- Why this month: Clear winter light and earlier sunsets make skyline views easy without a late night.
- Best time: 4pm–5:30pm
- Book by: No ticket needed for grounds; plan parking early
- Crowds: Moderate, higher on weekends
- Short December days make sunset one of LA's best free experiences, especially after a warm afternoon.
- Don't miss: City lights coming on just after sunset
- Insider tip: Weekend parking gets messy fast; use the DASH shuttle or go on a weekday.
Los Angeles in December Weather Crowds and Top Events
How December compares with November and January
| Category | November | December | January |
|---|---|---|---|
Weather | 11–22°C (52–72°F), mild, some rain possible | 9–19°C (48–66°F), cool mornings, mild afternoons, occasional rain | 9–20°C (48–68°F), mild, occasional rain |
Crowds | Moderate near Thanksgiving, lighter otherwise | Low early month, high Dec 20–31 | Low after Jan 2, thin at many sights |
Atmosphere | Early holiday setup, shorter evenings | Holiday lights, Christmas events, NYE energy | Post-holiday calm, awards-season buzz |
Key events | Holiday ice rinks open, Hollywood Christmas Parade | LA Zoo Lights, Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade, Rose Parade float viewing, NYE | Rose Parade, Rose Bowl, awards-season events |
Public holidays | Thanksgiving affects late-month demand | Christmas Day, New Year's Eve | New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
Budget | Mid-range, then rises around Thanksgiving | Better early month; expensive Christmas week and NYE | Often the cheapest big-city winter month after Jan 2 |
Best for | Easy city breaks, shopping, mild sightseeing | Families, first-timers, holiday trips, studio tours | Budget travelers, whale watching, quieter museums |
Book early? | Thanksgiving stays, holiday displays | Hotels for Dec 20–31, theme parks, NYE events | Rose Parade area stays and Jan 1 events |
Transport tips | Good most of the month | Heavier traffic around malls, beaches, Pasadena, and NYE zones | Easier after Jan 2; Pasadena still busy Jan 1 |
Top things to do in Los Angeles in December
Offbeat experiences in December
Planning your December visit
| Lead time | What to book | Why & when | Seasonal price change |
|---|---|---|---|
2–4 months ahead | Hotels for Dec 20–31, Pasadena stays for month-end, New Year's Eve plans | By early fall if you're traveling over Christmas or for Dec 29–31 float viewing | Dec 20–31: +25–45% vs early-December weekdays |
3–6 weeks ahead | Universal Studios Hollywood | Holiday school breaks drive waits and sellouts; reserve before mid-December | Christmas week park demand can run +15–30% vs first two weeks weekdays |
2–4 weeks ahead | Warner Bros. Studios Tour | Prime morning slots and holiday dates go first | Weekend and holiday slots: +10–20% vs Tuesday–Thursday times |
1–2 weeks ahead | Aquarium of the Pacific Skip-the-Line Tickets | Good indoor backups if weather turns gray or rainy | Usually stable; holiday weekends can edge +5–10% vs midweek |
5–10 days ahead | City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour | Weather stays mild, but clear weekend days fill faster | Weekend afternoon departures: +5–15% vs weekday mornings |
3–7 days ahead | Restaurants in Koreatown, DTLA rooftops, Christmas Day meals | Dec 24–25 dining options shrink fast | Christmas Eve and Christmas Day prix-fixe menus often run +15–25% vs standard dinner service |
December highlights: must-do experiences for different travelers
Los Angeles in December: your perfect 3-day itinerary
Best day trips from Los Angeles in December
Go shopping in Los Angeles in December
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