Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Where to catch holiday light displays in Southern California
The Turnbull home decked out for Candy Cane Lane festivities in 2022. The family has begun decorating to welcome visitors to their neighborhood.
(
Courtesy of Kelsey Turnbull
)
Before the gravy even soaks through your leftover turkey sandwich the day after Thanksgiving, some of you may already be planning for the next big holiday, Christmas. Across Southern California, some neighborhoods welcome visitors with stellar festive displays. Walk the streets or drive through (can't escape L.A. traffic even during the holiday season) to get into the spirit of what is truly the best time of the year.
Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights, Torrance
Walk or drive through the Seaside Ranchos neighborhood in Torrance for some elaborate holiday displays. With tributes to the L.A. Dodgers, odes to Disney favorites, and life-sized cutouts of Santa, this neighborhood has it all. The tradition started in 1984 with lights going up the day after Thanksgiving up until New Year’s Day. (Pro tip: bring cash as some families sell hot chocolate and churros to support neighborhood sports teams.)
- Where: 5300 Reese Rd., Torrance, CA 90505
- Starts the day after Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day
- From dusk to 10 p.m.
Candy Cane Lane, El Segundo
The "Candy Cane Lane" plaque.
(
Yusra Farzan
/
LAist
)
Support for LAist comes from
East Acacia Avenue in El Segundo, dubbed “Candy Cane Lane” every holiday season, was the inspiration for the holiday film Candy Cane Lane starring Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross. Families begin pulling out decoration bins soon after Thanksgiving Day, bedecking their lawns with LED icicles, window garlands with lit-up wreaths and ornaments, fairy lights on the bushes, electric trains and elves. The neighborhood has its own Yelp page and has been decorating as a group for the holidays since 1949.
- Where: East Acacia Avenue and California Street, El Segundo
- Starts on Dec. 14 up until the night of Dec. 25
- From 7 to 9 p.m.
Candy Cane Lane, Woodland Hills
One of the many houses decorated on Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills (Yelp)
()
Since 1952, homeowners have welcomed visitors to the Lubao Avenue and Oxnard Street block of Woodland Hills. I stopped counting after I reached 584 lights because I could have gone on all night — the festive displays are dazzling with fairy lights even strewn over animatronic reindeer and Santas. Adding to the atmosphere are carolers singing holiday favorites. Visitors would drive through slowly in years past to check out the decorations, but with crowds increasing over the years, it’s better to park nearby and walk over.
- Where: Lubao Avenue and Oxnard Street
- First Saturday in December through the first Saturday in January
- 6 to 10 p.m.
Christmas Tree Lane, Altadena
Revelers enjoy the Christmas Tree Lane lighting ceremony on Santa Rosa Ave in Altadena on December 7, 2024
(
Courtesy Allee Dangelantonio
)
Support for LAist comes from
Designated by the National Register of Historic Places, Altadena’s cedar tree lined Santa Rosa Avenue has been a holiday tradition for over 100 years. In fact, it is the oldest Christmas lighting display in the country. Blue, red, green and white lights twinkle on trees that were planted in the late 1800s. (Pro tip: listen to a Christmas holiday playlist and suck on peppermint candy while driving down the street — for the vibes.)
- Where: E Mariposa Street and Santa Rosa Avenue
- Lights turn on nightly at dusk until around midnight
Brea Lights, Brea
More than 100 homes in this Brea neighborhood are decked out with festive displays: tributes to Southern California’s beaches, local sports teams, nativity scenes and live music, this neighborhood has seen and has it all.
- Where: Eagle Hills neighborhood, E. Lambert Road and Sunflower Street
- From Dec. 1 to Dec. 26
- From 6 to 10 p.m.
Sparkle Ball Lane, Fullerton
What started as a singular effort of fairy lights strung around 50 plastic cups glued together to create a “sparkle ball” has now become a neighborhood extravaganza and making these balls of light has become a community activity. In addition to the illuminated spheres, neighbors also decorate their lawns with other festive gear.
- Where: North Yale Avenue
- Begins Dec. 1 through to the first weekend in January
- 5 to 11 p.m.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
Best of LAist