The Best Things to Do in Los Angeles This December; ride with us or use this guide for LA Holiday Lights

Palm trees wrapped in white lights, an ice rink beneath the skyscrapers, and a 30-foot tree glowing inside a historic train station. Every December, Downtown LA turns into the most photogenic holiday destinations in Southern California, and not many people know about it.

If you’re searching for things to do in Los Angeles this December, a Downtown Los Angeles tour after sunset is hard to beat. Here’s what lights up, where to find it, and how our evening holiday lights bike tour takes you to all of it.

Why Holiday Lights Are Best Seen by Bike

Downtown’s best displays are scattered across the Historic Core, Civic Center and Grand Avenue. December traffic and parking can turn a simple light-hunting trip into a headache. Walking covers too little ground, and driving means circling blocks for a spot and watching the lights go by. All our tours are round trip from Grand Central Market, with it’s own parking garage, Metro close by, and plenty to eat its a one stop shop for peeping holiday lights.

That’s why an LA bike tour with Handlebar Bike Tours work so well for this. On an e-bike you cover the whole route in one evening, stop wherever the best photos are, and skip parking entirely. With Handlebar Bike Tours, you also get a guide who can tell you the history behind each stop.

The Stops on Our Holiday Lights Tour

Olvera Street: The Nativity Scene

The reason for the season. Olvera Street sits in the city’s original pueblo, its holiday traditional hand-carved nativity scene in the plaza is a quiet, beautiful way to begin the evening. In the nine nights leading up to Christmas, Olvera Street also hosts its nightly Posada procession, a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter. And of course a Pinata for the kids.

Union Station: Palm Trees, a Clock Tower Wreath, and a 30-Foot Tree

Union Station is one of the most atmospheric places in the city during the holidays. Its decorations run from late November through December 27 and include illuminated palm trees outside, a wreath on the iconic clock tower, oversized wreaths and ornaments in the historic interiors, and holiday trees in the waiting room and on the South Patio, along with a menorah for Hanukkah. The architecture alone is worth the stop, and the lights make it better.

Pershing Square: Skyscrapers and an Outdoor Ice Rink

Pershing Square’s annual Holiday Ice Rink is a Downtown tradition, with skaters circling beneath the surrounding towers. The rink runs through early January, and the glowing scene against the high-rises is one of the best nighttime photos in DTLA.

California Plaza: The Illuminations Display

California Plaza is home to “Illuminations,” a display of towering glowing “dandelions” synchronized with an LED Christmas tree. It’s one of the most striking installations in Downtown and one that many visitors never find on their own. Last year’s tours we often had the whole plaza to ourselves.

The Music Center: The Christmas Tree

The Music Center boasts a towering tree and oversized snowflakes in the plaza. Mark Taper Forum’s sailing Christmas Trees reflect beautifully in the moat. We’ll spend a little more time here for photos.

Easy to Ride on Class 2 E-Bikes

New this year is our Class 2 Velotric e-bikes! You can enjoy the evening without working hard. Climbing up to Grand Avenue, which used to be a real effort on a regular bike, is now easy. No cycling experience is needed, which makes this a good fit for families, couples, friends, and visiting relatives. Plus they’ve got built-in powerful headlights and tail lights. We throw on a few more for safety.

A Tour Made for Photos

The tour is designed around the photo-worthy moments:

  • Lit-up palms and the clock tower at Union Station
  • The glowing dandelion installation at California Plaza
  • Skaters under the downtown skyline at Pershing Square
  • The nativity scene and warm lights of Olvera Street
  • The Music Center’s tree with Walt Disney Concert Hall nearby

Because you’re on bikes, you can stop right where the best angle is, and your guide will happily take a group shot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best holiday light displays in Downtown Los Angeles?
Union Station, Pershing Square’s Holiday Ice Rink, California Plaza’s Illuminations, the Music Center’s Christmas tree, and Olvera Street’s nativity scene are the highlights, and all of them are on our tour.

Is there a Downtown Los Angeles tour of the holiday lights?
Yes. Handlebar Bike Tours runs a holiday lights e-bike tour on evenings throughout December.

Do I need to be an experienced cyclist?
You do need to know how to ride a bike. Our Class 2 e-bikes provide pedal assist and a throttle, so hills and long stretches are easy for riders of all levels. If you’ve never ridden an E-bike before, don’t worry, its easy.

What’s the best way to see LA’s holiday lights without driving?
An evening bike tour covers more ground than walking and avoids December traffic and parking.

Book Your Holiday Lights Bike Tour

If you’re planning December in LA, put this on your list of things to do in Los Angeles. Handlebar Bike Tours runs evening holiday lights tours throughout December, starting from Grand Central Market in the heart of Downtown. Reserve your spot on our website before dates fill up, since holiday weekends go quickly.