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Christmas Lights in Palo Alto, CA
The top places to see Christmas lights in Palo Alto this season are Roaring Camp Holiday Tree Walk (From Nov 27), San Jose Holiday Lights (DOCA Festival) (Nov 13 – Jan 1) and Christmas in the Park - Downtown Park Experience (Nov 27 – Jan 1). We've mapped 1 display in Palo Alto and 33 more nearby (8 tree lightings, 7 neighborhoods, 7 events). 17 are free. 9 are synced to music. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.
Updated Nov 12, 2026
Near Palo Alto (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 Palo Alto? Add it free.
Christmas lights in Palo Alto: common questions
What are the best Christmas lights in Palo Alto?
Popular picks this season include Roaring Camp Holiday Tree Walk (From Nov 27), San Jose Holiday Lights (DOCA Festival) (Nov 13 – Jan 1), Christmas in the Park - Downtown Park Experience (Nov 27 – Jan 1) and Holidays at Filoli: Holiday Lights (Nov 14 – Jan 10). In all, 34 displays are mapped in and around Palo Alto, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.
Where can I see free Christmas lights in Palo Alto?
Free options include Christmas in the Park - Downtown Park Experience, Crippsmas Place, Christmas Festival at 3Crosses Church and Boulder Creek Winter Festival and Tree Lighting. 17 of the 34 displays near Palo Alto are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.
Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near Palo Alto?
Yes. Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Lake County Park (Ticketed per vehicle, bought in advance), Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Lake (Advance tickets only; drive-thru was about $20 per vehicle in past years) and Blinky's Drive-Thru Light Show (2025: $30 per car weekends, $25 weekdays). 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 Palo Alto?
Yes. Los Gatos in Lights - Winter Celebration, Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Lake County Park (tune to Holiday music via car radio) and Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Lake (tune to Holiday music on car radio (station varies)). Synced displays broadcast their soundtrack on a low-power FM station so you can listen from your car.
When do Christmas lights start in Palo Alto?
The earliest Palo Alto-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.
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