Best Holiday Lights & Displays in Los Angeles (2026)
Garden light trails, free city displays, neighborhood streets and boat parades, plus six trips beyond LA County.
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Los Angeles does Christmas lights its own way: a garden full of luminous art, a hillside street strung with lights under old cedars, a boat parade reflected in the marina. The hard part is picking a night that fits your side of town, because a great display loses some charm when it comes with two extra hours of driving.
For a paid outing, start with Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens, or L.A. Zoo Lights and Enchant at Santa Anita if you have kids. For a free evening, walk Beverly Hills, catch a SPARKLE show at The Bloc, or save a December night for Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena. New this year are NightTales at the Natural History Museum, Tinker Bell's Neverland at South Coast Botanic Garden and Harbor Glow in San Pedro. Six longer trips into Orange and Riverside counties sit in their own section at the end.
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All 35 Holiday Light Displays in Los Angeles at a Glance
| Place | Area | 2026 dates | Adult admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enchanted Forest of Light | La Cañada Flintridge | Nov. 22–Jan. 9 | $29–$52 |
| L.A. Zoo Lights | Griffith Park | Select nights Nov. 20–Jan. 10 | $29–$35 |
| Enchant at Santa Anita Park | Arcadia | Nov. 20–Dec. 27 | From $29 |
| Tinker Bell's Neverland | Palos Verdes Peninsula | Nov. 13–Jan. 3 | From $33 + fees |
| NightTales at NHM | Exposition Park | Select nights Nov. 12–Jan. 10 | $30 |
| Harbor Glow at West Harbor | San Pedro | Nov. 20–Jan. 3 | Varies by date |
| Luminaria Nights | Claremont | Dec. 4–5, 11–12, 18–19 | $23 |
| North Pole Railway | Griffith Park | Nov. 27–Dec. 24 | From $39.99 |
| Holiday Ice Festival at L.A. LIVE | Downtown LA | Nov. 27–Jan. 3 | Village from $6 |
| Beverly Hills holiday lights | Beverly Hills | Nov. 19–Jan. 3 | Free |
| Christmas at The Grove | Fairfax | Nov. 16–Jan. 3 | Free |
| The Americana at Brand | Glendale | Nov. 13–Dec. 31 | Free |
| SPARKLE at The Bloc | Downtown LA | Nov. 14–Dec. 31 | Free |
| Grand Illuminations at Cal Plaza | Bunker Hill | From Dec. 3 | Free |
| Marina Lights | Marina del Rey | Dec. 1–31 | Free |
| Terrace Theater Plaza | Long Beach | Dec. 7 through New Year's | Free |
| Union Station | Downtown LA | Nov. 19–Dec. 27 | Free |
| Westfield Century City | Century City | From Nov. 21 | Free |
| Christmas Tree Lane | Altadena | From Dec. 5 | Free |
| Candy Cane Lane | El Segundo | Shuttle Dec. 12–23 | Free |
| Sleepy Hollow | Torrance | Thanksgiving weekend–New Year's | Free |
| Upper Hastings Ranch | Pasadena | 2026 dates to come | Free |
| Candy Cane Lane | Woodland Hills | Early Dec.–early Jan. | Free |
| Venice Canals | Venice | December | Free |
| St. Albans Road | San Marino | December | Free |
| LA Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade | San Pedro | Dec. 5 | Free |
| Marina del Rey Boat Parade | Marina del Rey | Dec. 12 | Free |
| King Harbor Boat Parade | Redondo Beach | Dec. 12 | Free |
| Daisy Lane Parade | Long Beach | Dec. 12 | Free |
| Mission Inn Festival of Lights | Riverside | Nov. 21–Jan. 3 | Free |
| Hikari at Tanaka Farms | Irvine | Nov. 27–Dec. 27 | $28–$33 |
| Newport Beach Boat Parade | Newport Beach | Dec. 16–20 | Free |
| Christmas Nights at 123 Farm | Cherry Valley | Select dates Nov. 5–Jan. 3 | Varies by date |
| Capistrano Lights | San Juan Capistrano | Select days Dec. 18–30 | $23 |
| Merry & Bright Nights | Corona del Mar | Select dates Dec. 3–22 | $65 |
Ticketed Light Shows in Los Angeles
Pick one of these as the night's main event. They sell timed entries on set dates, so book the date first and build dinner around it.
Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011, USA
The garden walk we'd build a date night around. The mile-long route gives each installation room to breathe, and the 10th-anniversary season adds a laser show with a snowfall finale and giant koi in the Japanese Garden. Choose Enchant instead if Santa and a Christmas village are the point. Details: Nov. 22–Jan. 9, 5:30–10 p.m.; closed Nov. 26 and Dec. 25. Nonmember adults $29–$52, kids 2–12 $19–$37; an undated Anytime ticket costs more. Free parking; runs rain or shine. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
L.A. Zoo Lights
5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
The strongest all-ages pick: oversized illuminated birds, butterflies, sea creatures and Ice Age animals give kids something new to point at around every corner. The live animals are in for the night, so come for the lights, and decide on the separate skating rink and Santa photos before you go. Details: Select nights Nov. 20–Jan. 10, 6–10 p.m. Adults $29–$35, kids 2–12 $19–$25, fees included. Free parking. Sensory-Inclusive Night Dec. 8; Pride Night Dec. 17. Allow 60–90 minutes.
Enchant Los Angeles at Santa Anita Park
285 W Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91007, USA
The full Christmas package: a light maze, a village to browse, live entertainment and Santa. This year's Starlight Flight maze sends kids hunting for missing sleigh bells, which beats posing for pictures. Skating, rides, the snow slide and parking are all extra, so check the final basket. Details: Nov. 20–Dec. 27; choose a date and entry window. From $29 per person, varying by date. Allow 2–3 hours with add-ons.
Tinker Bell's Neverland at South Coast Botanic Garden
26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274, USA
New this year at South Coast Botanic Garden, a storybook trail through Peter Pan's world, from the London skyline to the Lost Boys' hideout and Crocodile Creek. It's a fantasy walk more than a Christmas one, which is exactly why families with Peter Pan fans will love it. Details: Nov. 13–Jan. 3, timed sessions 5:30–8:30 p.m.; closed Nov. 26 and Dec. 25. Adults 16+ from $33, kids 3–15 from $18, plus fees. Paid parking; off-site shuttle on busy dates. Allow 60–90 minutes.
NightTales at the Natural History Museum
900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA
A new after-dark show that uses the museum's own halls and gardens as the canvas, with glowing installations and projections by LA artist Maggie West. Good for a museum-loving family or a date that wants more to talk about than the next photo op. Details: Select nights Nov. 12–Jan. 10, timed entries 6–9 p.m. Adults $30, kids $25, members $20. Paid parking; Expo/USC and Expo/Vermont stations are close. Allow 1–2 hours.
Harbor Glow at West Harbor
1332 S Harbor Blvd, San Pedro, CA 90731, USA
The LA Waterfront's first big light walk, moving from a winter Christmas world into an underwater one full of glowing marine life. It's a first-year show, so come for the new setting and keep dinner in San Pedro. Details: Nightly Nov. 20–Jan. 3, including Christmas Day. Fri–Sun 5–10:30 p.m., Mon–Thu 5:30–9:30 p.m. Timed tickets vary by date; parking extra. Allow 40–60 minutes.
Luminaria Nights at California Botanic Garden
1500 N College Ave, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
The gentler garden evening: luminarias line the paths, with live music at three lit-up stages along the way. A lovely pick for eastern LA County, and the first weekend adds a nature-themed night market. Details: Dec. 4–5, 11–12 and 18–19, 6–9 p.m. only. Adults $23; kids, students and seniors $18; under 3 free. Free parking. Buy early. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
North Pole Railway at Travel Town
5200 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
A new holiday show for train-loving kids: an immersive scene inside a real train car, then the illuminated historic trains and depot. It's separate from the classic Griffith Park & Southern Railroad holiday train on Crystal Springs Drive. Details: Nov. 27–Dec. 24; closed Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14; Christmas Eve 3–8 p.m. Adults from $39.99, kids from $19.99. Santa photos, food and s'mores extra. Allow about 90 minutes.
