Incredible Christmas Lights in the South Bay & Long Beach

1. Seaside Holiday Christmas Lights (aka Candy Cane Lane Torrance) — Seaside Ranchos/Sleepy Hollow, Torrance

Torrance's Seaside Ranchos neighborhood has been sending up flares for Santa for more than 40 years, and there's no question he's seen them—as have a whole lot of other admirers. Fans pour through nightly from Thanksgiving weekend until Christmas, and the best way to enjoy the vibe is to park outside the neighborhood and walk.

No doubt, many residents (some dressed as Santa) will be sitting around their fire rings and waving at the holiday lights admirers. A limited number of cars are allowed through, but it's slow going; one can only hope that no one is waiting for a pizza delivery guy. Rumor has it that there are also hot cocoa and candy cane stands dotting the streets. 

Parking options are best on either the Pacific Coast Highway or Prospect. Inside tip: You can also park near the Seaside Elementary School.

2. Candy Cane Lane — El Segundo

The eastern block of Acacia Avenue is announced by a Candy Cane Lane sign, marking a tradition of more than 60 years. Houses are alight with trains, reindeer, giant characters, and music—plus frequent appearances by Santa Claus in a covered sleigh at the end of the cul-de-sac.

The lights are typically on by 7pm (though most turn on at dusk). If you're looking for the most holiday lights per square foot, Candy Cane Lane is your destination. The street itself is closed to cars, making for a delightful, one-block family stroll, and parking is available throughout the rest of the (well-decorated) neighborhood. Do you remember the 2023 Christmas film Candy Cane Lane starring Eddie Murphy? That was based on this neighborhood!

3. Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane — Long Beach

This Wrigley area neighborhood always kicks off the season with a parade. This year, the Christmas Tree Lane Parade is on Saturday, December 13, 2025, and starts at 5pm. With more than seven decades of experience in the Christmas lights business, this neighborhood knows how to do the holidays. 

4. Naples Island — Long Beach

Sure, you've heard of the Venice Canals, but the canals at Naples Island are not to be missed in Long Beach- especially when they are dressed up in Christmas lights. Walk past the houses on the canals to admire holiday cheer sparkling on the houses and in the water's reflection. Try to go on a weeknight when there are fewer crowds. The Naples Island holiday lights boat parade also takes place on Saturday, December 20, 2025. 

RELATED: Must Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Los Angles for Kids 

 
Polar bears and elves make their home on Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills. Photo courtesy of F. Bara, Tripadvisor

Holiday Light Displays That Dazzle in the Valleys

5. Candy Cane Lane - Woodland Hills — Lubao Ave. & Oxnard St., Woodland Hills

The Valley's version of Candy Cane Lane can be enjoyed from the comfort of your car, but be prepared for traffic as the holidays draw closer. Visitors are encouraged to dim the headlights on the eight-block stretch so that everyone can enjoy the lights. Brace yourself for slow-moving traffic—so slow that most cars end up with kids poking their heads through the sunroofs and waving at each other. Visitors are also welcome to park on side streets and walk the blocks. On weekends, food trucks, hot chocolate stands, and even toy and flower salespeople often gather to sell their wares at this holiday hotspot. 

6. Yolanda Lights — 7300 Block of Yolanda South of Valero, Reseda

Yolanda Lights is a unique spin on the typical Christmas light setup. All along the 7300 block of Yolanda Ave. in the center of Reseda, a series of incandescent arcs straddle the sidewalks to create mesmerizing tunnels of warm light. The neighbors along Yolanda Avenue want you to park your car, admire their handiwork, and donate some canned food items or blankets for the local homeless. The lights come on at sundown and stay on until midnight. If this video featuring drone footage of the display doesn't get you excited, we don't know what will!

7. Christmas Tree Lane — Altadena

Despite the devastating damage of the Eaton Fire in January, Altadena's tenacious residents are ready to light up the season, once again. Altadena's famous Deodar cedar trees have been lit with festive strings of holiday lights every year since 1920 in what is recognized as the oldest large-scale outdoor Christmas display in the world. Some of the houses are decorated, but the trees are the main attraction here, which creates a colorful 0.7-mile pathway. There isn't a sidewalk, so driving is easier than walking. Be a good neighbor and dim your parking lights while viewing to help other drivers enjoy the lights more. If you decide to walk, a great place to park is by the Altadena Library. The lights stay on until early January, giving you plenty of time to see this unique display. 

