Discover the magic of the holidays in Glendale with our ultimate guide. From Glendale veterans to first-time guests, this guide ensures a memorable yuletide adventure.
The Hollywood Christmas Parade showcases a variety of festive floats and performances that captivate audiences every year. Glistening light displays and holiday themed experiences can be enjoyed at the Los Angeles Zoo Lights. And definitely don't forget the Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony, a beloved tradition that brings the community together under a canopy of twinkling lights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Glendale
See these and even more events listed below!Nearby Events
Hollywood Christmas Parade (Los Angeles)
What to Expect:
Celebrity-studded parade on Hollywood Boulevard
Description:
Hollywood's glitz and glamour collide with holiday cheer at the Hollywood Christmas Parade. Stars from film and television join elaborate floats, marching bands, and larger-than-life balloons as they parade down iconic Hollywood Boulevard. This long-standing tradition, dating back to 1928, transforms the Walk of Fame into a dazzling spectacle. You might spot your favorite celebrity waving from a vintage car or catch a glimpse of Santa himself. The air fills with the sound of cheering crowds and festive music, creating an unforgettable Los Angeles holiday experience.
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Los Angeles Zoo Lights (Los Angeles)
What to Expect:
Animal-themed light displays at the LA Zoo
Description:
The Los Angeles Zoo transforms into a luminous safari after dark during LA Zoo Lights. Towering animal-shaped lanterns and twinkling light sculptures create a nocturnal wonderland unlike any other. Visitors can stroll through immersive installations, each telling a story of wildlife conservation. The event pays homage to the zoo's mission, blending education with entertainment. Families delight in searching for glowing insects hidden throughout the grounds. This reimagining of holiday lights showcases the diversity of the animal kingdom, offering a unique perspective on the season's illuminations.
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Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony (Altadena)
What to Expect:
Historic street of Deodar Cedar trees lit for the holidays
Description:
Altadena's Christmas Tree Lane stands as a living monument to holiday traditions. The grand Deodar Cedar trees, planted in 1885, line Santa Rosa Avenue, creating a natural cathedral of evergreens. During the lighting ceremony, these majestic trees burst into a canopy of twinkling lights, transforming the street into a starlit corridor. Visitors can walk beneath the illuminated boughs, experiencing a tradition that has endured for nearly a century. This event, recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, connects modern celebrants with generations past through the timeless beauty of nature adorned for the season.
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Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony
Enchanted: Forest of Light (La Cañada Flintridge)
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations in a botanical garden setting
Description:
Descanso Gardens' Enchanted: Forest of Light reimagines the concept of holiday illuminations. This immersive nighttime journey weaves through the botanical gardens, featuring large-scale light installations that respond to touch and movement. Visitors can manipulate colorful displays, creating their own light shows amidst ancient oaks and forest landscapes. The event highlights the intersection of nature and technology, offering a fresh take on seasonal lights. One installation allows guests to "paint" with light on the garden's landmarks. This innovative approach to holiday lighting celebrates the garden's natural beauty while pushing the boundaries of interactive art.
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Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade (Long Beach)
What to Expect:
Waterfront homes and boats decorated in holiday themes
Description:
Naples Island's canals come alive during the Holiday Boat Parade, a Southern California tradition since 1946. Gondolas, kayaks, and yachts adorned with dazzling lights glide through the waterways, reflecting off the calm waters. Waterfront homes join the spectacle, their facades and docks elaborately decorated to complement the floating procession. Spectators line the bridges and sidewalks, enjoying the mild winter evening as they watch the illuminated vessels pass by. This unique event showcases the community's creativity and holiday spirit, blending maritime culture with seasonal celebrations in a distinctly Californian fashion.
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Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade
Burbank Holiday in the Park (Burbank)
What to Expect:
Small-town holiday celebration in the heart of the entertainment industry
Description:
Burbank's Holiday in the Park captures the essence of a small-town celebration amidst the bustle of the entertainment capital. The event transforms Downtown Burbank into a winter retreat, complete with real snow for sledding—a rarity in sunny Southern California. Local artisans showcase their crafts, offering unique gifts that reflect the area's creative spirit. Children can meet Santa in a setting that harkens back to simpler times, despite being just steps away from major studios. This event highlights Burbank's dual identity as both a tight-knit community and a hub of Hollywood production, creating a holiday experience that feels both intimate and grand.
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Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade (Marina Del Rey)
What to Expect:
Fireworks display over decorated boats in the marina
Description:
Marina Del Rey's Holiday Boat Parade illuminates the largest man-made small craft harbor in North America. Vessels of all sizes, from humble dinghies to luxurious yachts, parade through the marina, each a floating canvas of lights and holiday decor. The event culminates in a spectacular fireworks show that reflects off the water, creating a double display of pyrotechnics. Spectators can enjoy the parade from waterfront restaurants or parks, immersing themselves in the coastal community's festive atmosphere. This nautical celebration showcases the unique blend of boating culture and holiday traditions that define Southern California's seaside communities.
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Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
Snow Day LA (Los Angeles)
What to Expect:
Man-made snow playground in downtown Los Angeles
Description:
Snow Day LA brings a touch of winter wonder to the heart of sunny Los Angeles. This urban snow park creates a frosty oasis amidst the city's skyscrapers, complete with sledding hills and areas for snowman building. The contrast of palm trees against snowy slopes offers a uniquely Californian winter experience. Visitors can engage in snowball fights or try their hand at ice sculpting, activities rarely available in LA's Mediterranean climate. This event reimagines winter traditions for a city that rarely sees natural snowfall, providing Angelenos with a taste of cold-weather fun without leaving the warmth of Southern California.
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Montrose Christmas Parade (Montrose)
What to Expect:
Small-town parade with a focus on local community groups
Description:
The Montrose Christmas Parade embodies the spirit of a close-knit community celebration. This charming event showcases local schools, businesses, and organizations as they march down Honolulu Avenue, the heart of Montrose's quaint shopping district. Antique cars, marching bands, and homemade floats create a nostalgic atmosphere that hearkens back to simpler times. The parade, a tradition since 1976, reflects the area's strong sense of civic pride and small-town values. Spectators line the streets, often recognizing friends and neighbors among the participants, fostering a sense of connection that defines this tight-knit foothill community.
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Union Station Holiday Festival & Artisan Market (Los Angeles)
What to Expect:
Holiday market in a historic Art Deco train station
Description:
Union Station's Holiday Festival & Artisan Market transforms Los Angeles' iconic transportation hub into a bustling holiday bazaar. The station's stunning Art Deco architecture provides a grand backdrop for local artisans showcasing their handcrafted wares. Visitors can explore the market while admiring the building's restored details, blending holiday shopping with architectural appreciation. Live performances echo through the cavernous waiting room, filling the space with seasonal melodies. This event celebrates both the city's creative community and its rich architectural heritage, offering a unique shopping experience that connects past and present in the heart of downtown LA.
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Union Station Holiday Festival & Artisan Market
Holiday Road (Calabasas)
What to Expect:
Drive-through holiday light experience at a historic film ranch
Description:
Holiday Road winds through the historic King Gillette Ranch, once owned by the razor magnate and later used as a film location. This drive-through experience takes visitors on a journey through elaborately themed sections, each bringing holiday stories and characters to life through massive light displays. The route showcases the natural beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains while overlaying it with imaginative illuminations. Guests can tune their car radios to a synchronized soundtrack, immersing themselves in a multisensory adventure. This innovative approach to holiday lights preserves social distancing while offering a cinematic experience befitting its location in the greater Los Angeles area.