Best Holiday Lights in San Diego

Holiday lights in San Diego is always one of my favorite things to do! Here are some of my favorite light displays around San Diego. I'm also including links to great websites that highlight the best holiday lights in San Diego for December!

Neighborhood Lights

My favorite light display is Christmas Card Lane in Rancho Penasquitos. This holiday light display is several blocks of fun! You can drive through or walk through. Most nights the neighbors sell hot chocolate and snacks. It's stroller and wagon friendly. If you want to miss the crowds go during the week. Oviedo St. off Black Mountain Rd. “Christmas Card Lane.” Enter off Twin Trails Dr. & Carmel Mountain Rd. or park at Sunset Hills Elementary and walk. Dec. 1–31.  Don't miss the train houses!

North County Homes to Visit

Escondido

3160 Crane Ave. “Eureka Lights.” Over 16,000 lights synchronized to music on 89.9 FM. Nov. 25 - Dec 31. Vote for the song you›d like to see next on www.eurekalights.net.

POWAY, 92064

Hickory St., Hickory Ct., Butterwood Ct., Rockrose Ct. Off Twin Peaks Rd. & Silverset St. “Candy Cane Lane.” Entire cul-de-sacs are lit up. Dec. 1–25. 

SAN MARCOS, 92078

2516 Rockdale Pl. “Griswold Family Christmas.” Over 25,000 lights dancing to 30 minutes of music, a fully automated show with 8 songs and entire cul-de-sac of decorations. Nov. 27–Jan. 1.

Encinitas & CARLSBAD, 92009, 92011, 92024

3520 Corte Ramon. Lights and characters coordinated to music, different theme each year. Accepting food donations for local food shelters. Click here for video of light display.

7607 Romeria St. The “Carlsbad Christmas House” where it snows. Park and walk around to see Surfin’ Santa, the Miniature Village, giant Santa, Snoopy & Friends ice skating, Island of Misfit Toys and animals frolicking in the waterfall. Food drive donations welcome. Dec. 3–26. www.carlsbadchristmashouse.com

6646 Elegant Tern Pl. Cozy lights and inflatables with a full-size Santa’s Mailbox. Santa writes back a personalized letter to each child. Dec. 1–Jan. 1.

OCEANSIDE, 92056, 92057

5279 Willow Walk Rd. Over 40,000 digital lights, 30-minute light show synchronized to music with 20-ft. tree, mega board & arches. Dec. 1–31. Santa and food drive for San Diego Food Bank on Dec. 9, 5:15–8:15 pm. 

2329 Snead Dr. Lights, nativity scene, animated elves and Santa Village light display. Walk up to see Christmas scene in garage. Dec. 5–31.

5592 Thoroughbred St. Experience the JOY of Christmas with twinkling lights, festive music, singing reindeer, a “s-ELF-ie” picture station and falling snow (6–8 pm). Tune in to 95.1 FM. Dec. 1–27.

5596 Quarter Horse Cir. Christmas-themed light show with over 10,000 RGB LED pixel lights synchronized to your favorite classic Christmas songs with singing snowman and lightbulb characters. Tune in to 97.1 FM. Dec. 1–31.

Light Shows and Events

Holidays at LEGOLAND. Holiday light show with falling “snow,” 30-ft. LEGO Christmas tree and more. Select dates Nov. 18–Jan. 7. Included with admission. One LEGOLAND Dr., Carlsbad. www.legoland.com

Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular. Twelve days of holiday fun with twinkling lights, ice skating, Frosty’s Fun Zone and more. Dec. 14–17, 21–26 & 29–30, 4–9 pm. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Tickets: www.coastalchristmasdelmar.com

“Lightscape.” This one-mile walking trail features a California poppy-inspired display, an illuminated laser sky, playful fiber optic flowers and a bespoke floral display. Through Jan. 1, 5–10 pm. (Closed Dec. 24–25). $16–$32; under 3 free. San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas. www.sdbg.org

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. Brightly illuminated boats decorated to the theme “Christmas Traditions Around the World.” Starts off Shelter Island, goes through the harbor and ends at the Coronado Ferry Landing. Dec. 10 & 17, 5:30 pm. www.sdparadeoflights.org

Mission Bay Boat Parade of Lights. More than 100 decorated vessels take to the water. Starts at SeaWorld with fireworks and ends at The Mission Bay Beach Club. Dec. 9, 5:30 pm. www.discovermissionbay.org

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration. Music activated tunnel of lights, snowfall, 30-ft. twinkling Christmas tree, fireworks and more. Nov. 17–Jan. 7. Included with admission. Interstate 5, exit SeaWorld Dr. www.seaworldsandiego.com

Winter Wonder at Belmont Park. Over one million lights, festive activities, family-friendly entertainment and more. Through Dec. 31. 3146 Mission Blvd. www.belmontpark.com

Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour. Sing-along caroling with elf conductors while viewing festive holiday sights. Dec. 1–23 & 26–30. 4010 Twiggs St. www.trolleytours.com