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Christmas Lights in Mill Valley, CA
The top places to see Christmas lights in Mill Valley this season are Glowfari at Oakland Zoo (Nov 6 – Jan 31), Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden (Nov 20 – Jan 3) and Marin Holiday Light Spectacular (Nov 27 – Jan 3). We've mapped 1 display in Mill Valley and 34 more nearby (11 events, 7 neighborhoods, 7 tree lightings). 24 are free. 6 are synced to music. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.
Updated Nov 12, 2026
Near Mill Valley (within 25 miles)
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 Mill Valley? Add it free.
Christmas lights in Mill Valley: common questions
What are the best Christmas lights in Mill Valley?
Popular picks this season include Glowfari at Oakland Zoo (Nov 6 – Jan 31), Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden (Nov 20 – Jan 3), Marin Holiday Light Spectacular (Nov 27 – Jan 3) and IlluminOdyssey at CuriOdyssey (Nov 14 – Jan 24). In all, 35 displays are mapped in and around Mill Valley, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.
Where can I see free Christmas lights in Mill Valley?
Free options include Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden, Marin Holiday Light Spectacular, Christmas Tree Lane, Thompson Avenue and Embarcadero Center Holiday Lights. 24 of the 35 displays near Mill Valley are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.
Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near Mill Valley?
Yes. 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 Mill Valley?
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 Mill Valley?
The earliest Mill Valley-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 Mill Valley 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.
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