LA Kings Holiday Ice Festival at L.A. LIVE
800 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015, USA
Lights, a market and skating in one Downtown stop: a light tunnel, a village of stalls and festive photo spots around the rink and the big tree. Buy the ticket for the part you want, since the village and skating are sold separately. Details: Nov. 27–Jan. 3. Village from $6, 5–10 p.m. through Dec. 18, then 3–10 p.m. to Dec. 30; the rink runs through Jan. 3. Allow extra time on arena event nights.
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Free Christmas Lights and City Displays in LA
These cost nothing to see. Some can carry a whole evening with dinner; others are a 20-minute stop on the way to something else.
Beverly Hills Holiday Lights
9439 Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, USA
Our favorite free dinner-and-lights walk. Start on Rodeo Drive, continue to the light show on the lily pond by the Beverly Hills sign, and finish at Beverly Cañon Gardens for its giant ornament and tree, all on foot once you've parked. Details: Nov. 19–Jan. 3. Lily Pond show 5:30–9:30 p.m.; Glowing Gardens 5–11 p.m. Rodeo Drive lighting party Nov. 19, 5–8 p.m. Allow 60–90 minutes plus dinner.
Christmas at The Grove
189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA
The classic LA version of Christmas: a huge tree, busy outdoor lanes and snow falling on a crowd that spent the afternoon in sunshine. Time your visit to a snowfall and give yourself room to wander. Details: Tree lighting Nov. 16, 7 p.m. (doors 5 p.m.). Snowfall nightly at 6 and 8 p.m. from Nov. 17. Parking and Santa photos extra. Allow 45–90 minutes.
The Americana at Brand
889 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210, USA
The north-side answer to The Grove, with the tree beside the fountain and a short snowfall to aim for. Make it part of a Glendale dinner rather than a second stop on a Grove night. Details: Snowfall Nov. 13–Dec. 31 at 7 and 8 p.m.; the tree is up through Christmas. Parking extra. Allow 45–90 minutes.
SPARKLE DTLA at The Bloc
700 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017, USA
The easiest free show in Downtown: the plaza's lights move to holiday music on the hour, so you can catch one before dinner or between other stops. One of the better picks if you're coming by Metro. Details: Nov. 15–Dec. 31, shows at 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. on the plaza level; Grand Debut Nov. 14, 5–7 p.m. with free RSVP. Next to 7th Street/Metro Center. Allow 20–40 minutes.
Grand Illuminations at The Yard at Cal Plaza
Two California Plaza, 350 Grand Lower, Los Angeles, CA 90071, USA
A playful light-art stop on Bunker Hill, with Electric Dandelions, a glowing tree and columns of shifting color. Pair it with SPARKLE for a free Downtown evening that covers two displays. Details: Opens Dec. 3 with a market (noon–8 p.m.) and tree lighting at 5 p.m.; free RSVP. Nightly hours after opening still to come. Enter at 350 S. Grand Ave. Allow 30–45 minutes.
Marina Lights at Burton Chace Park
13650 Mindanao Wy, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, USA
The low-key waterfront stroll: lit trees and decorations around the park, with the marina's boats as the backdrop. Bring a warm drink or have dinner nearby, and pick any December night except the Dec. 12 parade if you want it quiet. Details: Daily Dec. 1–31, 4–10 p.m. Marina Lot 4 is closed for construction, so check the county parking map. Allow 30–60 minutes.
Terrace Theater Plaza Holiday Lights
300 E Ocean Blvd #300, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA
Long Beach's anchor display: a towering tree, oversized decorations and a plaza full of lights in the middle of Downtown. The Dec. 7 ceremony is the big night; any later evening makes an easy photo stop before dinner. Details: Lit from Dec. 7 through New Year's. The 5–8 p.m. ceremony needs a free ticket, released Mondays at 10 a.m. through Nov. 30 (up to four per person). Allow 30–45 minutes.
Union Station Holiday Tree
800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
Let the building do the work: a tree on the South Patio and holiday decorations inside one of LA's great Art Deco and Mission Revival halls. An easy start or finish if a train is already bringing you Downtown. Details: Free tree lighting Nov. 19, 6–8 p.m. in the Ticket Concourse; decorations through Dec. 27. South Patio open 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Allow 20–40 minutes.
Holiday Village at Westfield Century City
10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067, USA
Lights, a clocktower, snowfall and live performances around a shopping trip, with plenty of places to sit down and eat. Go Thursday through Sunday evening if the performances matter. Details: From Nov. 21. Snowfall daily at noon, 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.; performances Thu–Sun 4–8 p.m. Santa experience and parking extra. Allow 45–90 minutes.
