A Floating Star Is Hosting LA's Merriest Puppet Show: Bob Baker's Holiday Wonderland Special!
Bob Baker's Holiday Wonderland Special lights up the Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Highland Park from Saturday, November 14, 2026, through Sunday, January 17, 2027, and this year's host is a glowing, floating star named Demitrius Nova Twinklestar III. Fans call him Demi Star, and he's rounding up a cast of beloved marionettes for an hour of carols, kick lines and holiday sparkle.
The show is styled like a vintage TV holiday special, the kind families once gathered around the living room to watch, except here the stars dangle on strings a few feet from your kids' noses. The theater is having a big moment beyond its own stage this season, too, with a starring role in a holiday film for LA luggage brand Calpak.
Key Takeaways
When: Saturday, November 14, 2026, to Sunday, January 17, 2027, on select dates.
Where: Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 4949 York Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90042, in Highland Park.
Showtimes: Saturdays at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm; Sundays at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm; extra weekday and evening shows over winter break.
Tickets: $28 per person, fees included. Lap kids 2 and under are free.
Length: About one hour, followed by ice cream and a chance to meet the puppets.
Sensory-friendly show: Saturday, December 19, at 10:30 am.
Good to know: Most November and early December weekend shows are already sold out, so winter break is your best bet.
Meet Demi Star and the Holiday Wonderland Cast
If Demi Star looks familiar, that's because the floating star has emceed Bob Baker's holiday show before. This season he takes center stage in a brand-new format billed as "A Twinklestar is Born!", introducing a cast that includes Pink Cat, a line of high-kicking Rockette Reindeers and characters the theater promises you've never seen before.
Expect surprise cameos, showstopping musical numbers and a few tender moments mixed in with the silliness. Like every Bob Baker show, it's interactive in the sweetest way: marionettes wander right into the audience, perch on kids' laps and sometimes give a nose a gentle wiggle.
The puppets themselves are a big part of the magic. The theater's family of handmade marionettes numbers more than 3,000, with some performing since the 1940s and others built this year in its own workshop, and a typical show features around 100 of them.
Parent Tip: Before you go, ask your kids what they think a star would do for the holidays. It's a fun warm-up, and they'll love comparing their guesses with what Demi Star actually gets up to.
2026–2027 Showtimes and Dates
Shows run on select days from mid-November through mid-January. Here's the regular rhythm:
Saturdays: 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm, plus a 7:30 pm show on select dates.
Sundays: 10:30 am and 1:30 pm, with a 4:30 pm show on select Sundays.
Winter break weekdays: Daytime and evening shows on Dec. 15–18, Dec. 22–24 and Dec. 29–31.
Early January: 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm shows Jan. 5–8, then weekend shows through Jan. 17.
Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve: 10:30 am and 1:30 pm shows.
Fair warning: these seats move fast. As of early November, nearly every weekend show from opening day through mid-December is sold out, while weekday performances during winter break still have plenty of openings. Check the official ticket calendar for live availability.
Parent Tip: Looking for something special to do over winter break? The weekday shows Dec. 15–31 are where you'll find the most open seats, and a 10:30 am performance leaves the whole afternoon free.
Tickets, Prices and Where to Sit
Tickets are $28 per person with fees included. Little ones 2 and under can sit on a grown-up's lap for free, and everyone under 16 needs to come with a parent or guardian.
When you pick seats online, you'll choose from three types:
Floor seats: Criss-cross-applesauce cushions closest to the stage. This is where puppets are most likely to come visit.
Theater chairs: Regular chairs behind the floor section, great for grown-ups and anyone who wants back support.
Puppet Parlor: Seats at tables on raised platforms in the back. They're roomier, but a 3-foot railing makes them a poor pick for small children.
Tickets are non-refundable, but the theater will credit your ticket cost toward another production if you reach out before the day of your show. You'll find seat maps and open dates on the Holiday Wonderland Special ticket page.
Parent Tip: Book floor cushions for the kids and theater chairs right behind them for the grown-ups. Everyone stays close, and your back will thank you by the finale.
