Key Takeaways
- Long Beach offers enchanting spots for viewing Christmas lights, perfect for a cozy evening stroll.
- Naples Island Canals shines as the top destination with its magical atmosphere and the annual Boat Parade.
- Daisy Avenue hosts a collective neighborhood display, transforming the street into a joyful Christmas light tunnel.
- Lights on Falcon features a synchronized show, making it a lively holiday event with music and interactive elements.
- Candy Cane Lane in Lakewood earns honorary status for its festive energy and themed displays, attracting families and groups.
For romantics, night walkers, parents bribing kids with cocoa, and anyone who just wants December to feel like something.
Let’s set the scene.
It’s dark by 5pm. Your email inbox is feral. Someone just asked you what your “plans for the holidays” are and you considered changing your name and moving to Portugal.
What you actually need?
A slow walk. Cold air. Twinkle lights. The kind of low-stakes magic that reminds you this season can still be cozy, charming, and a little romantic — even in sneakers.
Good news: Long Beach understood the assignment.
From iconic neighborhood light displays to quiet waterfront strolls that feel straight out of a movie, here’s where to see the best Christmas lights in Long Beach this season.
Grab a hot drink. Bring someone you like (or tolerate). Let’s go.
1. Naples Island Canals
The Crown Jewel. The Main Character. The Moment.
If Christmas lights in Long Beach had a personality, it would be Naples.
This is the spot people picture when they say “holiday magic” and actually mean it. The canals glow with reflections of multi-million-dollar commitment to Christmas cheer. Balconies are wrapped in lights. Every window seems to have a glowing tree. Boats drift by covered in twinkle lights like they’re auditioning for a movie montage.
It’s peaceful, festive, and somehow wildly romantic for something that costs exactly zero dollars.
Walking the canals forces you to slow down. Conversations get quieter. Phones come out, then go away. It feels intimate without trying — the kind of place where even a casual stroll turns into a moment.
The canals are located on Naples Island, and there’s no official starting point. You can jump in anywhere and just follow the glow. That’s part of the charm.
This is also where one of Long Beach’s most beloved holiday traditions happens: the Naples Island Boat Parade. Dozens of boats — from small paddle-powered creations to massive yachts — cruise the canals decked out in lights, music, inflatables, and full holiday drama. It’s festive, joyful, and uniquely Long Beach.
The parade takes place on Saturday, December 20, starting at 6:00 PM, with larger boats passing through the outer canal around 6:30 PM. It’s free to watch, but space fills up fast along the bridges and walkways, so arriving early matters.
Pro tips from a local who has done this way too many times:
- Park near Naples Elementary School on week days or along Appian Way and then walk straight down Ravenna Avenue to the canals on weekends
- Go on a weeknight if you value your sanity
- Arrive earlier in the evening for fewer crowds
- Bring hot cocoa, spiked apple cider, or whatever gets you in the spirit
- Wear layers — it gets breezy and cuddly real fast
Vibe:
Soft. Sparkly. “Is this a Hallmark movie or are we just lucky?””
2. Daisy Avenue in Wrigley
The Neighborhood That Said “Yes” to Christmas… Collectively
Daisy Lane is legendary — and for good reason. Almost every house participates, turning the street into a full-blown Christmas light tunnel. It’s cheerful, wholesome, and buzzing with families, couples, and people who clearly planned this outing.
The displays run along Daisy Avenue between Hill Street and Pacific Coast Highway. The best way to experience it is to park nearby and walk the street so you can take in the details. Driving through misses half the magic.
Weeknights from Monday to Thursday are ideal if you want a quieter stroll. Weekends are livelier but still manageable. The lights are best between 6:00 and 8:00 PM.
This is an especially great stop for families, casual walks, or anyone craving classic Christmas vibes without the intensity of larger attractions.
