Go Metro to unwrap L.A. this holiday season!

The holidays in Los Angeles don’t come with snow — they come with surfboards, twinkling lights, late-night markets, tamales, cumbia and pleasantly cool evenings perfect for celebrating across the region. Metro this year is helping riders unwrap even more of the season’s magic with a full slate of festive activities, giveaways and systemwide surprises. 

Across December and early January, Metro is rolling out holiday cheer on buses, trains, and in stations throughout L.A. County. Riders will see new seasonal bus and rail wraps, vibrant digital messages on our station screens and a playful head signs on many buses. We’ll also be adorning a few of our busiest stations in holiday garb. 

Here are a few other holiday-related dates and activities to keep in mind.  

•If you’re looking for a gift for a public transit-minded friend or family member, the VenHubs at the LAX/Metro Transit Center and Union Station will be stocked with cool merch from the Metro Shop. And if you’re passing through LAX/MTC, keep an eye out — the VenHub there is fully wrapped for the holidays as part of our Metro Shop pop-up. 

•Saturday, Dec 6: we’re giving away seats on Metrolink’s very popular Holiday Express trains departing Union Station on Dec. 6. Each Holiday Express begins with a festive welcome event featuring activities at the host station — music, treats and crafts — followed by a scenic train ride that includes carolers, holiday characters and a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. 

• Friday, Dec. 12: Starting at 6 a.m. adjacent to Leimert Park Station on the K Line, Metro and KJLH 102.3 FM are teaming up again for the 2025 Stuff-A-Bus Toy Drive — a long-standing holiday tradition that brings the community together to give back. KJLH will broadcast live as families, organizations and community leaders drop off toys to fill Metro buses with holiday cheer. 

•Friday, Dec. 19: the Angel City Choir will spread some holiday cheer and perform for riders at LAX/Metro Transit Center Station between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.  

•Thursday, Dec. 24: As has become our tradition, we’ll be offering free rides on Christmas Eve from 4 a.m. on Dec. 24 through 3 a.m. on Dec. 25.  

•Thursday, Dec. 31: We’re also — as we do every year — offering free rides on New Year’s Eve from 4 a.m. Dec. 31 through 3 a.m. on January 1 so you can safely celebrate the arrival of 2026.  

•Thursday, Jan. 1: The A Line is the easiest way to reach the Tournament of Roses parade with four stations that are a short stroll from the parade route — Del Mar, Memorial Park, Lake and Allen. Football fans headed to the Rose Bowl can also take the A Line to Memorial Park Station and walk a few minutes to the Rose Bowl Shuttle to the stadium. More info here on how to reach the Rose Bowl.