Lightscape (LA Arboretum)

Save
Lightscape (LA Arboretum)

Photo: tkksummers · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

🎃 Seasonal · Arcadia

2 hours · $$$ · Reservation required

age fit
0–1 yr
★ 3.0
1–3 yrs
★ 4.0
3–5 yrs
★ 4.0
5–10 yrs
★ 4.0
  • 🚗
    About 5 min drive
    From Arcadia · Parking: Arboretum lot plus overflow at Santa Anita Park racetrack (with shuttle), follow the signs
  • 🍼
    Stroller-friendly
    Flat surfaces — bring the stroller
  • 🌳
    Little shade
    Good on cool days · Great on sunny days
  • ⏱️
    Typical visit: 2 hours
    Best seasons: Winter

From mid-November to early January, the Arcadia arboretum becomes a 1-mile light-art loop after dark: through a glowing cathedral tunnel, past flames on the lake and big trees changing color with the music; the winter show Arcadia families can practically walk to.

💡 Tips
Timed tickets are about $30–40 for adults, $15–25 for kids, free under 2; the earliest weekend slot suits little ones best, and buy online ahead, as December weekends sell out. Dress warm, it is in the 50s at night; fully stroller-friendly.

What this place offers

✓light show
✓holiday
✓1-mile loop
✓music
✓hot chocolate
✓stroller-friendly
✓restrooms

Featured in these guides

This weekend's weather in Arcadia

Forecast at the destination itself (coast and hills often differ from home)

☀️
Sat 10/17
Sunny · 76–90°F · 0% rain
☀️
Sun 10/18
Sunny · 76–87°F · 0% rain

Location

Arcadia, California

More like this

Lake Balboa Cherry Blossoms
Kid favorite

Lake Balboa Cherry Blossoms

5.0

Van Nuys · 40 min drive

2 h · stroller-friendly

Free · Parking: Free park lot off Balboa Blvd, full after 10am on weekends in bloom season

Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Festival
Kid favorite

Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Festival

5.0

Pomona · 20 min drive

2.5 h · stroller-friendly

$ · Parking: Campus lots next to AGRIscapes, with attendants on weekends, crowded on festival days

Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch
Kid favorite

Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch

5.0

Orange · 45 min drive

3 h · stroller-friendly

$ · Parking: Irvine Regional Park entry about $5–7 per car, long lines at midday on October weekends, arrive by 9am

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

4.0

Lancaster · 80 min drive

3 h · carrier recommended

Free · Parking: Reserve lot about $10 per car, lines to get in on bloom-season weekends, arrive before the 8:30am opening