Okay, so we’re not the best poets, but we do have this year’s list of the top 10 holiday happenings in Downtown Los Angeles. From glittering Christmas trees to cozy ice rinks, our decorations capture the magic of the holiday season for all ages.
Deck the Halls! In the Historic Core
Farmer’s & Merchants Bank built 1905
Visiting the town’s earliest commerce district during the holidays is a special treat. Historic Core and the Old Bank District elves spend most of November decking the halls with red ribbons and blue string lights to illuminate 4th Street’s oldest buildings. Rows of historic lamp posts also cast magical glows from above, making for memorable early evening restaurant/bar or gallery hops. From Spring to Main Street, the city’s first skyscraper, the Continental Building, the Old Farmers & Merchants Bank, and the H.W. Hellman, now known as the HWH Luxury Living, window displays add to the season’s joy.
The Great Tree at LA Live in the Social District
Every year, hundreds make the pilgrimage to the Social District to capture the holiday spirit at LA LIVE, home to the LA Kings Holiday Ice Rink. Open from November 29, 2024, through January 10, 2025, this rink offers a picture-perfect setting for skating with friends or family. The thrill of skating or watching others as they whirl around the Great Tree creates an atmosphere of fun and adventure. The Great Tree, one of downtown LA’s largest decorated Christmas trees, is tall enough to block out the sun, and the rink is the perfect pre- or post-event activity. Tickets are available on-site at the rink box office, but expect to wait in line up to 45 minutes or longer on busier days.
Dreaming of a White Christmas at ROW DTLA in the Warehouse District
Photo courtesy: RowDTLA
For a one-stop holiday destination, shop no further than ROW DTLA. This curated open-air lifestyle mix of fine dining, industrial office space, and unique gift shops transforms its off-white concrete multi-complex into a holiday oasis. It creates a festive atmosphere with gingerbread houses, pop-up shops, photo backdrops, decorations, and holiday jazz filling the air.
Christmas Time in the City at Grand Illuminations on Bunker Hill
Photo courtesy: Liquid PXL
When you find out Cal Plaza just isn’t for Grand Performances anymore. On December 4, the otherwise dormant world stage that host the town’s longest-running free summer concert series will come alive in the winter with Grand Illuminations, a stunning holiday light installation that’s free and open to the public. Featuring the large-scale, radiant LED light displays of Liquid PXL, including a 25-foot light tree, the opening night celebration includes live music, refreshments, and the art installation’s lighting ceremony from 5–8 p.m., with the display running through January 8.
Jingle Bells Rock at Holiday Block Party in the Arts District
Photo courtesy: Makeshift Muse
Celebrating the season with others is the true gift during this year’s Holiday Block Party in the Arts District. Coming December 15, hosted by Makeshift Muse, the event features more than 50 local vendors transforming Rose and Traction Avenues into a lively outdoor marketplace with food, drinks, and plenty of unique gifts. The event is free and immerses visitors in the rustic spaces of that which make up the downtown Arts District.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Arriving Union Station in the Courts District
Photo courtesy: Union Station
The ninth annual Tree Lighting will take place on November 25 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. inside the station’s historic Ticket Concourse constructed back in 1939—the first time this section of the station has been open to the public during the holiday season—and will present indoors instead of outside in the Union Station gardens.
The celebration features performances by Kingston Ska Collective with Members of Western Standard Ska Orchestra and Los Rebeldes Romanticos presented by Metro Art.
Families are invited to create arts and crafts, distracting Santa with the job of taking photos while they eat all of Santa’s cookies and milk courtesy of McDonald’s of Southern California.
Habari Gani at CAAM Kwanzaa Kuumba Celebration at Expo/USC
Photo courtesy: California African American Museum
Creativity meets culture at the CAAM Kwanzaa Kuumba Celebration on December 14 at the California African American Museum. Gifting the sixth principal of Kwanzaa, Kuumba (creativity), the event will feature self-care yoga, family storytime, and zine-making workshops, creating an immersive holiday experience for all ages. The celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for a half day of community and tradition.
Winter Wonderland at Pershing Square in the Historic Core
Photo courtesy: Holiday Ice Rink
This holiday season sees the return of downtown’s largest ice rink and one of its most highly decorated winter wonderlands. Winner of the 2023 USA Today 10 Best Reader Choice Awards, with 6ft toy soldiers, Santa’s Village, and an enormous decorated Christmas tree, from November 21 through January 12, 2025, visitors are invited to lace up their rented skates and glide with family and friends under the stars. Christmas lights and minoras brighten the night at this fun and affordable way to enjoy the outdoors during the holidays. Special events with DJ Spotlight Nights and Learn to Curl make for some extra seasonal dance activity.
Oh Christmas Tree at the Music Center on Bunker Hill
The L.A. County Tree Lighting Ceremony happens on December 2 at The Music Center. From 5 to 7 p.m., Jerry Moss Plaza will be transformed with live music, snow flurries, art-making activities, and complimentary hot chocolate. The event is free and open to the public—and easily accessible by the Metro to Grand Park/Civic Center station, highly guarded by Nutcrackers.
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year at L.A. County Holiday Celebration on Bunker Hill
Photo courtesy: The Music Center
The 65th annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration held Christmas Eve, December 24, is a beloved annual tradition that brings together 28 local performers in a spectacular showcase of choral music, dance, and culture. Running from 3–6 p.m., this free event at The Music Center celebrates the diversity of Los Angeles with a rich variety of holiday performances.
It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas at Sparkle a at the Bloc in the Finance District
Photo courtesy: The Bloc
Sparkle is running from November 29 to December 24 at The Bloc. With dozens of open-air stalls offering gifts, seasonal food, and festive activities like cookie decorating, it’s the perfect place to soak in some holiday magic.
Visitors can be seen walking underneath a giant electric Christmas tree synchronized to festive holiday tunes or having their way with one of its lost Christmas tree ornaments to take and share photos.
Missing Something?
