Bet you didn’t think L.A. was a very easy place to feel festive during the winter holidays. Bet you thought you’d have to sacrifice Christmas traditions like ice skating and playing in the snow for this year-long sunny weather. Bet you were feelin’ pretty sad about that right now, as December rolls on in and it’s still a perfect seventy-two degrees outside.
Well good news! You don’t have to sacrifice any traditions or miss out on any holiday spirit this year, because these 6 “winter” activities will have you forgetting that you live in such a sadly evergreen city.
1. Ice Skate
Yes, that’s right. Several locations in L.A. have now made it their mission to defy all science and reason to make it possible for us SoCal-ers to finally get to pretend we’re Michelle Trachtenberg in Ice Princess.
…Even if we might need a little practice first.
You can do it in Pershing Square downtown. You can do it through ICE at Santa Monica. You can even do it at any of the three L.A. Kings Holiday Ice locations (L.A. Live, The Pike in Long Beach, and Westfield Topanga)!
2. Watch a Boat Parade
Not feeling as active? Thanks to L.A.’s prime beach location, you can watch parades of boats all dressed up for the holidays.
Newport Beach is having its 109th Annual Christmas Boat Parade, and Marina Del Rey its 54th.
3. Watch a Rooftop Movie
Feeling even less active than that?! Understandable. The Rooftop Cinema Club has an especially dope holiday-themed calendar for you, from Elf to Love Actually to A Christmas Story. Perfect if you’re feeling lazy but also thankful to live in a city that’s warm enough at night for rooftop chillin’.
4. Visit an Amusement Park
One of the best parts of living in L.A., as we all know, is having so many of the best amusement parks in the world so close by. And for the next month, all of them are going all out for the holiday season. Take a trip to Universal to celebrate Grinchmas or to finally experience Hogwarts at Christmastime.
And if that’s not enough, there’s also Disney California Adventure’s Festival of Holidays, Knott’s Merry Farm, and Magic Mountain’s Holiday in the Park!
5. Look at Some Lights
A nighttime experience that’ll for sure get you in the holiday mood, L.A. Zoo Lights is now open through January 7.
And you can’t forget The Grove, which is now decked out in holiday spirit for its amazing Winter Wonderland season. As if it wasn’t already one of the most magical, cheerful places in SoCal, The Grove just ups its game even more every year for the holidays. With all of its shops and Farmer’s Market, it really is the perfect place to go with friends and escape your finals week worries.
6. See a Ballet (on Campus!)
And finally, if you’re still near or on campus during the holidays, the holiday spirit is coming to you! The Los Angeles Ballet is coming to Royce Hall in December to perform the most festive show of all, The Nutcracker. Tickets are not too pricey, either, and can be purchased online. Treat yaself.
Happy L.A. Holidays!
Photo courtesy of Lindsay Weinberg. Gifs Courtesy of Giphy.