Christmas Events Kick Off in Los Angeles

Christmas shopping in Irvine, Calif., on Dec. 22, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Though Christmas is still a month away, Angelenos are already looking forward to all the outdoor festivities coming to town, especially after a nearly two-year hiatus.

Here is a list of must-go events in Los Angeles for the holiday celebration. Make sure to plan ahead to make the most of the holiday season!

Los Angeles Holiday Road

The Holiday Road displays thousands of lights including elves, candy canes, and Santa and Mrs. Claus. The self-guided walking trail is less than a mile long.

This year, the Holiday Road takes place from Dec. 3 to New Year’s Eve at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas. The show starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase on-site from a rotation of Los Angeles’ top food trucks and vendors.

Tickets are $35 and up depending on the day attending and the time of the season. All tickets must be purchased online before arriving; no tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Children 2 years and under are free, according to the website.

Tickets are on sale at https://www.tixr.com/groups/holidayroadusa.

Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade

The “Joy on the Water” boat parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Fireworks show will start at 5:55 p.m. Each year, the show features 40–50 boats, all decorated with holiday lights.

The fireworks will be launched near the entrance of the main channel. All boats will begin circling the main channel of the Marina at 6 p.m.

The boat parade in Marina del Rey started in 1963, and 20 of the hundred boats entered the parade. Each year the parade has a new theme and the grand marshals. Previous themes include “Kids Make Holidays Bright,” “Let’s Dance,” and “Holiday Water Wonderland.” This year’s theme is “Joy on the Water.”

This year, the boat parade will be presented by Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital. The doctors and nurses will be the grand marshals that oversee the parade.

The public can view the parade at two locations: Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village, both located by the shore. No admission fee is required.

For more information, please visit the official website at https://mdrBoatParade.org.

Unique LA Holiday Market

The annual market will pop up in Downtown Los Angeles for the weekend on Dec. 11 and 12. The market features over 150 quality brands for clothes, accessories, and art pieces.

Visitors can enjoy free drinks while learning how to wrap their gifts. The most popular activity at the market is definitely the free holiday portraits. VIP members will be served wine, free gift bags, and access to the designated resting areas.

General single-day admission is $12 plus the registration fee. VIP admission, for people over 21, is $30 plus the registration fee. All weekend general admission pass is on sale for $16 plus the registration fee. Sales end on Dec. 11, 2021.

LA Kings Holiday Ice

The annual LA Kings Holiday Ice brings outdoor ice skating to Xbox Plaza in LA Live, right in front of the Crypto.com Arena. The ice-skating rink opens from Nov. 27 through Jan. 7. Four sessions are offered from 5 p.m. to midnight every day.

General Admission is $25 per person and available on-site only, with no online sales. Discounted $20 tickets are available for children age 6 and under, seniors over 61, military with ID, and LA Kings season ticket members.

Come and skate your way into the holiday season!