The Thanksgiving Break is a perfect time to spend some quality time with your kiddos, and we have found so many good ideas for you to do. We hope this list leads you to happy moments with your kids.
Pacific Theatres, Various Locations
Nov 20th 11am - 1pm
Select Pacific Theaters locations offer newly released films on Monday Mornings to accommodate parents with infants. The volume is lower to let the babies sleep, and the theater isn’t quite as dark. Check the list of the movie theaters and the list of the movies here. [Cost: Various]
1324 Fifth Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Now through Jan 15th
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.
Mon-Thu: 2pm-10pm (during school break 10am-10pm)
Fri: 2pm–Midnight (during school break 10am-12pm)
Sat: 10am–12pm and Sun: 10am-10pm
Battleship Iowa
250 S Harbor Blvd
San Pedro, CA 90731
Nov 20th San Pedro
This is your last chance to see Circus Vargas this year. Goggles, gears, and gadgets set the stage for the retro-futuristic production, Steam Cirque, a journey of fantastic proportions where children of all ages will marvel at the wacky and wonderful cast of characters that come alive in this exciting steampunk, science- fiction fantasy inspired circus odyssey. Arrive 45 minutes early for the interactive pre-show where kids can join the circus; stay for a post-show meet and greet with the stars. [Cost: $25+]
Sistine Chapel in Canoga Park
Now - Dec 31st
6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd
Canoga Park, CA 91303, USA
Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel comes to Westfield Topanga & The Village. With special expertise and care, the ceiling paintings from the Sistine Chapel have been reproduced using state-of-the-art technology. Explore the artwork up close at a distance impossible to achieve in the Sistine Chapel. [Cost: $10]
189 The Grove Dr.
Los Angeles, California 90036
Now - Dec 31st
Santa has taken his post at the Santa House at the Grove and the entire property has transformed into the ultimate holiday spectacle. Each day throughout the holiday season you can enjoy a festive brass band, drummer boys, stilt walkers, visits from gingerbread men and toy soldiers, hot cocoa carts, a cappella performances and more. Snow fall every night at 7pm & 8pm. [FREE]
LACMA
5900 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
November 20, 21, 24, 27, 28, 30
11:00 am
The Boone Children’s Gallery is a free, creative space where you can explore the art of East Asian brush painting. Friendly and helpful staff introduce painting techniques, offer tips, and even provide high chairs for very young artists. You sit at communal tables in this fun, family-friendly, and resourceful place to relax, create, and make new friends. [FREE]
Now - Mar 31st - 9am-6pm
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
Hop on over to the Aquarium of the Pacific to see a wild array of frogs and their fellow amphibians. Interactive exhibits, educational graphics and thematic displays will spotlight more than 24 different creatures. Learn about the history of amphibians, their life cycles, their various species and the different habitats where they live. The exhibit also examines the threats to these amphibians’ existence and their uncertain future. [Cost: $17.95+]
sponsored
Nov 20th - Jan 7th
1313 Disneyland Dr.
Anaheim, CA 92802, USA
The Holidays Begin at The Disneyland Resort. Holiday celebration returns with wonder, joy and, of course, plenty of magic in both Parks. Gather together to enjoy the heartwarming delights of live music, dance and holiday-inspired performances, meet Santa and his joyful elves at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, let Princess Elena of Avalor and her friends delight you with musical celebration, and much much more. [Cost: Various]
Nov 25th at 12pm
6560 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Fun and appropriate, the Really Awesome Improv Show features improv games that rely on audience suggestions and participation. The show 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]
Nov 20th - Nov 24th
3pm-6pm
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802, USA
Meet and learn about 11,000 animals in more than 50 exhibits at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Come face-to-face with and touch the ocean's ultimate predators in Shark Lagoon, hand-feed colorful lorikeet birds and watch Magellanic penguins play. You'll get closer to animals than ever before at the bonnethead shark and cownose ray touchpool, the horseshoe crab touch lab, and tidepool touch lab. You can choose any weekday during afternoon hours (3:00pm-6:00pm). [$9-$15 VIA GOLDSTAR]
UCLA Meteorite Gallery
Nov 20th 9am - 4pm
595 Charles E Young Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90095
The UCLA Collection of Meteorites is the largest on the West Coast and contains over 2500 samples from about 1500 different meteorites. It is the fifth largest collection of meteorites in the United States and the second largest housed at a university. Learn fun and interesting facts about meteorites and the solar system. [FREE]
Nov 20th - Nov 26th
9:30am - 5:00pm
900 Exposition Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Walk through a safe, fascinating open-air pavilion and learn about the amazing engineering that goes into each spider's web. Here spiders freely spin their spectacular webs for all to see. Spiders are some of the most amazing architects in the world – working with eight legs and some of the most high-performance building material known to man. Learn about the different designs and tactics each spider weaves with, and check out spectacular webs that range up to three meters in diameter.
