Last updated Nov. 10, 2026. Visit Glendale CA is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the City of Glendale, Caruso, Shop Montrose, Descanso Gardens, the Los Angeles Zoo, or the Christmas Tree Lane Association. Dates, hours, tickets, and parking rules can change. Confirm on the organizer’s official page before you go.
If you are looking for Christmas lights in Glendale, California, start at The Americana at Brand. The 80-foot white fir is up from Nov. 2 through Dec. 25, 2026, and nightly snowfall runs Nov. 13 through Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Official pages do not list a ticket to walk the property or view the tree and snowfall. For a smaller old-town evening, Montrose lights its tree on Friday, Nov. 27, at 6:15 p.m. The City of Glendale’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is Thursday, Dec. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Perkins Plaza at City Hall. Nearby ticketed or historic displays, all outside Glendale city limits, include Enchanted at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, L.A. Zoo Lights in Los Angeles, and Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena.
This guide is for Glendale, CA, not Glendale, Arizona. If you also need a tree, delivery, or someone to hang lights at home, use our Christmas tree lots and decorations guide. For weekend planning around these dates, see major events near Glendale and more things to do in Glendale.
2026 Dates at a Glance
| Display | Where | 2026 dates and times | Cost, as posted | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americana Christmas tree | 889 Americana Way, Glendale | Nov. 2-Dec. 25 | No ticket listed to view the tree | Americana tree |
| Americana nightly snowfall | Same | Nov. 13-Dec. 31, at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. | No ticket listed to view snowfall | Winterland 2026 |
| Santa’s House at the Americana | Near The Fountain, same property | Nov. 13-Dec. 24 | Photo packages; walk-ins welcome | Meet Santa |
| Montrose tree lighting | Honolulu Avenue, Old Town Montrose | Friday, Nov. 27, 6:15 p.m.; carolers from 5:30 p.m. | No ticket listed; Shop Montrose notes free parking | Shop Montrose |
| Montrose Old Town Christmas weekends | Honolulu Avenue | Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 28-Dec. 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Horse-drawn trolley is complimentary | Shop Montrose |
| City of Glendale tree lighting | Perkins Plaza, 141 N. Glendale Ave. | Thursday, Dec. 3, 6-8 p.m. | No ticket or registration listed | City event page |
| Enchanted: Forest of Light (nearby) | 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge | Nov. 22, 2026-Jan. 9, 2027, 5:30-10 p.m.; closed Nov. 26 and Dec. 25 | Ticketed; prices vary by date and time | Descanso tickets |
| L.A. Zoo Lights (nearby) | 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles | Select evenings Nov. 20, 2026-Jan. 10, 2027; see closed nights below | Ticketed; tickets start at $19; free parking | Zoo Lights tickets |
| Christmas Tree Lane lighting (nearby) | Santa Rosa Avenue and Mariposa Street, Altadena | Saturday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m. | Free and open to the public | Tree Lane events |
The Americana at Brand (Glendale)
The Americana is the main Christmas lights stop in downtown Glendale, and it is the display most people mean when they search for lights here. Official 2026 details come from Caruso’s tree page and Winterland page, plus the Americana’s Meet Santa page.
The Christmas tree
Caruso’s official tree page lists the display as “Our Christmas Tree,” running Nov. 2-Dec. 25, 2026, at 889 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210. It describes an 80-foot white fir brought from the Mt. Shasta region, with 12,000 lights and more than 8,000 ornaments. The same page says each tree is chosen when it is nearing 80 years or older, that the branches are recycled after the season, and that 10 new white fir trees are planted in its place.
More info: Our Christmas Tree at The Americana at Brand
Nightly snowfall
The official Winterland 2026 page lists snowfall at The Americana at Brand from Nov. 13 through Dec. 31, at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. That run continues past Christmas Day, so you can still catch snow the week after Dec. 25. Official pages do not list a ticket to stand and watch it.
More info: Winterland 2026 at The Americana at Brand
Santa’s House
Santa’s House is listed for Nov. 13-Dec. 24, 2026, near The Fountain, and is presented in partnership with Adventist Health Glendale. The official Meet Santa page says you can meet Santa, share a wishlist, and buy keepsake photo packages. Walk-ins are welcome, though wait times may vary. The page does not post package prices, so check the booking page before you go if you want photos.
The same official page also lists Santa Paws on Wednesdays, Nov. 18, Nov. 25, and Dec. 2, for pet photos. Other themed extras are tied to named photo packages. We are not repeating package names or add-on perks here, because those can change.
More info: Meet Santa at The Americana at Brand
Hours, parking, and the trolley
Posted shopping hours on the official Americana site are Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Those are store hours, not a posted close time for the courtyard. On Sundays, the 8 p.m. snowfall lands at the posted store closing, so give yourself extra time.
The official Visit page says guests can enter the parking structure on Americana Way, off Central Avenue or Brand Boulevard, and that the lot is open 4 a.m.-3 a.m. daily. ADA accessible parking is on Level 2. The page does not list a self-parking rate. For current parking information, Caruso points you to 818.637.8982. Valet is listed on Caruso Avenue off Brand Boulevard, Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., with vehicle pickup until 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and midnight Friday-Saturday. The parking office number on the services page is 818-637-8957.
The Americana also runs a complimentary open-style trolley around the property, with pickup and drop-off by Nike. Official hours are Sunday-Thursday 1:15 p.m.-7 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 1:15 p.m.-8 p.m., with a daily recharge from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Those hours do not cover the 8 p.m. snowfall, and on Sunday-Thursday the trolley is listed as ending at 7 p.m., when the first snowfall starts.
For a year-round look at shopping, dining, and the fountain, see our Americana at Brand guide.
