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Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in San Francisco

Glowfari is an otherworldly and amazing experience. Photo courtesy of the Oakland County Zoo
Glowfari is an otherworldly and amazing experience. Photo courtesy of the Oakland County Zoo
12/8/24 - By Gina Ragland

Admiring holiday lights is a timeless tradition and a fantastic way to get families into the holiday spirit. Twinkling Christmas lights shine brightly throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area, adding extra shimmer and sparkle to an already magical holiday season. 

Choose your San Francisco holiday lights adventure—from walking through glowing gardens to driving through immersive Christmas light shows. Crank up the holiday tunes and enjoy the twinkle in your children's eyes as their faces light up from the glimmer, and bask in the best holiday lights in San Francisco. 

For more holiday magic, climb aboard Polar Express trains near San Francisco. Don't miss the top holiday activities and Christmas events in the Bay Area, and discover more holiday happenings in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for San Francisco Bay Area Kids.

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All aboard this vintage train full of holiday lights, treats, and songs. Photo courtesy of The Roaring Camp Railroad
All aboard this vintage train full of holiday lights, treats, and songs. Photo courtesy of The Roaring Camp Railroad

Holiday and Christmas Lights Drive-Thrus in San Francisco Bay Area

Glowfari

Oakland
Select dates through January 25, 2026
Oakland Zoo is up in lights for Glowfari, featuring hundreds of beautiful glowing animal lanterns scattered throughout. Families can walk around the animals of the forest with iconic wildlife, frosty friends of the Arctic, the Deep Ocean, and the Bayou swamp.  READ MORE

IlluminOdyssey

San Mateo
Tuesdays-Sundays through January 25, 2026
Inspired by the science of light, CuriOdyssey is presenting its popular exhibit, IlluminOdyssesy, with interactive activities and kid-friendly glowing art. The four-level Redwood Halls transform into a glowing forest of science where families can walk through a botanical maze, play with rainbow refraction, paint with light, and more.  READ MORE

Northern Lights at LBC Sculpture Center

Santa Rosa—FREE
Daily through January 19, 2026
Bringing families into the magic of winter nightfall, Winter Lights attracts more than 25,000 people each year. The self-guided tour takes you through new sculptures by local artists, tunnels of twinkling lights, and much more.  READ MORE

Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden

San Francisco
Select dates through January 4, 2026
This one-of-a-kind, immersive light and music experience will transform the Botanical Garden into a mesmerizing world of wonder, food and beverages, and more than one million twinkling lights.  Stroll through a mile-long trail of dazzling lights, dramatic colors, otherworldly lighted sculptures, and water features – right in the heart of San Francisco.  READ MORE

Christmas in the Park Drive-Thru Light Show

San Jose
Select dates through December 31, 2025
Held for over 40 years, the park turns into a holiday extravaganza with a drive-thru light display through the fairgrounds. Cruise through dazzling light tunnels, festive buildings, and giant candy canes—all perfectly synced to your favorite holiday tunes. READ MORE

Imaginarium at Cal-Expo Center

Sacramento
Select dates from November 21, 2025 - January 4, 2026
More than 5 million lights are on display, spanning 15 acres of lights, mazes, rides, nightly shows, a fantasy zone, and more. Activities include a meet and greet with characters, ice skating, daily circus acts, and a kids' play zone.  READ MORE

Garden of D’Lights

Walnut Creek
Select dates through January 11, 2026
Experience the Ruth Bancroft Garden in a whole new way at its annual Garden of d'Lights. Members and non-members of all ages can stroll through the garden and see mature cacti, succulents, and trees that are transformed into botanical sculptures covered with beautiful lights.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights Train at Roaring Camp

Santa Cruz
Select dates through December 23, 2025
A family favorite is back at Roaring Camp for the holidays. The Holiday Lights Train takes guests on vintage cars decked out in colorful lights. Additional activities include a holiday singalong, live music, hot-spiced cider, and a Santa visit. READ MORE

Holiday Lights 2025

Watsonville
Fridays-Sundays through December 24, 2025
See dazzling lights from the comfort and warmth of your car at the Holiday Lights Drive-Through experience in Watsonville. Families can see giant Christmas trees, Santa, reindeer, snowmen, and lighted tunnels all set to music on the radio.  READ MORE

City of Lights Driving Tour

Petaluma—FREE
Daily through January 1, 2026
Families can load up the car and take a driving tour through Petaluma to see the holiday lights. The self-guided tour goes through beautifully decorated homes and businesses.  READ MORE

Let's Glow SF

San FranciscoFREE
Daily through December 14, 2025
See downtown San Francisco in a whole new light at this free lights festival. Produced and funded by the Downtown SF Partnership, attendees can see animated pieces projected onto iconic buildings throughout the Financial District. Featuring local and international artists showcasing their talent, as well as music producers, it's a great way to celebrate the festive winter season.  READ MORE

27th Annual Fantasy of Lights

Los Gatos
Select dates, December 9-30, 2025
Enjoy a walk or drive through a 1.5-mile magical display of lights while listening to holiday music. Highlighted displays include an erupting volcano in the Dinosaur Den, Santa shooting hoops, playful penguins, pirate cannons, and tunnels full of moving lights. READ MORE

Sausalito Winterfest 2025

Sausalito
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Sausalito goes big for the holidays with its annual lighted boat parade and fireworks. With reserved seating options for the best view, families can watch the colorful lights on the waterfront and then enjoy a fantastic fireworks display.  READ MORE

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About the Author

Gina Ragland
Gina Ragland is a writer, editor, and mom of two boys. She’s obsessed with books, travel, and keeping her family’s calendar packed with fun. Her favorite adventures are exploring national parks, the coast, and the mountains. Gina and her family call Northern California home.
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