I haven’t posted a Calendar of Free events in a few months but I just love this time of year so much that I want everyone to be able to experience all of the fun things happening around the city. The Holidays shouldn’t be a financial burden and thankfully for Los Angeles residents, we have a lot of FREE events for the entire family to enjoy. I am ready to give birth any day now, so I might not be able to attend all of them, but that doesn’t mean you and your family have to miss out!
Friday, December 9th
Event: Grand Park Lights Up The Holidays (NOV 26 thru DEC 25)
Details: Grand Park will magically come alive with park-inspired holiday décor for the holidays with a 45-foot tree as a highlight. Perfect for a festive DTLA stroll, or as the backdrop of the annual family holiday photo.
Location: Grand Park, Downtown LA
Time: All day
Saturday, December 10th
Event: Parade in Echo Park
Details: The historic community of Echo Park celebrates with high school bands, local dignitaries, & some quirky surprises.
Location: Sunset Blvd, Elysian Park Ave to Park Ave, Echo Park
Time: 11am-2pm
Event: Holiday at Crenshaw Plaza
Details: Winter Wonderland: The City of LA hosts a holiday celebration, with snow sledding, food trucks, live music, Santa, s’mores, & more.
Location: Crenshaw Plaza, 3650 MLK Blvd, Leimert Park
Time: 12pm-4pm
Event: Holiday at the Workman Homestead
Details: Countdown to Christmas: Celebrate the season with self-guided tours of the historic houses, caroling, crafts, & visits with Santa Claus.
Location:Homestead Museum, 15415 E Don Julian Rd
Time: 12pm-4pm (also on Sunday, 12/11)
Event: Holiday History at Dominguez Rancho Adobe
Details: Celebrate the season with period decorations, tours led by costumed characters, craft making, music & dancing. Donation + toy drive contribution appreciated.
Location: Dominguez Rancho Adobe, 18127 S Alameda St, Compton
Time: 3pm-5pm
Event: Kids’ Club at 7th & Fig
Details: Snow Globes: Create a festive winter scene ornament.
Location: Taste Court, 7th & Figueroa, Downtown LA
Time: 12pm-4pm
Sunday, December 11th
Event: Fireworks in Manhattan Beach
Details: Bring blankets, beach chairs, & a picnic for the 28th Annual Manhattan Beach Holiday Fireworks Festival, with closed streets, live music, a snow park & sled hill, singalong, & fireworks at 7.
Location: Pier, Manhattan Beach
Time: 3pm-8pm
Event: Guadalupe on Olvera Street
Details: Festive celebration of La Virgen De Guadalupe, with costumes & continuous entertainment, overnight vigil & rites in La Placita church.
Location: Placita Olvera, Downtown Los Angeles
Time: 6pm- overnight
Sunday, December 18th
Event: Music at Cal Plaza
Details: Grand Performances presents The Joey Altruda Trio performing A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Location: California Plaza, 350 S Grand Ave, Downtown LA
Time: 12pm
Saturday, December 24th
Event: Kids’ Club at 7th & Fig
Details: Christmas Eve & Hanukkah: Learn about artist wax resist techniques & watercolor to create a beautiful painting of a snowflake or Hanukkah motif.
Location: Taste Court, 7th & Figueroa, Downtown LA
Time: 2pm-4pm
Event: Holiday Celebration at the Music Center
Details: A wonderful afternoon of 23 performing arts ensembles from all around LA, presented for the 56th time by the County Arts Commission (broadcast live on KCET). Free parking, schedule online, come very early to get in.
Location: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N Grand, Downtown LA
Time: 3pm-6pm
Event: Las Posadas at Olvera Street (Nightly starting on 12/16)
Details: The procession will run up and down Olvera Street with the group singing songs in English and Spanish. They will make stops requesting lodging at designated points (“posadas,” or stores), but will be denied, usually in song. Eventually they will be admitted, complimentary champurrado (a Mexican hot beverage) and pan dulce (sweet bread) will be served, and piñatas will burst.
Location: Placita Olvera, Downtown LA
Time: 5:30pm-8pm
