7 Places In Los Angeles Feeling The Christmas Spirit
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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Americana. (The Americana at Brand/Facebook)
The popular trolley at the Americana at Brand embraces the holiday culture with a few decorations of its own. (The Americana at Brand/Facebook)
889 Americana Way
Glendale, CA 91210
Holiday Hours: Vary by day
It may not snow in most parts of Los Angeles, but it does at The Americana at Brand. Every night, at 7 and 8pm, snowflakes float down from above to give visitors a little taste of the Christmas season they’re missing. The Americana also has a 100-foot tall White Fir brought in from McLeod, California, decorated with more than 15,000 lights and 10,000 festive ornaments. And of course, every once in a while Santa stops in to take a few photos.
An illustration of the Beverly Center Ice Palace. (Beverly Center/Facebook)
8500 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Holiday Hours: Vary by day
The Beverly Center’s holiday Ice Palace is a new kind of winter wonderland, featuring a 30-foot ice dome displaying footage from BBC Earth’s award-winning program, Frozen Planet, to make visitors feel truly immersed in the wintery cold. The Palace also includes falling snow, “larger-than-life” snow globes and an Ice Throne to complete the holiday adventure. Visitors also have the chance to visit Santa and collect a “special gift.”
Disneyland's famous Sleeping Beauty Castle gets a seasonal makeover every holiday season. (Photo courtesy of Sydney Stockus)
Downtown Disney Winter Village
1580 Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, CA 92802
Holiday Hours: Vary by day
For kids at heart everywhere, the Downtown Disney Winter Village offers a youthful alternative to other outdoor ice rinks in Los Angeles: Olaf’s Frozen rink, inspired by Disney’s newest animated feature, Frozen. Helmets are mandatory and will be provided at no charge. A “towering” Christmas tree stands in the center of the rink, and visitors even have the chance to meet princesses Anna and Elsa on certain days. The fun doesn’t stop in Downtown Disney; both parks have adjusted some of the favorite attractions to match the holiday spirit, like California Adventure’s holiday special “World of Color: Winter Dreams,” which is hosted by Frozen’s “lovable snowman,” Olaf.
Check out more of the Downtown Disney Winter Village here.
The Grove's Citi Tree Lighting Dinner on Nov. 17. (The Grove/Facebook)
189 The Grove Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Holiday Hours: Vary by day
Similar to its sister mall, the Americana at Brand, the Grove features falling snow every night and a 100-foot tall White Fir decorated with more than 15,000 lights and 10,000 festive ornaments. However, it also includes “merry melodies of holiday brass” and other entertainment for visitors while shopping. Santa photos at his cottage are available during center hours, as well.
The L.A. Kings Holiday Ice Rink at L.A. LIVE. (Photo courtesy of Andrea Noguera)
777 Chick Hearn Court
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Holiday Hours: Vary by day
Besides charming tree lights and Christmas music, L.A. LIVE’s Nokia Plaza features the L.A. Kings Holiday Ice Rink, complete with a giant outdoor Christmas tree. Parties of 15 or more are eligible for group pricing, and couples hoping to make a date out of it can participate in the special “Supper and Skate” offer, which includes ice skating, a skate rental and a meal at a participating L.A. LIVE restaurant for $30.
Malibu Country Mart offers fun free holiday activities every Saturday until Christmas. (Malibu Country Mart/Facebook)
3835 Cross Creek Road
Malibu, CA 90265
Holiday Hours: 10am – 6pm
In addition to the typical lights and Christmas tree that most shopping malls have, Malibu Country Mart has fun holiday activities every Saturday leading up to Christmas. The celebrations on Dec. 14 include a cookie decorating station and complimentary photos with Santa from noon to 4pm. Then, on Dec. 21, Santa returns with his real, live reindeer from noon to 4pm and carolers to heighten the spirit.
Pershing Square features an outdoor ice rink right in the heart of downtown L.A. (Pershing Square - Downtown Los Angeles/Facebook)
532 South Olive Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Holiday Hours: Vary by day
Pershing Square’s holiday festivities include a winter concert series, an outdoor skating rink, and a Winter Holiday Festival on Dec. 14. The Holiday Festival is from noon to 6pm right in “the heart of downtown Los Angeles,” and includes Santa, snow, crafts, a train ride and live performances all at no cost. Ice skating is also available for the general admission fee of $8.
Sometimes all it takes is a little ice skating and Christmas tree to make the “bah humbugs” go away.
