The yuletide is upon us.
And while that means a hectic month of shopping for gifts, attending holiday parties, and gathering with friends and family, it’s also time to spread cheer and light — figuratively and literally.
Neighborhoods and organizations across Los Angeles County will dazzle folks with various holiday light displays and exhibits throughout December. Below is a roundup of such events.
Arcadia
The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., has transformed into a garden of light, with the return of its Lightscape holiday event.
The after dark walk-through experience has taken over a mile-long path of the 127-acre arboretum, with a display of 18 elaborate installations that mix light sculptures and special effects with holiday-themed music.
Lightscape is on select evenings from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m. through Jan. 8. Tickets start at $37 for adults and $18 for children ages 3-12 at arboretum.org.
Altadena
The drive down Santa Rosa Avenue for Altadena’s Christmas Tree Lane is billed as the oldest large-scale Christmas lighting spectacle in the U.S. The boldly lit grand deodar trees are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a California State Landmark.
Volunteer organizers have been lighting up Santa Rosa for more than a century and the spectacle begins Saturday, Dec. 10, with a winter festival set for 3 p.m. and lighting ceremony at 6 p.m.
Altadena’s Christmas Tree Lane All Lit Up! Without any of the usual fanfare, Altadena’s Christmas Tree Lane is now being lit for the season, from 6-midnight each night through January 7, 2021. This year is the centenary of the first lighting way back in 1920 in Altadena on Friday, December 4, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Just exit Woodbury Avenue off the 201 Freeway and follow the signs (and cars!) to Christmas Tree Lane.
Information: christmastreelane.net.
Descanso Gardens
Enchanted Forest of Light in Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, in La Canada Flintridge, is an interactive nighttime experience that features a mile-long walk surrounded by stunning lighting. Favorite light installations are back this year, including colorful “stained glass” houses by artist Tom Fruin and, on the Main Lawn, the sparkling, twirling light sculptures by Los Angeles artist HYBYCOZO.
Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket since temperatures at the gardens can dip into the 40s at night during the winter months. Enchanted is open nightly, except for holidays, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 8.
Visitors at the Enchanted Forest of Lights Monday, November 21, 2022. The Enchanted Forest of Lights is now open through January 8, 2023, at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, CA. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
General admission tickets are $34 and must be purchased in advance. Be warned that in recent years, Enchanted has sold out. Ticket information can be found at descansogardens.org/enchanted-tickets.
L.A. Zoo Lights
Have a wildlife-centric holiday experience in Griffith Park, with L.A. Zoo’s winter tradition. The experience includes lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers and towering trees. Zoo Lights continues nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday until Jan. 22. They are closed Dec. 24 and 25. Tickets range from $27 to $39.
Manhattan Beach
Treat yourself to a different sort of holiday light experience on Sunday, Dec. 11, when Manhattan Beach’s annual fireworks show kicks off at 7 p.m. Manhattan Beach Boulevard, the street leading into the pier area, will be closed off and folks can sit on blankets and beach chairs. There will be caroling, live music and a snow park, along with the spectacular pyrotechnics lighting up the sky. Information: mbfireworks.com
Thousands stand on Manhattan Beach Boulevard to watch the annual Skechers Manhattan Beach Fireworks Show on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. (Photo by Gil Castro)
Palos Verdes Peninsula
AstraLumina presents a star-immersive experience at South Coast Botanic Gardens, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The event is billed as an enchanted night walk among a “celestial pathway of lustrous light, cosmic vision and astral song.” The display begins Thursday, Dec. 8, and occurs nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. The visit takes about an hour and tickets start at $29 per person.
Pasadena
Upper Hastings Ranch neighborhood, in Pasadena, will begin its “Light Up” on Saturday, Dec. 10. The “Light Up” will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. daily through Dec. 31. The streets are accessible from Sierra Madre Boulevard and Hastings Ranch Drive. Information: the neighborhood’s Facebook page.
Redondo Beach
If you’re lucky enough to own a boat, there’s still time to sign up for the Saturday, Dec. 10, King Harbor Holiday Boat Parade. If not, you can enjoy the festively decorated skiffs that travel through the waterways at King Harbor in Redondo Beach.
The annual King Harbor Boat Parade lit up the marina on Dec. 11, 2021 in Redondo Beach. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The boats will begin their march at 5:30 p.m. and judges will award prizes at 7:45 p.m. Information: kingharborboatparade.org.
Torrance
South Bay revelers know well the Seaside Ranchos, or Sleepy Hollow, neighborhood of Torrance, where nearly 300 homes are decked out from roof to doorstep in bright lights and elaborately themed regalia. The decorations are already up, say members of the Seaside Neighborhood Association, and they recommend you visit now. Peak time is two weeks leading up to Christmas and weekends.
You can see the lights on foot or by car, but no parking on one side of each street will be strictly enforced by police.
Dozens of homes are decorated with Christmas lights to the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood in Torrance on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. The Sleepy Hollow Holiday Lights Extravaganza has been going on for over 40 years as neighbors along many streets including Reese and Robert roads, Doris Way and Sharynee Lane decorate their homes with over the top light displays. The display continues through Christmas from 6-10 pm. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
As in years past, many residents will opt to sell food and drink from their yards, though street vendors are not allowed. Visitors are welcome to ooh and ahh, enjoy the tasty treats and take plenty of photos from the streets from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. A full map of the decorated streets can be found at seasideholidaylights.com/map
El Segundo
The 1200 block of East Acacia Avenue, in El Segundo, transforms into Candy Cane Lane. The neighborhood display will run from 7 to 11 p.m. daily from Saturday, Dec. 10, to Dec. 24.
Long Beach area
Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane, in the Wrigley Neighborhood. The 68th annual parade will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, on Daisy Avenue, between Pacific Coast Highway and Hill Street.
Participants and spectators line Daisy Avenue for the annual Christmas Parade Saturday evening, 12/13/2014.Photo For The Press Telegram by Axel Koester.
Waterfront Tour of Lights by Long Beach Trolley company from Dec. 4 to 23 through Alamitos Bay and Naples Island. The 30-minute tour tickets are $25 for kids 3-13 years old and $35 for adults. The pickup location is at Legends Sports Bar and Restaurant, 5236 E. Second St. For tickets and times: longbeachtrolley.com.
Naples Island Annual Holiday Boat Parade: 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. The theme is “Sleighs on the Bay.” Information: naplesca.com.
Floating Christmas Trees: On Bayshore Beach, 5415 E Ocean Blvd., at Colorado Lagoon, Alamitos Bay, Spinnaker Bay and more.
Woodland Hills
A group of homeowners near Lubao and Oxnard streets, in Woodland HIlls, have been trying to outdo each other with festive holiday lighting since 1952. The drive-thru experience, where drivers are asked to dim their car lights, takes place nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. until Dec. 25. Residents ask visitors to respect homeowners by not driving by after 10 p.m. on weeknights or after 11 p.m. on weekends. Information: woodlandhillscc.net/candy_cane_lane.html
Hundreds of cars jammed up the streets of the annual Candy Cane Lane at Lubao & Oxnard Streets Tuesday, Dec 22,2020.Woodland Hills CA. Candy Cane Lane has been a tradition since 1952 and the residentshave tried to outdo each other with their light displays each year who collectively decide each year to put on an amazing holiday display of lights and decorations. Photo by Gene Blevins/contributing photographer
Staff writers Tyler Shaun Evains, Clara Harter and Christina Marino contributed to this report.