Starting in mid-November, California begins to shimmer with twinkling lights—on boats bobbing in bays, along cityscapes, and blooming in botanical gardens. Some coastal light displays hit their peak during holiday boat parades in December, and some displays are meant to be seen from a car.
The holiday season in California offers countless ways to celebrate. If you want to get out and walk around, check out these following events and attractions that twinkle throughout much of November and December. Some are holiday-themed, but many take inspiration from nature, art, or literature to light up the winter evenings—and a few keep dazzling into 2027.
Northern California
Nov. 14–Jan. 10: Holidays at Filoli, Woodside
Explore this 1917 country estate on the San Francisco Peninsula, where the 54,000-square-foot house is decorated with more than a dozen Christmas trees and the 16-acre garden shimmers with 28 miles’ worth of lights. Don’t miss the decadent hot cocoa and check out the lineup of other holiday festivities that include drinks by the firepits, holiday teas, or tours inside the estate.
Nov. 20–Jan. 3: Redding Garden of Lights, Redding
Walk the illuminated pathways and see nature-themed display inside Redding’s McConnell Botanical Gardens, part of Turtle Bay Exploration Park. The 10-acres experience also includes glowing swings, hot cocoa stands, and firepits for s’mores. Or take your experience to the next level by booking one of the private igloos, which comfortably seat up to eight and include an evening of wood-fired pizzas, s’more kits, drinks, and goodies.
Nov. 27–Jan. 31: Illuminate SF Festival of Light, San Francisco
For holiday lights superfans, it’s hard to beat this citywide event of light-art installations that runs through the end of January. More than 60 works stretch from the Castro to Yerba Buena, including the newest pieces along the Light Art Trail.
Nov. 27–Dec. 20: Festival of Lights at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Fort Bragg
By day, this colorful preserve of flowers, shrubs, and birds in Fort Bragg needs no embellishment, but it seriously sparkles on weekend evenings during the holiday season, when pathways are lined with displays and twinkling lights—sparkling ocean waves, shooting stars, jungle scenes, flamingos, and more Sip hot cocoa and cider, enjoy the music, and sample locally made sweets.
Nov. 27–Dec. 24: Theatre of Lights, Sacramento
Watch a 20-minute dramatization of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” projected on the balconies above historic K Street, along Sacramento’s waterfront. The free show on Friday through Sunday evenings features Jack Frost and St. Nick, plus the lighting of the 60-foot tree.
While you’re in the capital city, check out the historic residential neighborhood known as the Fabulous Forties which is known for its light displays.
Select nights, Nov. 27–Dec. 23: Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Trains, Santa Cruz
Ride through the streets of Santa Cruz on a vintage excursion railroad festooned with thousands of lights. (check for specific dates). The Hanukkah edition rolls on Dec. 10 and the Redwood Forest Steam Train hosts Holiday Tree Walk excursions featuring hot-cocoa fueled rides to Bear Mountain. The New Year’s Train runs from Dec. 26–31.
While you’re in town, don’t miss the lights, decor, and festivities at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Winter Wonderland.
Nov. 27–Jan. 3: Lodi’s Magical Christmas, Lodi
The site of the Lodi’s annual Grape Festival morphs into a winter wonderland this time of year—with a glowing light tunnel, a giant tree, and an illuminated pavilion, as well as drone shows that light up the evening sky. Stick around to enjoy the open-air skating rink, the Magical Express train, falling snow, and an LED dance floor, along with cocoa and seasonal treats.
If you’re in town on Dec. 3, don’t miss the Lodi Parade of Lights in downtown Lodi.
Nov. 28: Geyserville Tractor Parade, Geyserville
This Sonoma County town with deep agricultural roots throws a holiday celebration that boasts some serious farm flair: Illuminated tractors head through downtown, with Santa and Mrs. Claus greeting fans by the town Christmas tree.
Dec. 5: Calistoga’s 28th Annual Lighted Tractor Parade
Watch 50 illuminated tractors and other decked-out vehicles cruise down Lincoln Avenue in Napa Valley’s Calistoga.
Dec. 5–6, 12–13: Annual Fantasy of Lights Drive-Thru, Los Gatos
First launched in 1999, this display in Santa Clara County covers 1.5 miles by Vasona Lake, enhanced by a radio soundtrack of music. The lineup of more than 50 LED-lit animated displays and tunnels includes a 90-foot tree, Santa, penguins, dinosaurs, and even pirates. While it used to be a drive-thru event, it is now for pedestrians only.
Jan. 16–Feb. 14: Napa Lighted Art Festival, Napa
Too busy during the month of December? Come to Napa after the New Year for this free, open-air, lighted art walk created by local and international artists at 15 locations in and around Downtown Napa. These unique installations typically include light art, 3D video mapping projections, and lighted sculptures.
Central California
Nov. 11–Jan. 10: IllumaNature at the Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara
Walk through this crowd-pleasing zoo in Santa Barbara, lit up with animal-themed displays, or ride through it on the IllumaNature Express train, Check the calendar for special evenings such as the low-sensory-night on Nov. 12.