Expect:
- Big displays
- Classic decorations
- Kids losing their minds (in a good way)
- Serious “core memory” energy
Vibe:
Joyful, nostalgic, and aggressively festive.
3. Lights on Falcon in Bixby Knolls
Lights on Falcon is where Christmas lights meet full production value. This isn’t just a decorated house. It’s a synchronized holiday light show featuring over 100,000 LEDs, music, and interactive elements that turn an entire stretch of Falcon Avenue into a nightly event.
- The display is located at 4128 Falcon Avenue in Bixby Knolls, between Cartagena Street and Tehachapi Drive.
Lights turn on nightly at sunset, with holiday light shows beginning at 6:00 PM and repeating hourly. Sunday through Thursday, the lights run until 11:00 PM. On Friday and Saturday, they run until midnight. Each show lasts about 25 minutes, so there’s no pressure if you arrive mid-show.
Weeknights offer the best balance of space and atmosphere. Weekends bring higher energy and bigger crowds. You can listen to the music by tuning your car radio to 107.7 FM or using on-site speakers if you’re walking.
On Saturday, December 20, the neighborhood hosts the Lights on Falcon Holiday Block Party starting at 5:00 PM. The street closes to cars and turns into a community celebration with music, photo opportunities, and festive activities. This night draws a crowd, so arriving early is recommended.
Parking is street-only, so be respectful of driveways and neighbors. Walking or biking in is encouraged if you live nearby. The experience is completely free and built around community, creativity, and shared joy.
4. Candy Cane Lane (Lakewood – Just Next Door, Worth It)
Technically Not LB… But We Allow It
Okay yes — it’s Lakewood. But Candy Cane Lane earns honorary Long Beach status every December.
Every house goes all in, turning the street into a full holiday spectacle with themed displays, music, inflatables, and nonstop festive energy.
The lane is located near Oxford Avenue and Del Amo Boulevard in Lakewood. It is a walk-through experience, and driving is not recommended. Expect to park a few blocks away and walk in.
The best days to go are Monday through Wednesday if you want to avoid the biggest crowds. Weekends are packed but undeniably fun. The ideal time to visit is between 6:00 and 9:00 PM.
Some nights include hot cocoa stands, music, Santa sightings, and portable restrooms. Comfortable shoes and patience are essential, but the payoff is a full sensory holiday experience that feels larger than life. Check out:
- Massive displays
- Music
- Characters
- Total festive chaos
It’s perfect for families, groups, or anyone who wants to feel like they just stepped into a snow globe (without the snow).
Vibe:
High-energy holiday magic. Loud joy. Zero chill.
Final Thoughts (Because December Needs Soft Moments Too)
Christmas lights are one of those simple joys we forget we need — until we’re standing under them, walking slower, breathing deeper, and remembering that not everything has to be productive or planned.
Long Beach does this season beautifully.
Whether you’re strolling the canals, wandering a lit-up neighborhood, or dragging someone along saying “trust me,” these spots deliver the kind of magic that feels easy and human.
And honestly?
That’s the best kind.
For more seasonal guides, events, and local magic, keep an eye on LBC Vibe — we’ve got you covered all December long.
FAQs
Weeknights, hands down. Fewer crowds, easier parking, and way more peaceful vibes — especially in Naples. If you go on a weekend, aim for earlier in the evening (right at dusk).
Yes! Totally free. Just park legally, be respectful of residents, and remember — these are real neighborhoods, not Disneyland (even if it feels like it).
Walk whenever you can. Naples, Daisy Lane, and Candy Cane Lane are best experienced on foot. You’ll catch details you’d miss driving — plus it’s way more romantic and less stressful.
Absolutely. Daisy Lane, Candy Cane Lane (Lakewood), and Lights on Falcon are especially great for kids. Naples is family-friendly too — just expect crowds and strollers during peak hours.
Comfortable shoes, layers, and something warm to drink. Hot cocoa is the classic move, but we’re not here to judge what’s actually in your cup.