Descanso Gardens
Nov 19th-Jan 7th
1418 Descanso Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 91011
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 Maple first, and then enter the Enchanted experience after you dine. Also check our event calendar for dates for "Dinner with Santa".
Nov 20th - Jan 9th
Under the White Top
Camarillo, CA
Even though Camarillo is about an hour drive from Los Angeles, this show is really worth the drive. Presented under a massive White Big Top, this colossal production featuring over 65 horses and 50 artists will take your breath away! Blending awe-inspiring equestrian arts with imaginative stagecraft, amazing acrobatic feats and cutting-edge technical effects, this extravaganza expands the definition of performance into an epic yet soulful theatrical experience. [Ages: 4+; Cost: $45 and up]
The Old Lodge
Nov 17th - Dec 17th
2002 Stadium Way
Los Angeles, CA 90026
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 (plus a free Onesie Snuggie), Animated Penguin Light Path, Giant Snow Globe Photo Booth, Games, and More. Food and Drinks are available for purchase. [Cost: $12+]
Nov 20th - Jan 7th
10:00 am - 4:00pm
5333 Zoo Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
There is no better way to celebrate the season than to meet up with real live reindeers. Visit them in Reindeer Village daily to hear fascinating facts about Santa’s sleigh-pullers and get up close for photo opportunities. On weekends, extra activities like Swazzle’s Holiday Extravaganza Puppet Show, Ice carving demonstrations courtesy of Troubled Ice (Saturdays), Craft station with make-your-own antlers and letters to Santa and Holiday songs from The Beverly Belles (Sundays) will be available at no extra charge other than the standard zoo admission.
Nov 20th - Jan 7th
6:00pm - 10:00pm
5333 Zoo Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
L.A.’s brightest holiday tradition returns, now more brilliant than ever! 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 on select dates, and enjoy seasonal treats and goodies. Plus, enjoy musical performances by the Tinseltone Carolers - Los Angeles Branch every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night through December 23. [Cost: Various]
L.A. Kings Holiday Ice
Westfield Topanga
Nov 20th - Jan 14th
6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Canoga Park, CA 91303, USA
LA Kings Holiday Ice once again brings outdoor ice skating to Westfield Topanga. Visit LA Kings Holiday Ice at Promenade at the corner of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Erwin St. for a wonderful seasonal experience.
Discovery Cube Orange County
Nov 20th - Dec 3rd
10:00am - 5:00pm
2500 N Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92705, USA
Join in on the annual Science of Gingerbread competition by designing and building your very own delectable creation for a chance to win some awesome prizes! Plus, all entries will receive four admission tickets to the exclusive awards party on December 8th. [Cost: $2-$17.95]
Nov 21st 9:00am - 4:30pm
301 N Baldwin Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91007
This Tuesday enjoy a free day at The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. The Arboretum houses outdoor historical landmarks representative of the major phases of California history- including a gorgeous Queen Anne Cottage on a lake and an old railroad depot. Kids will love turtles, peacocks, ducks, geese, other creatures, and all the beautiful plants. [FREE]
Nov 23rd 11:45am - 5:00pm
2701 N Sepulveda Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90049, USA
Noah’s Ark at the Skirball is Free on Thursdays. Play, climb, build, explore, make believe, and make friends–all while exploring a floor-to-ceiling wooden ark, filled to the rafters with whimsical animals. Share in a timeless story—and together envision a better world. The tickets on free Thursdays are first-come, first-served only. Free Thursday tickets are available at the admissions desk starting at 11:45 a.m.
To find more fun events this week and every day of the week, check out our LA Event Calendar.
