# Christmas lights in Los Angeles for little kids, 2026

> 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: 2026-10-30
- 3 listings with 2026 dates; 0 without posted dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/los-angeles/christmas-lights/
- Santa (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/los-angeles/santa/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/los-angeles/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/los-angeles/llms.txt

## Walk-through lights and light trails

- **L.A. Zoo Lights** at Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027. When: Select nights Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027. Time: Box office 5:45–8:45pm. Price: Adults $29–$35, kids 2–12 $19–$25; under 2 free. Santa photos cost extra on select nights, and the ice rink is ticketed separately. Dec 8 is a sensory-inclusive night. Parking is free. Closed Nov 26, Nov 30, Dec 1, 7, 14–16, 24, 25, 31 and Jan 4–7. Official page: https://www.lazoo.org/plan-your-visit/special-experiences/zoolights/
- **Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens** at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011. When: Nov 22, 2026 – Jan 9, 2027; closed Nov 26 and Dec 25. Time: 5:30–10pm. Price: Adults $29–$52, kids 2–12 $19–$37; under 2 free but need a ticket. The tenth year, with a new laser show on the Main Lawn that ends in a snowfall finale. Parking is free. Official page: https://www.descansogardens.org/enchanted/
- **Enchant Los Angeles at Santa Anita Park** at Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia, CA 91007. When: Nov 20 – Dec 27, 2026. Time: Evenings; timed entry. Price: From $29; prices change by date and entry time. A ticketed Christmas light maze with an ice skating trail, Santa visits and a holiday market. Parking and skating are add-ons. Official page: https://www.enchantchristmas.com/los-angeles/

## Light displays that come back every year

- [L.A. Zoo Lights](https://littlesweekly.com/los-angeles/events/l-a-zoo-lights-los-angeles/): next dates Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027
- [Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens](https://littlesweekly.com/los-angeles/events/enchanted-forest-of-light-at-descanso-gardens/): next dates Nov 22, 2026 – Jan 9, 2027

## Christmas trains near Los Angeles

- [Christmas train rides near Los Angeles](https://littlesweekly.com/los-angeles/christmas-trains/index.md): Holiday lights trains, Polar Express rides and more, 3 with 2026 dates, ages, prices and booking notes.

## More holiday outings in Los Angeles

- [The Nutcracker with kids in Los Angeles](https://littlesweekly.com/los-angeles/nutcracker/index.md): 5 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances.
- [Christmas markets in Los Angeles](https://littlesweekly.com/los-angeles/christmas-markets/index.md): 3 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes.

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Are there free Christmas lights in Los Angeles?
None of the light shows with 2026 dates that we found are free. The lowest prices are listed in “2026 prices at a glance”.

### What’s the cheapest Christmas light show in Los Angeles?
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.

### Drive-thru or walk-through: which is better with little kids?
We didn’t find a drive-thru with 2026 dates yet. Walk-throughs (three here) are better for kids who want to run around.

### What time do the Christmas lights start in Los Angeles? We have an early bedtime.
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.

### Which light shows are best for kids under 3?
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.

### How do you check these Christmas lights listings?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).