Where to See Festive Christmas Lights in Los Angeles This Year (Including Drive-Thrus)

From November 20 to January 8, Descanso Gardens in La Canada-Flintridge bathes a mile of its forests, meadows, and garden paths in arty interactive light installations. This year’s nondenominational fantasia will include crowd favorites from previous years, like an entire town of magical stained glass in the Rose Garden by contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin, swirling hanging lamps from HYBYCOZO on the main lawn, and dramatic lighting effects in the ancient forest and a pathway that lights up when you walk on it, created by internationally renowned creator Jen Lewin.

From November 25 to December 30, the sprawling grounds of King Gillette Ranch in Malibu will be filled with eye-catching, twinkling lights and festive installations to welcome visitors as they meander through the winding outdoor trail. Guests will be transported into a winter wonderland complete with everything from the North Pole, Elf Village, Gingerbread Lane, light tunnels, and Christmas tree forests.

Want to see something that's more artistic and less Santa-oriented? And maybe want to stretch your legs outside your car? Then. This. Experience. Has. Everything. At the South Coast Botanic Garden from December 8 to January 29, you can buy a timed ticket to walk through the famously lush greenery, now transformed into visually stunning art installations that bring the magic of the starry skies down to Earth using thousands of lights. Your celestial walk is cued to an artistically curated soundtrack guiding you through this unique and unforgettable after-dark event.

What says California Christmas more than taking a refreshing plunge into a pool surrounded by the warm dusk air and 4.5 million twinkly lights? That's the plan at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside, the sprawling resort complex where all those lights, along with more than 400 animated toy soldiers and other seasonal elements, are lit from November 25 until January 6, and it's a great excuse for an overnight stay or just an evening meal so that you can stroll the grounds.

Starting early (November 11) and ending late in the season (January 8), this light exhibition at the L.A. County Arboretum includes a stroll through a cathedral made of light and incredible new installations along the trail (which has been expanded this year). You can grab a hot cocoa—or a hot toddy if that’s more your speed—to keep you warm as you explore the festive display.

From November 18 through January 22, while the animals of the L.A. Zoo are getting their beauty sleep, you can experience L.A. Zoo Lights. Featuring incredible lantern sculptures of wild animals among plants and trees, this immersive display is a great way to celebrate the holidays and provides a ton of photo ops. While outside food and beverages aren’t allowed, they do have them for sale inside the zoo. Cheers.

If you haven’t been to the Venice Canals before, there’s no better time to check them out than around the holidays. This hidden gem on the Westside becomes even more charming when the bridges over the canals are decked out with twinkling holiday lights. Bring along a warm beverage and walk along the canals and through the neighborhood to see decorated homes too. It’s not quite the canals of Italy, but we’ll take it!

The happiest place on Earth is even happier when the holidays roll around. Disney doesn’t mess around with getting in the spirit of the season—they deck out the entire park, down to the rides themselves. From November 11 through January 8, you can experience the Haunted Mansion Holiday ride (think Nightmare Before Christmas), World of Color with a festive theme, the twice-daily Christmas Fantasy Parade, and so much more. And to really get your winter fix, stick around for the evening fireworks to see some snowfall.

At Tanaka Farms in Irvine, what was once a drive-thru-only light display has grown into a full-blown winter festival. Now, your ticket will include a wagon ride and access to even more areas accessible by foot. With food, games, arts and crafts, photo ops and more, Hikari is more than just an exquisite display of lights—there’s even live music on weekend nights! You can visit Hikari from November 25 through December 30.

Ah, The Grove. Every Angeleno has a healthy dose of fear of that parking garage, but for those brave enough to face their fears will be rewarded with fabulous shopping, a great farmers’ market, and Christmas spirit to boot. With a towering Christmas tree and lights everywhere you turn, it’s the perfect place to get your holiday light fix while also getting some Christmas shopping done—and if you happen to find the perfect present for yourself, we aren’t judging. Make sure you stick around to see the snow, which falls at 7 and 8 p.m. each night until December 25.