Holiday Road
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Santa Monica Mountains
Until Dec 27th
Relax on Holiday Road as it returns to King Gillette Ranch, where the Santa Monica Mountains frame a quiet area. For this occasion, the same folks who brought you Nights of the Jack have also designed a nearly one-mile walking track. The route is decorated for the holidays, featuring a charming little hamlet, an amazing icicle light canopy over the trees, enormous single ornaments, and beautifully lit archways. Make the most of your visit by keeping an eye out for a selection of food trucks and a vibrant Christmas bar.
Hikari: A Festival of Lights at Tanaka Farms
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Irvine
Until Dec 30th
Tanaka Farms in Irvine lets you enjoy its magic with evening wagon rides and walking excursions. The name Hikari, which comes from the Japanese word for "light" or "shine," is appropriate for this quaint trail that is dotted with lanterns. The farm is decked out with festively themed trees, tractors, and scarecrows. Traveling through the lantern-adorned fields on foot or in a tractor offers guests a unique experience. Other attractions include a petting zoo, various activities, creative projects, and plenty of photo opportunities. The farm also features a vegetable stand, a market with a festive motif, and a section for Christmas tree sales. Keep in mind that entry requires a parking pass in addition to individual tickets, the cost of which varies according on the day of the week (weekdays are often less expensive).
Venice Canals
Free
Venice Beach
Discover the serene Venice Canals, a charming aspect of Los Angeles life, and get away from the bustle of the boardwalk and the airs of Abbot Kinney. The stunning Christmas lights show that is displayed on its bridges throughout the holiday season adds to its grandeur. It's preferable to park a little further away if you want to avoid the narrow, one-way Dell Avenue and take a leisurely stroll around this dazzling neighborhood. Each year, the city is ablaze with excitement as the boat procession makes its way through on the first or second weekend in December.
Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Extravaganza
Free
Torrance Seaside
Sleepy Hollow, also known as the Seaside neighborhood in Torrance, is a must-visit for anyone looking to lose themselves in a sea of sparkling lights. Start your trek down Robert Road, which leads to a show of lights through a waterfall of taillights. Every house, tree, and lawn in the neighborhood is decorated in sparkling lights starting in early December, producing an amazing spectacle. From 6 to 10 p.m. every evening until New Year's Day, the light shows are accessible. Visitors may need to park a few blocks away on weekends due to restrictions on parking on one side of the street; alternative parking is available on Prospect Avenue, PCH, and Calle Mayor.
Beverly Hills
Free
While Los Angeles's Fifth Avenue holiday displays may not be quite the same as those in New York, our posh neighborhood of Beverly Hills adds a touch of luxury of its own to the festivities. This year, on November 16, Rodeo Drive's decorations come to life with illuminations. In the environs, one can anticipate seeing illuminated palm palms, lights that ascend Via Rodeo's steps, cross Wilshire Boulevard, and culminate at the opulent Beverly Wilshire. A willow tree at Beverly Cañon Gardens is exquisitely decked out with golden decorations, while Beverly Drive is frequently lit up with white lights.
Candy Cane Lane
Free
E Acacia Ave and California St (El Segundo)
While most of us like bragging to our neighbors, the residents of Candy Cane Lane go above and above. That name is really associated with at least two communities in Los Angeles: one is located in El Segundo on East Acacia Avenue, and the other is in Woodland Hills. Here, we're referring to the former, a dead end with about twenty homes that have been fully operational for about 75 years, located just south of LAX. Look for the area to light up every night from December 9 through Christmas, until 9:30 p.m.
Lightscape
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Arcadia
Until Jan 2nd
The L.A. County Arboretum's Lightscape event returns for its third year, running from November 17 to January 2, with an entirely new experience. The mile-long path is reconfigured, featuring mostly new attractions, including the return of the popular light cathedral and an iteration of the fire garden from its debut year in Arcadia. Notable changes include the removal of the front lawn's field of lights, replaced by seating, and the absence of projections on the Queen Anne Cottage. Among the dozen highlighted spots, some standout installations include a mesmerizing curtain of light strands, swinging spotlights amidst fog, an illuminated forest walk, and the vibrant 'rainbow road'. However, some parts of the trail, particularly at the beginning, might feel less eventful compared to these captivating displays.
