Experience holiday light displays in Los Angeles this season

As Los Angeles embraces the holiday season, festive experiences abound—from the immersive Holiday Road at King Gillette Ranch to the dazzling L.A. Zoo Lights, where whimsical animal lanterns illuminate winter nights, bringing magic to families and friends alike. People can experience the magic of the season with the glitters all around. Here's a comprehensive guide to the best holiday light shows in L.A. for 2024.

L.A. Zoo Lights

Location: Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles 90027 

Timing: 6 - 10 p.m.

Date: Nov. 15, 2024 to Jan. 5, 2025

Price: Adults $29,  Kids $18 (price can increase depending on date)

Parking: Free 

Tickets: Book at buy.acmeticketing.com.

The L.A. Zoo Lights: Animal Aglow is back with another light show this year. This holiday tradition features multiple exhibitions, thousands of animal lantern sculptures, and holiday lights. Participants canwalk through the glowing rivers, towering trees, alpine forests, flower beds, and coral reefs,  all covered with twinkling lights. People can get your strollers or rent one at the bay. 

Adults can enjoy beer, wine, and hot chocolate; the cash bars are open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Attendees can get Instagrammable pics with giant animal sculptures that come to life with animations and playful movements. If interested, people can snap a selfie with Santa, but at an additional cost. 

VIP members can enjoy “Holiday Happy Hours” and access a private lounge open for adults, which costs $75, between 6:30 and 8.30 p.m. The theme this yearfor Happy Hours is “Ugly Holiday Sweaters,” where participants can take themed pictures with their ugly sweaters. 

Holiday Road

Location: King Gillette Ranch, 26800 West Mulholland Highway, Calabasas 91302  

Time: 4:30 - 9 p.m.  

Dates: Nov. 29 to Dec. 28, 2024

Price: $24.99 (prices vary based on the day you attend); children under 2: Free 

Parking: Get your parking pass for $6.99 

Tickets: Book at tixr.com.

Another light show to check out is Holiday Road. This is a one-mile self-guided walking trail for the whole family.. It features a glittering light show, numerous holiday displays, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Elve village, gingerbread lanes, and candy canes all around.

There are free photo opportunities with Santa and other potential picture moments with family and friends. This event features live carolers within the intricate winter village scene.  There will be food trucks, beverages, and adults ages 21 and over can get seasonal alcoholic drinks at Holiday bars. 

Enchanted Forest of Lights 

Location: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge 91011  

Time: 5:30 - 10 p.m. 

Dates: Nov. 17, 2024 - Jan. 5, 2025   

Price: For Members: $15-38 (Adults), $10–23 (Children)

For Non-members: $22-45 (Adults), $17–30 (Children)

Parking: Free onsite parking

Tickets: Book at descansogardens.org.

People can immerse themselves in the holiday magic by visiting the Enchanted Forest of Lights in Descanso Gardens this winter. This nighttime experience involves a one-mile stroll across the lit-up botanical garden.

This year, the most loved “stained glass” houses will be seen, along with geometric installations like HYBYCOZO. This show covers the meadows, gardens, and forests with glittering light installations. The experience is stroller-friendly, and people can bring their kids along to spread the holiday cheer. 

Candy Cane lane

Location: Woodland Hills neighborhood (Lubao and Oxnard Streets)  

Time: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.  

Price: Free  

Parking: Street parking is available

Christmas is the time when the whole of L.A.’s neighborhoods get adorned with lights. One such place is the Woodland Hills neighborhood, where eight blocks around Lubao and Oxnard Streets are transformed into a magical wonderland. The homeowners here decorate their homes with Christmas lights, artificial snow, and other holiday decorations. 

People can drive in the evening along the candy cane lane to get immersed in the sparkling lights and feel the Christmas cheer with live carolers all the way.

Christmas Tree Lane

Location: Santa Rosa Avenue, Altadena

Time: 6 p.m. 

Date: Dec. 7, 2024  

Price: Free  

Christmas Tree Lane is the oldest Christmas light show in the U.S. The tradition of illuminating the conifers with 10,000 lights during the holiday season started back in 1920, and this area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in September 1990.It’s also designated as a Historical Landmark in California.

People can drive a mile among the canopy of lights  to capture memories along the lane. There’s also food from local vendors and gifts for loved ones. 

Griffith Park Holiday Lights Train Ride

Location: Griffith Park & Southern Railroad, 4400 Crystal Springs Drive  

Dates: Nov. 29, 2024 - Jan. 3, 2025  

Hours: 5 - 8 p.m. (Monday-Thursday); 5 - 9 p.m. (Friday-Sunday)

Price: $7 per person ($12 for priority entry), Children under 18 months: Free  

Parking: Free parking available

Tickets: Buy at griffithparktrainrides.com.

Another festive tradition in L.A. is a holiday lights train ride in Griffith Park. This spectacular ride takes its passengers on a mile-long, 10-minute train ride where people can view thousands of dazzling lights all along Griffith Park & Southern Railroad. This year, it has come up with open-air photo booths and backgrounds perfect for photo opportunities. There’s snacks, meals, and hot beverages available for on the go.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

It’s advised to buy tickets in advance to reserve spots and avoid last-minute hustle. Also, it’s recommended to check the weather forecast, and dress accordingly.