Neighborhood Christmas Lights and Boat Parades in LA
The neighborhoods are lit by the people who live there, so each house sets its own dates and hours. Park legally, keep driveways clear and don't count on restrooms or food. The parades run one night each, and three of them land on Dec. 12, so pick one.
Christmas Tree Lane
Christmas Tree Ln, Altadena, CA 91001, USA
The classic LA lights drive, under strings of colored lights hung from the tall deodar cedars along Santa Rosa Avenue. It's a long-standing volunteer tradition that means a lot to Altadena as it recovers, so go slowly and be a considerate guest. Details: Lighting ceremony Dec. 5 at 6 p.m., with Winterfest 3–9 p.m.; usually lit into early January. Drive north on Santa Rosa from Woodbury Road; there are no sidewalks and no parking on the Lane. Donations welcome.
Candy Cane Lane, El Segundo
E Acacia Ave & California St, El Segundo, CA 90245, USA
A concentrated dose of Christmas on the 1200 block of East Acacia Avenue, with every house and yard joining in. Short enough for small kids, and the city's free shuttle saves the hunt for parking. Details: Free shuttle Dec. 12–23, 4:30–10 p.m., from Recreation, Library and Sycamore parks. The display's own 2026 dates are still to come. Allow 30–60 minutes.
Sleepy Hollow, Torrance
Robert Rd & CA-1, Torrance, CA 90505, USA
The South Bay pick when you want more than one decorated block, with lights spread across the Seaside streets around Robert Road. Walking beats driving here: park outside the busiest blocks, come early in the evening and go at a kid's pace. Details: Usually Thanksgiving weekend through New Year's, with most lights on 6–10 p.m. Follow the city's 2026 parking restrictions. Allow 60–90 minutes.
Upper Hastings Ranch Holiday Light Up
Hastings Ranch Dr & Sierra Madre Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107, USA
A whole neighborhood of themed parkway displays and decorated houses that changes from block to block, which makes it feel like an expedition. The Light Up carries extra meaning as the area rebuilds after the Eaton Fire. Details: 2026 dates and the neighborhood map are still to come. Start around Hastings Ranch Drive and Sierra Madre Boulevard. Allow 45–90 minutes.
Candy Cane Lane, Woodland Hills
Lubao Ave & Oxnard St, Los Angeles, CA 91367, USA
The Valley's neighborhood tradition, around Lubao Avenue and Oxnard Street. The appeal is the variety from house to house, so keep expectations loose and the drive short. Details: Usually early December to early January; 2026 schedule not yet announced. Park outside the main blocks and walk in. Allow 45–75 minutes.
Venice Canals
Venice, CA 90292, USA
A smaller walk where decorated bridges and canal-side homes reflect in the water. Come for the setting and the architecture, and treat the lights as a bonus. Details: Decorations go up through December, house by house. Park outside the narrow canal streets and walk in around Dell Avenue and Carroll Canal. Allow 30–60 minutes.
St. Albans Road
St Albans Rd & Huntington Dr, San Marino, CA 91108, USA
Tall trees draped in colored lights along a quiet residential road. A short after-dinner detour if you're already in Pasadena or San Marino, not a drive across town. Details: A December tradition with no fixed schedule. Start at Huntington Drive and head toward Monterey Road. Allow 15–30 minutes.
LA Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade
Berth 84, San Pedro, CA 90731, USA
Decorated boats travel the working harbor from Wilmington toward San Pedro, and you can watch from shore for free. Pick one viewing spot, arrive before the boats and keep dinner in the harbor area. Details: Sat., Dec. 5, 6–8 p.m. Viewing at the LA Maritime Museum waterfront or Banning's Landing in Wilmington; boats reach each spot at different times.
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
13755 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, USA
The Westside's big night on the water, with decorated boats circling the harbor. Burton Chace Park doubles as a viewing spot and the home of Marina Lights, so it makes a full evening on its own. Details: Sat., Dec. 12, 6–8 p.m., with a light show at 5:45 p.m. and park festivities from 4 p.m. Watch from Burton Chace Park or Fisherman's Village. Lot 4 is closed.
