December in Los Angeles means 61°F afternoons, gray whales arriving off the coast, and a city that does Christmas properly without a single snowflake. Think it's all Tinseltown glitz? There's a lot more to it — a mile-long light walk through Descanso Gardens, candlelit processions on Olvera Street that predate Hollywood itself, outdoor ice rinks two blocks from the beach, and a hundred lit-up boats looping Marina del Rey.
Below you'll find what's actually running this December, with dates, times and all you need to know, followed by the LA attractions worth building the rest of your trip around.
In this guide:
- The best December 2026 dates and events
- More great things to do in December
- What's the weather like in LA in December?
- LA in December: FAQs
Los Angeles in December 2026 at a glance
- Temperature: 61°F / 16°C by day, 46°F / 8°C at night
- Rain: around 7 wet days across the month
- Sunset: roughly 4:45PM mid-December
- Christmas Day: Friday 25 December — most major attractions closed
- Busiest stretch: 20–31 December; book timed-entry events 3–4 weeks ahead
Best things to do in Los Angeles in December 2026
Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood
(Daily, late November, 2026 through early January 2027)
Universal Plaza becomes Who-ville around a 65-foot tree, with nightly lighting ceremonies and snow effects, plus a winter projection show on Hogwarts Castle after dark. The best bit? All this holiday cheer is included with general admission!
New this season: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a 72mph launched spinning coaster that opened in September 2026. Ride it first thing.
Enchanted Forest of Light
(5:30PM – 10PM, November 22, 2026 through January 9, 2027)
Descanso Gardens' after-dark light walk turns ten, with a new laser show and snowfall finale added for 2026. The trail runs about a mile and takes an hour to ninety minutes. Entry is timed and popular December nights sell out – so make sure to check their website and book early!
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
(December 12, 2026)
Decorated yachts loop the main channel with music and a fireworks finale — one of the few free marquee events on LA's December calendar. Burton Chace Park and Fisherman's Village are the best free vantage points, and both fill up early with the main parade running from 6PM until 8PM.
Las Posadas on Olvera Street
(December 16 – 24, 2026)
Nine nights of traditional candlelit processions through El Pueblo, topped off with piñatas, music and food. LA's oldest continuous Christmas tradition, free and unticketed – this is a beautiful family evening many visitors never even know about!
Children's piñata from 6:30PM in the plaza
Procession begins 7:15PM from in front of the Avila Adobe
Ice Skating in Santa Monica
(Typically early November through mid-January — 2026 dates to be confirmed)
Yes, really. LA does outdoor ice skating, and gliding around in a t-shirt two blocks from the sand is a very particular kind of joy. Ice at Santa Monica lays down 8,000 square feet at 5th and Arizona, open daily from noon to 10PM, with skate rentals available.
LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow
(6PM - 10PM · November 20, 2026 – January 10, 2027)
After dark, the LA Zoo swaps its residents for something even more magical: giant glowing animal lanterns lining the pathways, tunnels of light to walk through, and installations that react as you pass. Set the expectations right and you'll love it — the actual animals are fast asleep, the lanterns are the show.
Find tickets on the LA Zoo website.
Holiday Sing-Along at Walt Disney Concert Hall
(11:30AM or 2PM on December 19, 2026)
Once a year, the LA Phil hands the microphone to the audience, and a few thousand people belt out carols inside Frank Gehry's swooping silver concert hall on South Grand.
This hall-decking holiday singalong is an absolute blast and understandably popular, so book early on the LA Phil website.
More top things to do in Los Angeles in December
Beyond the seasonal one-offs, these are the LA attractions that reward a December visit — thinner crowds, clearer views, and in several cases a holiday overlay you won't get the rest of the year.
LEGOLAND® California at Christmas
Carlsbad, San Diego County ~90 miles / 1hr 45 from Downtown LA · allow a full day
LEGOLAND® California is the best family day out on the LA pass, but it's a genuine day trip — the park sits in Carlsbad, about 90 miles south of Downtown LA. Through December, it adds giant LEGO® Christmas trees, snow-dusted brick builds, LEGO Santa meet-and-greets and seasonal building workshops. Rides span coasters to the gentler walk-throughs of Miniland USA, so mixed-age groups do well.
Griffith Observatory: LA's Best Free December View
Griffith Park · building, exhibits and grounds free · allow 2–3 hours
Griffith Observatory offers the best free view in Los Angeles, and December suits it: sunset falls around 4:45PM mid-month, so you can arrive in daylight and watch the city switch on beneath you. Entry to the building, exhibits and grounds costs nothing. The guided tour included with passes from Go City adds expert-led context on astronomy and the 1935 Art Deco architecture, and on clear evenings you can queue for the Zeiss telescope at no charge.
Universal Studios Hollywood in December
Universal City · allow a full day
Universal Studios Hollywood pairs its rides and Studio Tour with a full holiday overlay from late November — Who-ville decorations in Universal Plaza, a winter-dressed Hogwarts Castle and seasonal food across the park. December is one of its busiest months, so arrive at opening and head for the Lower Lot first; most visitors do the Upper Lot on arrival and the queues follow them.
