Things to do in LA (Holiday Edition)
It’s officially the holiday season, and there’s no other place to be than in sunny Los Angeles! Yes, it is still sunny during the winter. It is also one of the best times for students to get together with their family and friends to explore LA. There are so many fun festivities that the city has to offer during this time of the year. Here are the top 5 things to do in LA during the holidays.
Ice Skating at Pershing Square: Students can hop on the Metro E-line towards downtown Los Angeles and take a spin on the ice rink at Pershing Square. It’s just 10 minutes away from USC’s campus! Located in the heart of the city, students can ice skate and enjoy the beautiful city skyline, live music and other fun activities. It’s a holiday favorite for local families to visit and the perfect activity for students to decompress and show off their ice-skating skills after a busy day of classes. It’s the most quintessential winter activity that can’t be missed.
Holiday Shopping: “It is the most wonderful time of the year” - for shopping! There is no other place to do it best than at the iconic Americana at Brand in Glendale Galleria. This mall features not only an indoor and outdoor mall with favorite brands, but also a winter wonderland! After a shopping spree, students can enjoy a magical walk and soak in the festive holiday decor, light shows and nightly snowfall! Yes, SNOWFALL! (But it’s fake snow because it’s too warm for real snow in LA.) Visiting the Americana surely makes you feel like you’re in a winter hallmark movie.
BONUS TIP: Another great shopping destination in Los Angeles is Citadel Outlets, where students will find great deals and “California’s Tallest Fresh-Cut Christmas Tree!”
Holiday Parade: Students can kick off the holidays by attending one of the many fun and unique parades that Los Angeles has to offer. Starting with The Hollywood Christmas Parade! This inaugural event is held the Sunday after Thanksgiving Day at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Also, accessible by Metro from USC’s campus.) It is a traditional parade that brings the community together for a night of celebration with floats, marching bands, and fun performances. Another great parade option is Marina del Rey’s Holiday Boat Parade! This unique parade is held on the second Saturday in December, and it is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the Los Angeles seaside and boats decorated with holidays lights and ornaments based on the theme of the year. This year’s theme is “A Nightmare Before Christmas”. And last but not least, the biggest parade students don’t want to miss during this time of year is the legendary Rose Parade! They have to rise and shine early in the morning on New Year’s Day to partake in this annual tradition in Pasadena. (Also, accessible by Metro from USC’s campus.) The Rose Parade features the most beautiful flower-covered floats and among the best equestrians, dancers and marching bands from all over the world. The USC Trojan Marching Band, aka “The greatest marching band in the history of the universe, ever!” has traditionally been a frequent participant in the Rose Parade. Attending the Rose Parade is one of those bucket list items for anyone.
Holiday Concert: Los Angeles is the global hub for entertainment, and the perfect place to catch a holiday music spectacular. Starting with the USC Thorton School of Music’s very own Winter Chloral Festival! This is a free event that is open to the public and celebrates the holidays with carols and seasonal highlights that showcase USC Thornton’s Choir’s talented students and faculty. Another great performance for students to attend is the renowned Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. During the holiday season, the LA Phil features classic and fun programs such as the Home Alone Concert, Holiday Sing-Along, and Ellington’s Nutcracker & Tchaikovsky’s “Winter Daydreams”. The Walt Disney Concert Hall is also a beautiful iconic landmark in Los Angeles!
Volunteer: The holiday season is not only a time of fun festivities with loved ones, but also the best times to give back to the community! The Trojan Family is strongly committed to service and supporting our communities. From distributing food to the homeless to creating goodie bags for families in need to organizing fundraisers and toy drives, there are many opportunities for students to participate in the Holiday giving spirit through volunteer work. The L.A. Works website has local volunteer opportunities for the season. You can also learn more about how Trojans serve the community of L.A. by visiting this site.
The USC Office of Admission wishes you a HAPPY HOLIDAY!
Written by: Marlin Banuelos, Assistant Direction – USC Office of Undergraduate Admission