From Holidays at Filoli to the Garden of D’Lights, here are our picks for the top holiday light displays and installations in the San Francisco Bay Area for 2024.
Bay Area holiday light displays are on another level when it comes to their creativity, charm, and photo potential. Whether you need some inspiration to get into the holiday spirit or love a good display, the Bay Area has plenty of options. From Oakland Zoo’s hand-painted animal lanterns to Union Square, this list has you covered for the brightest Christmas lights in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area.
1. Union Square
Union Square’s 83-foot-tall holiday tree towers over the plaza all season long. See it lit up with those recognizable red and gold baubles and the glowing red Macy’s star. As the center of holiday celebrations in SF, Union Square will also be decked out with dazzling decorations throughout the plaza, including a 25-foot menorah, the always-busy ice skating rink, a giant ornament trail, and the popular Winter Walk. Read our full guide to Union Square during the holidays here.
Dates: Nov. 14, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025
Location: Union Square, 333 Post Street, San Francisco, CA
2. Ghirardelli Square
Ghirardelli Square is one of SF’s coziest destinations on a foggy day, but they always turn up the charm during the holidays. See the square decked out with gorgeous light displays, and make sure you show up hungry to take full advantage of Ghirardelli’s seasonal menu. Although more holiday activations are still TBA, they usually have Santa visits, concerts, and kids’ crafts.
Dates: TBA for 2024
Location: Fisherman’s Wharf – 900 North Point St E204A, San Francisco, CA 94109
3. Let’s Glow SF
Downtown SF is once again pulling out all the stops with Let’s Glow SF, the nation’s largest holiday projecting mapping event, which transforms buildings around the Financial District. The displays are easily viewed via a self-guided walking tour. Let’s Glow SF has been a massive hit in past years, so we are excited to see what they will come up with for 2024. Look out for the displays between 5-10pm on each night of the event.
Dates: Dec. 7-15, 2024
Locations: Various buildings around Downtown SF – see the list here.
4. Castro Street house
We couldn’t mention Christmas lights in San Francisco without including this iconic house. You’ve probably seen pictures and videos on social media of this house that’s been decorated head to toe with Christmas lights and decor. It’s always fun to see how people decorate their homes during the holiday season, and this house is a must-see if you love holiday lights.
Location: 68 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114
5. Upper Terrace “Storybook house”
SF’s famous Storybook House in Corona Heights pulls out all the stops for every holiday, including Halloween, Christmas, and the Fourth of July. See it decorated for Christmas in December with oversized Nutcrackers, ornaments, garlands, and more.
Dates: Starting Dec. 1, 2024
Location: 45 Upper Terrace, San Francisco, CA 94117
6. Holidays at Filoli
The Filoli Estate and Gardens puts on an impressive holiday light display, perfect for getting in the festive spirit. Thousands of glittering lights will adorn the garden’s trees, plants, and hedges. You can also reserve a private fire pit, bring your kids to meet Santa, or make your own holiday wreath while sipping on mulled wine. The historic estate is just a short drive from San Francisco and a year-round destination.
Dates: Nov. 15, 2024 – Jan. 12, 2025
Location: 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, CA
7. Christmas in the Park
Christmas in the Park is back in all its merry glory through the end of the year. The popular event has two main attractions in different parts of San Jose: the drive-through holiday light show at History Park, and the Downtown Park Walk-Through with Christmas exhibits and more at Cesar Chavez Plaza.
Dates: Nov. 21, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025
Location: Lake Cunningham Park and Cesar Chavez Plaza, San Jose, CA
8. Enchant
When it comes to holiday light displays in the Bay Area, it’s hard to beat this enormous Christmas maze and ice skating rink in San Jose. Enchant is essentially a massive glittering winter wonderland rife with photo opportunities and fun activities. The winter wonderland will have several themed nights this year, including a dog-friendly night and an ugly sweater event. Plus, you can shop for holiday gifts in their charming artisan village.
Dates: Nov. 22 – Dec. 29, 2024
Location: Paypal Park, 123 Coleman Ave, San Jose, CA 95110
9. Garden of D’Lights
The Ruth Bancroft Garden is bringing back its whimsical Garden of D’Lights holiday event. Each year, they deck out the plants with multicolored lights, lasers, and more, transforming the already spectacular 3.5-acre space into an otherworldly outdoor adventure. Guests can stroll through the beautiful glowing gardens for 1-1.5 hours to discover countless beautiful lights and exciting displays.
Dates: Nov. 22, 2024 – Jan. 11, 2025
Location: 1552 Bancroft Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Garden of D’Lights
November 29, 2024 5:30 PM + more dates
The Ruth Bancroft Garden
From $14.34
Buy tickets
10. Glowfari
Oakland Zoo’s light display isn’t your average holiday string lights. Hundreds of gigantic hand-painted animal lanterns have been placed throughout the Oakland Zoo’s campus, making for a totally unique zoo tour by night. The spectacular lanterns are arranged throughout a mile-long pathway, taking visitors for a trip down the Nile, through a barnyard scene, atop mountainous landscapes, and ending with a dinosaur landscape.
Dates: Nov. 20, 2024 – Jan. 26, 2025
Location: Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605
11. Alameda Christmas Tree Lane
We love a neighborhood that goes all-out with holiday decorations, and this street in Alameda never disappoints. The neighborhood is easily walkable for kids and families and often features adorable characters from Paw Patrol, Star Wars, and Peanuts.
Dates: Dec. 1-31, 2024
Location: 3200 block of Thompson Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
12. Fantasy of Lights
This popular Bay Area holiday light display has been around since 1999, and you’ve probably seen it from the road when driving up Highway 17. Fantasy of Lights is a delightful drive-through Christmas light experience that’s perfect for chilly nights. They’ll also offer a few walk-through nights this year if you want to see the displays up close.
Dates: The walk-thru is Dec. 7-8, and the drive-thru is Dec. 10-Jan. 5. The displays will be closed on Dec. 25, 31, and Jan. 1.
Location: Vasona Lake County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95032