Whale Watching from Newport Beach in December
Departs Newport Beach · about 1 hour from Downtown LA
Gray whales pass the Southern California coast through December on their way south to Baja, and the Whale Watch & Dolphin Tour runs sailings to meet them. Naturalists narrate throughout, and common dolphin pods — often several hundred strong — are close to a guaranteed sighting even on days the whales don't cooperate. Bring a warm layer; it's noticeably colder on the water than on shore.
Santa Monica and Venice Beach Bike Tour
Starts in Santa Monica · guided
A guided ride down the coast taking in Santa Monica Pier, the Venice boardwalk, Muscle Beach and the canals, with guides handling both the route and the local context. December brings decorated palm trees, pop-up markets and the occasional Santa hat in the surf. At 61°F over flat terrain, this is a considerably more comfortable ride in December than in August.
Battleship IOWA Museum, San Pedro
LA Waterfront, San Pedro · allow 2–3 hours
The USS Iowa served from World War II to the Gulf War and now sits permanently berthed at the Port of Los Angeles as a 45,000-ton museum. Self-guided routes at Battleship IOWA run through the decks, crew quarters and up to the captain's bridge, with volunteer veterans stationed throughout — they're the best part of the visit. December adds seasonal programming including holiday movie nights on deck.
Christmas Shopping on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice
Venice · free to wander
Abbot Kinney Boulevard is a mile of independent boutiques, galleries and coffee shops in Venice, and the best street in LA for gifts that aren't from a chain. Shop windows go all-in through December and pop-up markets appear most weekends. Salt & Straw runs a seasonal ice cream flavor series each December — one of the rare treats that's well worth the queue.
Natural History Museum: LA's Best Rainy-Day Backup
Exposition Park · allow 2–3 hours
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is the largest such institution in the western United States, with collections spanning 4.5 billion years. The Dinosaur Hall and Gem and Mineral Hall are the two draws, and the Exposition Park Rose Garden sits directly outside. With around seven rainy days across December, this is the most reliable wet-weather option on the list.
Los Angeles in December: FAQs
What's the weather like in LA in December?
December in Los Angeles averages daytime highs of 61°F (16°C) and overnight lows of 46°F (8°C), with roughly seven rainy days across the month. It's one of LA's wetter months, though "wet" here means the odd shower rather than sustained rain — you'll still get plenty of blue sky, don't worry.
Pack layers. The gap between a sunny Santa Monica afternoon and a 7PM walk through Descanso Gardens is bigger than the averages suggest, and the evening light events get genuinely cold once the sun drops at around 4:45PM.
Ocean temperatures sit near 59°F (15°C): swimmable in a wetsuit, bracing but doable without one.
Is December a good time to visit Los Angeles?
Yes — December is a great month to visit LA. Daytime temperatures hover around 61°F (16°C), crowds at major attractions are lighter than in summer right up until about December 20, and the light festivals and outdoor ice rinks only run at this time of year. The trade-off is the last ten days of the month, when holiday travel pushes prices and queues up sharply.
Does it snow in Los Angeles in December?
No. Snow doesn't fall in the Los Angeles basin. You can reach it in under two hours, though — Big Bear Lake and Mountain High both typically open for skiing in December, roughly 100 miles from Downtown LA.
What's open in LA on Christmas Day 2026?
Christmas Day 2026 falls on Friday, December 25. Most major attractions close, including Universal Studios Hollywood, Descanso Gardens and the Natural History Museum. Beaches, Griffith Park's outdoor areas and Hollywood Boulevard stay open and free. Restaurants in Chinatown and Koreatown are the traditional fallback and get busy.
How far in advance should I book December attractions in LA?
Book timed-entry events at least two weeks ahead, and three to four weeks for dates between December 20 and 31. Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens sells out entirely on popular December nights and doesn't sell tickets at the gate.
What should I pack for LA in December?
Layers. A t-shirt works at midday, but you'll want a proper jacket after sunset, which falls around 4:45PM mid-month. Add a light rain layer for the seven or so wet days, and comfortable shoes.
What can you do in LA in December for free?
Plenty of the season's best events cost nothing: Las Posadas on Olvera Street, the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade from the shoreline, unreserved viewing along the Hollywood Christmas Parade route, Griffith Observatory's grounds and exhibits, and the Christmas displays at The Grove and along Candy Cane Lane in Torrance.
Ready for your best December ever in LA?
With its never-boring neighborhoods, one-of-a-kind attractions, and a winter calendar bursting with festive fun, LA proves you don’t need snow for an unforgettable holiday season. Whether you’re hunting gray whales or sipping cocoa under twinkling garden lights, this city knows exactly how to make December extra bright. And with so much on offer, your only challenge will be squeezing it all in before your flight home!
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Enjoyed this article? Check out the Best Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Los Angeles or find out more in our complete guide to using Go City Los Angeles passes.
