Best Holiday Light Experiences in the Bay Area 2026

Winter means early sunsets, and while we might wish for a little more daylight, it also means more opportunities to enjoy dazzling Christmas lights and holiday light displays throughout Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area! Bundle up the kids and take a magical evening stroll through a park, botanical garden, or even a zoo to experience colorful lights and festive sights. Many of these family-friendly holiday events also offer seasonal treats, including hot chocolate and warm apple cider to enjoy as you explore.

Some of the Bay Area's most popular holiday light experiences, like Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo, require timed tickets that can sell out quickly, so be sure to plan ahead! Others are completely free, making it easy to enjoy a little holiday magic with the family all season long.

Marin County Holiday Lights

Holiday Light Spectacular, Marin Center, San Rafael

Celebrate the holiday season at the Holiday Light Spectacular at Marin Center and the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael! This free, family-friendly holiday light display features thousands of twinkling lights, festive photo opportunities, and fun activities for kids. Explore the illuminated fairgrounds, where you'll find a vintage fire truck, hands-on holiday crafts, and other seasonal surprises. The iconic Marin Civic Center also gets a festive makeover, with its North, South, and Middle Arches and fourth-floor library dome beautifully illuminated.

Dates: November 27, 2026–January 3, 2027
Hours: Nightly, 4–9 pm
Admission: Free!
Location: Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, CA 94903
More information: Holiday Light Spectacular

Sonoma County Holiday Lights

Northern Lights Winter Lights Art Walk, Santa Rosa

Experience a magical walk-through wonderland at the 5th annual Northern Lights Winter Lights Art Walk at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa! This free, family-friendly holiday light display transforms the outdoor Sculpture Garden into a colorful world of illuminated sculptures, twinkling trees, and dazzling holiday displays. Kids and adults alike will love strolling along the lighted pathways, discovering whimsical works of art, and enjoying festive photo opportunities.

Dates: November 19, 2026–January 18, 2027
Hours: Nightly, dusk–9:30 pm
Admission: Free!
Location: Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
More information: Northern Lights Winter Lights Art Walk

San Francisco Holiday Lights

Let's Glow SF, Downtown San Francisco

Experience the magic of Let's Glow SF, the nation's largest free holiday projection arts festival! Returning for its sixth year, this spectacular, family-friendly holiday light experience transforms iconic downtown San Francisco buildings into enormous, colorful canvases featuring dazzling animated projections by international artists. Bundle up the kids and stroll through downtown to see incredible displays illuminating landmarks like the Ferry Building, Salesforce Tower, and other historic buildings.

Dates: December 4–13, 2026
Hours: Nightly, 5:30–10 pm
Admission: Free!
Location: Multiple locations throughout downtown San Francisco, including the Ferry Building, 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94111
More information: Let's Glow SF

Lightscape, San Francisco Botanical Garden

Experience the magic of Lightscape at the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park! This spectacular, family-friendly holiday light experience transforms the gardens into a dazzling wonderland with more than one million twinkling lights, illuminated sculptures, colorful displays, and music. Follow a mile-long trail through the gardens, where you'll discover mesmerizing light installations, glowing water features, and plenty of festive photo opportunities. Food and beverages, including seasonal treats, are also available for purchase.

Dates: November 20, 2026–January 3, 2027
Hours: Timed evening entry; check the ticket calendar
Admission: Tickets start at $32 for adults and $20 for kids ages 5–17; children 4 and under are free. Advance timed tickets are required.
Location: San Francisco Botanical Garden, 1199 9th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122
More information: Lightscape

ZooLights, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens

Experience the magic of ZooLights at the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens! Returning for the first time since 2018, this spectacular, family-friendly holiday light experience features more than one million dazzling lights throughout the zoo. Explore 14 themed zones filled with glowing 3D animal displays, an immersive frozen wonderland, interactive light-up playgrounds, and an illuminated dinosaur exhibit. Kids will love exploring the colorful displays, enjoying the zoo's rides, and warming up with seasonal treats like hot chocolate, apple cider, and warm pretzels.

Dates: November 6, 2026–January 3, 2027
Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 5:30–9 pm (until 10 pm Fridays and Saturdays)
Admission: $30 for adults and $21 for children ages 2–11. Separate tickets are required for this nighttime event; advance reservations are not necessary.
Location: San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, Sloat Boulevard at the Great Highway, San Francisco, CA 94132
More information: San Francisco ZooLights

East Bay Holiday Lights

Glowfari at Oakland Zoo, Oakland

The Oakland Zoo's annual Glowfari is a magical, family-friendly holiday light experience featuring hundreds of giant, glowing, LED-illuminated animal lanterns throughout the zoo. Each year brings something new, with dazzling displays depicting Oakland landmarks, the world of bugs, animals of the African savanna, life under the sea, and more! Kids will love riding the illuminated gondola up to California Trail and visiting Santa, who makes special appearances during the holiday season.

Dates: November 6, 2026–January 31, 2027
Hours: Select evenings, 4:30–9 pm
Admission: Advance timed tickets are required, and popular dates can sell out quickly. Check the website for current ticket prices.
Location: Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland, CA 94605
More information: Oakland Zoo Glowfari

Garden of D'Lights, Ruth Bancroft Garden, Walnut Creek

Experience a magical holiday light display at Garden of D'Lights at Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek! This family-friendly evening experience transforms the beautiful 3.5-acre garden into a sparkling wonderland filled with thousands of colorful lights, lasers, and illuminated art installations. This year's theme, Desert Nights, brings glowing cacti, succulents, and towering plants to life. Kids will love exploring the winding garden paths, discovering dazzling displays, and participating in a special garden bingo activity.

