What to do with kids in Los Angeles over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by four museums, zoos and play places: four say they’re open on Christmas Day and four on New Year’s Day. Plus seven dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.
Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1
Holiday hours from each place’s own page, side by side. Many are standing rules (“closed Christmas Day”) that hold year to year, but a quick check that morning is worth it.
“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.
Day by day
Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.
Irvine Park Railroad · 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Good to know: A free holiday village by the train station. Rides and activities take $8 tickets.
Los Angeles Zoo · 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Good to know: Santa photos cost extra on select nights, and the ice rink is ticketed separately. Dec 8 is a sensory-inclusive night. Parking is free. Closed Nov 26, Nov 30, Dec 1, 7, 14–16, 24, 25, 31 and Jan 4–7.
Descanso Gardens · 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Good to know: The tenth year, with a new laser show on the Main Lawn that ends in a snowfall finale. Parking is free.
Santa Anita Park · 285 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia, CA 91007
Good to know: A ticketed Christmas light maze with an ice skating trail, Santa visits and a holiday market. Parking and skating are add-ons.
Kidspace Children’s Museum · 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91103
Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St. · Downtown LA
Good to know: A 7,200-square-foot outdoor rink, open for more than 25 years. Lockers are $5. The opening celebration is Thursday, Nov 19 at 5pm. Metro’s Pershing Square stop is a block away.
Irvine Park Railroad · Orange
Discovery Cube Los Angeles · 11800 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar, CA 91342
Good to know: Apple cider toasts, live music and two balloon drops, so nappers can catch the 3pm one. Ticket details are still to come.
LA County Library – Manhattan Beach Library · Manhattan Beach
Good to know: Ages 2–12 with a grown-up: New Year’s traditions, festive crafts, a dance party and a countdown to noon.
LA County Library – Willowbrook Library · Willowbrook
Good to know: Ages 3–12 with a grown-up: New Year traditions from around the world, festive crafts and a countdown at noon.
LA County Library – Carson Library · Carson
Good to know: Ages 4–10 with a grown-up: activities and crafts, then a countdown to noon.
OC Public Libraries, Seal Beach – Mary Wilson branch · Seal Beach
Good to know: Crafts, music, dancing, a photo wall and snacks, then a countdown and a big balloon drop at noon.
Los Angeles Zoo · 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Good to know: Santa photos cost extra on select nights, and the ice rink is ticketed separately. Dec 8 is a sensory-inclusive night. Parking is free. Closed Nov 26, Nov 30, Dec 1, 7, 14–16, 24, 25, 31 and Jan 4–7.
Descanso Gardens · 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Good to know: The tenth year, with a new laser show on the Main Lawn that ends in a snowfall finale. Parking is free.
Open on New Year’s Day: Los Angeles Zoo, California Science Center, Travel Town Museum, L.A. Zoo Lights.
Rainy-day backup
These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.
Keep planning
November: things to do in LAEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in LAEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in LAFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in LAIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in LABaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in LAHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in LAParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in LAKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in LAParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
Christmas trains in LAPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in LABallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in LAChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
This week in LADated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
Los Angeles Zoo (Dec 25: closed), California Science Center (Dec 25: closed), Travel Town Museum (Dec 25: closed), L.A. Zoo Lights (Dec 24 and 25: closed) post that they’re open on Christmas Day.
On the calendar: Santa’s Village at Irvine Park Railroad.
Los Angeles Zoo (Not listed), California Science Center (Closed on New Year’s Day), Travel Town Museum (Not listed), L.A. Zoo Lights (Dec 31 closed; Jan 1 not listed as closed).
On the calendar for Jan 1: L.A. Zoo Lights and Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.
L.A. Zoo Lights, Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens, Enchant Los Angeles at Santa Anita Park, Sock Skating at Kidspace Winter Frolic and The Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 28, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in LA, through the holidays.
