Best Christmas lights in SoCal

Rancho Santa Margarita

South County's best-known 'Candy Cane Lane' is a cul-de-sac in Rancho Santa Margarita. El Corzo goes all out with snow machines, music, gingerbread houses, lighted Santas and animated reindeer, and several side streets join in.

🗓️ Typically Thanksgiving weekend through Dec 31, after dark

San Juan Capistrano · Ticketed event

California's historic mission lit for the holidays, with a lighted halo grove, a scented citrus grove, a full-size Nativity, and community trees and wreaths. Each evening has a musical tree lighting at 5:05pm and a sound-and-light projection show on the Great Stone Church ruins at 6:05pm.

🗓️ Dec 18 to 30, 2026, select days; grounds open 10am to 7pm, tree lighting 5:05pm

💵 Adults $23, seniors $19, youth $16, 4 and under free; members $10 (official 2026)

Irvine · Ticketed event

A Japanese-inspired lights festival on a working family farm. A lit-up tractor pulls a wagon through the Land of a Thousand Lanterns, and there are walking paths with themed lights, a holiday market, hot cocoa and Santa photos.

🗓️ Typically opens the day after Thanksgiving and runs through late December, Wed to Sun evenings (2025: Nov 28 to Dec 28, 4:30 to 9:30pm, closed Mon, Tue, Dec 24 and 25). 2026 dates not yet posted.

💵 $$ ticketed, plus parking

Dana Point

The 51st annual parade (2026 theme: Harboritaville) sends about 80 lit boats around the harbor on three nights. You can watch for free from the harbor boardwalk and parks, or ride along on a charter from Dana Wharf, Captain Dave's or the Ocean Institute.

🗓️ Dec 11-13, 2026, parade begins nightly at 6:30pm

Roger's Gardens Christmas Boutique ("The Stories of the Season")

Corona del Mar

The garden center's famous holiday boutique fills its rooms with themed Christmas trees and storybook vignettes; the 2026 theme is "The Stories of the Season." It is a daytime decor display and shop rather than an outdoor lights show.

🗓️ 2026 boutique is open now (opened October 2026), daily 9am–6pm; 2026 closing date not posted (2025 ran Oct 20–Dec 31)

Newport Beach

Bayfront cottages decorate docks, railings and roofs, and the lights reflect in the harbor along the walkway that rings the island. South Bay Front and East Bay Front took most of the 2024 Ring of Lights top awards, and Marine Ave is the island's shop street.

🗓️ Typically Thanksgiving through New Year's, from dusk; best about 5:30–9:30pm

Newport Beach

The 36th annual Lighting of the Bay floats more than 50 lit holiday displays and trees on the Dunes' calm lagoon. On Thursday to Sunday nights the festival adds fire dancers (Fri and Sat, 5:30 and 7:30pm), fire pits with s'mores, Santa photos and an igloo bar.

🗓️ Nov 27, 2026–Jan 3, 2027. Floating lights nightly from dusk; festival Thu–Sun evenings, closed Dec 24, 25 and 31. Opening night Fri Nov 27, 4–9pm

Newport Beach

The parade circles the whole island between about 7:45pm and 8:11pm, so the bayfront walkway gives two passes of boats plus the Ring of Lights decorated homes behind you. Little Balboa Island and the Grand Canal are on the loop too.

🗓️ Dec 16–20, 2026, parade starts about 6:30pm nightly

Costa Mesa · Ticketed event

OC's biggest ticketed winter festival, at the fairgrounds. It has a walk-through Holiday Light Trail, a Holiday House light show set to music, a nightly lighting of a 40-foot tree, ice skating, snow play and an ice tubing slide. The former Night of Lights OC drive-through now redirects here.

🗓️ Nov 27, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, select dates. 2025 hours were 5 to 10pm weekdays, 4 to 11pm Sat, 4 to 10pm Sun.

💵 $$ ticketed, plus $15 parking (official 2026)

Newport Beach

Up to about 100 lit boats loop Newport Harbor for five nights, starting and finishing at the tip of Lido Isle and passing Marina Park (about 6:54pm), the Fun Zone (7:15pm), Balboa Island (7:45 to 8:11pm) and Lido Marina Village (8:46pm). Opening night adds fireworks off Newport Pier, and drone shows fly twice nightly from Balboa Bay Club and Peninsula Park.