The Christmas Tree Lane lighting ceremony and winter festival take place this year on Saturday, December 6, 2025. 

8. Christmas Tree Lane — St. Albans Rd., San Marino

The Altadena and San Marino versions of this lighted holiday pathway are twinsies. The towering trees lining the road get decked out like giant Christmas trees, and the estate homes behind them don't look too shabby either.

9. Upper Hastings Ranch — Pasadena

Since 1951, each block in this neighborhood has decorated its homes with a theme. The neighborhood is large enough that one evening's drive probably won't catch everything; the pride this neighborhood takes in the collective project merits a visit. Choose a route, and let the oohs and aahs begin; opening night is Saturday, December 6, 2025, and the displays run nightly, 6pm to 10pm. When we polled our Facebook and Instagram followers for holiday light recommendations, this one was an overwhelming crowd favorite. 

RELATED: Mission Inn Festival of Lights: Riverside's Legendary Holiday Lights Display 

 
Families in this cul-de-sac don't mind the traffic. Photo courtesy of Wakefield Winter Wonderland

10. Wakefield Winter Wonderland — Wakefield Court, Santa Clarita

The double cul-de-sac of 41 houses in the Saugus neighborhood of Santa Clarita offers an elaborate annual light display that includes a ceiling of lights strung across the street from house to house. Each house has a portion of "The Night Before Christmas" on display, and if you start on the right side of the cul-de-sac, you can follow along with the story as you admire the lights. Wakefield Court is off Copper Hill Drive and Courtland, and the lights switch on nightly from 5:30pm to 10:30pm, usually by December 1 each year.

Families sit outside their homes by fire pits, and many neighborhood kids pass out candy canes to passersby while raising donations for charitable organizations. Park on a nearby street and walk the loop, or see the displays from your car (just expect some slow traffic). Ash Court and the surrounding streets in Saugus continue the holiday cheer if you want somewhere to go after wandering Wakefield. 

11. North Valencia Northbridge Area — Streets such as Clearidge Drive, Essex Place, and Woodfield Place

After touring the Wakefield Winter Wonderland, take a short drive into North Valencia for more enchanting, themed houses. The streets listed above are all guaranteed to have some incredible light displays—the locals in this neighborhood truly get into the spirit of the season with themed houses and thousands of twinkling lights. 

12. Timberdale & Pinedale — Moorpark

This isn't one of those neighborhoods with a Facebook page, a special street sign, or even a kitsch name, but if you're on a search for holiday eye candy, this is a sweet spot to check out. The neighborhood is across from Moorpark High School (head east on Countrywood Drive until you hit Timberdale), and it's just house after house of sparkling delights in a clear spirit of "I can make my house more visible from space than yours."

13. Newburgh Lights — 609 E. Newburgh St., Glendora

A landscape lighting designer in Glendora puts on quite the show for visitors every holiday season. The residence typically ignites nightly, starting at 5pm. This isn't just a few twinkling lights timed to music—this is a 15-song light spectacular set to familiar Christmas tunes by Mariah Carey, Gene Autry, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (to name a few holiday favorites). The first performance of the year is on November 28, 2025. 

14. Norton's Winter Wonderland — 23837 Sarda Rd, Valencia, CA

This family knows how to do a Christmas lights display and has an iconic holiday lights setup in Burbank. In Valencia, they keep their holiday decorating tradition alive. Expect an expanded display with neon LED and blow-mold characters, wood cutouts of Disney characters, and nativity figures. 

15. Simi Valley Winter Wonderland — 469 Highland Rd., Simi Valley

You're bound to see a few favorite characters, a lot of inflatables, and thousands of lights if you head to Highland Road and take a peek at the Simi Valley Winter Wonderland. This single-house display opens every Christmas season to spread some Christmas cheer. Dog lovers will appreciate the "dog land" section, where light-up canines (including a boxer and a sleigh-riding dachshund) lend some ruff appeal to the Christmas cheer. Be sure to check the Facebook page for the schedule.

