December is always a busy month, and there are always a ton of demands on our time. We’re rushing here, rushing there, as well as trying to do all the Christmas shopping, get all the food, do the social rounds etc. Maybe you’re looking for something different to do with friends or family, maybe you want to escape the treadmill for a few hours and do something worthwhile, something fun, with that special person. If you only had time to spend doing all the necessary research… Well, you don’t need to waste any time! We’ve done it for you and distilled the infinite number of possibilities that are out there, down to this list of the 10 best things to do in LA in December. Have fun, stay safe and see you next year!

Events & Activities in Los Angeles This Month

1. THE NUTCRACKER (DECEMBER 1-26)

What could be more Christmassy than going to see this Yuletide staple, presented by the Los Angeles Ballet? What’s more, there are several performances at the magnificent Dolby Theatre. That’s right – where the annual Academy Awards – AKA the Oscars – are held. It’s actually a great venue for ballet too, as it has a huge stage and plenty of room for a seventy-piece orchestra. It also has great acoustics and sight-lines too.

More information here.

2. THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER (ALL MONTH)

What can we say about the little chap that hasn’t already been said. Many times. But surely the world of Harry Potter is perfectly attuned to Christmas. Universal have broken out immersive rides such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff for the holidays, as well as offering interactive wands for young wizards.

More information here.

3. CHECK OUT THE GROUNDLINGS (DATES THROUGH DECEMBER)

The Groundlings is a breeding ground for comic talent that often ends up becoming famous, alumni include Lisa Kudrow and Will Forte, to name just two. Their theatre in Hollywood has performances almost every night in December, and the sketch comedy shows are always very funny. Not to mention reasonably priced too, especially for LA. You may even see some well-known faces in the audience, Jennifer Aniston was in the audience one night I went.

More information here.

4. CATCH A SHOW (ALL MONTH)

The Hollywood Pantages Theatre, on Hollywood and Vine, has a couple of Christmas-appropriate shows appearing on its stage in December. Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and Mamma Mia! Either one could be one of the best things to do in LA in December. Why not have dinner on the boulevard, either at Musso and Frank Grill, Yamashiro or Palms Thai, and see a show?

More information here.

5. TIME-TRAVEL BACK TO GOLDEN AGE HOLLYWOOD (EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT)

Who isn’t, on some level at least, fascinated with ‘the dream factory’? Who wouldn’t want to be a 1930’s movie-star? Getting chauffeured from your Santa Monica beach house to the studio lot around 10 am, wrapping on your close-ups by lunch, and then, after a short siesta, going to the premiere of your new movie in the evening. To be followed by the after-party, which is at the glamorous Cocoanut Grove Nightclub, of course.

Well, join us for the evening as we take you back to those halcyon days on our Hollywood Speakeasy Bar tour. We’ll show you around a variety of speakeasies, roof-top bars and classic movie-star hangouts on our nighttime adventure. Cocktails are recommended, but not obligatory.

More information here.

6. WATCH HOME ALONE LIVE AT THE WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL (DECEMBER 20-22)

A true holiday favorite, this beloved comedy classic features renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live to picture, conducted by David Newman. Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who’s accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation, and who must defend his home against two bungling thieves. Hilarious and heart-warming, Home Alone is holiday fun for the entire family!

Music Center

More information here.

7. CYCLAVIA: SOUTH LA (DECEMBER 3)

CicLAvia is without doubt one of the best things to happen to Los Angeles since 2010. When whole neighborhoods, which had been lost to pedestrians and cyclists and taken over by motor vehicles, are periodically reclaimed by banning said vehicles, it’s amazing what can happen. People walking, cycling and having fun in a much cleaner environment. Suddenly Los Angeles feels like a very different place and we can truly realize that actually LA wasn’t designed around the car, in spite of what many people think.

More information here.

8. SANTA MONICA PUB CRAWL (DECEMBER 16)

Did someone say pub crawl? Then sign me up! Part of the joy of Christmas is the sense that it’s allowed – and even encouraged – to have just a little too much to drink… Only to get into the spirit of the season of course. And when you combine that with a pub crawl, well, you’re getting some exercise too.

Santa Monica must be the perfect place to have a pub crawl (the other is downtown), since there are so many great bars within walking distance of each other. This event is even raising money for good causes, with proceeds going towards the Westside Food Bank.

More information here.

9. LA COUNTY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION (DECEMBER 24)

This is a really fantastic, FREE, annual event, that’s held at the Music Center in downtown. All kinds of performers and artists are appearing, from Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea, to Reverb Tap Company, to the Los Angeles Gay Men’s Choir, to South Side Symphony. There’s something for everyone in the program, which runs from 3-6 pm.

More information here.

10. GO TO A COMEDY SHOW (DATES THROUGH DECEMBER)

The Christmas Holidays are definitely the right time to do this! Who doesn’t want to laugh until they cry at least once a year – it’s therapeutic.

Hollywood Improv has a full slate of shows in December and The Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip nearly always has a great line-up of established and up-and-coming comedians.

Or how about Don’t Tell Comedy? They feature pop-up standup shows at “secret” venues, including parking lots and rooftops around Los Angeles.

If you have any feedback on the 10 Best Things to Do in LA in December please email us or reach out on social media, we’d love to hear from you.

– By Damien Blackshaw. (Twitter)