Disney's The Lion King Returns to the Pantages in 2027

Disney's The Lion King opens the new year at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, with performances scheduled January 2 and 3, 2027. For anyone building out a list of things to do in Los Angeles once the holiday crowds thin out, a touring stop of this scale is a reliable pick: the production has run on Broadway for decades and still fills the Pantages every time it swings back through town.

What to expect

The show is built around Julie Taymor's stage design, which turns human performers into a savanna of giraffes, elephants, and birds through mask work and puppetry rather than conventional costumes. It plays as well to people seeing it for the first time as it does to those who grew up on the animated film, and the visual craft, not just the story, is what audiences tend to talk about afterward. Simba's journey from cub to king carries the emotional arc, set to Elton John and Tim Rice's score plus several numbers written specifically for the stage version.

Families should plan for a full-length musical rather than an abbreviated matinee: the run time lands close to two and a half hours with an intermission, so factor that into evening plans, especially with young kids in tow. Anyone scanning upcoming events Los Angeles theater listings for a dependable, well-reviewed touring show will find this one near the top for good reason.

When and where

When: January 2-3, 2027 (multiple performances) Where: Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 Tickets: Ticketmaster (see sources below)

The Pantages is worth visiting on its own merits. The Art Deco theater has anchored this stretch of Hollywood Boulevard since 1930, and its lobby and auditorium count among the neighborhood's most recognizable landmarks. It sits a short walk from the Hollywood/Vine Metro station, making it one of the more transit-friendly venues to reach without circling for street parking.

Getting there and planning around it

Hollywood Boulevard stays busy through the first days of January, so arriving early is worth it if you want time to find parking in one of the nearby structures or take the Red Line without rushing. Because exact performance times can vary slightly across the run's dates, it's worth double-checking your ticket confirmation for the specific showtime before you head out. For visitors treating it as part of a bigger outing, the Pantages sits close enough to the rest of Hollywood's attractions to anchor a full day, and it's a strong entry on any roundup of LA events this weekend for families kicking off January.

Whether you caught the show years ago or are seeing it fresh, a run at the Pantages remains one of the more dependable big-stage options among things happening in Los Angeles to start the year.