5 Places To See Christmas Lights In The Bay Area

Here’s where to see Christmas lights in the Bay Area (2025).

Wreaths, gingerbread houses, garlands, nutcrackers, Santa, reindeer, and Christmas trees wrapped in strings of Christmas lights all make me think of the most wonderful time of the year. Holiday decorations and Christmas lights can be found everywhere in the Bay Area, from Los Gatos to San Francisco. And there’s no better time like the present (no pun intended) to visit!

Whether you drive around various neighborhoods to see decked-out houses (and lawns), attend a holiday event, or take a whimsical ride through a fantasy wonderland, there’s sure to be a holiday attraction that will put you into the spirit of the season.

Here are five places to see Christmas lights in the Bay Area this holiday season.

Christmas In The Park in downtown San Jose is one of the largest, free, family-friendly places to see Christmas lights in the Bay Area. The event is situated in Plaza de César Chávez, a two(ish)-acre park that transforms each year into one of the most enchanting areas to see winter wonderland decorations and Christmas lights.

More than half a million Bay Area residents flock yearly to this festive attraction, which features over 40 animated displays and several hundred individually decorated Christmas trees (sponsored by various local businesses, schools, and non-profit organizations).

Christmas In The Park offers evening entertainment on the community stage, visits from Santa, and food vendors selling decadent holiday treats like the crowd-favorite Snowman Hot Chocolate topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a floating snowman. You could easily spend a few hours taking everything in, from the rides (each with a separate nominal fee) to the 50-foot Christmas tree, so tall and brightly decorated that you can spot it blocks away from the park.

Vasona Park in Los Gatos kicks off its 27th year of festivities with an impressive 1.5-mile scenic drive thru route, featuring a dazzling holiday light show. To add to the fun, tune into the special station on your car radio to hear joyful music as you drive around, viewing more than 50 seasonal exhibits and a 90-foot sparkling tree to ignite a magical evening experience. To get to the entrance of Fantasy of Lights, follow posted signage and look for public safety workers directing traffic as you approach the park. Once you pass the ticket entrance and show your prepaid admission (here’s where to get tickets), follow the line of cars in front of you slowly so you can absorb every image (have a passenger take the photos if you’re the driver).

Willow Glen

If you’re looking for the best neighborhoods in the Bay Area for Christmas lights, head to Willow Glen. The residents are so festive that this neighborhood (south of downtown San Jose) feels like a holiday tradition reminiscent of ABC’s hit show, The Great Christmas Light Fight.

Here’s what you’ll see: Disney, Peanuts, Looney Tunes holiday decor; over-the-top holiday lights hanging from anything and everything; blow-up Santas on rooftops; sidewalks lined with PVC pipes shaped like arches with hundreds of glittering lights entwined. A show-stopper on one block is the herd of lit-up reindeer, beginning with Rudolph and ending with a dazzling sleigh that spans over a few houses. Another house features everything related to Hanukkah (blue illuminated lights, signs, menorahs, and stars of David). You may even be lucky enough to spot Santa if you’re out driving around on a Friday or Saturday evening!

Read Next: Here’s How To Spend Christmas In Willow Glen, San Jose

Filoli Historic House & Garden comes to light during the holiday season, where the Woodside mansion’s already-impressive year-round landscape is magnificently upgraded into a winter garden decked out with enthralling holiday lights. Meanwhile, inside is equally beautiful with carefully curated colors and decorations. Advance tickets for all holiday events at Filoli are recommended.

Roaring Camp Holiday Lights Train

December 17-23, December 26-31

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Heading to the coast is a year-round event in California. While you’re in Santa Cruz soaking up the sun, why not climb aboard Roaring Camp’s Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train? The seasonal adventure places riders on its train cars, brightly lit with thousands of lights, for a one-hour escapade through the city streets of Santa Cruz. For those who can’t make it before Christmas, the train becomes the New Year’s Holiday Lights Train from December 26-31, where a live DJ and hula hoopers help ring in the new year.

What are your favorite places to see Christmas lights in the Bay Area? Let us know down in the comments below. As always, we love learning about your favorite spots!