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Christmas Lights in San Rafael, CA
The top places to see Christmas lights in San Rafael this season are Marin Holiday Light Spectacular (Nov 27 – Jan 3), Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden (Nov 20 – Jan 3) and Great Dickens Christmas Fair (Nov 21 – Dec 20). We've mapped 1 display in San Rafael and 34 more nearby (10 events, 8 tree lightings, 7 neighborhoods). 25 are free. 7 are synced to music. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.
Updated Nov 12, 2026
Near San Rafael (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 Rafael? Add it free.
Christmas lights in San Rafael: common questions
What are the best Christmas lights in San Rafael?
Popular picks this season include Marin Holiday Light Spectacular (Nov 27 – Jan 3), Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden (Nov 20 – Jan 3), Great Dickens Christmas Fair (Nov 21 – Dec 20) and San Francisco ZooLights (Through Jan 3). In all, 35 displays are mapped in and around San Rafael, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.
Where can I see free Christmas lights in San Rafael?
Free options include Marin Holiday Light Spectacular, Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden, Christmas Tree Lane, Thompson Avenue and Embarcadero Center Holiday Lights. 25 of the 35 displays near San Rafael are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.
Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near San Rafael?
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 Rafael?
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 Rafael?
The earliest San Rafael-area displays turn on Nov 14, 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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Professional Christmas light installers in San Rafael 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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