Close up of a Peppermint theme decorated tree. Xochitl Marin/ Vitruvian Post. 

The winter season is filled with fun holiday events many look forward to enjoying. Due to the  Coronavirus though, celebrating the holidays will be a little different but that doesn’t mean you have to lock yourselves at home. Continue looking forward to the holidays as I introduce a list of holiday events you can partake in while still staying safe. 

Drive-Thru Events

From Dodger Stadium to Six Flags enjoy beautiful displays of Christmas lights from the comfort of your car.

Six Flags Holiday in the Park

Six Flags Holiday in the Park drive-thru experience advertisement. @sixflagsmagicmountain/ Instagram.

Six Flags is joining in keeping up the holiday spirit with their drive-thru event. Mixing up wondrous light show experiences with some of the beloved roller coasters the amusement park has to offer, Six Flags has converted itself into a perfect spot to hit during the holidays. Partakers will also have a chance to meet Santa Claus!

Tickets: from $19.99

November 21- January 3

Six Flags, 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia

Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey 

Sneak peek at Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Journey. @magicalelfjourney/ Instagram.

Head to Fairplex in Pomona for an Elf on the Shelf drive-thru story experience. Immerse yourselves into a fun, interactive experience filled with light shows, gingerbread villages, and more while you become an honorary Scout Elf and help Santa get his sleigh back up and running!

Tickets: from $24.95

November 11- January 3

Fairplex, 1101 E. McKinley Ave., Pomona

Hikari: Festival of Light

Close up of a light decorated John Deere. /Tanaka Farms.

Take a drive through the 30-acre drive-thru Christmas Tanaka Farms that has been transformed into a gorgeous valley of lights for the Hikari: Festival of Light. Keeping true to the farm’s roots, lay your eyes on trees, tractors, scarecrows, and sugarcanes decked out with lights to get in a festive, holiday mood. 

Nightly Event: 5:30 PM- 9:00 PM

Tickets: vary $49.00- $59.00

November 27- January 10

Tanaka Farms, 5380 3/4 University DR., Irvine

Dodger Holiday Festival

Cars lined up waiting to enter the Dodgers Holiday Festival. @Dodgers/ Instagram.

Join the holiday spirit at the Dodger Stadium parking lot that has been converted into a drive-thru experience event where you can celebrate the holidays and the World Series champs with colorful light shows, interactive displays, and LED video displays with hints of Dodger spirit of course.

Nightly Event: 5-10 PM

Tickets: $55.00

November 27- December 24

Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Ave., Echo Park

Santa’s Speedway Christmas Lights Drive-Thru

License plate Christmas tree displayed at Santa’s Speedway. @santasspeedway/ Instagram.

Take a drive around a real NASCAR race car track down in Irwindale this December for some impressive light show displays and pass by Santa’s village, what can only be described as a giant “Christmas sweets” forest, and even encounter what Christmas can look like down below in the ocean with some nautical themed decor! I also can’t forget to mention that this racetrack has the honor of saying it has a record-breaking Christmas tree that stagers at over 110 feet tall.

Tickets: from $59.00

December 1- January 10

Irwindale Speedway, 500 Speedway Drive, Irwindale

In-Person Events

Despite safety guidelines being put in place because of the Coronavirus, in-person events like walkthroughs and such are still happening this holiday season under safe guidelines to keep everyone safe this year.

Knott’s Berry Farm’s Taste of Merry Farm

One of Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm drinks you can try. @knottsberryfarm/ Instagram.

Although the theme park remains closed, Knott’s Berry Farm celebrates this holiday season with their seasonal food event.  With over 60 drinks and food to try, you can try 5 of those for adults and 3 for children. Get your fill of savory flavors with Scrooge’s spicy cranberry- pomegranate glazed wings, beef empanadas, or Cupid’s corn chowder soup. If you prefer sweets, indulge with classic strawberry funnel cake, chocolate peppermint cheesecake bars, or maybe some tasty conchas filled with ice cream. 

Tickets: from $20.00- $40.00

November 20- January 3

Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park

South Coast Botanic Garden’s GLOW

People watching a beautiful light show in the botanical gardens. @sbcgarden/ Instagram.

The South Botanic Garden has been transformed into a GLOWing garden. Bushes of flowers and the trees have been converted into an oceanic theme experience with the use of thousands of colorful lights created with California Outdoor Lighting. Throughout the walk, you experience groovy little tunes that add to the creative theme of GLOW.

8:00 AM- 5:00 PM

Tickets: from $24.95- $34.95

November 21- January 10

South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula

Movie Drive-in Events

Maybe drive-thru light show events or walk-thru events don’t quite float your boat this holiday season, there are other options available that include film festivals that are streaming holiday favorites.

Drive-In Theatre at the Hollywood Roosevelt

Festive advertisement showing the dates when each movie screening. Hollywood Roosevelt/ Eventbrite.

During select weekend days throughout December, the Hollywood Roosevelt is hosting viewings of some of the most beloved Christmas movies from It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. While viewing the movie you’ll be able to have access to a food and bar menu! 

Tickets: from $45.00- $75.00

December 6- December 26

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles

The Sunset Strip Presents Late Night Drive-In at the Andaz West Hollywood

Old Hollywood vibes advertisement for Sunset Strip Drive-in. The Sunset Strip/ Loop 1 Tickets

With a wider selection of dates and holiday movies to choose from, check out the Drive-In at the Andaz West Hollywood! Catch screenings of classics like Home Alone, The Polar Express, Charlie Brown Christmas. If Christmas movies that fall under the family, PG rating isn’t swaying your fancy, Sun Strip is also screen rated R classics like Die Hard and Love Actually.

Tickets: from $61.88

November 20- December 19

The Andaz Hotel, 8401 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood

Keep the spirit alive this holiday season by going to one of these many events around you!

Although the Coronavirus has put the world on pause, it won’t do the same with the Christmas spirit many of us have within ourselves we anxiously wait to express every year.