These are the best places to see Christmas lights in Los Angeles this holiday season

Nov 16—Jan 4

Descanso Gardens’ light-up experience was the first L.A.-area one to ditch the kitsch aesthetic typical at most other venues, and its whimsical, wondrous, curiosity-driven displays are still among L.A.’s most stunning and, more importantly, most fun. (It’s also quite pricey at peak visiting times, but that’s the unfortunate reality now of every ticketed pick in our list.) 

The partially interactive nighttime program sets up illuminated installations around the botanical garden grounds, from luminescent forests to a free-standing hands-on art piece—and I found the recent addition of the garden’s new model railroad, decorated for the holidays, absolutely mesmerizing.

Dec 6–early Jan

While L.A. might lure in visitors with breezy palm trees, the region is no slouch when it comes to conifers. Case in point: This grand, mile-long driveway of cedars in Altadena becomes blanketed in lights each holiday as it transforms into Christmas Tree Lane. The trees miraculously survived the devastation of January’s Eaton Fire, and the 105-year-old tradition is continuing as a beacon of hope for the community.

Take a majestic nighttime cruise down the hill after it lights up for the season (the lighting ceremony will take place December 6). And I do suggest going down: Traffic can get pretty gridlocked during peak holiday season, but it moves a bit better if you start at the top and head south (or just visit later in the evening, before the lights flick off at 10pm).

Santa Rosa Ave, between Woodbury Rd and Altadena Dr (Altadena)

Nov 13–Jan 11

L.A. Zoo Lights is the on-foot spiritual successor to the old nearby DWP Holiday Light Festival. Most of the displays here are inspired by the zoo’s wild residents (elephants, flamingos and otters, among them). That’s especially the case with the current “Animals Aglow” theme, which doubles down on oversized, animated animal lanterns—new light displays and members of the menagerie are added each year. Zoo Lights had been a mishmash of holiday decor during its initial mid-to-late-2010s run, but I think this switch to the animal lanterns has been a delightfully charming one.

Through Jan 4

We’ll admit it: Los Angeles has no true holiday counterpart to the festive windows of New York’s 5th Avenue. That said, our own tony shopping district, Beverly Hills, knows how to add a bit of opulence to the holidays. This year’s decorations on Rodeo Drive lit up starting November 13.

Elsewhere in the area, you can usually expect to see lights swirl around the palm trees, up the steps of Via Rodeo, over the span of Wilshire Boulevard and onto the extravagant Beverly Wilshire hotel. Beverly Drive, too, typically gets covered in white lights, along with a willow tree decked out in gold decor at Beverly Cañon Gardens next to an oversized ornament. And at Beverly Gardens Park, by the iconic Beverly Hills sign, you can catch the holiday light show “Lights on the Lily Pond” every 15 minutes from 5:30 to 9:30pm. If you’re visiting between Thursday and Sunday, the city’s Jolly Trolley will pick you up at the corner of Rodeo and Dayton and drive you to the most dazzling displays.

Rodeo Dr, between Santa Monica Blvd and Wilshire Blvd (Beverly Hills)

Dec 13

Through Dec 31

2025 info T.B.A.

We all like showing off to our neighbors, but the homeowners behind Candy Cane Lane take it to the extreme. There are actually at least two neighborhoods in L.A. that go by that name: One in El Segundo, on East Acacia Avenue, the second in Woodland Hills. Here, we’re talking about the former, a dead end just south of LAX with around two dozen homes that’ve been going all out for roughly three quarters of a century.

The City of El Segundo actually has some pretty specific instructions to visit: The displays will be viewable from December 14 to 23, with a free shuttle service available on weekends (Fri–Sun 4:30–10pm; stops at Recreation Park, at 401 Sheldon St and Sycamore Park), otherwise the intersections of Walnut and California as well as Center and Acacia will be closed to car traffic from 5 to 11pm (viewing opportunities wind down an hour before that).

E Acacia Ave and California St (El Segundo)

Nov 28–Dec 27

Through New Year’s

Free of the boardwalk’s grunge and Abbot Kinney’s pretense, the Venice Canals are an idyllic slice of L.A. living made all the more charming by the Christmas lights that line its bridges each year. Leave your car a few blocks away to avoid the narrow, one-way Dell Avenue, and take a stroll through the shimmering neighborhood. The long-running and gleefully irreverent boat parade will float by on December 14 (4pm starting at Eastern and Carroll Canals); if you’d like to take part in the fun, bring your own decorated, non-motorized vessel to the launch ramp at Venice Boulevard.

