With Public Health Orders in Place, Palisadians Have Options for Drive-Thru Holiday Celebrations
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
This year has presented a unique set of problems that have been met with an equally unique set of solutions.
With usual holiday-time traditions and events being canceled and amended across Pacific Palisades—from the Turkey Trot to the Palisades Village Tree Lighting ceremony and more—various organizations have stepped up to deliver holiday cheer through a series of drive-thru and events.
The Palisadian-Post has highlighted a few options within driving distance of the Palisades here.
Holiday Road
Located at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, the Holiday Road drive-thru experience is open now through January 10.
Event organizers promise “larger-than-life holiday installations, thousands of Christmas lights, Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves, countless candy canes and all your favorite holiday cheer.”
Guests are invited to traverse a one-mile, self-guided trail from the safety of their vehicles, which takes approximately 35 minutes to view. Tickets are sold in arrival windows that begin at 4:30 p.m. and extend through 10 p.m.
“Join us this season at Holiday Road for the most wonderful time of the year,” event organizers wrote ahead.
Tickets start at $75 for a vehicle with up to seven people and are available now at holidayroadusa.com.
WonderLAnd
Presented by Experiential Supply Co, the WonderLAnd holiday drive-thru adventure is open now through December 23, and then December 26 through 30.
WonderLAnd is described as a “frosted, all-ages-welcome adventure” that has emerged in Woodland Hills. Guests are invited to “celebrate the holiday season with millions of lights and themed decor.”
Attractions include semi-enclosed and open-air tunnel installations, synchronized holiday music lights, sets and immersive stories, a “massive” holiday tree and WonderLAnd forest attraction, and countless lights, candy canes and cheer. Guests will also encounter hologram installations, “one-of-a-kind” photo and video worthy moments, a holidays around the world display, and visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves.
Tickets for the experience, which lasts between 20 and 25 minutes, begin at $60 per vehicle for golden hour specials. For more information or to secure a time, visit socalwonderland.com.
The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey
Described as “a one-of-a-kind immersive drive-thru experience,” The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey will run through January 3, 2021, at the Fairplex in Pomona.
“Bringing an experience that expands on the beloved stories, characters and themes of The Elf on the Shelf to life, particularly in a year when we are all in need of extra cheer, means the world to us,” Christa Pitts and Chanda Bell, founders and co-CEOs of The Lumistella Company, the company behind The Elf on the Shelf, shared in a joint statement. “The profound magic of the holidays and the way it enlightens and excites both children and adults are why we first wanted to share The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition with the world.”
The hour-long experience, following a story of saving Christmas after Santa Claus encounters a sleigh mishap, offers a “multi-sensory marvel, complete with a spirit-stirring score and a light-filled spectacle”—all of which can be seen from the comfort and safety of guests’ vehicles.
Ticket prices start at $19.95 for children and $24.95 for adults. For dates and times, visit elfontheshelfjourney.com.
Deck Your Halls
Looking to keep it super local? Check out the list of decorated homes that have thrown their hats into the ring for a chance to win a prize in the 2020 Palisadian-Post Deck Your Halls contest and then vote for your top choices when the ballot opens.
With participation from all neighborhoods of the Palisades, winners will be awarded a wreath of prizes in two categories: Best Decked Out Hall and DIY/Originality.
An updated list of participants will be available at palipost.com. And for those interested in participating, this year’s contest is now accepting entries.
Maccabees: A Drive-Thru Chanuka Experience
Offering a “live re-enactment of the Chanuka story,” Power of YOUth LA’s Maccabees: A Drive-Thru Chanuka Experience is here for a limited run, extending from December 9 through 13 on Venice Boulevard in Los Angeles.
The family-friendly experience offers special effects, keepsakes and photo opportunities, and has been described by event organizers as “a perfect way to celebrate the season with family and friends.”
The 30-minute drive-thru is based on the story of the Maccabees, presented with humor and interactive elements throughout designed to keep guests engaged—including a brief photo opportunity with a menorah at the beginning.
“An evil king forces his beliefs on the people,” according to the event’s website, “but there are still those who oppose him. Judah Maccabee and his brothers are ready to leap to action, leading to a tale we will celebrate on this night.”
For those unable to attend, there will be a livestream available for viewing. Tickets, which start at $99, are available at powerofyouthla.com.
Dodgers Holiday Festival
Here’s one way to celebrate the 2020 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers: a drive-thru Holiday Festival at Dodger Stadium, complete with a light show, LED video displays, fake snow and interactive displays—all of which honor the Dodgers World Championship and celebrate the holidays.
Using the opportunity to give back, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation will be accepting contactless donations of new or gently used baseball or softball equipment that will benefit Dodgers RBI, new toys that benefit RaiseAChild, and new pairs of socks for LA Family Housing.
Open nightly, the Dodgers Holiday Festival runs through December 24. Admission starts at $55 per vehicle—with a maximum of eight guests inside. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit mlb.com/dodgers/fans/holiday-festival.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
