Los Angeles does not get snow, but it does holiday lights well. There are ticketed light walks at the zoo and Descanso Gardens, free neighborhood displays, two boat parades on the same Saturday and a night parade down Hollywood Boulevard. This guide lists the 2026 season’s dates where organizers have published them, and says so where they have not.
In this guide
It is part of our Los Angeles events calendar. For the rest of the winter season, see our New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles and Rose Parade guides.
2026 holiday lights at a glance
- L.A. Zoo Lights Select nights, November 20, 2026 to January 10, 2027
- Enchanted Forest of Light Descanso Gardens, November 22, 2026 to January 9, 2027
- Christmas Tree Lane Altadena, lighting ceremony December 5, 2026 at 6pm, free
- Hollywood Christmas Parade Sunday, November 29, 2026, 5pm, free
- Boat parades Marina del Rey and Naples Island, both Saturday, December 12, 2026
- Disneyland holidays November 13, 2026 to January 6, 2027
Ticketed light shows
L.A. Zoo Lights
L.A. Zoo Lights turns the Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park into an evening light walk. It runs on select nights from November 20, 2026 to January 10, 2027. It is closed on several nights, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, so check the calendar on the zoo’s site before you plan. Tickets are sold separately from daytime zoo admission. For the daytime zoo, see our Los Angeles Zoo guide.
Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens
Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge sets up a walking trail of light installations through its gardens. The 2026 season runs from November 22, 2026 to January 9, 2027, from 5:30pm to 10pm. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Buy timed tickets from Descanso Gardens in advance, since popular nights sell out.
Disneyland Resort
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort runs from November 13, 2026 to January 6, 2027, with seasonal decorations at Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure. You need a regular dated park ticket and a park reservation. Weeks around Christmas and New Year are among the busiest of the year. See our Disneyland guide.
Knott’s Merry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park runs its holiday event, Knott’s Merry Farm, from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Check Knott’s site for tickets and show times. See our theme parks near Los Angeles guide.
Free neighborhood lights
Christmas Tree Lane, Altadena
Christmas Tree Lane is a stretch of nearly a mile of deodar cedar trees along Santa Rosa Avenue in Altadena, strung with lights every winter since 1920. The Christmas Tree Lane Association calls it the oldest large-scale outdoor Christmas lighting display in the United States. The trees survived the January 2025 Eaton Fire, and volunteers relit the lane in 2025.
The 2026 lighting ceremony is on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 6pm at the corner of Santa Rosa Avenue and Mariposa Street. It is free and open to the public. Winterfest, an arts and crafts market, runs at the same corner from 3pm to 9pm that day. The association runs on donations and volunteers, with no city funding.
Altadena is still rebuilding after the fire. Drive slowly, respect residents and stay on public streets.
Candy Cane Lane, Woodland Hills
Candy Cane Lane is a group of streets in Woodland Hills, in the West San Fernando Valley, where neighbors decorate their homes each December. It is centered around Lubao Avenue and Oxnard Street. The 2026 dates had not been announced when we checked. In past years it has run through much of December in the evenings. Traffic gets heavy, so many visitors park a few blocks away and walk.
Parades
Hollywood Christmas Parade
The Hollywood Christmas Parade is on Sunday, November 29, 2026, starting at 5pm on Hollywood Boulevard. It is free to watch from the curb, and people claim spots hours ahead. Streets around the route close for much of the day, so take the Metro B Line to Hollywood/Highland or Hollywood/Vine. Our Walk of Fame guide has a map of the boulevard.
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
Decorated boats circle the main channel of Marina del Rey on Saturday, December 12, 2026, from 6pm to 8pm. A light show runs from 5:45pm to 6pm before the boats start. Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village are popular viewing spots. Parking fills early, so arrive in the afternoon.
Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade
In Long Beach, the Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade runs through the Naples canals on the same night, Saturday, December 12, 2026, from 7pm to 8pm. Many neighbors decorate their homes along the canals too. If you have the evening free, you can pair it with the Aquarium of the Pacific earlier in the day.
Planning tips
Make the most of the lights
- Buy timed tickets early for Zoo Lights and Descanso, especially for December weekends.
- Go on a weeknight. Weekends close to Christmas are the busiest.
- Dress warmly. December nights in LA average in the upper 40s Downtown.
- Bring cash and patience for neighborhood displays, where parking is on residential streets.
- Check the event’s site on rainy days for closures.
Lights by area
| Area | Event | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Griffith Park | L.A. Zoo Lights | Ticketed |
| La Cañada Flintridge | Enchanted Forest of Light | Ticketed |
| Altadena | Christmas Tree Lane | Free |
| Woodland Hills | Candy Cane Lane | Free |
| Hollywood | Hollywood Christmas Parade | Free |
| Marina del Rey | Holiday Boat Parade | Free |
| Long Beach | Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade | Free |
| Anaheim | Holidays at the Disneyland Resort | Park ticket |
| Buena Park | Knott’s Merry Farm | Park ticket |
If you only have one evening, pick by where you are staying. Griffith Park and Altadena are close to Hollywood and Pasadena. The boat parades suit a beach or Long Beach base. Descanso and Christmas Tree Lane are both in the foothills north of Pasadena, close enough to pair in one evening.
Other ideas
Many malls, hotels and shopping areas put up holiday trees and run lighting events, including The Grove and Downtown venues. We have not listed their 2026 dates because organizers had not confirmed them when we checked. Watch our events calendar for updates, and see our things to do in Los Angeles with kids list for family ideas.
For weather in December, see our best time to visit Los Angeles guide.
Frequently asked questions
When do Christmas lights start in Los Angeles?
The big ticketed events start in late November. Disneyland’s holiday season begins November 13, 2026, L.A. Zoo Lights on November 20 and Descanso’s Enchanted Forest of Light on November 22.
What are the best free Christmas lights in Los Angeles?
Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena and Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills are the best-known free displays. The Hollywood Christmas Parade and the two December 12 boat parades are also free to watch.
Is L.A. Zoo Lights open every night?
No. It runs on select nights and is closed on several, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
When is the Hollywood Christmas Parade in 2026?
Sunday, November 29, 2026, starting at 5pm on Hollywood Boulevard.
Do I need tickets for Descanso Gardens lights?
Yes. The Enchanted Forest of Light is ticketed, and buying ahead is recommended.
Official sources: Los Angeles Zoo; Descanso Gardens; Christmas Tree Lane Association; Hollywood Christmas Parade; Marina del Rey; Disneyland Resort; Knott’s Berry Farm.
Photo credits
Featured image: Downtowngal / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
