Where to see holiday lights in and near Los Angeles?
This time of year, glittering lights and twinkling trees appear in almost every neighborhood. But if you’re looking for something beyond your standard holiday lighting display, you’ve come to the right place. The best places to see holiday lights in Los Angeles will have you WOWing at their brilliance. These are some of our favorite spots for marveling at marvelous light displays, caroling around famous landmarks, or simply the best places to see holiday lights in Los Angeles!
BIG list of places to see holiday lights in and near LA:
Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA
Rodeo Drive is transformed along its center median from Santa Monica Boulevard to Wilshire Boulevard by shining Holiday Helpers and two luxury vehicles with beautifully wrapped packages overflowing from the back on sparkling red platforms. Wrapped in magical white miniature lights, the palm trees along the legendary thoroughfare are aglow with oversized silver, gold, and blue holiday ornaments and dripping raindrop warm, white lights on their fronds. Embellished ornament ball garlands with complimentary-colored wreaths complete the look. The holiday festivities will continue across the City through January 1, 2024.
Downtown Santa Monica
Downtown Santa Monica brings the holidays to the Third Street Promenade with the return of Winterlit, transforming the downtown district into an immersive, festive experience. Tens of thousands of colorful lights, decor and garland will deck the Third Street Promenade, 2nd, and 4th Streets.
Dell Avenue, Venice
The bridges and many of the homes in the surrounding canal have gorgeous lights that make for a wonderful evening stroll. You really get into the spirit of the season at this place!
5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Explore an immersive landscape filled with dazzling new lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers, towering trees, and more for a nature-focused holiday celebration that’s as inspiring as it is breathtaking. This year’s experience features all-new seasonal wonders, including a magical Winter Wildlands with majestic pine trees, glowing ice crystals, snow-loving animals, views of the “northern lights,” and spectacular photo spots for the ultimate holiday snaps.
309 Palm St, Newport Beach, CA 92661
Watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor in the 116th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.
700 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Experience a magical holiday show as 18 million hues of lights illuminate the night and synchronize to festive tunes. SPARKLE DTLA at The Bloc will take you through an unforgettable nighttime journey that includes one of LA’s largest multi-colored interactive holiday displays. Capture your perfect photo-op moments at this ultimate holiday experience.
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
Holidays at Universal CityWalk spectacular 40-foot tall Christmas tree will glisten with 200,000 LED icicles choreographed to the lights and sounds of the season as the magic of the holidays comes to life in the “5 Towers” outdoor plaza. CityWalk’s iconic, dancing water fountain with over 230 individual power jets will continue to mesmerize guests when it projects streams of choreographed water into the air complemented by red and green LED lights and an array of holiday-themed music.
13650 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Watch the 61st annual Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade. Catch a brief fireworks display at 5:55 p.m. before the parade begins. Enjoy musical entertainment from carolers, food truck fare, and photo opportunities from 4-8 p.m. The Fireworks site is on the jetty near the entrance of the main channel. All boats will begin circling the main channel of the Marina at 6:00 PM.
Lubao & Oxnard Streets, Woodland Hills, CA
Candy Cane Lane is a group of homeowners at Lubao & Oxnard Streets in Woodland Hills who collectively decide each year to put on an amazing holiday display of lights and decorations. For over 60 years, these eight blocks have been blanketed in lights. The displays light up stars on the second Saturday in December and last through the end of the year.
Robert Rd, Pacific Coast Hwy, and surrounding streets
If you just want to see as many lights as possible, Torrance’s Sleepy Hollow neighborhood is one place to check out. Follow the stream of brake lights overflowing from Robert Road for a trek through this visual overload. Every tree, house, and lawn becomes blanketed in an electric bill-dizzying degree in December. The display runs every night from 6 to 10 pm in December.
309 Palm St # A, Newport Beach, CA 92661
Experience Newport Harbor in full holiday décor aboard one of the decorated vessels on a holiday lights cruise. View multi-million-dollar estates and vessels all decked out with thousands of lights. $21 cruises are available.
34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629
Join us for a 60 minute boat ride around Dana Point Harbor on December 1 at 6 p.m. and enjoy all the light displays from the land and the sea. Become a part of this incredible local tradition and enjoy a one of a kind Holiday experience!
301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
The internationally acclaimed Lightscape returns with stunning new installations along a new expanded trail. Wander through dazzling displays of color, light and sound that include the spectacular Winter Cathedral and a re-imagined Fire Garden.
26800 W Mulholland Hwy., Calabasas, CA 91302
This extravaganza, brought to you by the same fantastic team behind "Nights of the Jack," promises a mile-long adventure filled with festive wonders. Imagine walking beneath a dazzling treetop canopy adorned with icicle lights, stumbling upon a cozy Christmas village, and discovering gigantic stand-alone decorations that'll make you feel like you're in a holiday fairy tale!
3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside 92501
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's Festival of Lights is one of the nation's largest holiday light collections, voted "Best Public Lights Display" by USA Today. Every year, The Inn's festival gains new energy, grows in popularity, and ushers in an increasing number of visitors to the Riverside area. Countless individuals make the yearly trek to The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa.
88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Winter Fest Orange County transforms the OC Fair and Event Center into a winter wonderland with oversized holiday decor, more than a million lights, and endless opportunities for memory-making.
26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Mission in Lights returns this December with tree lighting, visits with Santa, Dickens-era carolers, full-scale nativity, light features including a new lighted halo grove, new butterfly orchard, dancing swallows and more – all are included with any Capistrano Lights ticket which also includes same day admission to the Mission.
1015 N Michillinda Ave, Pasadena, CA 91107
Drive through the neighborhood of the upper Hastings Ranch and enjoy a festival of lights and parkway displays. This tradition began in 1951 when a few Ranch families decorated their driveways with luminaria to guide Santa Claus. It continued when a homeowner created the first wooden parkway display, and the competition was on! Join in to see the themed streets and creative decorations.
Shields Avenue and Shaw
Catch Fresno’s seasonal tribute to the holidays known as Christmas Tree Lane starting December 1st. Drive through a 2-mile path to witness the dazzling light display of 140 residential homes located between Shields Avenue and Shaw Avenue. This event is free but donations are encouraged. This year, in honor of celebrating a century of colorful Christmas lights and holiday decorations down Van Ness Blvd, Christmas Tree Lane is releasing commemorative hoodies and t-shirts.
5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612
Join Hikari for a celebration filled with joy and light! Loosely translated, Hikari means "shine" in Japanese, and this holiday season Tanaka Farms is shining with over a million twinkling lights! You can enjoy a cozy Wagon Ride around the festively lit farm that will take you to the “Land of a Thousand Lanterns” and once off the wagon, you will have the opportunity to wander through the light displays, with photo opportunities throughout. After the wagon ride, make your way down to the “Gingerbread Forest!”
During the holiday season, Los Angeles transforms into a dazzling spectacle of lights and festive cheer. From iconic landmarks to neighborhood displays, there's no shortage of breathtaking sights. For the best spots, including those with elaborate displays and unique lighting setups, visit places like designer lighting singapore for inspiration and information on lighting installation services in the area. Planning your visit to these locations ensures you experience the magic of holiday lights in full brilliance, setting the perfect mental lighting for a memorable outing.