King Harbor Holiday Boat Parade
280 Marina Way, Redondo Beach, CA 90277, USA
The South Bay alternative on the same night, with lit boats moving through Redondo Beach's harbor. Choose this or Marina del Rey, then settle in at one spot with dinner nearby. Details: Sat., Dec. 12, 5:30–7 p.m. Watch from Moonstone Park or Mole D along the Splash Wall; the yacht club is closed to the public.
Daisy Lane Parade
Daisy Ave & W 20th St, Long Beach, CA 90806, USA
A neighborhood parade with more than 70 years of history in Wrigley, along Daisy Avenue's decorated median. A good fit for families who prefer a community event to a paid light trail. Details: Sat., Dec. 12, steps off at 5 p.m. Watch from the sidewalks along the route; the median itself isn't for wandering or picnics.
Holiday Lights Beyond LA County
These six are in Orange and Riverside counties. Treat each as its own evening rather than one more stop on an LA route.
Mission Inn Festival of Lights
3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501, USA
The trip to make when you want the architecture itself to be the display, with lights covering the historic hotel's facades and the streets around it. Stay in Downtown Riverside for dinner and make a night of it. Details: Hotel lights Nov. 21–Jan. 3, 5–11 p.m. Free to view from the street; hotel access, tours and parking extra. Weekends and opening night are busiest.
Hikari: Festival of Lights at Tanaka Farms
5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612, USA
A tractor ride to illuminated farm paths, plus a barnyard exhibit and a Christmas village, gives younger kids more variety than a straight light walk. Book the entry time, then decide on the paid games once you're there. Details: Nov. 27–Dec. 27, Wed–Sun plus Dec. 21–23; closed Dec. 24–25. Open 5–9 p.m., last entry 7:30 p.m. Adults $28 midweek, $33 weekends; kids 3–12 $18/$23. Parking $12 on weekends. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
1600 W Balboa Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663, USA
Five nights of decorated yachts passing the harbor's waterfront homes, which join in with their own lights. You can see it all from shore, so a cruise or waterfront table is a splurge, not a requirement. Details: Dec. 16–20, about 6:30–9 p.m.; timing varies by viewing spot. Marina Park is a main public viewpoint. Free from shore.
Christmas Nights at 123 Farm
10600 Highland Springs Ave, Beaumont, CA 92223, USA
Illuminated lavender fields, oak and olive trees, a light tunnel and a Christmas village spread across a countryside farm. It's a long drive from most of LA, so arrive with time to browse and eat before dark. Details: Select dates Nov. 5–Jan. 3; weekdays 5–10 p.m., weekends 2–10 p.m. Admission varies by date; wagon rides extra. Buy ahead, since gate prices run higher. Allow 2–3 hours plus the drive.
Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights
26801 Old Mission Rd, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, USA
A projection show on the Great Stone Church, a nativity and lit garden scenes give this one a real sense of place. The ticket includes daytime entry, so come in the afternoon and be done by 7 p.m. Details: Select days Dec. 18–30. Holiday program from 3:30 p.m., projection show 5:05 p.m., grounds close 7 p.m. Adults $23, seniors $19, students $16; under 5 free. Santa through Dec. 23.
Merry & Bright Nights at Sherman Library & Gardens
2647 East Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625, USA
The renamed holiday show at Sherman fills a compact garden with whimsical light scenes and a model train. At $65 it's a splurge, so pick it for the garden and take your time with the details. Details: Dec. 3–6, 10–13 and 17–22, 5–9 p.m., timed entry. Nonmembers 4+ $65, members $45. Limited free parking off Dahlia Avenue. Allow 1–1.5 hours.
Tips for a Better Lights Night
Pick one side of town. One main display, a nearby dinner and maybe a short free stop makes a better night than a cross-county route. Pins that look close can be an hour apart in evening traffic.
Price the whole outing. Most paid shows charge per person, and parking, booking fees, skating, rides and photos add up fast. The lowest advertised price is often a child ticket.
Dress for outside. Nearly all of these are outdoor walks, and it gets cold by the water. Some events run rain or shine and others cancel, so check the policy before you buy.
For the rest of the night, see our guides to LA's most festive Christmas restaurants, holiday ice skating rinks in Los Angeles and where to see Santa in Los Angeles.
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