Dell Ave (Venice)

Nov 14–Jan 7

Even before the Halloween pumpkins disappear from Main Street, you’ll be able to spot signs of the holidays at Disneyland. The beloved theme park turns into the merriest place on Earth for nearly two full months, with Christmas makeovers of popular rides and holiday-themed nighttime shows. As far as Christmas lights go, you’ll spot festive decor all over the parks, from the auto-themed Americana decorations in Cars Land to icicle lights draped atop Sleeping Beauty Castle. But the real standout, in my opinion, is the joyous, lit-up facade of “It’s a Small World.” And as part of the park’s 70th anniversary celebrations, you can also catch a holiday projection light show. 

Just a heads-up: Reservations are required to visit Disneyland, and you can expect them to fill up a bit quicker during the holidays.

2025 info T.B.A.

Sometimes you simply want to see an entire street blanketed in lights, and Torrance’s Seaside neighborhood (sometimes referred to as Sleepy Hollow) surely delivers. Starting just after Thanksgiving, seemingly every tree, house and lawn along these handful of blocks are at least trimmed with lights, while some properties build full-blown light tunnels on the sidewalk. The displays typically run every night from 6 to 10pm, up until New Year’s. There’s no parking on one side of the street on weekends, so you’ll more than likely have to walk the few blocks (PCH, Calle Mayor or Prospect Avenue can accommodate more cars). If you are setting out on foot, we suggest approaching from the west side, near Tulita Elementary School, as the entrance here is blocked off to car traffic.

Robert Rd, off of Pacific Coast Hwy, and surrounding streets (Torrance)

Nov 22–Jan 6

Dec 6–31

This tradition of coordinated holiday displays among homeowners has made the sloping grid of ranch-style homes in Upper Hastings Ranch a scenic year-end destination for decades. Typically, each block of the Pasadena neighborhood decorates according to a different theme. This year, though, the display will take on a different meaning. During the Eaton Fire, 80 homes in the neighborhood were destroyed and even more damaged. The community recently came together to make solar stars to honor those who lost their homes, and two locals crafted solar angels, so amid the destruction, Upper Hastings Ranch will shine on.

North of Sierra Madre Blvd and east of Michillinda Ave (Pasadena)

Dec 17–21

Ah, the joys of Christmas in a Mediterranean climate, where boat owners can deck out their ships in holiday lights and set sail without the impediment of icy weather. For the 117th (!) year, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade lets them do just that as over 100 decorated yachts and ships parade around a 14-mile circuit in the Newport Harbor. You can see the parade for free during each of the five nights from any bay-facing point along the harbor (Marina Park, which also hosts a holiday market, is the go-to spot), but there are also reserved seats, dining packages and cruises available for purchase, if you want to get out on the water yourself. To top it off, there’ll be fireworks on opening night and drone shows—visible from both ends of the harbor—nightly from December 17 to 21.

Nov 28–Dec 28

Tanaka Farms opens up its Irvine fields for this after-dark wagon ride and walk-through. Hikari—which means “light” or “shine” in Japanese—has set up light displays including a long trail of lanterns, plus some festive theming that’s overtaken the farm’s scarecrows, corn maze, tractors and trees. You’ll be able to explore the lantern field by both tractor and foot, and afterward you can peruse a petting zoo, games, crafts and photo ops with Santa.

While you’re there, you’ll also find the farm’s produce stand, a holiday market and a Christmas tree lot. You’ll need to purchase a parking pass on weekends, as well as tickets for each person any day of the week; the prices fluctuate depending on the date, so opt for a weekday for the lowest price.

Through New Year’s

This single block in San Marino might be the smallest entry in our list. But sometimes short and simple is all you need: The towering evergreens on St. Albans Road are draped in big, colorful bulbs that dangle from the treetops all the way down to the ground. Is it worth a drive across town solely to see this street? Not really. But if you’re checking out Hastings Ranch or Christmas Tree Lane, consider this a charming (and often hardly crowded) detour.

St. Albans Rd between Monterey Rd and Huntington Dr (San Marino)

This Christmas-themed Costa Mesa event has been turning Orange County into a veritable winter wonderland for 11 years now. Expect a Forest of Lights walk-through, snow play, ice tubing and photo ops, visits with Santa and a new falling snow area and themed entertainment zones with live music. Upgrade your experience with carnival rides, ice skating, bounce houses, “polar putt-putt” golf and fireside igloos. Hot cocoa and seasonal treats will help keep things cozy.