Ice Castles, Glowing Whales and a Flying Pegasus: San Pedro's New Harbor Glow Holiday Lights (2026)
Harbor Glow, San Pedro's brand-new holiday light experience, opens at West Harbor on the LA Waterfront on Friday, November 20, 2026, and glows every single night through January 3, 2027. It's a walk-through trail of more than 15 light scenes split into two worlds: an icy Christmas wonderland and a glowing undersea kingdom, all set right beside the harbor.
For years, South Bay families have driven across town for the big light shows. This season the lights come to them, on the same waterfront where the old Ports O' Call Village once stood. We rounded up what to expect inside, how tickets and parking work, and the little tips that make a night out with kids go smoothly.
Key Takeaways
When: Nightly from Friday, November 20, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.
Where: West Harbor at Port of Los Angeles, 1332 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro, CA 90731.
Hours: Friday–Sunday 5–10:30 p.m.; Monday–Thursday 5:30–9:30 p.m. Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve run 5–10:30 p.m.
Tickets: Timed entry; early-bird prices start at $19 through November 13. Kids under 3 are free with a reserved ticket. See ticket options.
Time needed: Most families spend 40 minutes to an hour.
Parking: Premium parking at the entrance can be added at checkout; West Harbor's public lot is paid on site.
What Is Harbor Glow at West Harbor?
Harbor Glow is a self-guided holiday light walk covering roughly 80,000 to 90,000 square feet of the LA Waterfront. It's produced by Glow Works, a Los Angeles-area company that builds immersive light experiences, and it's the first holiday light experience of its kind on the LA Waterfront.
There's no set tour or show time. You pick a 30-minute entry window, walk in at your own pace, and wander from a frozen Christmas world straight into a bioluminescent ocean. Since it sits on the water, the reflections off the harbor are part of the fun.
Parent Tip: Little ones love a mission. Before you go, ask them to count the jellyfish or spot Santa, the snowman family and the mermaid along the way.
World One: Winter Dreamscape
The walk begins in Winter Dreamscape, the larger of the two worlds. Think glittering ice, glowing forests and big, shiny photo moments around every corner.
Here are the scenes kids will be talking about on the drive home:
Ice & Snow Gate: A towering crystal archway that welcomes you in.
Christmas Wonderland: Santa climbing out of a chimney beside a gingerbread man and a glowing snowman family. It's the biggest single display on the walk.
Christmas Tree: A grove of tall crystal trees built around a glowing ice heart.
Crystal Ice Garden: Giant illuminated ice blooms that tower overhead.
Pegasus Carriage: A winged carriage that makes one of the best family photos of the night.
Parent Tip: Snap your family photo at the Pegasus Carriage early in your visit, before little legs get tired and smiles fade.
World Two: World Beneath the Waves
Once you pass the Jellyfish Gate, the ice melts into a glowing ocean. This half of the walk is filled with illuminated whales, jellyfish and coral, a perfect fit for a harbor setting.
Look for these undersea favorites:
Jellyfish Gate: Jellyfish floating in light mark the turn from ice to ocean.
Ocean Exploration: A glowing reef with a school of tropical fish, an octopus and a crab.
Coral Secret Realm: A sea turtle, a dolphin and a whale-skeleton fossil hidden in the coral.
Deep Sea Encounter: A mermaid on a shell next to a giant winged whale.
Two more ocean scenes, Coral Archway and Fairytale Ocean, are still being built, so expect a few surprises on opening night.
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Parent Tip: The ocean half has flashing lights, fog and darker areas. If your child is sensitive to light or the dark, hold hands here and take it slow.
Harbor Glow Tickets and Prices
All tickets are timed. Choose a date and a 30-minute entry window online, and your tickets arrive by email. Prices change by date: weeknights cost less than weekends and holiday weeks, and day-of tickets cost more.
Early bird: Tickets start at $19 through November 13.
Kids under 3: Free, but reserve a free ticket so they're counted.
Child tickets: Ages 3 to 12.
Adult tickets: Ages 13 and up.
Seniors and military: Special tickets for guests 65+ and current or former service members (bring proof).
Box office: Tickets are sold on site at day-of prices while they last. Online orders max out at 10 tickets, and only one promo code works per ticket. Get Harbor Glow tickets or see all the details on our Harbor Glow event listing.
Parent Tip: Monday through Thursday nights are the budget-friendly pick, and they're usually calmer for little ones too.
