Best Christmas Light Shows Northern California 2025: Top 50 Dazzling Displays to Experience
Every winter, Northern California transforms into a region filled with bright holiday lights and festive displays. Families and travelers look forward to holiday events that celebrate the season with unique light shows and art installations.
This guide will help you find the best Christmas light shows in Northern California for 2025 so you can plan your visit with confidence. You will learn about each location’s highlights, what to expect, and helpful travel tips for a smooth holiday experience.
Table of Contents
- 1 Find the Best Accommodations
- 2 1) Dourov Livermore Christmas Light Display and Snow Machine
- 3 2) Widmer World
- 4 3) Christmas Light Show
- 5 4) Christmas Light Show
- 6 5) Willow Glen Holiday Lights
- 7 6) Bentley Lane Holiday Magic Christmas Light Show
- 8 7) Candy Cane and Lollipop Lanes
- 9 8) Robertsville Lights
- 10 9) Casa del Pomba – Deacon Dave’s Christmas Display
- 11 Kris Kringle Tips
- 12 10) The Miller Lights
Find the Best Accommodations
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1) Dourov Livermore Christmas Light Display and Snow Machine
If you are looking for a classic neighborhood light show, this spot in Livermore is a popular choice each holiday season. You will see a wide range of Christmas lights and decorations across several homes. Visitors enjoy walking or driving by to see themed displays and lights that cover rooftops, yards, and trees.
A standout feature is the snow machine, which adds a wintery touch not often seen in California. Kids and families often stop to watch the snow and take photos. The area can get busy in the evenings, especially closer to Christmas.
This display is part of a larger, volunteer-driven effort to highlight holiday lights in the region. There is no entrance fee, and listings like this help families find new places to visit each year. You can find more locations and details about the project online.
Rating: 4.9 (140 reviews)
Location: 467 Knottingham Cir, Livermore, CA 94551
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December nightly | Dusk to 10 PM | 467 Knottingham Cir, Livermore, CA 94551 | Free | Booking.com – Livermore Hotels | http://californiachristmaslights.com/ |
2) Widmer World
Widmer World is a walk-through holiday light display located in Pleasanton, California. Each December, you can visit from the first day of the month until New Year’s Eve. The display opens at 6:00 pm and closes at 9:00 pm each night, weather permitting.
Celebrating its 25th year, Widmer World is created by a family team and friends. You will see creative displays, custom lights, and themed decorations throughout the property. The organizers add new features every year and enjoy showing visitors the work they put in.
On busy nights, crowds can be close together, but hand sanitizer is provided and guests are welcome to wear masks. The event is free to attend, and you are encouraged to bring friends and family. Videos of the displays are available online if you wish to preview before visiting.
Rating: 4.8 (405 reviews)
Location: 3671 Chelsea Ct, Pleasanton, CA 94588
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1 – Dec 31, 2025 | 6pm – 9pm | 3671 Chelsea Ct, Pleasanton, CA 94588 | Free | Booking.com – Pleasanton Hotels | widmer-world.com |
3) Christmas Light Show
You can find Christmas Light Show on Hillsford Court in Roseville. It is a seasonal display that draws many families each year. The decorations fill the neighborhood, with many houses taking part.
This light show is popular for its lively atmosphere. The street becomes very bright and colorful, and you can walk or drive through to enjoy the lights. The displays change each year, so you might see something new on every visit.
Crowds grow in the evenings, especially in December. You should plan to arrive early for easier parking. The event is organized by the community, and details are updated on their Facebook page.
Rating: 4.9 (61 reviews)
Location: Hillsford Ct, Roseville, CA 95747
Website: Visit Website
4) Christmas Light Show
You can find the Christmas Light Show in Castro Valley each winter. The lights are programmed to music, so when you arrive, tune your car radio to 93.9 FM to hear the synced songs as you watch the show. Every evening, a playlist of holiday songs sets the atmosphere.
Visitors can vote for which song plays next by using the show’s website. This allows you to feel part of the experience by picking your holiday favorites. The show is sponsored by a local real estate team, and you’ll see their signs around the property.
The event runs every day from 5:15 PM to 10:30 PM through early January, including weekends and holidays. No reservation or ticket is needed to visit, and you can drive or walk by. The location collects donations for a local horse rescue, but giving is optional.
Rating: 4.7 (30 reviews)
Location: 17923 Trenton Dr, Castro Valley, CA 94546
Contact: 510-220-8459
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Through Jan 6, 2025 | 5:15 PM – 10:30 PM | 17923 Trenton Dr, Castro Valley, CA 94546 | Free | Nearby Hotels | https://castrovalleylights.com/ |
5) Willow Glen Holiday Lights
Willow Glen Holiday Lights is a well-known spot to see neighborhood Christmas light displays in San Jose. Each year, homes in the Willow Glen area set up lights and decorations on their lawns and houses. The street transforms into a festive walk or drive for families and visitors.
You can see a variety of designs, colors, and unique themes on almost every block. Local residents take part, making this event feel welcoming and community-based. It is not a commercial event; it depends on neighborhood participation.
There is usually no entry fee. You can walk or drive through the neighborhood to enjoy the lights. Free street parking is available but it gets crowded on weekends and close to major holidays.
The Willow Glen neighborhood is easy to find in San Jose, and main streets get decorated the most. For a less crowded experience, try visiting on a weeknight early in December.
