The top places to see Christmas lights in Berkeley this season are Glowfari at Oakland Zoo (Nov 6 – Jan 31), Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden (Nov 20 – Jan 3) and Garden of D'Lights at Ruth Bancroft Garden (Nov 20 – Jan 10). We've mapped 2 displays in Berkeley and 45 more nearby (13 events, 9 home displays, 9 tree lightings). 28 are free. 8 are synced to music. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.
Tap + Tour on a few displays to get one driving route you can send to your phone (how it works). Missing a house or show in Berkeley? Add it free.
Christmas lights in Berkeley: common questions
What are the best Christmas lights in Berkeley?
Popular picks this season include Glowfari at Oakland Zoo (Nov 6 – Jan 31), Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden (Nov 20 – Jan 3), Garden of D'Lights at Ruth Bancroft Garden (Nov 20 – Jan 10) and Magic of Lights at Toyota Pavilion at Concord (From Nov 21). In all, 47 displays are mapped in and around Berkeley, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.
Where can I see free Christmas lights in Berkeley?
Free options include Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden, Marin Holiday Light Spectacular, Holidays on Fourth Street and Christmas Festival at 3Crosses Church. 28 of the 47 displays near Berkeley are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.
Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near Berkeley?
Yes. Magic of Lights at Toyota Pavilion at Concord (Tickets from about $55 on resale listings) and Marin Holiday Light Spectacular (Free). Drive-thru shows usually charge per car, and buying tickets online ahead of time is often faster.
Are there Christmas lights synced to music in Berkeley?
Yes. Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden, Great Dickens Christmas Fair and Pier 39 Christmas Tree Lighting and Tree Show. Synced displays broadcast their soundtrack on a low-power FM station so you can listen from your car.
When do Christmas lights start in Berkeley?
The earliest Berkeley-area displays turn on Nov 6, and most are running by the weekend after Thanksgiving. Many stay lit through New Year's; check each display's page for its exact dates and nightly hours.
Want your house to look like this?
Professional Christmas light installers in Berkeley hang, maintain and take down your lights, or install permanent lights you control from your phone. Tell us about your house and get free quotes.