While Winter Wonderland is free, the owners gladly accept donations for Relay for Life (American Cancer Society), Casa Pacifica, and For the Troops (FTT). Last year, lights were on from 5pm to 10pm on weekends and 5pm to 9pm on weekdays.

16. Lights on Display — 3901 Longview Valley Rd., Sherman Oaks

Lights on Display is the name that Emmy Award-winning video editor Mike Ziemkowski has given to his magnificent Christmas decoration display show. Ziemkowski mixes his film industry expertise and a love of Christmas to produce a display whose fame extends far beyond the San Fernando Valley. This house was the 2015 winner of the national reality show The Great Christmas Light Fight. The display goes way beyond lights; the timed show with music and motion is the sort of thing some places would charge admission for. 

Located in Sherman Oaks on Longview Valley Road, the show premieres right after Thanksgiving and runs through New Year's Day. In the past, shows have run Wednesdays through Sundays from 6pm until 9pm. If you're not up for the drive to the Valley, you can always check out videos of the shows on the website.  

17. Harbeck Lights — 1215 Tropical Ave., Pasadena

This one was a 2022 The Great Christmas Light Fight contender (and spoiler: winner). Locals get to enjoy their incredible display for the rest of the Christmas season. Tune your car radio to 99.1 FM to catch the soundtrack for this wonderful house. The show runs on a 16-minute loop and features a giant LED screen that features favorite characters like Grogu, Pac-Man, Mario, Hello Kitty, and more. The fun starts December 6, 2025.

18. Lilley Hall Toluca Lake — 10104 Moorpark St., Toluca Lake 

Not only does this house do the classiest holiday display around, but it is also a piece of history named after the musician Joseph J. Lilley, who resided there from 1954 to 1971. This Tudor-style home draws massive crowds every year and has even been featured on the local news. Keep tabs on the Lilley Hall Instagram page for updates.

19. Sylmar Spectacular Light Show — 13953 Olive Grove Ln., Sylmar 

Your kids will be entranced by this singing house in Sylmar that croons through 55 minutes worth of Christmas melodies from 5:15pm to 11:15pm nightly. The home features two light-up faces that sing back and forth to one another on different portions of the house. Tune in to the music at 104.1 FM.

20. Homestead Holidays — Homestead Place, Santa Clarita  

Homestead Holidays, located near Wakefield Winter Wonderland, is a neighborhood known for its festive holiday displays. Founded by the Valvo family, they have a tradition of distributing candy canes to visitors. 

Best Holiday Lights on the Westside 

21. The Holiday House — 3547 McLaughlin Ave., Mar Vista

We featured this elaborate home in our Halloween house display round-up as well, but they always pull down the scary and put up the merry when December rolls around. The display typically stays up until right after Christmas. 

22. Herman Family Festival of Lights — 10803 Overland Ave. Culver City 

Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas, Overland Avenue has light displays in abundance. The Herman family does their home up with dreidels, Jewish stars, and all things Hanukkah, and surrounding homes also deck their halls with flair. Six houses in a row time their lights to music, making this one of the biggest residential light shows in the state.  

23. Venice Canals — Venice Beach

The waterfront properties on the famed Venice Canals get festive for the holiday season. Walk along the canals and cross the many beautiful bridges that span the historic waterways to take in the views of holiday lights. Even the bridges get spruced up with sparkling light displays. 

Christmas Lights Displays Worth a Drive

24. Eagle Hills Christmas Lights — Eagle Hills Neighborhood, Brea Hills

If you live closer to Orange County, the Eagle Hills Christmas Lights is a great place to capture some Christmas spirit. This light display, which is located in the neighborhood of Eagle Hills, has been dazzling locals for more than 20 years. The lights are typically on nightly from 6pm to 10pm. As a hillside neighborhood with narrow roads and many cul-de-sacs, traffic can be very rough. If you want to park and walk, park at the Brea Sports Park and walk on the track. 

