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 the time to do all the necessary research… Well, you don’t need to waste any time! We’ve done the research 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. SEE NUTCRACKER BALLET (DATES THROUGH DECEMBER)

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. There are also performances at UCLA and in Pasadena.

More information here.

2. THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS (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. SEE A SHOW AT 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 on one night I went).

More information here.

4. CATCH A SHOW AT THE PANTAGES (ALL MONTH)

The Hollywood Pantages Theatre, on Hollywood and Vine, has a popular show appearing on its stage in December: Stereophonic. Why not have dinner on the boulevard, either at Musso and Frank Grill, Yamashiro or Palms Thai, and see a show? Do it in style. According to the producers the production is:

The most Tony Award-winning show of the year and the most Tony Award-nominated play of all time. 

It could definitely be one of the best things to do in LA in December. 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, or Beverly Hills mansion, 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.

We also have a haunting true crime tour of downtown: the DTLA Murder Mystery Ghost Tour, which runs every Saturday night, and is always popular at this time of the year.

6. WATCH HOME ALONE WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA AT THE WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL (DATES THROUGH DECEMBER)

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!

Los Angeles Music Center

There are a ton of other Christmas themed events happening at the Music Center over the holiday period.

More information here.

7. GO OPEN-AIR ICE-SKATING IN DOWNTOWN (ALL MONTH)

Something else that feels very Christmassy is open-air ice-skating. It’s also a lot of fun, even if you’re not that good at it (I’m definitely not). Pershing Square is definitely one of the best places to do it too.

Glide into the holidays and join us for ice skating in Pershing Square! The Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square offers the quintessential winter activity in the heart of beautiful downtown Los Angeles. Surrounded by art, lively activity and the impressive city skyline, our outdoor ice rink lets you enjoy entertainment and ice skating in Los Angeles under the sun and stars.

Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink

More information here.

8. SANTA MONICA PUB CRAWL (DECEMBER 13)

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, right?

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, based at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 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)