Let it glow, let it glow, let it glow!
The most anticipated interactive displays, the twinkling lights, glittering decorations and festive projections are back in full force to illuminate L.A. for the holidays. While some of our favorite glowing holiday displays like Candy Cane Lane came with strict limitations or were completely scrapped in previous years, this year will definitely make up for it with more choices and events than ever before. Take a look at all the top spots to see Christmas lights and displays as we ring in the holiday season.
1. Astra Lumina at South Coast Botanic Garden
Instead of the usual array of snowmen, snowflakes and other seasonally-themed displays. The Palos Verdes botanic garden is shining the light back on nature. This 87-acre coastal haven will be transformed into a multicolored and multisensory galactic experience. Bring a jacket and walk through this mesmerizing glowing light forest of stars. Grab your tickets here!
2. Christmas Tree Lane
We’re used to driving down streets lined with Palm trees, but once a year visitors travel far and wide to catch a glimpse of Altadena’s Christmas Tree Lane. Rally up your household and cruise down this sparkling hill–and don’t forget to drive with your headlines on! Keep updated on any changes by following their website here.
3. Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Extravaganza
Torrance’s Seaside neighborhood (a.k.a. Sleepy Hollow) absolutely glows around December. Every possible surface is covered in a sea of festive lights and it never fails to dazzle. Details are yet to be released for this year’s lighting but they usually go up in early December along Robert Road in Torrence. Lights are switched from around 6 pm.
4. Mission Inn
Riverside’s insanely beautiful Mission Inn Hotel is worth a visit any day of the week. But during the festive season, it really steals the show with 4.5 million sparkling lights and over 400 animated figures for its annual Festival of Lights. This event usually spans six weeks and is completely free. However, this year, there won’t be any lighting ceremony. Find out more here.
5. ‘Sparkle DTLA’ at The Bloc
At The Bloc in Downtown L.A., you can get all your shopping done while wandering through a cheerful display of 18 million hues of holiday lights. ‘Sparkle DTLA’ will also be putting on nightly shows where the giant tree twinkles in time to festive tunes.
6. ‘Wildlights’ at The Living Desert
You can stroll through illuminated wildlife lanterns that reflect the natural inhabitants of the Palm Desert. The new paths offer vantages of the new habitats like the emus of the new Australian Adventures. There’ll also be a holiday-themed G-scale model train display and light shows synchronized to music throughout the zoo. For an additional fee, guests can toast s’mores around a campfire, take a spin on the carousel and get a photo with Santa on his sleigh. Find out more about the Living Desert holiday lights here.
7. Dana Point Harbor
The annual Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights is back on November 19, along with the dazzling Dana Point Harbor holiday light displays which will be lighting up from November 17. The harbor walkways and area will be illuminated with merry archways, wreaths, glowing whale sculptures and more. It’s a charming night out and it will add a whole lot of cheer to your month. Find out more here.
8. The Grove
At Christmas, The Grove pulls out all the stops and the shopping destination transforms into a magical wonderland. Expect nightly “snow” nightly, the iconic installation of Santa and his slap with holiday music filling the air. There are also two of the tallest trees on the West Coast that glitter with 25,000 lights and ornaments.
9. Buena Vista Street
Fans can look forward to festive holiday lights and displays that will illuminate the quaint boulevard with all 20s and 30s nostalgia. There’s nothing quite like this surreal old-world charm to remind you why this is the most wonderful time of the year. However, with the recent changes and order that went into place, this may be limited to just shopping and is subject to change.
10. Old Pasadena
This charming historic district is an incredible place to shop and dine for the holidays, plus it comes with the reward of knowing you’re helping preserve this vibrant neighborhood and the families that depend on it. The alleyways and courtyards are draped with dozens of fairy lights and during the winter season, they have festive projections lighting up every corner. You can wander through these old streets and buildings to soak up the atmosphere—and you can always shop online or order takeout from local shops and eateries too.
[Featured Image: The Mission Inn]