Dates: November 20, 2026–January 10, 2027
Hours: Friday–Sunday evenings and select weekdays in December, with timed entry beginning at 5:30 pm
Admission: Tickets start at $29 for adults and $16 for kids ages 5–17; children 4 and under are free. Advance tickets are required.
Location: Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
More information: Ruth Bancroft Garden

Solano County Holiday Lights

WinterFest, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo

Celebrate the holiday season at WinterFest at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo! This festive, family-friendly holiday celebration transforms the theme park into a sparkling winter wonderland filled with dazzling Christmas lights, decorated trees, live entertainment, and seasonal surprises. Kids will love visiting Santa, enjoying select rides, making holiday crafts, and watching festive performances. Families can also warm up with hot chocolate, enjoy seasonal treats, and stroll through the beautifully illuminated park.

Dates: November 27, 2026–January 3, 2027
Hours: Select evenings; check the website for specific hours
Admission: Park admission required. Holiday light displays, live shows, and most rides are included. Some activities, food, and beverages cost extra.
Location: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 1001 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo, CA 94589
More information: WinterFest at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Peninsula Holiday Lights

Holiday Lights at Filoli House & Gardens, Woodside

Experience the magic of Holiday Lights at Filoli in Woodside, where 16 acres of beautiful gardens transform into a dazzling Night Garden filled with more than 350,000 twinkling lights, shimmering reflections, and colorful displays. Families can stroll beneath illuminated trees, wander through a spectacular 210-foot tunnel of lights, and enjoy festive music, fire pits, and seasonal treats. Don't miss the beautifully decorated historic mansion, filled with holiday cheer!

Dates: November 14, 2026–January 10, 2027
Hours: 4–10 pm; last admission at 8 pm
Admission: Advance timed tickets required. Popular dates can sell out quickly.
Location: Filoli House & Gardens, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, CA 94062
More information: Holidays at Filoli

IlluminOdyssey, CuriOdyssey, San Mateo

Experience a glowing world of science and discovery at IlluminOdyssey at CuriOdyssey in San Mateo! Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this family-friendly winter light experience transforms the museum's four-level Redwood Hall into an immersive wonderland featuring 10 new interactive exhibits. Kids can explore a maze of glowing botanical shapes, experiment with colorful light projections, paint with light, and dance with their shadows while discovering the science of light and color.

Dates: November 14, 2026–January 24, 2027
Hours: Daily, 9:30 am–4:30 pm
Admission: Included with regular museum admission; free for CuriOdyssey members.
Location: CuriOdyssey, 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo, CA 94401
More information: IlluminOdyssey at CuriOdyssey

South Bay Holiday Lights

Christmas in the Park, San Jose

Celebrate the holiday season at Christmas in the Park in downtown San Jose! This beloved, free, family-friendly holiday tradition transforms Plaza de César Chávez into a magical wonderland featuring hundreds of decorated Christmas trees, more than 40 animated and musical displays, a towering illuminated Christmas tree, live entertainment, and visits with Santa. Families can stroll through the sparkling lights, admire the festive decorations, and enjoy seasonal treats and refreshments.

Dates: November 27, 2026–January 1, 2027
Hours: Daily, noon–10 pm
Admission: Free!
Location: Plaza de César Chávez, Market Street between San Fernando and San Carlos Streets, San Jose, CA 95113
More information: Christmas in the Park

San Jose Holiday Lights (DOCA Festival), San Jose

Experience a dazzling holiday wonderland at San Jose Holiday Lights, presented by DOCA Festival at Discovery Meadow in downtown San Jose! This family-friendly walk-through light festival features six immersive themed areas and more than 40 illuminated attractions, including a towering 60-foot Christmas tree, glowing dinosaurs, colorful butterflies, giant sea creatures, and larger-than-life holiday sculptures. Kids will love exploring the magical displays, taking festive photos, and enjoying seasonal treats and outdoor short film screenings.

Dates: November 13, 2026–January 1, 2027
Hours: Nightly, 4:30–10:30 pm (last entry at 10 pm)
Admission: Tickets start at $23 for adults and $19 for kids ages 4–12 on weekdays; children 3 and under are free. Advance tickets recommended. Rides and food cost extra.
Location: Discovery Meadow, 330 West San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA 95110
More information: San Jose Holiday Lights

North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy

Experience the magic of North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park! This family-friendly holiday celebration transforms the park into a sparkling winter wonderland filled with dazzling Christmas lights, festive decorations, and seasonal entertainment. Kids will love exploring the illuminated gardens, enjoying select rides, visiting Santa, and taking part in holiday activities. Families can also enjoy ice skating, festive treats, and plenty of magical photo opportunities.

Dates: November 21–December 31, 2026
Hours: Select evenings; check the website for specific hours
Admission: Tickets required; some activities may cost extra. Check the website for current prices.
Location: Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy, CA 95020
More information: North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens

More Holiday Fun in Marin & the Bay Area

Looking for more festive family fun? Explore our 2026 Holiday Guide for the best Christmas events, holiday train rides, ice skating, tree lightings, and other family-friendly holiday activities for kids in Marin and the San Francisco Bay Area!