The Downtown Culver City Holiday Tree Lighting Sled-tacular
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Town Plaza at The Culver Steps, 9300 Culver Blvd., Culver City, 90232
Price: FREE (pre-register for free sledding wristbands)
This beloved tradition returns for its 20th year with 50 tons of fresh snow transforming downtown into a winter wonderland! The evening kicks off with the Sled-tacular Festival at 5 PM. It features sledding, snowmen building, carnival games, and free popcorn. Hot chocolate is courtesy of The Culver Theater and The Culver Hotel.
Don’t miss the spectacular Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 PM. You’ll see 200+ talented students from Culver City’s public schools performing holiday music. This year is extra special. It celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Culver City High School’s Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (AVPA). The Mayor will lead the countdown to light the 25-foot holiday tree. He’ll be joined by some special celebrity guests! Zooey Deschanel (“New Girl”) and Charlie Cox (“Daredevil”) are expected to help lead the Countdown. After that, Santa will make his first appearance of the season! You can meet him at 7 PM for visits and photos.
The event will be live streamed for those watching from home. Friends and family across the country can come together.
Parking: Underground parking available at The Culver Steps parking garage (first hour free, $1 per 30 minutes after, $12 daily maximum). Additional public parking structures and lots throughout downtown Culver City offer similar rates.
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Montana Avenue Holiday Walk
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Montana Avenue (from 7th to 17th Street), Santa Monica, CA 90403
Price: FREE (unless you want unlimited train rides for $20)
Santa Monica’s Montana Avenue transforms into an enchanting outdoor marketplace. This annual celebration closes Montana Avenue to cars. With over 150 unique boutiques, restaurants, and artisan vendors, this is the perfect place to find unique holiday gifts while enjoying the festive atmosphere. You’ll see twinkling lights, live music, and roaming carolers.
The day features FREE photos with Santa. It’s sponsored by Framebridge at 16th Street and Compass at 10th Street. Photos by Venice Paparazzi. Holiday train rides courtesy of local sponsors, face painting and crafts in partnership with Tumbleweed Day Camp. Appearances can be seen from the Grinch, Cindy Lou, and Princess Elsa. If you want to see the characters you’ll want to be there before 3 PM. Also, don’t miss the inaugural tree lighting ceremony at 5:40 PM at Whole Foods.
Parking: Street parking available on side streets. Montana Avenue will be closed to cars during the event. Arrive early for best availability. Public parking structures are available in downtown Santa Monica.
Culver City Film Festival
Dates: December 4-12, 2025
Location: The Culver Theater, 9500 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
Price: Tickets available at the door or online at culvercityfilmfestival.com
Okay. This technically isn’t holiday themed. But, it’s worth checking out. The Culver City Film Festival celebrates 12 years. The festival showcases independent films from around the world… right in the heart of “Screenland.” The festival features narrative and documentary features. You can also expect shorts, music videos, and experimental films. All of them will be screened in the high-quality Culver Theater with Dolby Atmos sound.
This is a wonderful opportunity to discover new voices in independent cinema. You can also get a chance to see the work of filmmakers from around the globe. The festival typically hosts Q&A sessions with filmmakers, networking events, and after-parties.
Parking: Street parking available around the theater. The Culver Theater is also within walking distance of downtown Culver City public parking structures.
Holiday Ice Skating at Pershing Square
Dates: November 20, 2025 – January 11, 2026 (open daily)
Time: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM (60-minute sessions starting every 1.5 hours)
Location: Pershing Square, 532 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA
Price: $22 per person (includes skate rental), $5 locker rental, $6 skate helpers
Box Office Hours: 5:45 PM – 8:45 PM on event days
LA’s largest outdoor ice skating rink returns to downtown for its 26th season! Spanning 7,200 square feet and framed by skyscrapers and festive lights, this is a quintessential LA holiday experience.
Enjoy special events including DJ Spotlight Nights (Thursdays, 7 PM-close). Sundays have Classical Skate Sessions with music by KUSC. You can even join a Learn to Curl lesson on select Saturdays ($25). For beginning skaters under 48″ tall, Skate Helpers (Penguin & Polar Bear helpers) are available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parking: Underground parking at Pershing Square Parking Garage (first-come, first-served). Easily accessible via Metro (Pershing Square station) or Metrolink.
