There are so many places in Los Angeles where you can see the holiday lights. They’re all around the city, but we’ve narrowed it down to a few of our favorites. These locations are great for families and just general sightseeing, and they are always beautiful. You can drive to most of them, but some have free parking or there is free public transportation nearby.
These locations are also a great place to see the Christmas tree lighting ceremony. You can park your car, go on a tour, and watch the lights up close. If you don’t want to drive to the location, there are a few places in Los Angeles where you can see the tree from afar.
Brea Eagle Hills
Nothing is better than visiting the Brea Eagle Hills to get the holiday vibe. The Brea Eagle Hills neighborhood is full of beautifully decorated homes and plenty of greenery to wander through on your drive or while you take a leisurely stroll. It is popular with tourists so plan to have lots of people around and traffic if you plan to walk through the neighborhood. Park your car at the Brea Sports Park in the quaint neighborhood of Brea. The park is located on the corner of Birch Street and the sidewalk leading to the park.
Lightscape
Lightscape, the critically acclaimed event which sold out in London in 2009, is returning to the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden for its West Coast debut. The world-renowned Lightscape is a spectacular display of lights, art and music that transforms the Los Angeles County Arboretum into an illuminated night experience that the whole family can enjoy. Walk through the impressive Cathedral of the New Year, enjoy the magical Fire Garden, and much more!
Tickets for Lightscape are on sale now at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. Tickets for Lightscape and The Arboretum are separately priced. Lightscape is open from 5:30pm to 7:30pm daily, and visitors are free to stay for as long as they like. Walk along the streets of L.A. County to experience a magical night that runs for just over a mile. Lightscape is accessible to people who have wheelchairs or other mobility aids and strollers.
The Holiday Road
Holiday Road is a family-friendly walk through the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains that is filled with larger-than-life holiday displays, thousands of lights, a visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Santa & Mrs. Claus, and a forest filled with dozens of colorful candy canes. Stop by the Holiday Bar and sip a cocktail while you walk the trails, or stop by and buy a souvenir.
Stroll through the grounds of King Gillette Ranch while the snowy mountains hideaway is transformed into a magical light show during Holiday Road. Holiday Road is a themed event created by the same team that created Nights at the Jack, and includes a Christmas tree, a lighted Christmas village, and beautiful archways with lights. Timed tickets for the event are available now, and the price of these tickets changes daily depending on what’s on the schedule.
Candy Cane Lane
In the spring, the residents of the San Fernando Valley neighborhood in Woodland Hills host a dazzling holiday celebration that includes street lamps, Christmas decorations and even snow. Candy Cane Lane is a Woodland Hills tradition that has been going on since 1952.
A group of homeowners in the area organizes the annual holiday celebration that features lights and other festive decorations. Santa is often seen taking pictures with children and his elves are often seen roaming the streets of Woodland Hills. Candy Cane Lane is held annually on the second Saturday of December and lasts until the end of the year.
Visitors are asked to drive by at least 10 p.m. on weeknights and by 11 p.m. on weekends. Visitors are asked to drive slowly and with their headlights turned off so that everyone in the neighborhood can enjoy the Christmas lights. From the 101 freeway, go to Winnetka (OR, head north on the 101 freeway) to go to this amazing display.
Radio Drive, Beverly Hills
Los Angeles doesn’t have any such decorations as the windows that dot the windows on New York’s 5th Avenue. Beverly Hills, with its large shopping district, knows how to dress up the streets and sidewalks in a festive way for the holidays. The holiday lights on Rodeo Drive will be lit up on November 18.
Beverly Boulevard is decorated in white lights, as is the willow tree at Beverly Caon Gardens. The famous Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles is transformed into a magical holiday paradise filled with holiday decorations, living Nutcrackers and lights that will make your day even brighter. Visit the beautiful Beverly Hills Canon Gardens and go through the Santa Claus tunnels and Christmas lights to have some extra merry fun. Beverly Hills looks amazing even when it is decorated with colorful boughs of holly and a million lights.
Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Extravaganza
You might think that the neighborhood where you are staying sounds more like a haunted house where you go to spend your nights in the winter, but this Torrance neighborhood has been celebrating Christmas for years with spectacular holiday light displays. Start your holiday lights tour at the Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance, and drive or walk along the streets of Robert Road. Everyone’s houses are decorated and the streets are lined with Christmas trees. Sleepy Hollow Christmas lights light up the streets and town squares the first weekend of December and shine bright until the beginning of January.
Final Thoughts
The holiday season is a great time to visit Los Angeles. We recommend you make it a family outing and take in all the beautiful sights and sounds. And while you’re here, don’t forget to check out some of the best Christmas light displays in Los Angeles! You’ll be glad you did. Using these Los Angeles holiday light displays as a guide, you can see the best of what Los Angeles has to offer. You’ll have no trouble finding the perfect place to visit for your family.