I know I say this every time I publish a new list of free kids events in Los Angeles, but I’m SO excited about this month. I’ve never been so ecstatic about the Holidays before. Perhaps, it’s because now I have a husband and toddler to share it with, and I want to visit all of these fun events with them. The list ranges from meet and greets with Santa, arts and crafts, Victorian holiday parties to playing in the snow! The best part? They are all FREE!!! Raise your hand if you love free! So grab a cup of hot cocoa and get ready to mark your calendars because this month is going to be full of joy!
Friday, December 4th
Event: Family stroll at Grand Park
Details: Grand Park will be lit up magically for the holidays. Take a stroll after sunset to enjoy the twinkling lights of the season NOV 29 thru DEC 26
Time: Sunset
Place: Grand Park, DTLA
Event: Meet Santa at Culver City
Details: Illumination of the tree and arrival of Santa on a photo truck. Photo opportunities, holiday crafts and refreshments will be available
Time: 6:30pm
Place: Veterans Memorial Park, Culver City
Saturday, December 5th
Event: Barbie: A Perfect Christmas
Details: Take a break with a screening of “Barbie: A Perfect Christmas.
Time: 11am
Place: Burbank Library
Event: Snow Festival
Details: Renowned puppeteer Scott Land celebrates winter with his Marionettes
Time: 10am & 12pm
Place: Arcadia Historical Museum
Event: Party Like We Are 99′!
Details: Stop by to create a holiday book tree and stick around for film screening of Elf and Charlie Brown Christmas.
Time: 1pm
Place: Cahuenga Branch of LAPL, 4591 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood
Event: Print Fair at Self Help Graphics
Details: Shop local & support LA’s artists at the Holiday Marketplace, with prints, crafts, fine art, jewelry, clothing, food, & live music.
Time: 12pm-5pm
Place: Self Help Graphics, 1300 E 1st St, Boyle Heights
Event: Fiesta de Navidad (also on Sunday 12/6)
Details: Festival Navideño en la Calle Ocho is a huge festival with 10 blocks of entertainment, multiple music stages, small rides, food vendors, info booths, & toy giveaways.
Time: 12:30pm-10pm
Place: 8th & Vermont
Event: The Nutcracker Reading
Details: Joe Praml reads his adaptation of ETA Hoffman’s holiday story, “The Nutcracker & the Mouse King.”
Time: 11am
Place: Kaufman Branch of LAPL, 11820 San Vicente Blvd, Brentwood
Event: Outdoor screening in San Pedro
Details: Holidays By The Sea promises kids’ activities, Santa, & a screening of “Elf.”
Time: 6pm-9pm
Place: 6th St & Downtown Harbor, San Pedro
Event: Boat Parade in the Port of LA
Details: Holiday Afloat Parade: A spectacular display of decorated boats celebrating the nation’s largest international trade gateway. Live music follows at the Fanfare Fountain. See website for viewing locations.
Time: 6pm-9pm
Place: Main Channel, Los Angeles Harbor
Event: Victorian Christmas (also Sunday 12/6)
Details: Visitors will enjoy period entertainment, tours of the Museum decorated in holiday splendor, refreshments, a children’s craft, a horse-drawn trolley ride between The Banning Museum and Drum Barracks Civil War Museum as well as local food and craft vendors. As a special treat, a Queen Victoria re-enactor will receive guests for the two days.
Time: 11am-4pm
Place: Banning Museum, 401 E ‘M’ St, Wilmington
Event: Pershing Square Festival
Details: The Winter Holiday Festival promises live music from Flashback Heart Attack, kids’ crafts, arts & crafts, strolling players, ice skating (fee), & tons of snow
Time: 11am-7pm
Place: Olive & 5th in DTLA
Event: Family Arts at Barndall
Details: Family Art Workshop: Create a mixed-media self-portrait with “Fiberlicious” artist Wendy Osher.
Time: 12pm-3pm
Place: Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd, LA
Sunday, December 6th
Event: The Conscious Market Holiday Pop-up
Details: There will be an eco-friendly gift wrapping station, a craft table for the kids, as well as a raffle and giveaways provided by the following sponsors- The Honest Company, Mamma Chia, Go Macro Bars, Cabo Chips, Late July, Equal Exchange, Jillson & Roberts, and more!
