While seeing snow (on the ground, rather than on the snow-capped mountains on the horizon) is highly unlikely in L.A., there are still lots of seasonal activities and things to do during the Los Angeles winter, from big-budget theme park attractions to relaxed exploring.
We put together a list of our favorite things to do in Los Angeles in winter to help you plan the perfect winter itinerary. Check out our list of the best holiday activities and attractions for ideas!
Want to save money on those bucket-list attractions?
Check out passes from Go City and you could save yourself up to 50% on your must-sees – perfect! Please note: some of these special winter events may be separately ticketed and not included on Go City Los Angeles passes.
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Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood™
Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood™
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.
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Magic Mountain
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.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm
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.
Aquarium Holidays at the Aquarium of the Pacific
Aquarium Holidays at the Aquarium of the Pacific
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.
LA Zoo Lights
Where: Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Garden
When: November 16 through January 6; 6-10 pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day)
This is a fun one for the whole family. See the Los Angeles Zoo transformed into a wild Winter Wonderland, complete with dazzling animals constructed from hundreds of lights and other fanciful materials, and innovative displays combining lights, water, and accompanying tunes. You’ll also get a chance to meet Santa on select dates, interact with a few reindeer, and enjoy festive holiday cookies and other great treats, and the intrigue-inducing disco-beam forest is not to be missed. Come here for some lovely seasonal fun that won't break the bank.
Getting in: Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Garden tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes, however, Zoo Lights activities are separately ticketed.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
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.
Sony Pictures Studios Tour
Get the real experience of a working studio on a 2-hour guided tour of Sony Pictures Studios. You'll see historic sound stages from the Yellow Brick Road and Emerald City to the blockbuster Spider-Man movies. Your tour may even swing by a smash-hit game show ‘Jeopardy!’ or ‘Wheel of Fortune.’ It's a great opportunity to see more of the celebrity culture, the creativity behind the movie industry, the history of Hollywood, and the work that goes into creating your favorite movies and shows.
Getting in: Sony Pictures Studios Tour tickets are included on all Go City® Los Angeles passes.
Be in the audience at a live taping
After you tour a studio, complete the LA experience by attending a live taping of one of your favorite shows. Through companies including IOTA and On Camera Audiences, you could get tickets to live tapings of shows like Conan, ESPN SportsNation, Jimmy Kimmel, and The Wheel of Fortune in Los Angeles:
Be sure to plan well in advance and arrive early as many shows sell out fast and seats are not always guaranteed, even with a ticket!
Get ready for the Academy Awards
Get ready for the Academy Awards
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.
Scope out the museum scene
LA is home to lots of fascinating, world-class Los Angeles area museums, ideal for exploring when it's chilly or raining outside (a rare occurrence in this sun-soaked city).
For the full Hollywood experience, if you’re a movie buff should check out the famous Hollywood Museum to learn all about movie production, filmmaking technology, the legacy of Tinseltown, and more before heading to Madame Tussauds to pose for souvenir photos with your favorite celebrities.
For a more educational museum experience that you won't find in many other cities, the Museum of Tolerance features unique exhibits that explore issues of tolerance, prejudice, discrimination, the legacy of the Holocaust, and contemporary human rights issues.
Japanese American Museum, located in the heart of Little Tokyo downtown, is internationally recognized for its dedication to examining America's ethnic and cultural diversity.
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.
Watch a winter sunset
Watch a winter sunset
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.
Save on admission to top Los Angeles attractions with Go City®
Discover our full line-up of Los Angeles attractions including the Hollywood Sign Tour, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Tour, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, and more.
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