🗓️ Dec 16–20, 2026, about 6:30pm to 9pm nightly; opening-night fireworks Wed Dec 16 at about 6:15pm off Newport Pier

Anaheim · Ticketed event

Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle glows with about 80,000 lights, a 60-foot tree stands on Main Street, and the Believe... in Holiday Magic fireworks end with snowfall on Main Street. Disney California Adventure adds World of Color - Season of Light and Cars Land in holiday lights, and it's a small world Holiday has 400,000 exterior lights.

🗓️ Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 6, 2027

💵 $$ park admission

Fullerton

Hundreds of homemade "sparkle balls" made from plastic cups and string lights hang from the trees over about two blocks. Neighbors have kept the tradition going since 2002, and it has spread from Yale Loop to Princeton Circle and the streets around it.

🗓️ Typically Black Friday weekend through December, nightly after dusk

Brea

More than 100 homes in the Eagle Hills neighborhood decorate, with themed yards, music and live nativity scenes. Signs mark a one-way "Santa's Route" for cars through the streets.

🗓️ Typically Dec 1–26, nightly about 5:30–10pm

Huntington Beach · Ticketed event

The 64th annual Cruise of Lights is a 50-minute narrated boat tour along the Huntington Harbour waterfront, past lit boats, docks, decks and homes. Ticket sales benefit the Philharmonic Society of Orange County's youth music education programs.

🗓️ Dec 19-23, 2026, cruises at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30pm

💵 Adults $28, children $20, under 2 free; Dec 21 value night adults $26, children $18 (official 2026 flyer)

Huntington Beach

The 64th annual parade of lit, decorated boats loops through the Huntington Harbour channels on two nights, with judging on Saturday. Small beach parks on the harbour islands, such as Davenport Beach Park on Davenport Dr, Humboldt Park and Trinidad Park, are the public viewing spots.

🗓️ Sat Dec 12 and Sun Dec 13, 2026, evenings

Buena Park · Ticketed event

The park puts up thousands of lights and miles of garland. Each night there's a 'Tis the Season tree lighting in Calico Park with Snoopy, and the Peanuts ice show runs through the season. Light displays, shows and most rides come with regular admission; Santa visits, crafts and a Snow and Glow area are also offered, and some holiday experiences cost extra.

🗓️ Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, on regular park days

💵 $$ park admission

Temecula

Temecula's city-run nighttime parade of lit floats ending with Santa, in Old Town, which is decorated with holiday lights all season as part of the month-long Temecula Chilled celebration.

🗓️ 2026 date announced: Fri Dec 4, 2026, 7pm

Riverside

The 34th year, and the Mission Inn's 150th anniversary: more than 10 million lights and over 400 animated figures on the historic hotel and downtown, with nightly snowfall, Santa visits, a holiday market and food vendors. Switch-on night adds fireworks and live performances.

🗓️ switch-on Sat Nov 21, 2026 at 5pm (Orange St and Mission Inn Ave), runs through Jan 3, 2027

Long Beach

Waterfront homes along the Naples canals decorate for the season, and the lights reflect off the water. It is at its busiest on boat parade night in late December.

🗓️ Typically all of December, nightly after dusk

Rancho Cucamonga

A resident-run tradition where nearly every home on Thoroughbred and Jennet Streets goes all out with themed displays and inflatables. It is not a city event, but the city manages traffic and makes the core streets drive-through only.

🗓️ Typically Dec 5–24, drive-through only 5–11pm (2025 pattern; 2026 dates not yet posted)

Encinitas · Walk-through

A mile-long illuminated trail through the garden, now in its fifth season, with 20+ new installations such as Haze Arches and a Bluebonnets field plus the returning Winter Cathedral. The walk takes about an hour to an hour and a half.

🗓️ Nov 20, 2026–Jan 3, 2027, evenings from 5pm

💵 Adults from $28, kids 2–12 $18, under 2 free (2026, prices vary by date)

Rolling Hills Estates · Ticketed event

A new Peter Pan themed light trail through the botanic garden, from a glowing London skyline to the Lost Boys' hideout and Crocodile Creek. Plan 60 to 90 minutes on the self-guided walk.