Complimentary craft beer from Porcupine Hill Brewing Co., sparkling wine from One Hope Wine, and coffee from Stumptown will also be served along with Hot Cocoa for the kids from Equal Exchange.
Time: 11am-5pm
Place: One Santa Fe, 300 South Santa Fe Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Event: The DIY Holiday Home Shopping Sale-A-Bration
Details: Invent a holiday, then create holiday-themed wares & hawk them on a fake home shopping channel. Ages 9-14; RSVP
Time: 11am-1pm
Place: Hammer Museum
Event: Winter’s Tale
Details: As the seasons begin to change, discover a place where pop-up animals and trees fill a snow-covered landscape. Make an artwork inspired by this winter’s tale using color pencils and foam stickers.
Time: 2pm-3pm
Place: Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena
Event: Pico Rivera Holiday Festival
Details: Holiday & Tree Lighting Festival: snow play & sledding area, North Pole train rides, arts & crafts, food, & live music.
Time: 3pm-7pm
Place: City Hall, 6615 Passons Blvd, Pico Rivera
Event: Festival at Campo de Cahuenga
Details: The 5th Annual Luminaria Festival promises kids’ activities, refreshments, live music from the Jazzland Big Band, Synchonicity Handbell Choir, Voices of Christmas, & Prank Players, + thousands of glowing lanterns.
Time: 3pm-7pm
Place: Campo de Cahuenga, 3919 Lankershim Blvd, Studio City
Friday, December 11th
Event: Toddler Time with Santa
Details: Stories, songs, a craft…and a very special guest (HO,HO,HO!)
Time: 10am
Place: Burbank Library
Event:Fiesta De Las Luminarias (also on 12/12)
Details: Come see the historic Casa Adobe in all its holiday splendor! Enjoy traditional refreshments and entertainment
Time: 5pm-8pm
Place: Casa Adobe De San Rafael, 1330 Dorothy Dr, Glendale
Saturday, December 12th
Event: Holiday Parade in Echo Park
Details: Historic community of Echo Park will celebrate ‘Echoing the holiday spirit‘
Time: 11am-12pm
Place: Along Sunset Blvd in Echo Park
Event: Mele Kalikimaka
Details: Celebrate the holidays island-style, as our friends at KoAloha Ukulele lead performances, workshops, craft activities, and other holiday-inspired fun
Time: 11am-4pm
Place: Japanese American Museum, Little Tokyo
Event: Kids’ Club at 7th & Fig
Details: Create a winter wonder world with glistening snow.
Time: 2pm-4pm
Place: 7th & Figueroa, DTLA
Sunday, December 13th
Event:Family Fest in Studio City
Details: The 5th Annual Winter Family Festival & Festival of Giving promises 70 tons of snow + food & fun. Bring food bank donations.
Time: 1pm-4pm
Place:Rec Center, Beeman Park, 12621 Rye St, Studio City
Las Posadas begin on Wednesday, December 16th- December 24th
Event: Las Posadas at Olvera Street
Details: This nine night presentation of the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem is portrayed with singing, ballet folklorico entertainment, a candlelight procession on Olvera Street and a children’s piñata breaking each evening.
Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm
Place: Plaza Olvera in Downtown L.A
Friday, December 18th
Event: Singing at Disney Hall
Details: Bundle up your family & share in the warmth & joy of the holidays with a grand night of singing under the stars. Live accompaniment, lyric sheets provided. Tix required but will be available at 6PM.
Time: 6:30pm-8pm
Place: Keck Amphitheatre, Disney Hall, Downtown LA
Saturday, December 19th
Event: Holiday Crafts at FIDM Museum
Details: This event has become a holiday tradition. Bring your kids for some DIY fun, including cookie decorating, making Santa ornaments, and tree decorations.
Time: 11am
Place: FIDM Museum Shop
Event: Holiday Movie Matinee
Details: Take a break with a screening of “Winnie the Pooh: Merry Pooh Year.”
Time: 11am
Place: Burbank Library
* More events will be added to this list so keep checking back!
