Holiday light displays in Southern California
Here's a list of places to see festive holiday light displays in Southern California. Share your favorites with #abc7eyewitness!
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Moonlight Forest - Lantern Art Festival at the Los Angeles Arboretum
301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia
November 9 through January 12
Wednesday through Sunday, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
At night, the grounds become an illuminated wonderland, with magical lantern art depicting exotic fish and a giant shark in their new Ocean Visions exhibit. Step into a winter wonderland with a new Polar Dreams experience featuring playful penguins and cuddly sled dogs.
World's Tallest Live-cut Christmas Tree
Citadel Outlets
100 Citadel Drive, Los Angeles
November 9 through December 31
The massive white fir tree from Northern California stands 115-feet tall. It's lit with more than 18,000 multi-colored and energy-efficient LED lights and adorned with 10,000 ornaments. Guests can experience falling snow every night at 6 p.m. and 8.p.m.
Bold Holidays on Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills
November 14 through December 22
Lighting celebration November 14
200 to 400 block on Rodeo Drive 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Enjoy spectacular lighting displays and special photo opportunities along Rodeo Drive, North and South Beverly Drive, Canon Drive, at Beverly Canon Gardens and Beverly Gardens Park. Stores are open late for evening shopping on Fridays and Saturdays.
SPARKLE DTLA
The Bloc, 750 W 7th Street, Los Angeles
November 15 through December 27
Billed as the world's largest illuminated interactive holiday display. 16-million beautiful hues of lights illuminate the city skyline and synchronize to your favorite holiday songs at the top of each hour. Free and open to the public.
L.A. Zoo Lights
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles
November 15 through January 5
Glowing animals welcome you on a nighttime journey that includes the world's largest illuminated pop-up storybook, a magical disco ball forest, giant glittering snowflakes, and a twinkling tunnel filled with dynamic swirls of color.
The Americana at Brand Christmas
889 Americana Way, Glendale
November 16 through December 25
The Green transforms into a winter wonderland every evening with snow falling at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Reserve your spot at Santa's House where you can share your wish list.
Enchanted: Forest of Lights at Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge
November 17 through January 5
An interactive, nighttime experience featuring a one-mile walk through unique lighting experiences. There are a variety of large-scale light displays, many of which are interactive, allowing visitors to manipulate the lights and sounds.
The 30th Annual Pier Lighting and 25th Annual Holiday Open House
Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Manhattan Avenue, Manhattan Beach
November 20, 2019
Visitors can enjoy festive music, gift shopping, and delicious dining in Downtown Manhattan Beach, complete with a visit from Santa. It's the 30th year they've strung the lights above the Roundhouse Aquarium, and Living Trees will be on display for a week.
Union Station Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Union Station
800 N. Alameda St, Los Angeles
November 21
The annual tree lighting will take place under the stars on the South Patio, complete with snowfall and Santa selfies. Check out Candy Cane Lane, with a custom neon photo-op, a Candy Cane Queen and holiday-themed arts, crafts, interactive games and entertainment. This also marks the start of Union Station's free holiday Cocoa Concert series, which continues on December 6, 13 and 20.
Chinese Lantern Festival at The Fairplex
1101 W. McKinley Avenue, Pomona
November 21 through January 5
Thursdays-Sundays through December 15
Nightly starting December 19
Experience larger-than-life handcrafted lanterns, live entertainment and food, complete with multicultural experiences and Instagram-worthy photo opportunities. No pets allowed.
The 70th annual Trees in the Bay
Alamitos Bay, Long Beach
November 28 through January 1
Over 70 white, wooden triangle-shaped trees strung with colorful lights are sprinkled across Alamitos Bay. The 16-foot-tall structures can be seen from Rainbow Lagoon, Alamitos Bay Marina, along the Peninsula, Spinnaker Bay, Rainbow Harbor, Scherer Park, El Dorado Park West and Heartwell Park.
Holiday Light Festival Train Ride
4400 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles
November 29 through December 30 except December 24 and 25.
Head to Griffith Park for an evening train ride around a festively decorated, one mile of track. Tens of thousands of lights create magical scenes to entertain you and your family.
Queen Mary Christmas
1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach
November 29 through January 1
Start your adventure at the outdoor North Pole Village with ice skating at the True North Ice Rink circling a 26-foot Christmas tree, then jump aboard the QM Express Train or the Grand Carousel for more festive fun.
L.A. County Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Grand Park Fountain Overlook
135 N Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
December 2
Enjoy holiday favorites from chamber music ensemble Brass Pacifica and chorale performances.
Culver City Christmas Tree Lighting Sled-tacular
Town Plaza at the intersection of Culver Blvd. and Van Buren Place
December 5, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Santa Claus will make a special visit. Downtown Culver City businesses will provide hot cider, hot cocoa, cookies and other festive treats. Come early to enjoy sledding and other activities new to the event this year.
3rd Street Promenade Tree Lighting Ceremony
1351 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica
December 5, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Santa Monica has an amazing tree in the Center Court of the shopping area of 3rd Street promenade. The whole outdoor shopping area will be beautifully decorated.
Mayor's Annual Holiday Tree Lighting in Pasadena
Pasadena City Hall Centennial Square
100 Garfield Avenue, Pasadena
December 6, 5 p.m.
A fun and festive night of musical performances, free refreshments, photo stops and a visit from Santa. Bring an unwrapped toy or sports gear for ABC7 and the Pasadena Fire Department's Spark of Love Toy Drive.
Lights on Miracle Hill
City Blessing Church of Walnut, 18901 Amar Road, Walnut
December 6 through December 22, Friday through Sunday
A free Christmas light show shown every 45 minutes. Over 1-million lights are synchronized to music.
