There is always so much to do with kids in Los Angeles, and at Fun With Kids in LA, we are we are dedicated to bring you the best of them. Our list of fun things to do in Los Angeles this weekend includes Fa La Land, Snow Wonder at Chase Burton Park, Hanukkah Celebrations, Hansel & Gretel, A Very Merry Magic Mania, LA Zoo Lights, Aquarium of Pacific Holidays, and much much more!
Fa La Land at ROW DTLA
787 S Alameda St.
Los Angeles, CA 90021
Now - Dec 25th
Various Times
Fa La Land showcases dazzling lights, jolly sounds and comforting scents of the holiday season like never before. At Fa La Land, everything sparkles! This immersive and interactive setting is crafted for all ages. From your little ones to the oldest member of your family, would love stepping into an old fashioned North Pole, and help make toys at "Jingle Bell Toy Factory.
It is like stepping into your most exciting childhood fantasy! Get lost in light in a fluorescent "Fa La Forest", jump in on the action at "Fa La Fest", and take pictures with Santa, while he spread his good cheer. ($37 per person)
1035 N. Swarthmore
Pacific Palisades, CA
Dec 7th
Enjoy a Chanukah Shabbat Family Dinner and services at 5:00pm on December 7th. RSVP is Required for the family dinner.
Story Time: The Trip Back Home Fowler Museum at UCLA 308 Charles E. Young Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Dec 7th
11:30 am
Join Fowler Museum for an interactive storytelling experience as you look, listen, and learn in the exhibition Intersections: World Arts, Local Lives. Children of all ages are invited to discover the value of simple gifts between family members in The Trip Back Home by Janet S. Wong (2000). After the reading, you are encouraged to learn about gifts around the world during a family-friendly tour with a Student Educator. (Free)
Hansel and Gretel
135 North Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Now - Dec 15th
The production of Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel is a marvelous confection of fairy-tale creatures, enchanting sets and spellbinding special effects. After being send into the haunted forest by their mother to pick strawberries, the young Hansel and Gretel fall prey to its biggest terror. Captivated by a strange house made of candy and gingerbread the hungry children soon start nibbling, only to realize that this is the house of the wicked Witch, who loves to cook children and eat them. Will they outsmart her and escape the woods? Find out in this folk-inspired sugary hit! Tickets start from $16 per person.
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Burton Chase Park
13650 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Dec 8th
12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey will be transformed into a winter wonderland on Saturday December 29th. Snow Wonder features more than 80 tons of real snow that will create a sledding hill and snow-kissed pine forest. Enjoy crafts, music, face painting and food trucks. Admission to Snow Wonder is free. If you want to participate in holiday activities, you need a wristband. Save time and download the waiver at Eventbrite. After Snow Wonder, enjoy the 56th Annual Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade featuring fireworks (5:55pm) and Holiday Boat Parade (6-8 pm).
26th Annual Candy Cane Drive Several locations
Dec 8th
10:00 am - 1:30 pm
Santa Claus is coming to town! Santa Monica's police officers & firefighters are leading the way as Santa makes his way around town. Santa and his public safety helpers will be distributing good cheer and thousands of candy canes as part of the twenty-sixth annual "Candy Cane Drive.” Everyone is invited to join in the annual Candy Cane Drive. Children are encouraged to look and listen for the lights and sirens of the public safety vehicles, while parents are encouraged to bring their cameras. (Free)
Shalom Institute
34342 Mulholland Way
Malibu, CA 90265
Dec 9th
10:00 am – 2:30 pm
Shalom Institute is celebrating Hanukkah on December 9th from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm with outdoor festivities including arts and crafts, zip lining, climb wall, farm activities, hiking, and more.
Venice Canals
Venice, CA
Dec 9th
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Hanukkah on the Canals Parade Party features boat decoration,
Canal Regatta, Latkes, Live Music, Food and more. The Boat Parade begins at 3:30pm. The event is rain or shine and is free to public.
5333 Zoo Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Now - Jan 6th
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
L.A.’s brightest holiday tradition is more brilliant than ever this year! Make unforgettable holiday memories as you explore this wild wonderland of light under the stars at the beautiful L.A. Zoo. Along the way, view real reindeer, visit with Santa, and enjoy seasonal treats and goodies.
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A Very Merry Magic Mania
Santa Monica Playhouse
1211 4th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Dec 8th - Dec 9th
7:30 pm
A Very Merry Magic Mania features the very best magicians and variety acts from The Magic Castle, America's Got Talent, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Masters of Illusion, Wizard Wars, and more. The show runs about 75 min and features world-famous magic and variety acts. This show is for all ages but mostly recommended for kids 7 & up. Use code merry for $25 tickets.
1324 Fifth Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Now - Dec 31st
Every holiday season, Downtown Santa Monica brings a little ice skating to the beachside community and transforms the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue into Ice at Santa Monica, into the winter wonderland known as Ice at Santa Monica, an 8,000-square-foot ice-skating rink. Admission & Skate rentals are $15. Locker Rental are $10 with $5 refund upon key return. Hot dogs, cocoa, and other snacks
are available for purchase.
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
101 Wilshire Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90401
Dec 10th
2pm – 5pm
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows invites you to join for an afternoon for the entire family and a reason to gather as a community this holiday season! The day’s festivities include live entertainment, pictures with Santa Claus, a petting zoo, whimsical gingerbread houses, a bounce house and more! Please take nonperishable food items to contribute to the largest canned food drive on the Westside. Your food donations will go to The People Concern and Santa Monica Police Activities League.
