Magical Places to See Holiday Lights in Los Angeles in 2025!
- Angela Cantoni
- Oct 27
- 6 min read
Where can you see holiday lights in and near Los Angeles?
(Updated for 2025) The holiday season in Los Angeles comes alive with glittering lights, festive decor, and immersive displays that bring out the magic in every neighborhood. If you’re searching for the best places to experience holiday lights in and around L.A., this list has everything from classic displays to unique light shows. Grab your friends, family, or a special someone, and check out these 20 festive spots where you can truly feel the holiday spirit!
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 with warm, white lights on their fronds. Embellished ornament ball garlands, paired with complimentary-colored wreaths, complete the look. The holiday festivities will continue across the City through January 1, 2026.
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, decorations, and garland will deck the Third Street Promenade, 2nd Street, and 4th Street.
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.
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!
309 Palm St, Newport Beach, CA 92661
Celebrate the season seaside-style at the 117th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, where dazzling yachts, twinkling sailboats, kayaks, and canoes light up the harbor with holiday cheer. Bundle up, grab some hot cocoa, and enjoy the magic as these beautifully decorated vessels float by in one of SoCal’s most iconic holiday traditions!
700 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Experience a magical holiday show starting December 7th 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. This experience is FREE to attend and is open to ALL ages, furry friends are also welcome.
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
Holidays at Universal CityWalk's 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 63rd annual Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade. Catch a light show display on December 13, 2025, at 5:45 p.m. before the parade begins. Enjoy musical entertainment from carolers, food truck fare, and photo opportunities. 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 on Lubao & Oxnard Streets in Woodland Hills who, each year, collectively put on a fantastic holiday display of lights and decorations. For over 60 years, these eight blocks have been lit up. The displays light up stars on the second Saturday in December and last through the end of the year.
Seaside Ranchos neighborhood in South Torrance
Tucked away in South Torrance, the 'sleepy hollow' neighborhood known for its idyllic elm trees is home to the spectacular annual holiday lights display. This family tradition is brought to you by the residents of Seaside Ranchos in South Torrance and can be driven or walked by visitors. Most light displays are up from Thanksgiving weekend until January 1, from 5 pm to 10 pm.
309 Palm St # A, Newport Beach, CA 92661
Experience Newport Harbor in complete 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.
34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629
Join in for a 60-minute boat ride around Dana Point Harbor on December 12, 13, and 14 at 6:30 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!
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.
The Historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's 33rd Annual Mission Inn Festival of Lights will kick off with the switch-on ceremony on November 22nd, 2025.
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 19th 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. City of San Juan Capistrano’s Tree Lighting is Saturday, December 6th.
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 Lantern,s” 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!”