25. Montgomery Road and Janss Road — Thousand Oaks 

This home doesn't have a fancy name or a flashy website, but our friends in Thousand Oaks love to drive by this family's extravagant display every year. It's just one house, but no corner goes unlit, and the decorations are generally up and flashing their seasonal cheer by Thanksgiving weekend.

Insider Tips for Seeing Christmas Lights in Los Angeles 

Weeknights are Best 

If you are hoping to get a glimpse of some of the most popular neighborhood displays in the area, try for a mellow weeknight earlier in December. As Christmas inches closer, crowds start to thicken at these free street displays, and weekends tend to be a lot busier than weeknights are. Most lights click on as the sun sets, and remain open until around 10pm. 

Make it an Event 

We love to turn our Christmas light viewing nights into a full-on event. Don your new Christmas PJs, and bring warm hot chocolate (or run through a Starbucks). Bring some candy canes along for a mid-tour treat, and make sure to put on Christmas radio in the car! If you have a sunroof, let the kids pop their heads out when you near the neighborhood. Bring light-up necklaces or festive hats- make it as Christmassy as possible! 

Other Tips for the Perfect Christmas Light Night 

These Christmas light displays are in residential neighborhoods, so bathrooms are not typically available to the public. Make sure to use the restroom before heading out, and encourage the kiddos to do the same.

Evenings in California can be chilly, so make sure to bundle up. Most of these neighborhoods are both drive-able and walk-able, but large crowds can make it hard to push a stroller around. If you are bringing a baby along, I recommend popping them in a baby carrier for ease.

Some neighborhoods provide trash cans for all those red Starbucks cups and candy cane wrappers, but be mindful that these are residential areas and all trash or waste is your responsibility. Many of these neighborhoods use their Christmas light displays and the crowds they attract to further a good cause, such as Toys for Tots. Consider bringing along an unwrapped toy or setting aside some money to send a monetary donation to the charity featured by the neighborhood. It is the season of giving, after all! 

Parking can be tricky at many of these locations- make sure to wear good walking shoes and prepare for a bit of a hike on busy evenings. You may want to designate a "parking person" responsible for dropping off near the neighborhood and going to park the car. Another option is a rideshare, which easily solves the parking problem and makes for easy pick up when your walking tour is over. 

Neighborhood Christmas & Holiday Lights in Los Angeles FAQ

What are the best Christmas lights in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is covered in Christmas lights in December. The Mission Inn Festival of Lights in Riverside is one of America's most widely known free Christmas light displays. The Daisy Avenue Christmas trees are a famous holiday landmark in Santa Monica, and Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo is the setting for Eddie Murphy's recent Christmas Movie of the same name. 

Are there free Christmas light displays in Los Angeles?
Yes, there are plenty of free Christmas light displays in the LA area! If you are looking for a free light display with music and entertainment, The Bloc in Downtown LA puts on an impressive show every year. Neighborhoods from Naples Island to Upper Hastings Ranch go all out in Southern California, and it's free to visit these residential areas. Woodland Hills has a bustling Candy Cane Lane in the valley, and Wakefield Winter Wonderland in Santa Clarita is the perfect holiday walk. 

When do Christmas light displays start in Los Angeles?
Most Christmas light displays open shortly after Thanksgiving, though many openings are unofficial. By the first week of December, lights are on and twinkling nightly in all the neighborhoods listed above. 

What are the best neighborhoods for holiday lights near Los Angeles?
Upper Hastings Ranch in Pasadena, Christmas Tree Lane in Alta Dena, the Seaside Holiday Christmas Lights in Torrance, and Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo are some of the most famous Christmas light displays in the LA area. 

Are Los Angeles holiday lights kid-friendly?
Christmas light displays in LA are full of holiday cheer and perfect for every age. Make sure to keep your kids close, as there can be large crowds at many of these light displays and it's easy to lose track of little ones. Kids will love ogling the beautiful light displays, looking for Santa, and identifying the themes at the creative and colorful houses at these LA neighborhoods.This activity is great for babies, toddlers, elementary aged kids, middle schoolers, and teens. 

With additional reporting by Matt Matasci, Kylie Williams, Gina Ragland, and the whole MP LA team!

Originally published December 5, 2011