Astra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk
Dates: Beginning November 6, 2025 (runs through early 2026)
Location: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Price: Starting at $21 for children, $29 for adults
Times: Check astralumina.com for specific session times
Created by the visionary minds at Moment Factory. Astra Lumina returns to LA for its third year. This is an internationally acclaimed nighttime experience. You’ll set off on a one-mile enchanted walk through nine cosmic installations. It features lustrous lights, cosmic visions, projection mapping, and an immersive soundscape.
This stellar journey invites stargazers of all ages to discover a celestial pathway and encounter the wonder of visiting stars. The experience includes signature cocktails (hot and cold), hot cocoa, and other festive F&B options. Note: The trail includes dirt pathways that can be narrow and uneven in places, with some uphill sections. Dress appropriately for light outdoor activity.
Special Starlit Thursdays offer FREE tickets for kids under 12 with code ALKIDSFREE. Members of South Coast Botanic Garden receive 15% off.
Parking:
- Onsite: 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates (parking passes available for purchase)
- Offsite (select Saturdays/holidays): 602 Deep Valley Drive, Rolling Hills Estates (shuttle pass required – estimate about 15 minutes for the shuttle time)
LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow
Dates: November 13, 2025 – January 11, 2026
Time: Box office open 5:45 PM – 8:45 PM on event days
Location: Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Price: Tickets start at $19
Closed: Most Mondays and Tuesdays, plus Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve
LA’s wildest holiday tradition returns with all-new dazzling lantern sculptures and light displays! The 2025 event features a holiday-themed wonderland. You’ll find larger-than-life birds, butterflies, insects and flowers representing plants and pollinators, glowing lanterns depicting Southeast Asian wildlife, and illuminated representations of iconic African landscapes.
You can also enjoy interactive displays. These include a giant walk-in kaleidoscope, a carousel ride, and a visit to Santa Claus (additional fee for photos). You can warm up with churros, s’mores, hot cocoa, and spiked beverages for guests 21+. The Zoo offers special themed nights including Sensory-Inclusive Zoo Lights (December 9, 2025) with smaller crowds and quieter music.
Parking: FREE parking at the LA Zoo
Enchant Christmas Light Maze
Dates: November 21 – December 28, 2025
Location: Santa Anita Park, 285 W Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91007
Price: Starting at $22-$31 (Adults $27-31, Youth 14-17 $26-30, Child 3-13 $22-25)
Times: Vary by date – check enchantchristmas.com/los-angeles
Making its LA debut, Enchant Christmas transforms Santa Anita Park into a 10-acre winter wonderland featuring the World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze. Step inside the story of Santa’s Magic Timepiece as you search for missing star fragments among millions of twinkling lights and dazzling light sculptures.
The experience includes a real ice skating trail winding through glittering displays, a multi-lane Snow Slide Adventure, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Landing, a shopping village with artisan treasures, festive food and drinks, mini golf, and a 100-foot tree of lights as the centerpiece.
Special theme nights include Paws n’ Claus (pet-friendly evenings where dogs can meet Santa), and various other celebrations throughout the season. Snow Globe Party Suites are available for private events.
Parking: Parking available at Santa Anita Park. Can also access via Metro A Line (Gold Line) to Arcadia Station, then transfer to Arcadia Transit Green Line bus.
Planning Your Holiday Adventure
This holiday season offers something magical for everyone! From traditional tree lightings and ice skating to immersive light experiences and independent film festivals. Many of these events are family-friendly. Several offer free or affordable admission. You can create lasting holiday memories without breaking the bank.
Pro Tips:
- Book tickets in advance for popular events like Astra Lumina and Enchant Christmas
- Arrive early for free events to secure parking
- Check weather forecasts and dress in layers for outdoor events
- Many events offer special deals for early booking or specific nights
- Consider using public transportation for downtown LA events
Plan your perfect holiday season in Westside Los Angeles. Happy holidays!