Los Angeles may not get any snow in its holiday season (except for Kidspace Museum's annual Snow Days, that is), but we have plenty of holiday entertainment options to liven up the season. From festive train rides to the North Pole to sparkling nighttime boat parades — even a chance to visit with real, live reindeer — here's a round-up of the season's best and brightest entertainment options for young and old alike.
Holidays 2011: Family events and festivals
Family holiday fun across Southern California
A mother and daughter take in the scene on Christmas Tree Lane. (Los Angeles Times )
Santa's Cool Holiday Film Festival: Midnight screenings of "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" and other kitschy flicks. The Regent Theatre, 1045 Broxton Ave., Westwood. Dec. 9-10. Contact theater for admission prices. (310) 281-8223, http://www.landmarktheatres.com.
Sawdust Art Festival: Winter Fantasy Works by artists and crafts people, holiday entertainment, art projects, food, and daily visits from St. Nick. Sawdust Festival Grounds, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Dec. 9-11, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Adults $6, children 6-12 $3. (949) 494-3030, http://www.sawdustartfestival.org.
Twelve Days by the Seashore Holiday Program: Inspired by the holiday hit "Twelve Days of Christmas," this fun and educational class looks at 12 popular seashore animals. Children can take home a special keepsake book created in class. Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. Dec. 10, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $42 for child/adult pair. (562) 951-1630, http://www.aquariumofpacific.org.
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade: A rousing fireworks display is followed by a twinkling parade of festively decorated boats at this 48-year-old coastal tradition. The festooned vessels will circle the main channel of the Marina del Rey Harbor in hopes of taking home one of 14 category titles. Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey. Dec. 10, 5:55 p.m. Free. (310) 670-7130, http://www.mdrboatparade.org.
"A Christmas Carol" with Charles Dickens: The Independent Shakespeare Company uses a dash of artistic license to re-create a public reading of "A Christmas Carol" given by Charles Dickens himself. Based on the author's own adaptation of his famous story of Christmas redemption, the program features David Melville as the author, with musical and dramatic accompaniment by Mary Guilliams. Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. Dec. 10, 7-9 p.m. $20. (800) 838-3006, http://www.huntington.org.
Silver Bells & Golden Gossip Scavenger Hunt: Solve clues while marveling at Rodeo Drive's holiday decorations. This high-fashion hunt includes the store that banned MJ, shady lanes, go-go boots and an iconic movie bubble bath. Prizes awarded to the winning team. Rodeo Drive Area, Beverly Hills. Dec. 10 and 17, 2 p.m.; Dec. 24, noon. $25. (323) 799-1374. outoftheboxevents.com.
Dickens holiday celebration: Immerse yourself in a Dickens-era world of caroling, performing and manual printing presses with the International Printing Museum's annual Dickens Day Celebration. International Printing Museum, 315 W. Torrance Blvd., Carson. Dec. 10-11 and 17 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $15. Sold out. (714) 529-1832, http://www.printmuseum.org.
Victorian Christmas: The vintage 1894 Heritage House on the grounds of the arboretum will be decorated in a traditional Victorian holiday theme. Members of the Fullerton Victorian Society will greet guests in costume. Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton. Dec. 10-11, 3-5 p.m. Adults $15, children $5. (714) 278-3407, fullertonarboretum.org.
Christmas Tree Lane: The majestic exotic deodar trees on the "Mile of Christmas Trees" are strung with 10,000 lights for the oldest large-scale Christmas lighting spectacle in the United States. Santa Rosa Avenue between Woodbury Avenue and Altadena Drive, Altadena. Dec. 10-Jan. 1, from dusk to 10 p.m. weekdays, dusk to midnight weekends. Free. (626) 403-1123, http://www.christmastreelane.net.
Festival of Lights: The Silverlake Independent JCC invites the community to share in a celebration of light during the shortest days of the year at its annual Festival of Lights. Includes family-friendly concert by the Hollow Trees and other local bands, a petting zoo, a gift boutique, games, crafts, and food. Silverlake Independent Jewish Community Center, 1110 Bates Ave., Silver Lake. Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $15 with a can of food for charity; adults enter free. (323) 663-2255. http://www.sijcc.net.
A Singing Cowboy Christmas: A day of holiday cheer inspired by America's favorite singing cowboy, Gene Autry, featuring children's crafts and activities based on classic carols from Gene Autry's Christmas CDs, screenings of episodes of "The Gene Autry Show," and more. Autry National Center of the American West, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Dec. 11, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults $10, children $4. (323) 667-2000, theautry.org.
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