Grand Park's Winter Glow
Grand Park (Hill Street) to The Music Center Plaza, downtown Los Angeles
December 6 through December 25
Grand Park's Winter Glow returns for its second annual nighttime public art display, offering an immersive experience. Stroll through an illuminated and interactive art installation, with light and projection technology.
Venice Holiday Sign Lighting Ceremony
Windward Plaza at the Venice Sign at the intersection of Windward and Pacific Avenues
December 7, 6:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sign lighting at 8 p.m.
There will be live music and plenty of festivities.
Long Beach Christmas Boat Parade of 1,000 Lights
Shoreline Village, 429 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach
December 7, 5 p.m.
The parade starts outside the Shoreline Marina and the colorfully lighted boats and yachts sail past the Pine Avenue Pier, and then across the bay and past the Queen Mary. Best viewing locations are in Shoreline Village, Rainbow Harbor and the Queen Mary.
Long Beach Christmas Tree Lighting
Long Beach Terrace Theater Plaza, 300 East Ocean Blvd., Long Beach
December 9, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
It's a night for pics with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, holiday photo booths, kid train rides, local food trucks, live entertainment and complimentary holiday sweets. Tree lighting starts at 6 p.m.
The 28th Annual Chino Hills Boat Parade
Starts and ends on Peyton Drive at Eucalyptus Avenue
December 13
The Kiwanis Club of Chino Hills invites the community to enjoy decorated boats, bands, equestrians and other entries. The parade starts at 7pm, but crowds arrive early to park and gather on the route.
Luminaria Nights
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
1500 N College Avenue, Claremont
December 13, 14, 20 & 21
Be enchanted at this Claremont tradition where the garden glows with light for the holidays. Enjoy special light installations and festive music. A food truck, bar and bake sale will be available for purchases. Hot cider will be provided.
The 56th Annual Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey
December 14
Enjoy the Snow Wonder event, 12pm-6pm. Fireworks kick-off the boat parade celebration at 5:55pm, then festively-lit boats sail the main channel, 6pm-8pm.
The 99th Annual Christmas Tree Lane Altadena
Santa Rosa Avenue between Woodbury Avenue and Altadena Drive, Altadena
December 14 through January 1
Billed as "America's first large scale Christmas light display," the illumination of the deodars cedar trees was started in 1920 by a local businessman. In 1990, the lane was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and became a California State Landmark.
Naples Island Annual Holiday Boat Parade
Naples Island, Long Beach
December 14
The 73nd annual boat parade, "Christmas Under the Sea", will feature both large and small boats as they show off their lights. The big boats embark at 6pm, while the smaller ones launch at 6:30 p.m.
ORANGE COUNTY
The Holidays at the Disneyland Resort
1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim
November 8 through January 6
Festivities at Disneyland Park include the popular Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle, "Believe ... in Holiday Magic" fireworks that concludes with a magical snowfall. Also returning will be "A Christmas Fantasy" parade, "it's a small world" holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday. Disney California Adventure Park rings in the holiday with the return of Festival of Holidays. And feel the holiday magic of World of Color-Season of Light, a nighttime spectacular.
111th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade & Ring of Lights
Newport Bay, Newport Beach
Holiday Lights Cruise November 30 through December 31
Boat Parade December 18 through December 22
Elaborate Christmas light displays of bay-front estates with their Ring Of Lights competition and one of the largest decorated boat parades in the country. Hundreds of decorated ships of all sizes compete for top awards in over a half dozen categories.
45th Annual Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights
Dana Point Harbor
December 6, 7, 13 & 14
This year's theme is "Tiki Holiday."Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. with the Boat Parade starting at 7:30 p.m. Voyagers can take the Boat Ride with Santa at Dana Wharf Sport fishing, located on the east end of the Harbor near Waterman's Harbor at Dock 1.
Holiday Luminaria Stroll at The Fullerton Arboretum
1900 Associated Road, Fullerton
December 13 & 14
Spend the evening in the garden and stroll luminaria lined pathways. Enjoy live music, vintage holiday decorations at Heritage House, make an ornament and see the beauty of the garden at night.
Huntington Harbour Boat Parade
Huntington Harbour
December 14 & 15
The 57th annual boat procession features over 75 vessels lit up for the holiday season. The theme for this year's event is "Rock & Roll Fantasy."
Winter Fest at the OC Fair & Event Center
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
December 19 through January 5
Featuring ice tubing, snow play area, ice skating, nightly Christmas tree lighting celebration with a parade, fireworks and snow flurries, plus Santa and his reindeer flying over the fairgrounds. There's also an all new Alpine Village, over 20 carnival rides and attractions, festive entertainment, seasonal eateries and visits with Santa.
INLAND EMPIRE
Amaze Light Festival
5555 Hamner Ave, Norco
November 22 through December 29
Norco's SilverLakes Sports Park hosts the installation, featuring over 1.5-million lights, decor pieces standing at over 30-feet tall, a 56-foot tree, a 100ft walk through light tunnel, two gigantic Christmas obstacle courses, an immersive light show every hour.
Festival of Lights presented by The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Main Street and 3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside
November 29 through December 31
Riverside's 27th annual festival includes The Mission Inn Hotel, illuminated with 5-million lights, 200 animated characters, fresh fallen snow and a candy themed-decor. Attractions along the Main Street pedestrian mall include holiday vendors, family-friendly entertainment, trackless train rides, the Century Ferris Wheel and a colorful vintage carousel.
VENTURA COUNTY
43rd Annual Holiday Parade of Lights & Fireworks
Ventura Harbor
December 13 and 14
This years theme is "SEAing is Believing". The parade starts at 6:30 p.m., and then stick around for fireworks at the end of Spinnaker Drive at 8 p.m. On Saturday, come early to visit Ventura Harbor Village's Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace.
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