winter holidays Archives

The outdoor skating rink at Winterlit in Santa Monica opens Nov. 16. PHOTO COURTESY DOWNTOWN SANTA MONICA INC.

Family-friendly ice skating rinks are back, just in time for the holidays. Whether you’re an old pro or you just want to join in on the SoCal winter fun, these ice skating rinks have something for everyone. Mostly outdoors, the pop-up rinks also offer plenty of festive programming through January.

Ice at Santa Monica returns to downtown Santa Monica with Winterlit. Beginning Nov. 16, skate the 8,000-square-foot-rink on the corner of 5^th Street and Arizona Avenue. The grand opening event will include free skating, live DJ and treats. The rink will be open daily through Jan. 16, 2022. $20. downtownsm.com

After a three-year absence, Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square returns this winter. From Nov. 23-Jan. 1, enjoy skating outdoors in the heart of Downtown L.A. Visit Nov. 23 for the Icebreaker Opening Celebration, which will feature a live performance, special guests and the “icebreaking” ceremony where a large ice sculpture will be shattered. $20. holidayicerinkdowntownla.com

Pasea Hotel and Spa’s outdoor ice skating rink will run Nov. 25-Dec. 31. PHOTO COURTESY MERITAGE COLLECTION

Pasea Hotel & Spa transforms its lawn into an ice skating rink again this holiday season. From Nov. 25-Dec. 31, The Ice Rink at Pasea Hotel & Spa will have themed nights, Santa visits, luxury fire pit experiences, festive drinks and bites, photo ops and more. $30 and up. paseahotel.com

Although The Cube Santa Clarita has ice skating year-round, December is a special time to experience the rink. The Second Annual Christmas Tree Skate at The Cube features a tree-lighting ceremony, public skating session, Christmas carols and plenty of photo ops on Dec. 2. The Holiday Skate Show on Dec. 10 interprets “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” with an all-local cast. $15-$25. thecubesantaclarita.com

Bradley Whitford plays Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” at the Ahmanson Theatre through Jan. 1. PHOTO CREDIT LUKE FONTANA

Plenty of places to see a classic film, experience theatrical performances and hear holiday tunes as seasonal festivities return to L.A. We’ve rounded up our favorite concerts, plays and theatrical productions to experience with your family over the holidays.

Get into the holiday spirit with a magical new interpretation of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic “A Christmas Carol,” featuring Emmy-winning actor Bradley Whitford as Ebenezer Scrooge at the Ahmanson Theatre Nov. 30-Jan. 1. $40-$150.

A Noise Within presents their version of the Dickens’ classic Dec. 2 – 23 with a special relaxed performance on Dec. 11 for the neurodiverse community. $18 – $50.

Nochebuena celebration returns to The Soraya Dec. 10-11. PHOTO COURTESY THE SORAYA

Latino Theater Company returns to Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Dec. 3-4 for its signature holiday pageant, La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin, which features more than 100 actors, singers and indigenous Aztec dancers, as well as children and seniors from the community. FREE.

Live music and film collide Dec. 4 at The Soraya for Disney’s “FANTASIA Live in Concert,” where excerpts from the animated feature will be restored to brilliant color and accompanied by the CSUN Symphony. FREE. Also at The Soraya is the lively Nochebuena celebration. From Dec. 10-11, enjoy performances from Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar. FREE.

“Latina Christmas Special: An American Comedy of Latina Proportions” performs Dec. 14-15 at A Noise Within. PHOTO BY XAVI MORENO

In another holiday-themed movie and concert pairing, LA Phil will perform the score for “Home Alone” in Concert Dec. 11 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. $55-$187.

If you’re looking for a laugh this holiday season, the Off-Broadway hit, “Latina Christmas Special: An American Comedy of Latina Proportions,” has got you covered. On Dec. 14 and 15 at A Noise Within, three comedian friends share their hilarious and honest personal tales about family peculiarities, belonging and living through hard times. $18 – $50

Warm up those vocal cords and join the Angeles Chorale for Walt Disney Concert Hall’s annual Holiday Sing-Along Dec. 18. $35-$92. If you’d rather listen along than sing along, you can still get into the holiday spirit with “A Chanticleer Christmas.” The LA Phil’s Grammy-winning 12-man ensemble will perform a holiday program of a capella choral music Dec. 14 at Walt Disney Concert Hall. $40-$108.

Magical Cirque Christmas performs at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Dec. 26.

The L.A. County Holiday Celebration returns to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Dec. 24 with a live, in-person holiday event featuring more than 20 music ensembles, choirs and dance companies from around the city. Visitors can also enjoy Grand Park’s iconic pink tree, which will light up the Fountain Overlook area off Grand Ave. Nov. 28-Dec. 27. FREE.

Experience the enchantment of the holidays at Segerstrom Center for the Arts with a Magical Cirque Christmas, a family-friendly evening of incredible cirque performers and holiday tunes performed live. Dec. 26. $39 and up.

Segerstrom Center for Arts will host Holiday Movies on the Plaza featuring “Elf” on Dec. 3 and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on Dec. 10. $5.

Also at the plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts is their annual Holidays Around the World event Dec. 4 and 11 before the “Nutcracker” performances. Enjoy live music, dance performances, seasonal crafts and more. FREE.

An Irish Christmas features singing, dancing and traditional Irish music Dec. 16 – 17 at Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks.

11^th Annual Redondo Beach Pier Holiday Concert and Toy Drive on Dec. 11 will feature live holiday music, activity books, photo ops and giveaways.

Disney on Ice is back in SoCal with “Dream Big,” performing in Anaheim, Los Angeles, Long Beach and Ontario Dec. 8 – Jan. 2 featuring all your favorite Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie, Moana and Elsa.

Disney on Ice presents “Dream Big” Dec. 8-Jan. 2 throughout SoCal. PHOTO COURTESY DISNEY ON ICE

Looking for more holiday events? Check out our roundups on the best places to see “The Nutcracker,” enjoy holiday lights, buy holiday gifts and more.

L.A. Parent