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
Now - Dec 22nd
Aquarium Holidays features special holiday décor, a display of gingerbread houses, snow fall in the Great Hall, and the Aquarium’s costumed characters in their holiday outfits. Visitors can also enjoy shopping and a special holiday menu offered daily in Café Scuba. On weekends the Aquarium will have a snow play area, underwater shows with Santa Diver, children’s crafts, photo opportunities with Santa and holiday characters, and Hanukkah storytelling with opportunities to play dreidel.
The Old Lodge
2002 Stadium Way
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Now - Dec 30th
LA's first winter themed tubing park is back with awesome new activities. The Festivities include Falling Snow Flurries, Multiple Tubing Lanes, Winter Skating Rink, Penguin Lounge, Animated Penguin Light Path, Giant Snow Globe Photo Booth, Games, and More. Food and Drinks are available for purchase. (Cost: $12+)
Grand Park’s Winter Glow Grand Park 200 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Now - Dec 25th
Grand Park’s Winter Glow is an immersive nighttime art experience that is taking over Grand Park in celebration of the holidays. Make new holiday memories strolling with your family through this 12-acre art, projection and light display, exhibit and installation and experience the wonder of Grand Park lit up like never before. Familiar pathways will lead to exciting new discoveries as the latest in light and projection technology transforms spaces in the park. This experience is free and open to public.
Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanical Garden
301 N Baldwin Ave
Los Angeles, CA 91007
Now - Jan 6th
A fantasy of light transforms the Arboretum into an evening wonderland. Magnificent lantern art depicting exotic animals, shimmering flowers, whimsical pandas, soaring dragons and other themes create the mesmerizing experience of Moonlight Forest. Get special $5 off discount with code ‘FriendsandFamily2018’ provided by Moonlight Forest only for our viewers.
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The Really Awesome Improv Show
The Second City
6560 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Dec 8th - Dec 9th
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Fun and appropriate for all ages, The Really Awesome Improv Show features improv games that rely on audience suggestions and participation, is great for the whole family, and was voted “Best Kids’ comedy Show” by LA Magazine! Because there’s a rotating cast you’ll see a different cast and games each week. (Cost: $5)
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 91011
Now - Jan 6th
Enchanted: Forest of Light is an interactive, nighttime experience unlike anything else in Los Angeles, featuring a one-mile walk through unique lighting experiences in some of the most beloved areas of Descanso Gardens. Tickets range from $28-$30 for the general public, and $23–$25 for Descanso Gardens members. For additional fee, you can have dinner with the family at The Maple, and enter the Enchanted experience after you dine.
A Christmas Story Regal Holiday Classics
Several locations Dec 8th
Enjoy the Holiday Classic; A Christmas Story at the Regal Movie Theater. In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie attempts to convince his parents, his teacher, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect Christmas gift. The tickets are only $5 per person.
CAAM Maker Fest- Fall 2018 California African American Museum 600 State Dr.,
Los Angeles, CA 90037
Dec 9th
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Get busy at this all-ages affair featuring maker stations led by local artists! Learn from the pros, who will offer a paper sculpture workshop to create garlands and festive ornaments, lead a figurative collage workshop, and will demonstrate how to make decoupage keepsake boxes. Take home several creative treasures of your own—no prior art experience is necessary, and the art materials are provided. RSVP is recommended. (Free)
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Pirates Dinner Adventure
7600 Beach Blvd
Buena Park, CA 90620
Now - Dec 25th
Celebrate Christmas with Pirates Dinner Adventure. Laugh and cheer as the pirate crew tries to steal Christmas. Will they succeed? Will Santa escape? Will the season be saved? Find out at Pirate’s exciting Christmas spectacular! This Christmas dinner show is stuffed with magic, wonder, and adventure perfect for family fun and Christmas parties. Discounted Tickets on Goldstar range from $23 - $36.
Knott's Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park, CA 90620
Now - Jan 6th
Knott's Berry Farm rolls out the lavish holiday decorations, a crafts fair, festive food and nightly snow in Ghost Town -- and that's in addition to all of its thrilling attractions across its 160 acres of family fun -- as it transforms into Knott's Merry Farm. See the Peanuts Gang on ice and visit Santa's Christmas Cabin, where everyone can share their wish list with jolly ol' St. Nick.
L.A. Kings Holiday Ice
800 Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Now - Jan 7th
The annual LA Kings Holiday Ice brings outdoor ice skating to L.A. LIVE's Microsoft Square from now through January 7th. Skate your way into the holiday season at The LA Kings Holiday Ice Rink.
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
Now – Jan 6th
Share memorable holiday experiences at Universal Studios Hollywood starting this weekend. Celebrate the holidays in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where Hogsmeade is transformed with festive décor and new nightly snowfall, and experience a holiday spectacle with dazzling lights and music at The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle.
350 W Hillcrest Dr.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Now - Dec 31st
FunBox is an interactive, brightly-colored maze of over 20 large art installations centered around the celebration of toys and other childhood favorites. Over 60,000 individual items were used to create this toy-themed pop-up experience. This will make kids go bonkers and adults feel like they are 5 again. Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for kids.
NEW AT CENTURY CITY:
Escape the crowds at The Crack Shack, gourmet fast casual fried chicken concept from Top Chef Richard Blais at Westfield Century City. Starting this Saturday, December 6th, come in and say “I Need a Holiday Recoop” to receive a free champagne toast with purchase of any sandwich, bone-in 5 or 10 piece fried chicken, or bowl. Grab your token and use it at the Moet & Chandon vending machine (the only one in LA!) before saying “cheers” to the season. Diners can indulge in signature fried chicken sandwiches or stay healthy before the holidays with salads and bowls.
The "secret" phrase can be used all day Saturdays and Sundays and weekdays excluding 12pm-2pm through the entire month of December.
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12 Great Tips to Save Money on California Theme Parks During the Holidays
Photo Credit: Fa La Land