🗓️ Confirmed Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, nightly 5 to 8:30pm, closed Christmas Day

💵 $$ ticketed (adults from $33, kids 3 to 15 from $18, under 3 free; parking $20)

Torrance

One of the South Bay's biggest resident displays, running for more than 40 years, where nearly every house on tree-lined Robert Rd is decorated. It is resident-run, not a city event.

🗓️ Typically first full weekend of December to Jan 1, about 6pm to 10pm (2025 ran Dec 6 to Jan 1)

Pasadena

A 45-square-block midcentury neighborhood lit every year since 1951, with each block given its own theme and some homes running full animatronics. After the Eaton Fire destroyed about 80 homes here, the 2025 Light Up went ahead with a bright star on each empty lot, and Valley Light Dr neighbors rebuilt the handmade angels that were lost.

🗓️ Typically the first Saturday of December through Dec 31, nightly 6–10pm (2025: Dec 6–31)

Christmas Tree Lane

Altadena

A mile of towering deodar cedars strung with lights since 1920, the oldest large-scale outdoor holiday lighting display in the US. It was relit for the 2025 season after the January 2025 Eaton Fire: none of the 153 cedars were lost, a Disney donation replaced damaged strands, and a memorial tree honors the 19 Altadena residents who died. Many surrounding homes are still rebuilding, so be respectful driving through.

🗓️ Typically lit from a ceremony on the first Saturday of December through the holidays, nightly from dusk (2025 lighting was Sat Dec 6)

El Segundo

A dead-end block of about two dozen homes decorated every year since 1949, with trains, reindeer, giant characters and music. Santa often sits in a covered sleigh at the end of the cul-de-sac, and residents hand out cocoa and candy canes.

🗓️ Typically about Dec 13 to Dec 23, roughly 5pm to 10pm (2025 ran Dec 13 to 23)

Christmas Card Lane

San Diego (Rancho Peñasquitos)

About 200 homes across roughly three blocks put up giant hand-painted plywood Christmas cards alongside their lights, a neighborhood tradition going for about 40 years. Plan on 1 to 1.5 hours to see it all on foot.

🗓️ Typically Dec 1 through the week between Christmas and New Year's, dusk to 10pm

Enchanted: Forest of Light

La Cañada Flintridge · Walk-through

A one-mile nighttime walk through Descanso's oak woodland and gardens with large interactive light installations. It is one of the most popular ticketed light walks in LA, and kids enjoy the hands-on pieces.

🗓️ Nov 22, 2026 – Jan 9, 2027, select evenings

💵 $$ ticketed, timed entry (non-members $29–52 adults, $19–37 ages 2–12 by date; under 2 free)

Los Angeles · Walk-through

The zoo's after-dark lantern walk. The 2026 theme features larger-than-life illuminated birds, butterflies, insects, flowers, marine creatures and Ice Age giants, plus Santa, a snow-globe photo spot and a small skating rink (separate ticket).

🗓️ Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027, select nights; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, New Year's Eve and some other dates

💵 $$ ticketed (tickets start at $19; members get discounts)

Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade

Marina del Rey

The 64th annual parade, themed Hollywood Under The Stars, with lit boats, carolers, food trucks, a photo booth and a kids' art corner at Burton Chace Park. A short holiday light show opens the night before the boats go by.

🗓️ Confirmed for Saturday, Dec 12, 2026: festivities 4 to 8pm, light show 5:45pm, parade 6 to 8pm

Poway

A cluster of dead-end cul-de-sacs off Hickory Street where nearly every home decorates, a tradition of more than 25 years. On weekends some families sell hot cocoa, cider and treats for local charities, and Santa often appears.

🗓️ Typically lit by the second week of December through Christmas Eve, about 5 to 10pm

Palm Springs

The desert's biggest holiday night: a 1.5-mile parade of lit floats, marching bands, giant Macy's-style balloons and Santa down Palm Canyon Drive. It runs rain or shine.

🗓️ 2026 date announced: Sat Dec 5, 2026, steps off 5:45pm, about 2 hours

Santee

Around 75 homes decorate with coordinated themes like Toy Story and SpongeBob, and some residents sell kettle corn, cookies and cocoa. It is resident-run, not a city event, and the city says never pay to view it.

