Los Angeles treasure Sparks wrote the original anti-Christmas carol with “Thank God It’s Not Christmas” as part of their solid 1974 record Kimono My House. During the chorus, Russell Mael gratefully imparts, “Thank God it’s not Christmas when there is only you and nothing else to do.” But there are much worse places to be than LA during Christmas… especially if you’re not celebrating. That’s because the city has no shortage of options to either help you celebrate or tune out the holiday revelry. You never need to feel alone with so many businesses, attractions, and more open Christmas day. 

Pacific Park at Santa Monica Pier

Photo credit: Saberwyn

Didn’t quite find the thrills you were hoping for underneath the Christmas tree? Well, you might have better luck at the end of the Santa Monica Pier. That’s because Pacific Park is open Christmas day from 11am until 9pm. 

Enjoy ocean views atop the world’s first solar powered Ferris wheel, the Pacific Wheel. Or if you like a bit more speed, you can pretend you’re Santa zooming back to the North Pole by riding the West Coaster roller coaster. Round it out by winning your sweetheart (or your own fine self) a stuffed animal from the games of chance. Not a bad way to spend Christmas afternoon! 

Ice Skating

Photo credit: Pershing Square Holiday Ice Rink

If you’re coordinated (or not afraid of slipping and falling), skating is the perfect way to get your holiday ya yas out. Fortunately, the Pershing Square Holiday Ice Rink provides a solid option that’s open Christmas day. For a limited time, you can rent skates to cut the ice amidst the downtown lights. You’ll almost feel like you’re in your very own holiday special… assuming you can stay on your feet! 

Movie Theaters

As is the case in pretty much every city in America, movie theaters are open Christmas day in LA. And they’re frequently packed to the gills. But what makes LA unique is the outstanding quality of our movie theaters. 

For Christmas day, we recommend hoofing it over to Hollywood Boulevard to visit either El Capitan or the TCL Chinese Theatre. Both are iconic creations of Sid Grauman, so there’s a bit of LA history to spice things up. 

Photo credit: El Capitan Theatre

If you’re trying to keep the kids entertained, El Capitan is the obvious choice since it’s owned by Disney. But the Chinese Theater’s IMAX screen features ornate art deco-influenced details that add a sophisticated touch to the moviegoing experience. 

It looks like both of those theaters are screening the visual feast of Avatar: The Way of the Water on Christmas. If you want something even more child-friendly, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish will also be playing around town that day. But if you only need to worry about your own entertainment, Christmas can be a great day for catching award hopefuls, like The Whale or Babylon. 

Parks

For such a large city, Los Angeles has an astounding amount of natural parks. And most of them are open Christmas day in case you’re looking to walk off that holiday lunch. Griffith Park offers a myriad of different experiences from the old zoo path, to the Griffith Observatory path, to the Bronson bat caves. If you’re looking for something more laid back, you could indulge in the Echo Park Lake swan boats or simply spread a blanket out at Elysian Park. You could even wander the La Brea Tar Pits, though the museum will be closed. Each park offers a new way to enjoy the great outdoors, so get out and treat yourself to a sunny December day.  

Angels Flight Railway

Angels Flight Railway presents a historically significant funicular that transports passengers up and down Bunker Hill. How historically significant, you ask? It’s 118-years-old and has soldiered through more than 100 million rides! 

Photo credit: Difference engine

You might have had more exciting and eventful times riding an escalator. But hey, this is authentic LA history! And small children are fascinated by these sorts of things, so it’s an ideal Christmas day activity if you’re entertaining. 

Angel’s Flight is one of those Los Angeles attractions that never takes a day off. Therefore, you can count on it being open from 6:45am until 10pm Christmas day. And really open any day you need to get from Hill Street to Grand Avenue, or vice versa. Admission is a dollar each way… not too shabby for a unique experience!  

Chinatown

Photo credit: Chinatown LA

A decent portion of Chinatown remains open Christmas day, so it can be the perfect time to get acquainted with this unique niche of the city. Whether you’re enjoying the cuisine, artisanal shops, or simply appreciating the architecture, you won’t be bored. Its wealth of statues, including foo dogs and dragons, also makes it perfect for an impromptu selfie sesh. They even have a massive statue of Bruce Lee! How could that not look cool?

Theme Parks

Christmas is typically a big day for area theme parks. Though it’s not really in Los Angeles, we tend to claim Disneyland. And the house of the mouse goes big for the holidays. Marvel at the Tim Burton retrofit of the Haunted Mansion or the Christmas lights decking the facade of “it’s a small world.” On Christmas day, you can expect the same Disney quality. Of course, it’s also at the same Disney prices. 

Photo credit: Disney Parks

If you’re looking for something more affordable or maybe just more local, Universal Studios is also open Christmas day. At Universal, most of the attention is divided between the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s light show and the Grinchmas celebration. Either park offers a seasonally suitable (though significantly pricey) way to entertain children and adults alike on the big day. 

Grab a Drink

Possibly one of the worst parts of a lonely Christmas in a small town is the lack of watering holes. Los Angeles doesn’t suffer from that particular problem. In fact, pretty much every pocket of town has something open on Christmas day. 

Photo credit: Idle Hour

Perhaps it’s a restaurant, like Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks with its ultra seasonal decor. Or maybe it’s a dive like The Roost in Atwater, which is well known for being festive at the right price. But the only bar that we’ve heard of that will have faux snow on Christmas night is Idle Hour in North Hollywood. They’ll be opening up the, ahem, whisky barrel at 8pm and are promising plenty of seasonal specials. So, if you haven’t stocked up on rummy nog before Christmas Eve, you still have options! 

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