‘Tis the season to gather the family, the grandkids, friends and neighbors and enjoy these special events that happen only once a year.
Open Now-Jan. 4
Descanso Gardens: Enchanted Forest of Light
1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge 91011
Info www.descansogardens.org
By day, Descanso blossoms with cheerful and welcoming, sunlit landscapes. By night, Enchanted Forest of Light transforms the gardens into a wonderous shimmering night garden of magic, mystery and incandescence.
Expect to see popular returning installations, including an entire town of magical “stained glass” houses by contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin; sparkling geometric installations from HYBYCOZO; Flower Power on the Promenade and exquisite lighting effects in the Ancient Forest.
Enjoy live entertainment Dec. 10-11 when Yachty by Nature takes the stage at 6 p.m. and 7:45 p.m., included with admission.
Tickets are non-refundable, have timed entry and must be purchased in advance. Hot drinks and treats will be available for purchase.
Open Now-Dec. 28, 5-11 p.m.
Enchant Christmas: Santa Anita Park
285 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia 91007
Info www.enchantchristmas.com/los-angeles/
A world of Christmas wonder awaits as you explore the world’s largest Christmas light maze with the original story adventure Santa’s Magic Timepiece, glide across the ice, take a ride down a snow slide, visit with Santa, shop festive favorites and more at Santa Anita Park.
Enchant Christmas makes its Los Angeles debut this year. Step into a storybook brought to life. Wander through glowing trails, savor festive flavors and make time to explore it all. Every path leads to a new memory waiting to be made.
Open Now-Jan. 11
L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow
5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles 90027
Info bit.ly/4o55FTi
L.A. Zoo Lights is L.A.’s wildest holiday tradition. Guests immerse themselves in a dazzling world of lantern sculptures and lights, with new elements to delight and entertain the entire family.
This year’s event brings guests through a holiday-themed wonderland; the weird and wonderful world of plants and pollinators featuring larger than life birds, butterflies, insects and flowers; glowing lanterns depicting wildlife of Southeast Asia and an African landscape that includes representation of the continent’s iconic regions and wildlife, all illuminated by spectacular sculptural lights.
Ride the carousel and enjoy churros, smores and hot cocoa. Those 21 and older can enjoy beer, wine and spiked hot cocoa.
L.A. Zoo Lights ticket purchase supports the Zoo’s mission to save wildlife. Free parking. Tickets start at $19.
Sunday, Nov. 30
2025 Hollywood Christmas Parade
Hollywood Boulevard/Orange Drive, 90028
Info thehollywoodchristmasparade.org
The 93rd annual Hollywood Christmas Parade will feature floats, marching bands and celebrities. This iconic Hollywood tradition will start on Hollywood Boulevard at Orange Drive. The U-shaped parade route will travel east to Vine, south on Vine Street to Sunset Boulevard and west on Sunset back to Orange Drive.
The best way to get to the parade from the Santa Clarita Valley is to take the Metro Red Line from the North Hollywood Station to the Hollywood/Vine or Hollywood/Highland stations. Both stations let you out directly onto the parade route. For a fun excursion, take the Metrolink from any of the SCV’s four stations to downtown Los Angeles, then transfer to the Metro Red Line (now called the B Line).
Grandstand tickets are available for purchase from Ticketmaster.com.
Monday, Dec. 1, 5-6 p.m.
Los Angeles County Tree Lighting Ceremony
Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles 90012
If you want more official tree lightings after visiting Light Up Main Street in Old Town Newhall on Nov. 15, hop on the Metrolink and visit downtown Los Angeles on Monday, Dec. 1, for the official Los Angeles County Tree Lighting Ceremony at Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. The free, public event will feature live performances by The BlackBerry Project and others, a holiday market, art-making activities and holiday treats.
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1-4 p.m.
Polar Express Experience, Santa Clarita History Center, 24107 Newhall Ave., 91321
Info bit.ly/4ocD7aP
Visit the Santa Clarita History Center on Saturday, Dec. 6, for a photo session in front of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society’s 125-year-old Mogul 1629 steam engine and help the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society raise money for restoration projects and programming.
The inaugural “Polar Express Experience” will be held 1-4 p.m. at the Santa Clarita History Center.
In addition to photos with the train you can ring the bell in the cab, meet the conductors, hear a reading of “The Polar Express,” enjoy special tours of the caboose and the Saugus Train Station Museum and have hot chocolate and cookies.
Each child will receive a special commemorative gift. Tickets are $25 per family (up to 8 people). This is a fundraiser for the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society, a 501.c.3 nonprofit organization.
Wednesday, Dec. 24, 3-6 p.m.
66th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles 90012.
Info holidaycelebration.org
Angelenos of all ages can enjoy this free, three-hour live performance, also broadcast and streamed on PBS SoCal, featuring more than 20 local music ensembles, choirs and dance companies in Southern California’s largest show.
Free general admission tickets will be available to the public beginning Dec. 16.