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Sensory-Friendly and ASL Performances
The theater sets aside a sensory-friendly performance on Saturday, December 19, at 10:30 am, with tickets sold separately. Modifications include fewer lighting changes, lower volume, a quiet rest space in the lobby and the freedom to talk during the show.
If your child would rather not be approached by a marionette, reserve a seat on the left side of the theater. Foam earplugs and over-the-ear headphones are available at any show by request, and families who need ASL interpretation can email the theater at hello@bobbakermarionettetheater.com to book an interpreted showtime.
Parent Tip: If this is your child's first live show, the sensory-friendly performance is a gentle introduction for any family, not just kids with sensory needs.
Bob Baker's Starring Role in Calpak's Holiday Film
The marionettes are popping up far beyond York Boulevard this season. LA-based luggage brand Calpak tapped the theater for its "Holiday Worth Wishing For" campaign, a 30-second short that transforms the Highland Park theater into a snowy wonderland where handmade marionettes help make a little girl's holiday wishes come true.
Calpak's duffels, carry-ons and travel essentials roll through the scenes in festive metallic red, green and sea-glass shades. It's a charming preview of the theater's handcrafted style, and kids who catch the video first tend to arrive extra excited to see the puppets up close.
It's a well-earned spotlight for a theater that has been delighting LA families since 1963. Founded by puppeteer Bob Baker and Alton Wood, the company moved from its original home near downtown to Highland Park in 2019, and its marionettes even performed at Coachella this year.
The nonprofit is now raising funds to buy its York Boulevard home, so the puppets can keep pulling strings in Highland Park for generations to come.
Planning Your Visit: Parking, Ice Cream and Nearby Fun
Address: 4949 York Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90042.
Parking: Metered street parking on York Boulevard, plus two public lots a couple of minutes' walk away: one on Avenue 51 between York Boulevard and Meridian Street, and another at 5033 Lincoln Ave.
Transit: Metro Bus Line 83 stops at York and Avenue 49, and the DASH Highland Park/Eagle Rock line stops at York and Avenue 52.
Ice cream: Every show ends with ice cream for the whole audience, plus time to meet the puppets and snap photos.
Wiggle break: There's a playground across the street, perfect for burning off energy before or after the show.
Bikes: A bike rack sits next to the theater, in front of Café de Leche.
Want the quick version? Our Holiday Wonderland Special calendar listing has all the essentials in one spot.
Parent Tip: Give yourself time to park and hit the playground first. Kids settle in much better for an hour of puppets after a few trips down the slide.
Takeaway
Bob Baker's Holiday Wonderland Special runs November 14, 2026, through January 17, 2027, in Highland Park, with Demi Star hosting an hour of carols, Rockette Reindeer and surprise cameos, plus ice cream for everyone at the end.
Weekend seats are mostly spoken for, so aim for a winter-break weekday show, grab floor cushions up front for the kids, and save time for the playground across the street. It's one of the coziest holiday traditions in LA.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Bob Baker's Holiday Wonderland Special 2026?
Bob Baker's Holiday Wonderland Special runs on select dates from Saturday, November 14, 2026, through Sunday, January 17, 2027, at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Highland Park. Weekend shows run all season, with extra weekday and evening performances during winter break.
How much are tickets for the Bob Baker holiday show?
Tickets are $28 per person, fees included. Children 2 and under who sit on a parent's lap are free and don't need a ticket. Tickets are non-refundable, but the theater offers a credit toward another show if you contact it before the day of your performance.
How long is the Bob Baker Holiday Wonderland Special?
The show runs about one hour. Afterward, everyone gets ice cream, and families can meet the marionettes and take photos in the theater's Puppet Parlors, so plan on spending about an hour and a half at the theater.
Is the Bob Baker holiday show good for toddlers?
Yes. Bob Baker shows welcome everyone from toddlers to grandparents, and little ones love sitting on the floor cushions up front, where puppets often come to visit. Lap kids 2 and under are free, and earplugs or headphones are available on request.
Is there a sensory-friendly Bob Baker holiday show?
Yes. A sensory-friendly performance takes place Saturday, December 19, at 10:30 am, with reduced lighting changes, lower volume, a quiet space in the lobby and freedom to talk during the show. Tickets for this performance are sold separately.
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