The LA Holiday Season Calendar 2026: Tree Lightings, Zoo Lights, Parades and Everything Through New Year’s

Darlings, Halloween is Saturday, and the city’s social calendar does not rest after it. The holiday season in Los Angeles now runs nonstop from the first week of November to the last night of the year, and the best evenings sell out early. Below is the Nightlife Report calendar of what is already confirmed, with dates, prices and the details that matter, so you can book while the good nights are still open.

First, Halloween

Start with Code Red. Before the lights go up, there is one more costume to wear. Our Halloween pick, Code Red, is in the ticket box at the end of this article; after that, the season belongs to tree lightings, parades and the long, glittering run to midnight on Dec. 31.

November

Friday, Nov. 13: Endeavour’s new home opens. The California Science Center opens the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center at 10 a.m., with Space Shuttle Endeavour displayed vertically in launch-ready configuration. Admission is free; the center strongly encourages advance reservations, which cost four dollars per person and are waived for members.

Thursday, Nov. 19: Rodeo Drive lights up. LA Today reports that the season opens with the Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration in Beverly Hills. It is free; the start time has not yet been announced.

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From Friday, Nov. 20: L.A. Zoo Lights. The L.A. Zoo’s nighttime lantern walk runs select nights through Jan. 10 at 5333 Zoo Drive, with tickets from 19 dollars and free parking, according to LA Today. The zoo says this year’s theme features plants, pollinators and Ice Age giants, the walk takes 60 to 90 minutes, and the box office operates from 5:45 to 8:45 p.m. Guests 21 and over can order beer, wine and spiked cocoa. Note the dark nights: the event is closed Nov. 26 and 30; Dec. 1, 7, 14, 15, 16, 24, 25 and 31; and Jan. 4 through 7. There is a Sensory-Inclusive Night on Dec. 8 and a Pride Night on Dec. 17.

Also from Nov. 20: Enchant Christmas. Santa Anita Park in Arcadia hosts Enchant from Nov. 20 through Dec. 27, with tickets from 29 dollars.

From Saturday, Nov. 21: snow in Century City. Westfield Century City stages holiday performances and snowfall from Nov. 21 through Dec. 28, Thursday through Sunday, at noon, 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m., plus at every live performance.

From Sunday, Nov. 22: Descanso’s Forest of Light. Descanso Gardens’ Enchanted: Forest of Light runs Nov. 22 through Jan. 9, from 5:30 to 10 p.m., closed Nov. 26 and Dec. 25. General admission starts at 29 dollars for adults and 19 for children ages 2 to 12. LA Today passes along Descanso’s advice: popular nights sell out, and quieter dates carry the lowest prices, so book a weeknight early.

From Friday, Nov. 27: the tree at L.A. LIVE. A 62-foot Christmas tree with more than 124,000 LEDs returns through Jan. 3, alongside the LA Kings Holiday Ice Festival.

Sunday, Nov. 29: the 94th Hollywood Christmas Parade. The parade, which supports Toys for Tots, rolls down Hollywood Boulevard. Curbside viewing along most of the route is free; grandstand seats are 120 dollars for adults and 60 for children under 16.

December

Saturday, Dec. 5: Burbank’s tree lighting. The Mayor’s Tree Lighting takes place at Burbank City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave., from 6 to 6:30 p.m. It is free.

Saturday, Dec. 12: the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade. The 64th parade sails under the theme “Hollywood Under The Stars.” LA Today suggests watching from Burton Chace Park or Fisherman’s Village.

Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve. As of this writing, the major free public countdowns have not published their 2026 details, and we will not guess. We will add confirmed New Year’s Eve events to this calendar as they are announced.

How to plan it like a regular

• Book weeknights. Descanso and the zoo both reward guests who avoid Fridays and Saturdays.
• Check the dark nights. Zoo Lights is closed on several December dates, including Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
• Free is still a plan. Rodeo Drive, Burbank and curbside parade viewing cost nothing; arrive early for a good spot.
• Pair your evenings. Century City’s 8 p.m. snowfall makes an easy prelude to dinner on the Westside.

The superintelligence read

A superintelligence sorting this season would notice that the scarce resource is not money but evenings. Free events crowd early; ticketed ones sell out on weekends. The winning strategy is to commit to dates now, while choice still exists, and keep one or two nights open for the invitation you have not received yet.

Sources

1. LA Today: Los Angeles Holiday Lightings 2026: Nine Dates Already on the Calendar
2. L.A. Zoo: L.A. Zoo Lights
3. The Hollywood Christmas Parade
4. California Science Center (PR Newswire): Advance reservations for the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center (Oct. 14, 2026)

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