L.A. Zoo Lights
$
Griffith Park
Until Jan 7th
With its "Animals Aglow" theme, which features a colorful and whimsical trail of oversized, animated lanterns shaped like various animals and flora, including parrots, bears, butterflies, scorpions, owls, and a field of golden bison, the L.A. Zoo's light-up holiday tradition brightens the evenings through January. This year, the event debuts the Winter Wildlands in the northernmost point of the zoo, which is a stunning polar-themed area with rainbow lights and icy sculptures in place of the previous year's limited light tunnels. Zoo Lights avoids the clichés associated with Christmas, although it does feature interactive features including a seesaw that glows in the dark, a kaleidoscope mirror shell, and a hopscotch course that changes color. To avoid long queues, it is advised to purchase tickets in advance for the two nightly sessions. 'Value' nights offer discounts of up to $6 off entrance. Since there may be some uphill walking due to the lights covering nearly one-third of the zoo, comfortable footwear is recommended.
Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn
Free
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Until Jan 7th
During its yearly Festival of Lights, the Mission Inn in Riverside is transformed into an amazing sight with 4.5 million twinkling lights. This magical, free festival takes place over seven weeks, starting in mid-November and ending in early January. Over 400 animated figures are on display for visitors to see, which heightens the joyous ambiance of this venerable Christmas custom.
Holiday Time at Disneyland
$$$
Disneyland
Until Jan 7th
Just after Halloween, Disneyland starts to shine with seasonal pleasure for two months (Nov 10–Jan 7). With unique holiday night shows and Christmas-themed versions of its well-known rides, the park becomes a wonderland. From the icicle lights on Sleeping Beauty Castle to the American-themed decorations in Cars Land, you can discover seasonal decorations everywhere. The cheerful exterior of "It's a Small World," which exudes happiness and celebration, is a standout. Remember that reservations are necessary if you want to visit Disneyland during this time of year as spaces tend to fill up rapidly during the holidays.
Upper Hastings Ranch
Free
North of Sierra Madre Blvd.
Upper Hastings Ranch near Pasadena is a charming place to come at the end of the year because of the long-standing tradition of coordinating holiday decorations. Every block in this community decorates for the holidays with a different theme. One neighborhood may have lighting candy canes, and another may have an assortment of inflatable Santas. Notably, a residence on Tropical Avenue frequently hosts a sophisticated show that is timed to music, which could potentially cause traffic issues close to Alegria Avenue. The neighborhood's illumination celebration usually starts on the second Saturday in December. Until the new year, visitors may take in the glittering displays every night from 6 to 10 p.m.
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Free
Newport Beach
Dec 17th
Attend the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade to discover the special pleasure of enjoying Christmas in a Mediterranean climate. Celebrating its 115th year, this event features more than 100 ships and yachts decked out in holiday lights as they circumnavigate Newport Harbor over a 14-mile course. Take in this spectacular show for free over the course of five evenings from any point along the harbor where you can see the bay (Marina Park, with its holiday market, is a great place to watch). Reserved seating, meal packages, and special parade cruises are available for purchase for those looking for a more intimate experience.
Enchanted: Forest of Light
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La Canada
Until Jan 7th
Every year, from November 19 to January 7, the botanical garden hosts an evening event that combines interactive art with illuminated trees and glowing woodlands, enhanced by shimmering sound effects. This year's highlights include rearranged exhibits and a newly illuminated space close to the rose garden, exhibiting 3-D light sculptures by HYBYCOZO and interactive lighting-controlled stained-glass houses by Tom Fruin. Well-known features like the ethereal 'Ancient Forest' and the dazzling artificial tulip field never cease to fascinate guests. Parking is always free, but ticket prices range from $35 to $45, peaking at $45. Warm clothes is recommended for the cool evenings in La Cañada Flintridge, and comfortable footwear is required for the mile-long stroll through relatively level terrain.
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