Time is flying and the holidays are just around the corner, which means the Bay Area is starting to look a lot brighter. These Christmas light displays showcase the fun and festive flavor of the holidays. Take a journey throughout San Francisco and beyond to enjoy these magical displays! Ho, ho, ho!

1. Union Square: San Francisco
333 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
scottbphilp/Flickr
The Union Square lighting will take place in Union Square, right across from the front of Macy's. The beautiful tree will be decorated with many lights and 1,100 shining ornaments.
2. Fairmont Hotel: 950 Mason Street, San Francisco
950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
management/TripAdvisor
This display is not exactly outside, but the Fairmont Hotel is world-famous for its incredible two-story gingerbread house, lovingly built with thousands of gingerbread bricks and gallons of royal icing adorned by hundreds of pounds of candy! You can also check out the lobby’s 23-foot Christmas tree, along with a special champagne bar!
3. Widmer World: 3671 Chelsea Court, Pleasanton
3671 Chelsea Ct, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA
Aaron/Flickr
Widmer World started in 1980 with a plastic Santa, but has since exploded into almost an acre of glittering lights. It includes a mini Christmas village, computer-animated displays, and over a dozen scenes.
4. Fantasy of Lights: 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos
333 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95032, USA
Demetri Mouratis/Flickr
Fantasy of Lights is a 1.5-mile drive-through holiday lights and display spectacle. Be warned, cars line up and long lines of one hour or more can be expected during prime time on the weekends.
5. Christmas Tree Lane: 3200 Thompson Ave, Alameda
3200 Thompson Ave, Alameda, CA 94501, USA
Jennifer N/Yelp
Christmas Tree Lane started in 1938 and draws people from all over the Bay Area with its extravagant light displays and loads of holiday spirit. Each home has its own unique lights, decorations, and spin on the holiday season.
6. Tom and Jerry’s House: 3650 21st St, San Francisco
3650 21st St, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA
Cindy S/Yelp
The Tom & Jerry House is a celebrated yet cheesy Christmas display at 21st and Church Streets in Dolores Heights. The display has been an annual tradition for around 30 years and is quite unique compared to most Christmas light displays. Make sure to check out the gift-wrapped boxes! (With Tom's unfortunate passing in 2020, this display is permanently closed)
7. Holiday Circle of Lights: 5000 Piedmont Ave, Oakland
5000 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611, USA
Redtri Commons: http://redtri.com/
The Holiday Circle of Lights at Oakland's Mountain View Cemetery is a favorite with local families. Throughout the month of December (until January 1st), the display lights up the circular drive and fountain at the entry way of the cemetery every night from 5pm - 9pm. (The cemetery is no longer hosting this display and it is permanently closed)
8. Union Street Fantasy of Lights: Union Street between Van Ness & Steiner, San Francisco
1686 Union St #214, San Francisco, CA 94123, USA
Dlpr S/Yelp
Experience Union Street as it’s transformed into a holiday scene where kids can meet Santa, enjoy the sparking lights and see ponies dressed up like reindeer.
9. Christmas Tree Lane: Fulton Street b/w Embarcadero Ave. & Seale Road, Palo Alto
Fulton Street, Fulton St, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA
YueStudio Y/Yelp
Christmas Tree Lane has been going since the 1940s. For the two weeks leading up to Christmas you can drive or walk through this display to see vintage lawn displays, lights and holiday cheer!
10. ZooLights: 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland
9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605, USA
Sean P/Yelp
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/northern-california/christmas-light-display-zoo-norcal/The Oakland Zoo showcases tons of of LED lights. Highlights include a candy cane lane themed rides area, a night time adventure on the Outback Express train, rocking around the Christmas trees and a light show. The event has since been renamed Glowfari.

Did we miss anything? Let us know what you think. Check out 10 Of The Most Enchanting Man Made Wonders in San Francisco while you’re at it too.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

More to Explore

San Francisco Is Pure Magic During The Holidays

William Suphan | October 17, 2022

What are the holiday attractions that are unique to San Francisco?

San Francisco has its own unique attractions for celebrating the holidays like no other city can. You can ice skate in the middle of downtown Union Square, which brings a warm community feel to the city. Locals gather at Grace Cathedral not just for holiday services, but also to explore the gorgeously decorated grounds that complement the beauty of the church. For a wonderful holiday meal, the Top of the Mark restaurant serves up traditional holiday fare along with pianists playing Christmas tunes. Plus, you can get a great view of San Francisco Bay from here!

Does San Francisco have holiday trains we can ride?

It certainly does! The Niles Canyon Train of Lights is beloved by locals and is lovingly decorated with Christmas lights from the engine to caboose. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there to greet you as you take in the surroundings on the festive train. Get your tickets early because they sell out fast! The Caltrain Holiday Train is a Polar Express train ride that has nine different stops along its route and it is covered in gorgeous lights. At each stop, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and Frosty the Snowman will hop off and meet with the kids for photos and merriment.

What makes San Francisco such a magical place to be for the holidays?

San Francisco has always been a unique and beautiful city, and it has so much going on during the holidays that it's hard to keep track. There are over 38 light displays all over the city and they call it "Illuminate SF". It's 49 square miles of magic. You can see magnificent gingerbread castles at The Westin St. Francis hotel where the Sugar Castle and Enchanted Castle are on display with intricate, lovely detail. While you can't eat the castles, they have a sweet shop to soothe that sweet tooth.

Related Articles