For this month, here’s a listing of some big City holiday events for families, sponsored by City departments. We’re so fortunate that the City contributes time and funds to elevate the holidays for our enjoyment!
Have an upcoming event or cause you’d like the Club to support?
Remember, the Employees Club of California is looking for opportunities to support and sponsor department events. From sports tournaments and employee appreciation events to fundraisers, family events, and community causes, we want to help make a positive impact. This holiday season, there should be many. So let me know!
Contact Noelle Shayan at nshayan@employeesclub.com to learn more!
Holidays 2026
City-sponsored holiday events return for 2026.
Here is Alive!’s early guide for 2026; check back next month for updated information.
LA Zoo Lights
The after-hours attraction, which requires a separate ticket from the Zoo’s regular day hours, is a self-guided 90-minute walking tour of tens of thousands of LED lights, flurries of illuminated snowflakes, 3-D animated projections, a musical light-and-water show and glittering light tunnels. Animal characters brought to “life” include mischievous animated monkeys, a gigantic glowing snake coiled on a roof, animated elephants and much more.
New this year: an artificial ice-skating rink and carolers!
LA Zoo Lights offers Pride Night on Dec. 17, with special features. A Sensory-Inclusive Night (Dec. 8) features reduced sensory exposure.
Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square
One of the City’s largest outdoor ice rinks returns for the 2026 holiday season on Nov. 12. Suitable for experienced and novice skaters. Holiday hours limited. Lockers available for rent. Sessions last one hour. Special events planned, including DJ nights every week and classical Sundays.
Hollywood Christmas Parade
Hollywood’s long-running Christmas Parade, sponsored by the City and benefiting Toys for Tots, returns this year at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, in Hollywood. Grand marshal for 2026 has not been announced at Alive! press time.
The parade, in its 94th year, is held traditionally the Sunday after Thanksgiving and telecast locally and throughout the nation during December.
Take the Metro/Red Line to the Hollywood and Highland station, or park in the center’s garage (fee).
Victorian Christmas
This free event is one day for visitors to enjoy period entertainment, tours of the residence museum decorated in holiday splendor, refreshments, a children’s craft area, carolers, and a horse-drawn trolley ride between the museum and the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum nearby.
Holiday Light Festival Train Ride
Guests can take an evening 10-minute train ride around the festively decorated mile-long track. Magical scenes and tens of thousands of lights are set to captivate families and set the mood for a wonderful holiday season.
The attraction includes three open-air photo areas, plus a gift kiosk.
The trains operate every night thru Dec. 23, then resume the night after Christmas except New Year’s Eve. The trains do not operate in the rain.
Illuminated Swan Boat Rides
Just in time to usher in the holiday season, Wheel Fun Rental’s festive Holiday LED Illuminated Swan Boat Night Rides run every day starting at dusk on Echo Park Lake. The illuminated swan boats carry a special holiday theme this time of year.
Las Posadas on Olvera Street
Las Posadas, a Mexican tradition that’s one of the City’s oldest Christmas events, commemorates what Christians believe was the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem and their search for shelter in preparation for Jesus’ birth.
On Olvera Street, the event will feature a candlelight procession starting at the historic Avila Adobe at approximately 7 p.m. The leaders of the march, usually children, will be dressed as shepherds, angels, and Mary and Joseph. They will be followed by dozens of other worshipers. The public is invited to join in or merely observe.