10+ Things to Do in Los Angeles in Winter

Bring your friends and family to celebrate the Who- lidays! Celebrate the Who-lidays (from late November to early January) in the whimsical world of Grinchmas and experience Christmas at Hogwarts in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (dates TBC). The holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood are all about creating lasting memories.

Get into the spirit, dine on seasonal eats, enjoy the park decked out in holiday decor, and experience exclusive holiday festivities like the nightly snowfall in Hogsmeade and the dazzling light show featuring the Hogwarts castle as a backdrop. 

Getting in: Universal Studios Hollywood tickets are included with the Go City Los Angeles All-Inclusive pass only. Most Grinchmas events are included with admission unless otherwise noted.

Where: Six Flags Magic Mountain 

When: Select dates, November - December

Test your fear of speeds, heights, twists, and turns on the many roller coasters and thrill rides at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and check out Holiday in the Park events to see the park transformed into a winter wonderland! Comprising beautiful festive lights, fun activities, live performances, and visits with Santa, Six Flags’ holiday transformation is truly magical.

The plaza is known as Holiday Square over the festive season, with hundreds upon hundreds of glittering lights, winter ‘snowfall’, and festive carolers. You can also enjoy musical performances and dance numbers with a holiday theme, and, of course, pay a visit to Santa and Mrs. Claus with their merry elves! 

Getting in: Six Flags Magic Mountain is separately ticketed. Holiday at the Park activities are included with admission unless noted otherwise.

Where: Knott's Berry Farm 

When: Select dates November through January 

Note: The park is closed on Christmas Day.

Knott’s is the place to be this time of year if you’re a Peanuts fan. From a charming Snoopy ice show to photo ops with all the animated favs, the whole family will be delighted by this holiday experience.

Visit the park to see the classic Holiday Ice Show featuring Snoopy and other members of the Peanuts Gang (select dates), a nightly tree lighting ceremony, Santa's Christmas Cabin, traditional carolers, the streets of Calico decked out for the holidays, and even a nightly snowfall. It's the perfect way to indulge in festive cheer in the heart of L.A. 

Getting in: Knott's Berry Farm tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes and holiday events and activities are included with admission unless otherwise noted.

When: Weekends from December

Missing the snow this holiday season? Be sure to head to the Aquarium on the weekends in December and check out the snow play area set up on the front lawn!

You'll get to enjoy festive decorations, daily Penguin parades, free viewings of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, ‘snowfall’ in the Great Hall, a special holiday menu in Cafe Scuba, and daily appearances by a Santa Diver in the large tank! 

Getting in: Aquarium of the Pacific tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes and Aquarium Holidays events are included with admission unless otherwise noted.

Want to see more behind-the-scenes Hollywood magic? Head down to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, complete with the chance to get on the set of hit television shows like The Big Bang Theory and The Ellen Degeneres Show.

What’s more, if you’re lucky, you might even see some celebrities on set. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour also includes a 10-million item prop department, the tallest sound stage in the nation, and a ride through the back lots where you’ll see some well-known outdoor sets from some of the world’s most beloved sitcoms. 

Getting in: Warner Bros. Studio Tour tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes.

With the Academy Awards approaching, there’s no better place to be than Hollywood. Taking the stage where world-famous celebrities will undoubtedly be standing on the night of the Oscars is one of the best ways to gear up for the show. With a Dolby Theater Tour, you’ll have VIP access to the famous five-level theater where the Academy Awards take place each year and where you can walk down Hollywood's memory lane and see images of famous Oscar winners like Jack Nicholson and Grace Kelly on display. 

Getting in: Dolby Theater Tour tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes.

Or, choose a visit to the Natural History Museum, home to real dinosaur fossils, an extensive collection of natural gems and minerals, and ancient Latin American archeological artifacts

Science fans will enjoy visiting the excavation site at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, one of the world's most famous Ice Age excavation sites where you can see scientists and volunteers preparing fossils for examination.

Vivid sunsets are commonplace during the Los Angeles winter. Take advantage of the miles of unobstructed views along the coastline for some of the best sunset views around. Some of the best LA spots to watch winter sunsets include Griffith Observatory, Hermosa Beach Pier, Dockweiler State Beach (bring a camera to get a photo of the sunset over the famous shipwreck that washed up onto the shore), and Terranea Bluff Top Park.

Make a day of it and head to Santa Monica Pier for thrill rides and quintessential boardwalk fun at Pacific Park and then visit the sea life at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium before watching the sun set over it all, creating a postcard-worthy vista.