When you think of LA, it most likely conjures images of sunshine, palm trees, and Hollywood. But did you know there are dozens of amazing family-friendly holiday activities in Los Angeles? As your resident Los Angeles mom of four (ages 2 - 9), I've tried them all and curated a list of the best and most unique holiday activities in LA.

We're not talking your average overpriced light display or kitschy Santa experience. We're talking genuine, quality fun that the kids will talk about for years to come. So skip out on the mall Santas and pass on Candy Cane Lane (it's become too commercialized for my taste, and the parking is a nightmare); this list of unique Christmas events for kids in LA will set you up for the best December ever. 

Thanksgiving might be known as the holiday where you eat food and watch football all day, but there's much more to do on this holiday in Los Angeles than you might think. Sometimes, you need a change of scenery or a break from the relatives, so knowing what's open on Thanksgiving in LA for family fun is invaluable—for clearing the house to prepare the meal and for walking it off afterward.

Stuff your Thanksgiving with much more than just food. You could spend the whole holiday out and about in Los Angeles by going to one of the places below and eating at one of the many restaurants in LA open on Thanksgiving. 

Gobble up more holiday goodness with Thanksgiving crafts, games, and activities for kids, and see where to kick off the Christmas festivities with the best neighborhood holiday lights in Los Angeles. For more holiday happenings, check out our Events Calendar and peruse our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families. 

The best places to trick-or-treat in Los Angeles happen to be the best places to trick-or-treat in the whole country! Granted, we might be a little biased, but here are the facts: the Halloween decorations on local homes are second to none, and many blocks across the city close off streets to traffic to have trick-or-treat parties. And LA movie magic often finds its way onto neighborhood streets in the form of elaborately decorated houses and incredible special effects. 

But in a city this big, some neighborhoods go all out on Halloween, and some remain pretty quiet. Where should you go? We’ve compiled a list of the most legendary trick-or-treat neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Here’s where to go to find lots of treats—not to mention some prime photo ops.

To keep busy until it's time to trick-or-treat, discover the best Halloween events for kids in Los Angeles, save your Halloween budget for candy and costumes with the top free Halloween events in LA, and find more Halloween fun in our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids.