LAist's guide to the ultimate holiday season: 19 things to do in LA and OC before it's all over

Many of us go into the holiday season with the best of intentions. We want to see holiday lights, enjoy hot chocolate, maybe take in a Christmas tree lighting or a Menorah lighting, catch a performance of The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol. Enjoy a holiday sing-along. Tie on some ice skates at an outdoor pop-up rink ...

But somehow, each holiday season slips away and we lament all that we missed.

This year is going to be different! We've compiled a list of our favorite classic holiday experiences so you can pick and choose your favorite and create some holiday memories. Did we miss your favorite thing to do around the holidays? Let us know and we may include it. We especially want to know about free things to do this holiday season.

Now, let's make this a holiday to remember:

Take in the world largest Christmas tree (Free!)

Each year, the Citadel Outlets in Commerce — just outside downtown LA — aims to host the tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree in the world. And this year is no different: This year’s tree is a white fir that stands 115 feet tall. (For comparison’s sake, this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is 75 feet tall.) There are over 10,000 ornaments, and over 18,000 lights. Each night, starting at 5 p.m. until closing, there are "snow flurries" every hour on the hour, and, of course, lots of festive holiday music. Find some hot chocolate, stroll, enjoy the holiday lights, and maybe get in a little holiday shopping.

More Christmas tree fun: Snow falls nightly at the Grove, too, at 6 and 8 p.m. through Jan. 4. And in Orange County, Fashion Island in Newport Beach shows off its 90-foot Christmas tree with music, snow flurries and a choreographed light display nightly, every half hour, from 5:30 through 8 p.m. Through Dec. 28., South Coast Plaza boasts three uniquely spectacular trees — including the traditional one at Town Center Park in front of the Westin Hotel South Coast Plaza, and the Jewel Court tree and the grand tree in the Crate & Barrel/Macy’s Home Store wing featuring Santa figures from around the world. At the Irvine Spectrum, palm trees outside Old Navy are the stars of the show: Starting at 5:15 p.m. nightly, they come alive with light show synced to a festive holiday soundtrack, through Jan. 4.

Debbie Allen's Hot Chocolate Nutcracker

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Courtesy Debbie Allen Dance Academy

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Actress-singer-dancer-choreographer Debbie Allen's dance academy is legendary for its take on the holidays with her annual Hot Chocolate Nutcracker at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center: The classic is reenvisioned as a modern musical, with three wise-cracking mice from New York City (The Real Rat Pack) to guide this frolicking new adventure. Runs Dec. 4 through Dec. 14. For pregaming, you can watch the Netflix documentary about Allen's labor of love and devotion, Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. Tickets start at $54.59.

Want more Nutcracker? Find performances at the Long Beach Convention Center, the American Ballet Theatre at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, and the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, the Los Angeles Ballet, at the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation, and the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

'Home Alone' in concert at The Phil

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Courtesy of Fox Family Entertainment via YouTube

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The LA Phil’s Deck the Hall holiday concert series presents three nights of the 1990 comedy Home Alone with Macaulay Culkin as an 8-year-old accidentally left home by his family during the holidays. Four screenings over three days — Dec. 5, 6 and 7 — at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the score is performed live by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, conducted by David Newman. Tickets: $112 and up, depending up upon seating and performance. Arrive early and you can partake in an ugly sweater contest and trivia contest.

Holiday Sing-Along at The Phil ... and more

Also at Disney Hall: There's A Chanticleer Christmas, on Monday, Dec. 15, at 8 p.m., featuring the Grammy-winning ensemble for an evening of a cappella choral music (tickets available at last check ranged from $50 and up).

The Walt Disney Concert Hall's famous organ, a choir, a jazz combo and you! Those are the stars of a beloved holiday tradition, the Holiday Sing-Along, where everyone gets the lyrics to holiday songs and carols and are expected to sing at the top of their lungs. Takes place on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 11:30 a.m. and then again at 2:30 p.m. At last check, available tickets ranged from $73 and up. Arrive early for hot cocoa, holiday crafting and a picture with Santa.

And check out Arturo Sandoval's Swinging Holiday concert on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. (tickets available at last check ranged from $50 and up), with the Grammy winning legend putting a "jumping, jiving, jingling" twist on holiday favorites.

For more LA Phil and Disney Hall holiday fare, check out this full schedule.

Las Posadas at Olvera Street (Free!)

This is a quaint L.A. tradition that dates back to 1930: each evening sees the reenactment of the Biblical journal of Mary and Joseph as they head to Bethlehem to seek shelter. (You don’t have to be Christian or Catholic to enjoy, all are welcome.) Expect traditional Christmas songs in Spanish, music and colorful costumes. The procession begins and ends at Avila Adobe, considered the oldest house in all of Los Angeles. Visitors can also enjoy a cup of hot champurrado and pan dulce. The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. nightly with a pinata party for children aged 3 -12, the procession follows at 7:15 p.m., Dec. 16 through Dec. 24.

Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens

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Courtesy of Descanso Gardens via Facebook

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Descanso Gardens’ Enchanted Forest of Light in La Cañada Flintridge is an interactive, nighttime experience that’s great for families or romantic outings. Take a one-mile walk through lighting experiences in the garden and take in sights such as an entire town of magical “stained glass” creations by contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin and sparkling geometric installations from HYBYCOZO in the Rose Garden. Enchanted Forest of Light is open nightly from 5:30 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 4. Tickets run $17 and up depending upon date of attendance, with members getting a discount. Note: Advanced purchase is required as tickets are not sold on site.

Christmas tree and Menorah lighting ceremonies (Free!)

Palisades Village hosts a Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 6 and a menorah lighting on Dec. 14. Across the South Bay, there will be giant menorah lightings Dec. 14 through Dec. 22. The Commons at Calabasas will host its annual Menorah Lighting Celebration on Dec. 12, including live musical entertainment, family-friendly activities, treats and a fireworks show.

Fiesta Navidad holiday concert

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Courtesy of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts

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The Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos headlines the Fiesta Navidad holiday concert at Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Dec. 23, at 8 p.m. The night is a joyful celebration of Mexican holiday traditions through music and dance — perfect for the whole family. Tickets start at $39.

Check out the rest of the concert hall slate of holiday festivities here. It includes a kid-friendly performance of the Nutcracker, the American Ballet version, A Rat Pack Christmas with Tony DeSare, Tis the Season with the American Chorale, and a Silent Night Disco, which is exactly what it sounds like.

L.A. County Holiday Celebration (Free!)

The 66th annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration takes places from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 24 at The Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and "offers Angelenos of all ages the opportunity to experience and honor the dynamic, rich cultures of the county." And it is free. Yes, we said free. So what's the catch? Seating is first come, first seated, and the line starts forming around 9 a.m. Slated to perform this year: Angeles Chorale, Ballet Folklórico de Esperanza, Andre Cruz & Chris Lujan and more. If you can't make it in person, you can watch it on PBS SoCal or stream online.

Bob Baker Marionette Theater's Winter Wonderland

If puppets are your thing, LA's iconic Bob Baker Marionette Theater hosts a Winter Wonderland performance through Jan. 14 that includes sleighs, caroling penguins, Santa’s workshop, and more. Tickets for a sensory-friendly performance are also available for Dec. 20. and an American sign language performance is on Dec. 21. Tickets, $25.

Long Beach Floating Christmas Trees (Free!)

