Enjoy Jolly Holidays with the Kids

While many Southern Californians equate winter holidays with sunny skies and sandy beaches, some of us still crave a bit of snow. Fortunately, we’re only an hour or two away from sharing festive holiday fun with our kids in the local mountains.

SkyPark at Santa’s Village lies just two hours away at Skyforest near Lake Arrowhead. From November through January, Christmas comes alive in SkyPark as Santa, Mrs. Claus, and loyal elves recreate the North Pole. At SkyPark, the whole family can ice skate together at Silver Bells Arena skating pond, attend a tea party with Mrs. Claus, and visit Santa’s Workshop and Post Office. Learn more at skyparksantasvillage.com.

Closer to home, in Westlake Village, Santa Monica, and a few other locations, you’ll find various parking lots and ponds transformed into ice-skating wonderlands. Attend a festive Hanukkah menorah lighting from December 18 through 26 at various locations in our area. Or visit one of our local theme parks—such as Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm, Disney California Adventure Park, and Disneyland—where you’ll discover a 50-foottall Christmas tree, a nightly “World of Color – Season of Light” event, and a lot more jolly fun.

Take a walk on the wild side with lions, tigers, and bears during L.A. Zoo Lights winter events from November 18 through January 22. Or wander through Lightscape at the L.A. Arboretum in Arcadia, where colorful displays of light and sound and an incredible Winter Cathedral will amaze all. Purchase tickets at arboretum.org/lightscape-2022.

A journey to distant slopes also provides plenty of family adventure. Play in the snow, build snowmen, or teach your kids to ski and snowboard with lessons at Mammoth. Take a trip to June Mountain, where kids can ski and ride snowmobiles for free. You’ll find plenty to do in closer local mountains as well, such as Big Bear’s Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. Take your little ones snow tubing for mountains of fun at Big Bear Snow Play.

Happy holidays to you and yours!