Nov. 25–Dec. 27: Nature Nights at San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, San Luis Obispo
Explore this San Luis Obispo garden that gets festooned with lights and also offers games and activities such as cornhole and garden-wide scavenger hunt. Recharge with s’mores, cocoa, and local wine and beer by the fire pits, and check out the pop-ups by local chefs.
Starts Nov. 27: Holiday Plaza, San Luis Obispo
Explore the twinkling winter wonderland in Downtown San Luis Obispo: This time of year, Mission Plaza has a carousel, menorah lightings, a Santa’s House, and a musical light show. Come on Dec. 4 for downtown’s annual Holiday Parade featuring more than 80 decorated floats, classic cars, marching bands, and dancers.
Dec. 12: Night of Lights, Mammoth Lakes
This annual tradition at Mammoth Mountain in Mammoth Lakes always takes place a few nights before the Winter Solstice. Ride the free Village Gondola to Canyon Lodge to make the most of the dark skies, plus enjoy a winter light show (including fireworks and a torchlight parade), accompanied by live music and snowmobile rides. Stay near the festivities and save 25 to 35 percent off your hotel.
Southern California
Nov. 7–Dec. 31: Tree Lights at Citadel Outlets, Los Angeles
Citadel Outlets, located just outside downtown Los Angeles, is famous for its enormous tree, and for hosting a headliner musical guest for the first lighting; subsequent nights typically feature light shows and “snow flurries” every hour from 5 to 8 p.m.
Nov. 12–Jan. 10: Happy Harbor Days, Dana Point
Walk along the harbor in Dana Point to admire light installations including a whale sculpture, a VW bus, and the “Merry Kiss Me;” this year’s theme is “Harboritaville.” See it all from the water during the Harbor Lights Cruises (Dec. 4–5, 18–19).
Nov. 13–Jan. 3: Tinkerbell’s Neverland at South Coast Botanical Garden, Palos Verdes Estate
Step into the world author J.M. Barrie created about Peter Pan at this botanical garden near Torrance. Based on an interactive display that ran recently in London, the park’s 87 acres feature light installations and a soundscape that recreate the Darling family home, Big Ben, the Lost Boys’ hideout, Skull Rock, and Captain Hook’s pirate ship. The walk includes stops for snacks and drinks.
Nov. 19: Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration, Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills always brings a little star power to its holiday lights—an elaborate display that typically stretches three blocks from Wilshire Blvd. to Santa Monica Blvd. Opening night festivities will feature live performances and a fireworks display, and the holiday lights will be on display through early January.
Nov. 20–Jan. 3: Lightscape, Encinitas
Stroll through 1 million lights along the mile-long path at Encinitas’ 37-acre San Diego Botanic Garden. The walkways lead through tunnels of light, lanterns, and illuminated California poppies, and include music and kiosks where you can purchase food, hot drinks, sweets, and cocktails.
Nov. 21–Jan. 3: Festival of Lights at Mission Inn, Riverside
Each year, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in downtown Riverside celebrates the season with sprawling displays featuring more than four million lights. You don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy the dazzling display, but it’s tempting to stay. Browse the hotel web site’s offers page to book packages that include dining credits and seasonal perks.
Nov. 24–Dec. 30: WildLights at The Living Desert, Palm Desert
On select nights, this desert park near Palm Springs lights up with more than one million holiday lights, including a tunnel of lights, a new 30-foot tree, and life-size “lanterns” depicting giraffes, cheetahs, and other animals. Don’t miss the decorated G-scale model trains displayed on more than 3,300 feet of track.
Nov. 27–Dec. 30: Jingle Jets Holiday Lighting Celebration, San Diego
Board the USS Midway Museum outside downtown San Diego as the historic aircraft carrier is transformed into a surreal, glittery sight to behold with the help of more than one million twinkling lights.
Starts Nov. 27: Trees in the Bay, Long Beach
The waters surrounding Long Beach shimmer thanks to the longtime tradition known as the Trees on the Bay: The 16-foot-tall wooden trees, wrapped in lights, dot the waters of Alamitos Bay, Colorado Lagoon, Rainbow Harbor, and Spinnaker Bay—a tradition that goes back to the 1950s. For more lights, check out Naples Island, where homes and boats along the canals sparkle with holiday lights.
Starts Nov. 27: Hikari Festival of Lights, Irvine
During the day, Tanaka Farms in Irvine is a great place to pick strawberries or other seasonal produce. During the holidays, you can take a hay-ride-style wagon around the giant field of lights, delivering you to a festival area with walk-through light displays, petting-zoo animals, food vendors, and Santa photo ops.
Dec. 5: Festival of Lights Parade, Palm Springs
The acclaimed annual parade through downtown Palm Springs features light-bedazzled floats, cars, equestrians, and occasional celebrities.