This is a holiday tradition that dates back to 1949: floating Christmas trees, made of a wooden frame and ribbons of holiday lights, are visible throughout Long Beach typically starting right after Thanksgiving, until early January. You can spot them at the Colorado Lagoon, Alamitos Bay, Spinnaker Bay, Rainbow Harbor, Scherer Park, El Dorado Park West, Heartwell Park and even on top of the building at the end of Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, according to the Press-Telegram, which has a delightful video diving further into this slice of iconic Long Beach history. Best of all? It’s free. Pack up some snacks, a Thermos full of hot chocolate, and head down to one of the waterfront spots where you can relax and enjoy the fleeting holiday view. The bridges in Belmont Shore and Naples provide great vantage points. If the budget allows, you can also get a group together and rent a Duffy boat out of Alamitos Bay for a closer look.

Holiday festivities at Gilchrist Farm (Free!)

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Gilchrist Farm

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It’s a holiday hoedown at Gilchrist Farm in Santa Clarita: pig races, reindeer pony rides, holiday parades, hot chocolate bar, farm animals wearing their holiday finest ... the list of activities here go on and on. Some are free, others require tickets, some require reservations in advance (such as breakfast with Santa). Gilchrist Farm is located at 30116 Bouquet Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita.

Hooray For Holidays with Wayne Brady

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Gregory Zabilski

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The Gay Men’s Chorus Los Angeles presents Holiday Legends — a tribute to Mariah Carey, Irving Berlin, Johnny Mathis and more. At the Saban Theater, Dec. 13 and 14. Tickets start at $49 to $129.

The Los Angeles Ballet's The Nutcracker

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Reed Hutchinson

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The Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker puts its unique spin on the classic, with the performance set in 1912 Los Angeles and featuring iconic SoCal elements such as a Spanish style home, calla lilies, bougainvillea, archways of Venice Beach and views of the Pacific Ocean. Performances scheduled at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood and Royce Hall at UCLA, Dec. 19 through Dec. 28. Prices vary by seating, and we found tickets for $44 (plus $6 service charge, sigh).

Polar Express Train Ride in Perris

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Courtesy of The Polar Express Train Ride

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Climb aboard the Polar Express Train Ride in Perris: Accompanied by the music of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will step into the classic Christmas story by Chis Van Allsburg as they journey along a one-hour train ride to meet Santa. All aboard for caroling, cookies, singing and dancing, and the first gift of the season a keepsake silver sleigh bell. Through Dec. 30. Tickets start at $49 for kids and go on up to $88 for adults.

Newport Beach Boat Parade (Free!)

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Visit Newport Beach

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Sailing into the holiday season for their 117th year, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade will feature a nightly flotilla of festivity when the sun goes down starting Dec. 17 through Dec. 21. Once again hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, parade "floats" will include everything from decorated yachts to spirited kayaks and canoes. Waterfront homes are also decked out for the occasion and compete for awards in the categories of lights, theme, animation and more.

Winter Fantasy at The Sawdust Festival

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Courtesy The Sawdust Art Festival

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For the 35th year in a row, the Winter Fantasy holiday art festival presents a special holiday market amidst wood shavings and an abundance of creative ambiance. Decorated with thousands of lights and showcasing the work of more than 160 local artisans, the event will include live music, carolers, puppeteers, complimentary art workshops, concession stands, daily appearances by Santa and, of course, shopping. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 21, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission, $12 adults, $10 seniors, $5 children ages 6-12, younger children are free.

Winter Frolic at Kidspace Children’s Museum 

The Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena hosts the Winter Frolic: get ready to hit the Sock Skating Rink ($5 with admission), explore a Snow Dome, and climb, play, dance, hike, bike, dance, create and more. Through Jan. 7. Tickets for non-members start at $15.50, with a discount for seniors.

Griffith Park Train Ride

The popular Griffith Park Holiday Lights Train Ride is about 10 minutes long, travels a one-mile track and is decorated with thousands upon thousands of Christmas lights and festive scenes. “Suitable for humans of all ages,” according to the website. Through Jan. 11. Rides run 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 9 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. $8 per person, children aged 18-months-old and younger ride for free. $14 for priority entry.

Writers Bonnie McCarthy and Christine N. Ziemba also contributed to this report, which has been updated.