Holiday Lights Illuminate Seasons Greetings

Holiday Lights Illuminate Seasons Greetings

These colorful displays shine around the Bay Area

The calendar year may be coming to an end, but some of the most joyous celebrations still wait to be enjoyed—the tradition of loading the family into the car and driving to a nearby holiday light display in a park, neighborhood, or special venue. Here are some of the area’s favorite lighting displays in Benicia and the East Bay. 

Benicia’s Holiday Tree Lighting

The Benicia Community Foundation is raising funds for this annual holiday event, the 2024 Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at the foot of First Street. The family-friendly event will include appearances by Santa and the Grinch, food, drink, and goods from various First Street merchants, and musical performances by the VOENA Children’s Choir. The event is free and is scheduled to take place on December 6. For more information, go to beniciacf.org.

Berkeley’s Fourth Street

This street in Berkeley is popular year-round for dining and shopping, but every winter, things take a turn for the brighter. From November 9 through early February, the streets and trees are covered in bright lights, bringing a sense of magic to the area after 5pm. Fourth street hosts lots of holiday events, such as the Dazzling Light Celebration on November 9 from 5–7pm, a free fused glass ornament workshop on December 1 from 1–3pm, and a winter holiday fest and craft party on December 7 from 1–4pm. Find caroling dates, marionette shows, and more information at fourthstreet.com.

Hercules’ Christmas in Hercules

The Valley Bible Church on Willow Avenue in Hercules came through in the COVID-19 year of 2020, when that viral Grinch shut down everything else. The church hosted a drive-through holiday display, with lights and candy at safe distance stops throughout the parking lot. This year, the church will host  An Evening of Christmas on December 10 at 6pm. The event will take up three floors of the church building—activities will include a gift station, hot cocoa bar and a petting zoo. A Christmas concert will take place at 7pm. For information, go to christmasinhercules.com.

Livermore’s House of the Dove

This Tri-Valley holiday staple has been lighting up the neighborhood at 352 Hillcrest Avenue in Livermore for 41 years. The annual display, which begins with a holiday parade on November 30, comes courtesy of Deacon Dave Rezendes, who adorns his suburban dwelling with tens of thousands of colored lights each holiday season, with a new theme and design each year. The inside of the house is decorated as well—on a visit years ago, I noticed a Christmas tree in a hallway bathroom that was decorated with mini toothbrushes and tubes of Crest. Go to casadelpomba.com for more information.

Oakland Zoo’s Glowfari

This annual event runs November 8–January 26, and it is definitely worth an evening of family time. The entire Oakland Zoo is decorated with gorgeous animal lanterns, which are lit each evening, making for a delightful stroll throughout the venue. An all-new exhibition will be on display this winter, complete with a trip along the Nile in Egypt, a barnyard animal display, a dinosaur layout, and an Avian Odyssey, featuring winged and feathered friends. Make sure to take the gondola to the top of the zoo; you’ll get spectacular views of the Bay and San Francisco before visiting a special section that’s packed with glowing lanterns. Go to oaklandzoo.org for tickets and more information.

Oakland’s Lighted Yacht Parade

A trip to Jack London Square on December 7 will be rewarded with a view of the annual Lighted Yacht Parade in the marina, as well as views of a giant holiday tree. The fun begins at 5:30pm and admission is free. For the parade route and more information, go to lightedyachtparade.com.

Oakland’s Picardi Drive

This charming street, lined with storybook-style houses, has kept a holiday tradition every December for the past 100 years or so. Each house is decorated with lights and connected to the display next door, creating a magical feeling and an easy family outing. Visitors can park and take a walk around the block, or just turn the radio to the holiday hits on 96.5 FM (or any of the multiple holiday channels on satellite radio) and take a slow ride up and down Picardy Drive.  The street is located in the Mills College neighborhood, between Seminary and 55th Avenue.

Vallejo’s Festival of Lights

The Greater Vallejo Recreation District decorates Children’s Wonderland Park with lights on display Friday–Sunday from December 6–29 from 4–7pm. (The park will not be open on December 24 and 25). Bring the kids to enjoy the lights at this free attraction. For more information, go to gvrd.org.

Walnut Creek’s Garden of D’Lights 

An annual attraction at Walnut Creek’s famed Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery is the Garden of D’Lights, a nighttime display of art installations, colored lights, lasers, and more throughout the historic and expansive dry gardens. Make sure to check the nursery for gifts for the gardener in your family. Garden of D’Lights is on display from November 22–January 11 and tickets should be purchased in advance at ruthbancroftgarden.org.