A Guide: Holiday Activities to Distract from Finals

by Kayla Bowens ‘25

Finals season is in full swing and winter break is almost here. As we wrap up our last weeks of the semester and prepare to go home for the holidays, it can be a stressful time. December is a time for giving, family fun, and making memories. When you find moments of downtime, use it to take a break and have some fun. Here’s a list of festivities to do with your friends, family, a partner, or by yourself.

Ice Skating at LA Live

Located less than two miles from campus, L.A. Live presents an ice skating rink with pretty lights and cute decorations. Happening now until December 31, general admission is $25 per person, skate rental is included, and hours of operation vary depending on date and weather. There are many options for restaurants at L.A. Live that provide a 10% discount if you show your skating receipt.

Decorate Cookies

Stop by Trader Joes, Target, or Ralphs, and pick up some cookies to bake with friends. Put on your favorite Christmas music or watch a Hallmark holiday movie, wear matching pajamas, and decorate cookies or gingerbread houses. This is a great way to relax and hang out with friends when you have an evening off, not to mention enjoy a sweet treat.

Decorate Your Dorm

With the hours of studying and cooler weather, you might be spending a lot of time at home. With this in mind, it’s important to enjoy your living space. To embrace the holidays and make your space more comfortable and homey, bring in some decorations from Target to get you in the spirit, or even have an afternoon craft session making paper snowflakes and drinking hot chocolate. This can be a solo activity or something to enjoy with company.

Christmas Lights at LA Zoo

To celebrate the holidays, the Los Angeles Zoo is hosting an after-hours light show. This event is available now until January 7, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This event will include animal-shaped lanterns, colorful light filled tunnels, and other Christmas elements. Tickets range from $29-35 and the event runes between 6-10 p.m.

Visit Candy Lane

This is a yearly tradition in which neighborhoods work together to create a Christmas light extravaganza. Life size Santa decorations, bright Christmas lights, and a truly welcome the holiday spirit. This can be a drive or walk through experience, and residents play music, display their decorations, and some sell treats like hot chocolate, coffee, popcorn, and pastries. There are many locations across LA the closest ones being in Torrance and Woodland Hills.

Go to Universal Studios

Universal Studios is always a nearby, fun amusement park to visit, but from November 24 through January 1, there are Christmas lights and decorations throughout the park to create an immersive experience. Check out USC’s link to use your college email to purchase reduced price tickets to the theme park.

On Campus Events

On Friday December 1, USC is holding a screening of the movie Elf. This showing will take place at the TCC Grand Ballroom, doors open at 8 p.m.! Additionally on December 5, Norris Medical Library (NML), in room 100B, will be hosting a Winter Wellness Study event from 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. This event will include free hot chocolate, donuts, coffee, and an opportunity to enter a raffle to win a library bag. Not to mention there will be puppies! Other events are available on the USC event calendar.

Right now is a particularly busy and stressful time, but hopefully some of these activities are joyful distractions. Good luck on finals and Happy Holidays!

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