Twinkle, Twinkle! Sparkling Bay Area Light Displays

Illuminate SF Festival of Lights
Kicking off its 9th year, this urban lights festival offers 44 eco-friendly displays that are all accessible by public transportation within San Francisco's 49 square miles. Pick from 17 neighborhoods to explore and take the free guided tour to learn more about the artists that have brought these installations to life. Nov. 25-Jan. 1.

More info: https://illuminatesf.com

Visit "Entwined" in Golden Gate Park

The illuminating art installation "Entwined" will return to Golden Gate Park transforming Peacock Meadow into an enchanted forest of otherworldly shapes and ever-changing light. Created by San Francisco artist Charles Gadeken, the display help commemorate Golden Gate Park’s 150th Anniversary. Dec. 2-Feb. 1. 

More info: sanfranciscoparksalliance.org

Garden of D'Lights
Experience the Ruth Bancroft Garden in a whole new way at this year’s Garden of d’Lights. With more lights and more lasers, this year’s Garden of d’Lights is set to be better than ever. Guests of all ages are in for a holiday treat as they stroll through the Garden’s 3.5 acres of mature cacti, succulents and trees that are transformed into magical colorful botanical sculptures by thousands of lights. Fri.-Sun. Nov. 19-Jan. 2. 

More info: www.ruthbancroftgarden.org

Glowfari at Oakland Zoo
Walk through a mile-long journey and be dazzled by hundreds of larger-than-life animals lit up by lanterns in this unforgettable holiday lights display! Ride the gondola to the Land of Bugs, hop on the Express Train through Winter Wonderland and finish the evening with a visit to Santa! November 12-24, 26-30, 2021 | December 1-23, 26-31, 2021 | January 1-2, 5-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30, 2022

Event details

Christmas Tree Lane - Alameda
Christmas spirit comes to life on this lively, lit-up block in Alameda that has the whole package: beautiful lights, friendly neighbors and people strolling galore—and it's been going on since 1938! While Santa won’t be making an appearance this year, Christmas Tree Lane will continue to bring cheer Dec. 4-31. Masks are required. 

More info: tinybeans.go-vip.net

Holiday Circle of Lights

Editor's Note: The Holiday Circle of Lights is cancelled for 2021 but they hope to host it in 2022. 

Don't let the fact this display is in a cemetery spook you, though it will take your breath away in a good way! Thousands of lights adorn the main buildings at Mountain View Cemetery. The colorful light shows have included a train full of toys, a giant nutcracker and a beautiful arch of lights. 

More info: mountainviewcemetery.org

IlluminOdyssey Winter Light Experience
This dazzling exhibit with its lit up floors, walls and ceilings will electrify little imaginations! Colorful lanterns will light the way as kids dance among a laser light show, wander under an illuminated canopy and create refractive rainbows with a wand. Thu-Sun., November 9-January 5.
Event details

Holiday Lights Drive-Through at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
Picture a 1/2 mile drive through the Santa Cruz Fairgrounds enjoying spectacular lighted Holiday displays featuring giant Christmas trees twinkling with lights – Santa – reindeer – snowmen – lighted tunnels and more. New this year is a special two-night holiday lights walk-thru. Enjoy the fun weekends Dec. 4 through Dec. 26. Event details. 

Drive Through Christmas in the Park
Get ready to check out all the holiday lights and decked-out trees at this fun drive-through event at Lake Cunningham Park. Not to be missed, this year's Christmas in the Park features over 200,000 lights! Nov. 26-Jan. 9. Event details. 

Holidays at Filoli
Grab your masks and make a reservation to experience Woodside's Filoli Historic House and Gardens all lit up for the holiday season. Take a stroll and enjoy the beauty of the winter garden adorned with lights and colorful decor or cozy up to a fire pit under twinkling lights. Filoli is open daily from Nov. 20-Jan 2 with daytime and evening hours. More info: filoli.org. 

In December, you can get tickets for Santa Saturdays and take a selfie with the big man himself. Dec. 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19. 

4454 Moran Dr. - San Jose
You'll love this San Jose house that has over 1,000 RGB lights that are all programmed by computer and synchronized to music. Be sure to sing along! 

4454 Moran Dr. 
San Jose, CA

Dave's Christmas House Benefiting Make-a-Wish
For many years this Willow Glen house has been decked out in thousands of lights, all in the name of helping children who are battling illness. Swing by to visit and leave a donation to support the Make-a-Wish Foundation. The San Jose neighborhood of Willow Glen is well known for its lights displays and Christmas trees. 

San Jose, CA
Dates: Now-Dec. 25, 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Online: facebook.com

Christmas Tree Lane - Palo Alto
Christmas Tree Lane (or Fulton Street in the off-season) has been putting visitors in the Christmas spirit with their holiday lights display since the 1940s. This year they celebrate their 80th year! For the two weeks leading up to Christmas you can drive or walk through this display to see carolers, vintage lawn displays and lights, lights and more lights.

Fulton Street between Embarcadero Ave. and Seale Rd.
Palo Alto, CA
Dates: 2021 Dates haven’t been released, 5-11 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: christmastreelane.org

Lamore Drive in San Jose
We love this house for the epic amount of lights in its display (they even extend over the street!). There’s also two different light shows that happen every 15 minutes. Stay on the lookout for the penguins playing hockey with candy canes!

1419 Lamore Dr. in San Jose
More info: californiachristmaslights.com

Rombeiro House
Not only is this house decorated to the nines on the outside, but they also welcome visitors inside to see all the rooms decked out in different Christmas themes—trains, angels, candy canes and more. How many Santas can you spot? You may even get to see Santa and Mrs. Claus at the end of your tour! 

34 Devonshire Dr.
Novato, CA
When: 6-10 p.m. daily, Dates coming soon.
Cost: Free
Online: Rombeiro Christmas House