The sound of Christmas caroling can mean only one thing: the holidays are finally here. Lace up a pair of skates at an ice skating rink this December or watch a dazzling waterfront light parade. When a simple trip to the playground won't do, keep your tot occupied with these 25 things to do with kids in December.
Dec 3
Los Angeles Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade; Ports O Call
See sailboats and harbor craft of all kinds light up the waterfront at this annual boat parade.
Dec 3
Symphonies for Youth: Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker; Walt Disney Concert Hall
See the L.A. Phil play the timeless score with help from a few sugarplum fairies.
Dec 3, 10
Festival of Carols; Walt Disney Concert Hall
Leave the singing to the pros as a 110-person-strong choir sings Christmas classics.
Dec 8-Jan 21
The King and I; Pantages Theatre
Take the whole family to enjoy Rogers and Hammerstein's version of this production, which is set in 1960s Bangkok and tells the unconventional story of the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a schoolteacher.
Dec 9-18
The Nutcracker; Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Head to O.C. to see Misty Copeland star in the American Ballet Theatre's version of this holiday tradition.
Dec 10
Marina Del Rey Boat Parade; Fisherman's Village
Feel as though you've escaped to a small-town fishing village at this illuminated boat parade and fireworks show.
Through Dec 11
Spider Pavilion; Natural History Museum
Face your fears and observe approximately eight local and exotic species of spiders in an open, landscaped area where arachnids can wander freely.
Dec 10
Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival; Bing Theater (LACMA)
Watch more than 100 live-action and animated films with different blocks for specific age groups, from toddlers through teenagers.
Dec 14-18
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade; Newport Harbor
Watch more than 100 decorated vessels parade around a 14-mile circuit during this century-old O.C. tradition.
Dec 16
The Music Center Holiday Sing-Along; Music Center Plaza
Belt out Christmas classics at this free public celebration outside of Downtown's cultural crown jewel.
Dec 17
Holiday Sing-Along; Walt Disney Concert Hall
Strike the harp and join the chorus at this festive sing-along of holiday classics; show up early for free hot chocolate and photos with Santa.
Dec 18
Hanukkah Family Festival; Skirball Cultural Center
Celebrate Hanukkah with kid-friendly musical performances and activities at the Skirball.
Through Dec 23
Snow Los Angeles; Elysian Park
Explore nine acres of magical winter wonderland just minutes from Downtown.
Dec 24
L.A. County Holiday Celebration; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Gather up your friends and family to hear more than 20 choirs, music ensembles and dance troupes from all over the city.
Dec 26-30
Snow Days; Kidspace Museum
Make snowmen, snow angels and wintry crafts in truckloads of real snow.
Dec 31
Noon Year's Eve; Kidspace Museum
Count down to a noontime balloon drop, and celebrate with noisemakers and sparkling cider.
Dec 31
N.Y.E.L.A.; Grand Park
Usher in 2017 with thousands of other Angelenos of all ages as a countdown clock is projected onto City Hall.
Through Jan 8
Enchanted: Forest of Light; Descanso Gardens
Stroll through the La Cañada Flintridge botanical garden as a one-mile stretch of its hillside property is transformed into interactive illuminated displays.
Through Jan 8
L.A. Zoo Lights; Los Angeles Zoo
Venture through the Griffith Park zoo grounds as the festive tradition returns with more lights and animal-themed installations.
Through Jan 8
Reindeer Romp; Los Angeles Zoo
Say "hi" to Santa's reindeer, and swing by on select days to see animals unwrap their enrichment gifts.
Through Jan 8
Chill; Queen Mary
Cozy up to the Queen Mary for a waterfront winter wonderland featuring ice-skating, tubing and all sorts of other holiday performances and surprises aboard the Art Deco ocean liner.
Through Jan 16
ICE at Santa Monica; Santa Monica
Bundle up and glide around an ice rink just blocks from the beach as the Santa Monica rink celebrates its 10th season.
Through Jan 16
Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square; Pershing Square
Skate around a warm-weather winter wonderland with the Downtown L.A. skyline as your backdrop at this seasonal ice rink.
Through Dec
Go see Christmas lights; Various locations
Take the time to check out these twinkling neighborhoods and illuminated landmarks before the holiday season disappears.
Through Feb 20
L.A. Kings Holiday Ice; Various locations
Round the rink next door to the Kings' home ice, as well as at four other locations across L.A.
Ongoing
Free museum days; Various locations
Make the most of free days at LACMA, the Natural History Museum and more, plus always-free museums like the Hammer, Getty and Broad.
See more Christmas events in Los Angeles.
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