The Best Free Places to See Christmas Lights in Los Angeles

No snow in Los Angeles for Christmas. But festive Christmas lights shine as bright as ever even in the favorite beach destination in Southern California. What’s more? There is not one but multiple places to enjoy holiday festivities and spectacular Christmas lights in Los Angeles.

^{Last updated: December 2, 2024}

The Best Places to Enjoy Christmas Lights in Los Angeles Year after Year

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Los Angeles. Sparking lights and splendid Christmas trees with the most adorable ornaments glamorize every corner of the city. Adorable festive banister garlands and colorful gift stocking faithfully predict the upcoming holiday season. There is music and songs, laughter and glee, gift shopping and gingerbread cookie baking…  Oh, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Los Angeles looks absolutely stunning during the Christmas season. With a joyful mood in the air and Christmas preparation in full swing, the city is a true definition of joy, happiness, and celebration. Without exaggeration, this is one of those destinations that you want to add to your holiday travel bucket list.

From the glittering lights to gorgeous Christmas trees and outdoor concerts and shows, Los Angeles impresses with its scale of festivities and celebration. You wouldn’t expect anything less than that from an entertainment capital of the world. Now let me guide you through the city and impress you with the best Christmas lights in the entire Los Angeles area.

TOP 4 PLACES TO SEE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN LOS ANGELES

1. Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills

Located between Winnetka and Corbin Avenues, Candy Cane Lane is one of the highlights of the Christmas season in Los Angeles. An eight-block neighborhood with the dazzling light displays can put even the grouchy Grinch in the holiday spirit.

So take a spin around the area and check out the best decorations in town. To make your evening feel even more festive, grab a cup of homemade gingerbread latte and set off on an exciting Christmas lights adventure in Los Angeles. This trip includes a visit to Santa Claus and his helpful elves at the North Pole and following the brightest star that leads to newborn Jesus peacefully lying in a manger.

2. Universal CityWalk

Dancing all night long? Not a bad idea especially when you meet a huge crowd of strangers dancing together at Universal CityWalk. The holiday music, gleaming lights, and a towering Christmas tree with more than 10,000 lights will bring you one step closer to the holiday cheer in Los Angeles.

The music is not limited to a pre-selected set of DJ’s favorite Christmas songs. To ignite that holiday spirit, live concerts are available for free. Check out Universal Studios website to see daily updates and scheduled performances.

3. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

In December, the world’s famous luxury shopping destination, Rodeo Drive, astounds locals and visitors of Los Angeles with resplendent Christmas decorations. This two-mile-long street turns into a real festive winter wonderland you must see.

With hundreds of thousands of lights, dazzling storefront and street displays, fabulous Christmas trees and Santa’s sleigh flying above Beverly Drive and Wilshire Boulevard intersection, Rodeo Drive rightfully deserves the title of the most glamorous destination on your Los Angeles Christmas itinerary.

4. Los Angeles California Temple of Mormon Church

Imagine getting out of your car and stepping into a magical world of Christmas lights. Everywhere you look, everywhere you go, a dazzling display of more than 340,000 colorful lights reminds you to stay merry and cheery during this wonderful time of the year.

With stunning Christmas palm trees, charming pathways abundantly brightened up by the gleaming displays, and dozens of gorgeous Christmas trees in the Visitor Center, this is one of the most wonderful destinations with the best Christmas lights in the capital of Hollywood.

Final Words on the Festive Lights in Los Angeles

Christmas lights and shopping, live concerts and entertainment shows… All of these mesmerize locals and guests of Los Angeles and make their Christmas extra special. If you visit the city during this time of the year, make sure to add one or all of the above-mentioned destinations to your Christmas itinerary and enjoy the best the city has to offer during the most wonderful time of the year.