Rating: 4.8 (84 reviews)
Location: Willow Glen Holiday Lights
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Dec – Dec 31 | Dusk-10pm | 1005 Cherry Ave, San Jose, CA 95125 | Free | Booking.com hotels nearby | N/A |
6) Bentley Lane Holiday Magic Christmas Light Show
You can find Bentley Lane Holiday Magic Christmas Light Show in a neighborhood in Tracy, California. This is a local event where several homes on Bentley Lane create a light show together each December. The show is designed for people of all ages and is family-friendly.
You can drive or walk along the street to see the displays. The lights often blink and move along with holiday music. It’s free to visit, so you do not need tickets.
The event tends to run from early December through Christmas night. You can check their Facebook page for updates on show times or any changes.
Rating: 4.7 (51 reviews)
Location: 2130 Bentley Ln, Tracy, CA 95376
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Dec-25 | Evenings | 2130 Bentley Ln, Tracy, CA 95376 | Free | Booking.com Tracy Hotels | https://www.facebook.com/BentleyLaneHolidayMagic/ |
7) Candy Cane and Lollipop Lanes
Each December, a neighborhood in Vacaville becomes a popular holiday destination. Candy Cane Lane and Lollipop Lane span Arlene Drive and Shady Glen Avenue. Residents decorate their homes with lights, inflatables, and holiday themes. Both drivers and people walking by can experience the displays.
You can visit after dark, when the lights stand out the most. The display usually starts on December 1 and runs through most of the month. Street parking is available on Fruitvale Road. From there, a short trail leads to the main area, but the trail is not well-lit, so bring a flashlight.
Many people travel here from across the Bay Area and Sacramento. You can walk, drive, or take a free holiday shuttle bus on selected nights. The neighborhood hosts a canned food drive to benefit local food banks.
Plan to come before 10 p.m., since the event is in a residential area. Keep noise low, be respectful, and do not walk on private lawns. Pets are welcome if kept on a leash and cleaned up after.
Rating: 4.7 (302 reviews)
Location: Arlene Dr, Vacaville, CA 95688
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early December–Dec 31 | Dusk to ~9–10 pm | Arlene Dr, Vacaville, CA | Free | Vacaville Hotels | Visit Website |
8) Robertsville Lights
At Robertsville Lights in San Jose, you can watch a Christmas light show synced to music. The display runs from December 1 to December 31 each year. You can watch safely from the sidewalk or stay warm in your car.
To hear the music, tune your car radio to 92.9 FM or use outdoor speakers set up on site. There is also an option to stream the music directly to your phone using PulseMesh. This can be useful if your car radio delays the broadcast.
The show features over 13,000 LEDs and more than 1,000 feet of wiring. All props are made by hand, including a detailed Frosty the Snowman with 1,858 LEDs. Each song in the show is trimmed to about three minutes, letting you see and hear several songs, even if you visit for a short time.
Expect a mix of Christmas classics and modern favorites, with specific songs available by request. The team spends over 50 hours setting up for the season each year.
Rating: 4.8 (29 reviews)
Location: 4233 Briarglen Dr, San Jose, CA 95118
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1 – Dec 31 | Not listed | 4233 Briarglen Dr, San Jose, CA 95118 | Free | Booking.com – San Jose Hotels | http://robertsvillelights.com/ |
9) Casa del Pomba – Deacon Dave’s Christmas Display
You can visit Deacon Dave’s Christmas Display in Livermore to see a large collection of holiday lights and decorations. Entry to the display is free. The show is set up in a residential neighborhood, so you should plan ahead for parking.
This display is open during the Christmas season, but it may close for bad weather. There are no public restrooms on-site. Casa del Pomba features unique areas like the Proposal Bridge, making it a common spot for photo opportunities.
You do not need to buy tickets in advance. The display operates in the evenings, though exact open days and times can change each year. Check the official website for the latest updates before you go.
Rating: 4.7 (247 reviews)
Location: 352 Hillcrest Ave, Livermore, CA 94550
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 (weather permitting) | Evenings (check for updates) | 352 Hillcrest Ave, Livermore, CA 94550 | Free | Livermore hotels on Booking.com | casadelpomba.com |
Kris Kringle Tips
Layer your clothing so you can adjust to changing temperatures—mornings and evenings at Northern California Christmas markets can be chilly, but afternoons may be mild. Wear comfortable shoes for walking, and bring a warm jacket, hat, and gloves just in case. A scarf is handy for extra warmth and can easily be removed if you get too warm.
10) The Miller Lights
You can visit The Miller Lights in Santa Rosa each year during December and early January. The light show runs every night from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with artificial snow falling about every ten minutes. The display is synchronized to music, and you can tune your car radio to 94.3 FM to listen.
The Miller family sets up this show to help the Redwood Empire Food Bank. You are encouraged to donate if you can, either by dropping something in the red box at the house or donating online. Every dollar helps provide food for local families in need.
On Community Night, happening December 21 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, you can find free cookies, hot chocolate, popcorn, face painting, and photos with Santa. Santa also has small gifts for children. The event is open to everyone and there is no cost to attend.
Be sure to follow the guidelines posted to ensure a safe and considerate experience for yourself and others. Keeping the area clear and the music at a reasonable volume helps everyone enjoy the lights.
Rating: 4.7 (49 reviews)
Location: 5400 Santa Teresa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95409
Contact: (707) 595-9292
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Address | Cost | Nearby Stay (Booking.com) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 6, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 5400 Santa Teresa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 | Free | Flamingo Resort | The Miller Lights |
Christmas Market Closures
Due to econonic conditions and tariffs, some Christmas Markets may cancel their events due to lack of vendors. If you are aware of a closed market,or find errors on a listing or an image, please reach out on our Contact Us page so that we may update this post.
