for children ages 6–12. Starters include burrata and beet salad, Japanese scallop carpaccio, heirloom apple salad, or Dungeness crab tartlet. Entrées range from dry-aged ribeye and wagyu filet mignon to pan-roasted Dover sole and wild mushroom risotto. Shared sides include wagyu tallow French fries, roasted carrots and heirloom polenta. Desserts include Mont Blanc pavlova or chocolate soufflé.
Time: Available Tuesday, from 5–9 p.m.
Address: 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills
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A.O.C
Dec. 29. A.O.C.’s west side location, led by Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne, hosts a special Hanukkah dinner on Sunday, December 29, 2024, featuring author Amelia Saltsman. Celebrating olio nuovo, the season’s fresh olive oil, the menu will highlight recipes from Saltsman’s The Seasonal Jewish Kitchen and locally sourced produce. Saltsman, a Santa Monica Farmer’s Market expert, will be on hand to meet guests. Hanukkah, commemorating the miracle of oil lasting eight nights, aligns with the autumn olive harvest, blending ancient traditions with modern culinary practices. Reservations, starting at 5 p.m., are recommended.
Hours: Next Sunday at 5 p.m.
Address: 11648 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles
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Miracle: A Christmas Themed Pop Up Bar
Through all of December. This popular Christmas-themed pop-up bar brings festive cheer with over-the-top holiday decor and creative seasonal cocktails. Known for its playful, nostalgic atmosphere, the bar serves themed drinks like the Snowball Old-Fashioned and Christmapolitan in a setting decked out with twinkling lights, garlands and holiday kitsch. Reservations are recommended for this popular celebration of holiday spirit.
Time: Hours vary for locations
Address: Check website for details
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Citrin
Dec. 24. You are invited to a special six-course tasting menu on Christmas Eve at Citrin, priced at $195 per person (excluding tax). The curated menu features dishes like egg caviar with lemon crème fraîche and kaluga caviar, citrus-cured hamachi crudo with tangerine leche de tigre and SRF beef ribeye with black garlic aigre-doux. Finish with a frozen raspberry parfait with earl grey and sheep’s milk yogurt. Modifications and substitutions are unavailable. Full menu details are available online.
Time: Tuesday, starts at 5 p.m.
Address: 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
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Events
L.A. Zoo Lights
Now Open. The L.A. Zoo’s “Animals Aglow” holiday event transforms the zoo after dark with vibrant, oversized animal-shaped lanterns. This colorful light trail highlights the zoo’s natural inhabitants, offering a charming seasonal experience through January.
Hours: Wednesday closed. Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday, 6–10 p.m.
Address: 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles
lazoo.org
Enchanted Forests of Lights
Now Open. Descanso Gardens’ holiday tradition features illuminated installations, interactive art and glowing forest paths. Visitors can explore atmospheric light displays set against illuminated trees and shimmering soundscapes.
Hours: Thursday-Monday, 5:30-10 p.m.
Address: 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge
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Holiday Road
Until Dec. 28. King Gillette Ranch lights up for Holiday Road, a nearly mile-long trail featuring holiday villages, illuminated archways and festive displays. Guests can enjoy food trucks, a holiday bar and visits with Santa. Prices start at $25, varying by date and time.
Hours: 5–9:30pm. Check designated time slots for specific days on the website.
Address: 26800 W. Mulholland Hwy., Calabasas
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L.A. County Holiday Celebration
Dec. 24. Celebrate Christmas Eve at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with a free three-hour multicultural showcase featuring choirs, dance troupes and music ensembles. This 65-year tradition also includes circus acts and Bob Baker Marionettes. Reservations and tickets are required.
Hours: Tuesday, 3-6 p.m.
Address: 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
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Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square
Now Open. Skate under the Downtown L.A. skyline at this outdoor rink. Admission includes skate rentals, with lockers and skating aids available for a small fee. Open daily during the holiday season.
Hours: Hours vary; see site for full schedule
Address: 532 S. Olive Street, Los Angeles
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Photo credits: Christmas ornaments courtesy of Rodion Kutsaiev. LA County Holiday Celebration courtesy of The Music Center. Christmas Photos courtesy of Holiday Road. All images are courtesy of the venues featured.
