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Christmas Lights in San Francisco, CA
The top places to see Christmas lights in San Francisco this season are Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden (Nov 20 – Jan 3), Let's Glow SF Projection Festival (Dec 4 – Dec 13) and Holidays at Filoli: Holiday Lights (Nov 14 – Jan 10). We've mapped 8 displays in San Francisco and 29 more nearby (11 events, 9 neighborhoods, 6 tree lightings). 24 are free. 4 are synced to music. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.
Updated Nov 12, 2026
Near San Francisco (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 San Francisco? Add it free.
Christmas lights in San Francisco: common questions
What are the best Christmas lights in San Francisco?
Popular picks this season include Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden (Nov 20 – Jan 3), Let's Glow SF Projection Festival (Dec 4 – Dec 13), Holidays at Filoli: Holiday Lights (Nov 14 – Jan 10) and Glowfari at Oakland Zoo (Nov 6 – Jan 31). In all, 37 displays are mapped in and around San Francisco, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.
Where can I see free Christmas lights in San Francisco?
Free options include Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden, Let's Glow SF Projection Festival, Marin Holiday Light Spectacular and Embarcadero Center Holiday Lights. 24 of the 37 displays near San Francisco are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.
Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near San Francisco?
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 San Francisco?
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 San Francisco?
The earliest San Francisco-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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