Hours, Parking and Getting There
Harbor Glow is open every night of the season, holidays included. Here's how to plan your evening:
Friday–Sunday: 5–10:30 p.m.
Monday–Thursday: 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Holiday hours: Thanksgiving (Nov. 26), Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve run 5–10:30 p.m. Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall on Fridays and keep regular Friday hours.
Arrival: Get there about 15 minutes before your window, plus time to park. Entry is allowed up to 30 minutes after your window opens.
Premium parking: A dedicated lot right at the entrance, added when you buy tickets. Spaces are limited and can sell out on weekends and holiday weeks.
General parking: West Harbor's public lot, first come, first served and paid on site. It's a longer walk.
Rideshare: Set your drop-off to 1332 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro. Need accessible parking or other accommodations? Email Harbor Glow at least 48 hours ahead. Find more on the Harbor Glow visit and FAQ page.
Parent Tip: If you have a stroller, a toddler or grandparents in tow, the premium lot is worth it. It saves a long walk at the end of the night.
Tips for Visiting Harbor Glow With Kids
Dress warm: It's outdoors on the water, and harbor breezes get chilly after dark. Bring jackets and beanies.
Strollers welcome: Strollers, wagons and wheelchairs are all allowed, though some surfaces can be uneven or wet.
Dino Ride: Kids 3 and up can drive a motorized dinosaur ride. Tokens are extra and sold at the Dino Token Booth or with your order.
Snacks: Outside food isn't allowed, except baby food and items for medical or dietary needs.
Bags: Bags up to 16 x 16 x 8 inches are fine, including diaper bags. Leave coolers, scooters and bikes at home.
Rain checks: If weather closes the event, your ticket automatically becomes a Rain Check good for any remaining night this season. Closure decisions usually come by about 2 p.m.
Pets: Only ADA service animals are allowed.
No re-entry: Once you leave, your visit ends, so make a bathroom stop before you walk in.
Parent Tip: Phones are welcome, but tripods aren't. Set your phone to night mode before you go in so you don't miss the shot.
Make It a San Pedro Holiday Night
Harbor Glow pairs perfectly with San Pedro's other holiday traditions. The first weekend of December is the big one.
Holidays by the Sea: Saturday, December 5, 5–7 p.m., at San Pedro Town Square on the LA Waterfront. This free celebration includes the official tree lighting. See West Harbor's happenings.
San Pedro Spirit of the Holidays Parade: Sunday, December 6, in downtown San Pedro. See our parade listing.
L.A. Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade: The 2026 date hasn't been announced yet. We'll update our holiday boat parade guide as soon as it is.
Harbor Glow is an easy drive from Long Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes and the rest of the South Bay, so it also works well as a weeknight outing during winter break.
Parent Tip: Book a 5 or 5:30 p.m. entry on parade weekend, then head over to the waterfront festivities. Early slots also mean earlier bedtimes.
Takeaway
Harbor Glow brings San Pedro its own big holiday light show, with two glowing worlds, more than 15 scenes and the LA Harbor as a backdrop. It's open every night from November 20, 2026, through January 3, 2027.
Grab a weeknight entry window for the best prices, bundle up for the harbor breeze, and pair your visit with Holidays by the Sea or the Spirit of the Holidays Parade for a full San Pedro holiday night.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Harbor Glow in San Pedro?
Harbor Glow runs nightly from Friday, November 20, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027, including all holidays. It's open 5–10:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday and 5:30–9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with extended 5–10:30 p.m. hours on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
How much are Harbor Glow tickets?
Early-bird Harbor Glow tickets start at $19 through November 13. After that, prices vary by date, with weeknights cheaper than weekends and holiday weeks. Child tickets cover ages 3 to 12, kids under 3 are free with a reserved ticket, and seniors and military get special pricing.
Where do you park for Harbor Glow?
You can add Harbor Glow Premium Parking, a dedicated lot at the entrance, when buying tickets. It's limited and can sell out on busy nights. General parking is in West Harbor's public lot, first come, first served and paid on site, with a longer walk to the entrance.
How long does it take to walk through Harbor Glow?
Most families spend about 40 minutes to an hour at Harbor Glow, and there's no time limit once you're inside. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your entry window. Keep in mind there's no re-entry, so make bathroom stops before you start the walk.
What happens if it rains at Harbor Glow?
Harbor Glow is outdoors and runs rain or shine. If the event closes for weather, your ticket automatically becomes a Rain Check you can rebook for any remaining night through January 3, 2027. Closure decisions are usually made by about 2 p.m., with updates by email or text.
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