It’s official: Drive-thru events are here to save the holidays, letting you celebrate the season from the comfort and safety of your car. See spectacular lights, Santa and his elves and more, with immersive experiences including The Elf of the Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey, 6 Flags Magic Mountain Holiday Drive-Thru, and Dodgers Holiday Festival. Read on for all the details on these Los Angeles holiday drive-thru events.
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Hikari - A Festival of Lights
Tanaka Farms is hosting a special holiday drive-through. Hikari, which means shine in Japanese, is taking over the farm, with more than a mile of twinkling lights. As you drive through the 30-acre farm, you'll see light-covered scarecrows, tractors and more. Added bonus: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Santa will make an appearance. More details.
Cost: $49 per vehicle (Mon. - Thurs.), $59 per vehicle (Fri. - Sun.)
Dates: Nov. 27 - Jan. 10
Tanka Farms
5380 University Dr.
Irvine
Online: tanakafarms.com/hikari
Dodgers Holiday Festival
The 2020 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers are hosting a drive-thru Holiday Festival, complete with a light show, LED video displays, fake snow and interactive displays honoring the Dodgers World Championship and celebrating the holidays! More info.
Cost: Admission starts at $55 per vehicle.
Dates: Nov. 27 - Dec. 24
Location: Dodgers Stadium (enter through Stadium Way Downtown Gate E)
1000 Vin Scully Ave.
Los Angeles
Online: mlb.com/dodgers/fans/holiday-festival
LIT: A Drive-Thru Hanukkah Experience
Celebrate the Festival of Lights at LIT, a fully contactless drive-thru Hanukkah experience. Enjoy a blend of synchronized lighting displays and projection installations set to a curated soundtrack. The experience also includes a screening of The Broken Candle, an animated short featuring the voices of Tiffany Haddish, Mark Feuerstein and more.
Cost: $75 per vehicle
Dates: Dec. 10 - 20
Stephen Wise Temple
15500 Stephen S Wise Dr.
Los Angeles
Online: eventbrite.com/e/lit-a-drive-thru-hanukkah-experience-tickets-129792519921
The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey
It was only a matter of time before the elf got off the shelf and showed up in this larger-than-life theatrical experience, with performances kicking off on Nov. 6 at the Fairplex in Pomona. The hour-long drive-thru adventure takes you through a series of magical, holiday dreamworlds, including a Toy Repair Workshop, candy-covered Gingerbread Village, Arctic Winter Wonderland and more. More details.
Cost: Starting at $19.95 for children and $24.95 for adults (prices vary based on dates)
Dates: Now - January 3 (closed on select Mondays)
Location: Fairplex
1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Pomona
Online: elfontheshelfjourney.com
Six Flags Magic Mountain: Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru
The rides may not be open, but the lights are on and twinkling at Six Flags Magic Mountain, where the Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience lets you weave your way through the 125-acre theme park from the safety of your car. Roll down the windows and hear the sounds of the season while you cruise by a host of festive characters and beneath millions of synchronized lights. With eight immersive areas, it’s one of the largest drive-through events in SoCal. More details.
Cost: Tickets start at $25 per person (ages 3+); varies by date.
Dates: Daily through Jan. 3, beginning at 6p.m. each night. Limited reservations will be available each night and will be required by all guests in advance using Six Flags’ online reservation system.
Location: Magic Mountain
26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy.
Valencia
Online: Sixflags.com/magicmountain
Wonder LAnd
From the same group that brought us Haunt 'O Ween comes a drive-thru winter wonderland, complete with millions of lights (synchronized with music), magical sets, a holidays around the world display and more. Of course, Santa will be there too, along with Mrs. Claus and all the elves. More details.
Cost: $70 per vehicle of up to 8 passengers; $80 for nine or more passengers.
Dates: Nov. 30 - Dec. 23; Dec. 26 - Dec. 30
Location: 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Woodland Hills
Online: socalwonderland.com
Happy Place Drive-Thru
Get happy with Happy Place, set to kick off on Nov. 20 on the 3rd floor of Westfield Century City's parking structure. The 50,000 square-foot experience will feature 18 awe-inspiring and interactive moments, including the world’s first giant piano you play with your car, a rainbow road and more. While not specifically holiday-themed, it's sure to bring plenty of joy! More details.
Cost: $49.50 per vehicle
Dates: Nov. 20 - Jan. 10 (closed Dec. 25)
Location: Westfield Century City
10250 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles
Online: westfield.com/centurycity
Santa's Speedway Christmas Lights Spectacular
Rev up your engines and head to the Irwindale Speedway & Event Center for this immersive drive-thru holiday experience. Designed to make Christmas a little bit brighter, Santa's Speedway Spectacular will transport families into a winter wonderland as they drive along an actual NASCAR track and discover Santa’s Village, along with a series of jaw dropping Christmas vignettes and lighting displays, including the world’s largest free standing Christmas tree (made up of more than 2 miles of lights). More details.
Cost: $75 per vehicle
Dates: Nov. 25 - Jan. 10
Holidays in Your Car
Located little further away, at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, this drive-thru event boasts more than one million LED lights, holiday holograms and laser light animation. The spectacular displays will be projected all around for a fully immersive experience. More details.
Cost: Starting at $49 per vehicle (plus $8.59 service fee)
Dates: Nov. 22 - Jan. 2
Location: Ventura County Fairgrounds
10 W. Harbor Blvd.
Ventura
Online: eventbrite.com
Night of Lights OC
Cruise through a mile-long course featuring over one million lights, themed holiday scenery and characters including Santa (through Dec. 23rd). There will also be animated light shows and tunnels and a spectacular Christmas tree lighting. More details.
Cost: Starting at $50 per vehicle (prices increase Thurs.-Sun.)
Dates: Dec. 3 - Jan. 3
Maccabees: A Chanukah Drive-Thru Experience
For a limited time, kids can see this live, 30-minute re-enactment of the Chanuka story, from the safety of the car. The multimedia performance includes special effects and safe, interactive moments to keep little ones delighted and engaged. More details.
Cost: $99 per vehicle
Dates: Dec. 9 - 13
7729 Burnet Ave.
Van Nuys
Online: powerofyouthla.com
–Shannan Rouss
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