Three Christmas light displays in and around Los Angeles have 2026 dates: all walk-throughs. None are free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 8:45 p.m. at L.A. Zoo Lights. They’re spread over three areas, from Los Angeles to Arcadia.
Last checked · How we choose
Every card has hours, price and what it’s like with a little one.
Checked Oct 28 on the official page
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Descanso Gardens · 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Checked Oct 28 on the official page
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Santa Anita Park · 285 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia, CA 91007
Checked Oct 29 on the official page
Report a problemNothing is lit yet. L.A. Zoo Lights opens first, on Nov 20. L.A. Zoo Lights and Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens run into the new year.
In early December the sun sets around 4:45 p.m. in LA (the dashed line). Here’s when each display opens, on a scale from 4 to 9 p.m.
8:45 p.m. start · plan about an hour
Box office 5:45–8:45pm
10 p.m. start · plan about an hour
5:30–10pm
No drive-thru with 2026 dates in town yet.
Picks: L.A. Zoo Lights, Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens, Enchant Los Angeles at Santa Anita Park
Mittens on a stringLittle hands get cold fast after dark.
Warm drink in a thermosA treat to look forward to at the halfway point.
Hat and a blanketFor the stroller, or the car once the heat is off.
PJs before you goSo a car-seat nap can turn straight into bedtime.From each venue’s own page. Check whether a price is per car or per person before you book.
| Display | Price | Little kids | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| L.A. Zoo Lights | Adults $29–$35, kids 2–12 $19–$25; under 2 free | under 2 free | Walk-through |
| Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens | Adults $29–$52, kids 2–12 $19–$37; under 2 free but need a ticket | under 2 free but need a ticket | Walk-through |
| Enchant Los Angeles at Santa Anita Park | From $29; prices change by date and entry time | See the venue | Walk-through |
See all 6 Santa outings in and around LA: breakfasts, photo spots and evening visits, with 2026 prices.
Santa in LA →
None of the light shows with 2026 dates that we found are free. The lowest prices are listed in “2026 prices at a glance”.
Going by the lowest posted 2026 price: L.A. Zoo Lights (Adults $29–$35, kids 2–12 $19–$25; under 2 free); Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens (Adults $29–$52, kids 2–12 $19–$37; under 2 free but need a ticket); Enchant Los Angeles at Santa Anita Park (From $29; prices change by date and entry time). Check whether a price is per car or per person before you compare.
We didn’t find a drive-thru with 2026 dates yet. Walk-throughs (three here) are better for kids who want to run around.
The earliest evening starts: L.A. Zoo Lights at 8:45 p.m. and Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens at 10 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.
Little ones get in free at L.A. Zoo Lights (under 2 free); Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens (under 2 free but need a ticket). With a baby, a drive-thru keeps everyone warm in the car.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.
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Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in LA
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Things to do with kids in Los Angeles in November · Things to do with kids in Los Angeles in December
Christmas trains
Christmas train rides near Los Angeles: Holiday lights trains, Polar Express rides and more. 3 with 2026 dates, ages, prices and booking notes.
More holiday outings
The Nutcracker with kids in Los Angeles: 5 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances. Christmas markets in Los Angeles: 3 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes.
L.A. Zoo Lights