🗓️ Typically late November through December, about 5:30 to 10pm (the city's 2026 no-parking order on Tomel Ct runs Nov 30, 2026 to Jan 4, 2027)

San Diego · Ticketed event

The zoo stays open after dark with three holiday light areas, live shows such as a brass ensemble and acrobats, seasonal food and Santa photos at Santa's Factory. No separate ticket is needed.

🗓️ 2026 dates listed: Dec 18, 2026–Jan 3, 2027 (closed Dec 24), zoo open to 8pm, lights about 5–8pm

💵 Included with zoo admission or membership

San Diego

The City of San Diego's largest free holiday festival, with lights along El Prado, performance stages, food vendors and shopping across Balboa Park. About 350,000 people come over the two days.

🗓️ Fri Dec 4 (4–10pm) and Sat Dec 5 (noon–10pm)

Candy Cane Lane

Woodland Hills

A Valley tradition since 1952: about eight square blocks of homes around Lubao Ave and Oxnard St decorated with lights, figures and artificial snow. Residents run it informally.

🗓️ Typically the first Saturday in December until the first Saturday after New Year's, 6–10pm (2025 opened Sat Dec 6)

San Diego

About 80 decorated boats cruise from Shelter Island past Harbor Island and the Embarcadero, out to the Chicano Park on the Bay pier (formerly Cesar Chavez Park), then turn toward Coronado. In past years the boats passed Shelter Island around 5:30pm, Harbor Island 6pm, the Embarcadero 6:30pm, Seaport Village 7pm and Coronado Ferry Landing around 7:30pm.

🗓️ Sundays Dec 13 and Dec 20, starting 5:30pm

Palm Desert · Ticketed event

Millions of lights across the zoo with a 30-foot tree, a Tunnel of Lights, a G-scale model train, s'mores and free photos with Santa through Dec 24. Some animals can be seen along the African safari paths.

🗓️ select nights Nov 24–Dec 30, 2026 (Nov 24, 25, 27, 28; Dec 4–5, 10–12, 17–24, 26–30), 6–9pm, last entry 8:30pm

💵 $25 general, $20 kids 3–17, $23 members (official 2026 page)

Wakefield Winter Wonderland

Saugus

Santa Clarita's best-known display: 41 homes on a double cul-de-sac with a canopy of lights strung house to house and 'The Night Before Christmas' told along the street. Residents often hand out candy canes.

🗓️ Typically all of December, nightly about 5:30–10pm

Moorpark

Dozens of homes in this neighborhood decorate with bright lights and figures, with neighbors trying to outdo each other.

🗓️ Typically December, nightly 5–10pm

Via Patricia Animated Lights (Dos Vientos)

Newbury Park

A 50,000-light display in Dos Vientos synchronized to music you can play on 89.7 FM in your car. It came back in 2025 after a break.

🗓️ Typically December, nightly

Oxnard

One of Ventura County's largest residential displays: the historic homes on F and G Streets are decorated entirely by residents.

🗓️ Typically early to late December, nightly 6–10pm (2025 ran Dec 7–27)

Ventura

Decorated boats cruise the harbor both nights, followed by fireworks. The village lawn has a carnival with rides and games, plus a DJ and faux snow.

🗓️ Fri–Sat Dec 18–19, 2026; festivities from 4pm, parade 6:30pm, ends about 8pm (50th annual)

Santa Barbara

About 30 lighted boats parade from Leadbetter Beach to the Cabrillo Pavilion and back to Stearns Wharf, with a short fireworks show. Earlier in the afternoon there is a costumed paddleboard and kayak parade (2pm) and a Winter Wonderland with snow and Santa on the City Pier (3–5pm).

🗓️ 2026 date announced: Sunday Dec 13, 2026, 2–7:30pm (40th annual); lighted boats 5:30pm, fireworks about 7pm

Solvang Julefest

Solvang

The Danish village decorates its downtown in lights for the season. Solvang Park hosts a 10-minute light and music show every hour from 5 to 9pm, and the season also brings a tree lighting, a parade, Wednesday makers' markets and photos with Santa.

🗓️ Nov 27, 2026–Jan 3, 2027; tree lighting Fri Dec 4, parade Sat Dec 5; light and music show on the hour 5–9pm nightly