Montrose Old Town Christmas (Honolulu Avenue)
Old Town Montrose, on Honolulu Avenue just north of central Glendale, posts a smaller, street-level holiday. Shop Montrose’s “Come Home to Montrose This Christmas” page lists the annual Holiday Tree Lighting at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, with strolling carolers beginning at 5:30 p.m. Santa Claus is also mentioned that evening, but the page does not give Friday Santa hours.
Weekend activities run Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 28 through Dec. 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The official schedule is:
- Santa photos: Saturdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Free horse-drawn trolley rides along Honolulu Avenue: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. both weekend days
- Live Christmas music along the avenue both weekend days
- Montrose Harvest Market on Sundays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Shop Montrose says there is plenty of free parking. It does not list a ticket for the tree lighting or the weekend stroll. The page does not print a street number, so we are not inventing one. Use Honolulu Avenue in Old Town Montrose, and confirm details on the Shop Montrose page before you go.
More info: Shop Montrose
City of Glendale Holiday Tree Lighting
The City of Glendale’s official 2026 listing is the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at City Hall – Perkins Plaza, 141 N. Glendale Ave., Glendale, CA 91206. The official event page says the evening includes lighting of the City Hall tree, special performances, and a visit from Santa. The listing does not mention tickets, registration, or a cost.
More info: City of Glendale Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Santa Photos in Glendale
If you want pictures with Santa in Glendale, start at Santa’s House at The Americana at Brand. Official dates are Nov. 13-Dec. 24, 2026, near The Fountain. The official Meet Santa page says you can buy keepsake photo packages, and that walk-ins are welcome, though wait times may vary. Package prices are not posted on that page, so check the booking page before you go. Santa Paws pet photos are listed for Wednesdays, Nov. 18, Nov. 25, and Dec. 2.
More info: Meet Santa at The Americana at Brand
Old Town Montrose lists photos with Santa on the official Shop Montrose Christmas page, during weekend activities from Nov. 28 through Dec. 20: Saturdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The page does not list a price or a reservation link. Santa is also mentioned at the Friday, Nov. 27, tree lighting, but Friday photo hours are not posted.
More info: Shop Montrose
The City of Glendale’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Perkins Plaza, includes a visit from Santa. The official event listing does not mention photo packages or a separate picture line.
More info: City of Glendale Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
As of Nov. 10, 2026, the official Glendale Galleria events page lists no Santa or holiday events. Nearby, and outside Glendale city limits, L.A. Zoo Lights lists Santa photos for purchase on select days, and Christmas Tree Lane’s Winterfest in Altadena lists photo ops with Santa on Dec. 5. Neither official page posts a Santa photo price here.
For packages, booking, pet photo nights, and hours in one place, see our full guide to where to take Santa photos in Glendale.
Nearby tickets and info: L.A. Zoo Lights and Christmas Tree Lane Association
Nearby: Enchanted at Descanso Gardens (La Canada Flintridge)
Enchanted is not in Glendale. It is at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011, near the 210 and 2 freeways. Official Enchanted FAQs list the run from Nov. 22, 2026, to Jan. 9, 2027, nightly 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m., closed Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving) and Dec. 25 (Christmas Day). A preview party is listed for Nov. 21, and a Holiday Market is listed for Dec. 2-6 on the Main Lawn.
This is a ticketed walk. Official prices vary by date and entry time. Non-member general admission is listed at $29-$52 for adults and $19-$37 for children ages 2-12. Member general admission is listed at $22-$45 for adults and $12-$30 for children. Children ages 2 and under are free. Anytime tickets, valid any night during the run, are listed at $65 for members and $85 for non-members. Descanso members get a discount, not free Enchanted tickets. Popular nights sell out, and tickets are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled. Buy in advance on the Descanso website or by calling 818.949.4200.
The official FAQs say the route is about 1 mile, accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, and mobility devices, and that the event is rain or shine. Descanso is cashless. Parking is listed as free and first come, first served, with attendants directing cars to the lots on arrival. An Enchanted ticket covers the evening event only, not daytime garden admission.
Tickets and info: Descanso Gardens
Nearby: L.A. Zoo Lights (Los Angeles)
L.A. Zoo Lights is also outside Glendale. The official 2026 event page places it at the Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027, and lists the run as select evenings from Nov. 20 through Jan. 10 (November 2026 through January 2027). The same page says tickets start at $19 and parking is free. The Zoo says a typical visit takes 60 to 90 minutes, and the box office is open on event days from 5:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Official closed nights are Nov. 26 and 30; Dec. 1, 7, 14, 15, 16, 24, 25, and 31; and Jan. 4, 5, 6, and 7. Special nights listed on the same page are Sensory-Inclusive Zoo Lights on Dec. 8 and Pride Night on Dec. 17. An artificial ice-skating rink and Santa photos are separate ticketed add-ons. Members receive discounts, according to the Zoo. Buy tickets on the official Zoo Lights page, and confirm your night is an event night before you drive over.
Tickets and info: L.A. Zoo Lights
Nearby: Christmas Tree Lane (Altadena)
Christmas Tree Lane is a public historic street display in Altadena, not in Glendale. The Christmas Tree Lane Association describes nearly a mile of deodar cedar trees along Santa Rosa Avenue, with more than 20,000 lights, and calls it the oldest large-scale outdoor Christmas lighting display in the United States.
The official events page lists the 2026 Annual Lighting Ceremony for Saturday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m., at the corner of Santa Rosa Avenue and Mariposa Street, Altadena. It is free and open to the public. The association says this ceremony marks the official start of the season. The same page lists Winterfest, an arts and crafts festival, the same day from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the same corner, also free and open to the public.
The association does not post a season end date or nightly viewing hours on that events page, so we are not inventing them. After Dec. 5, use Santa Rosa Avenue as the public corridor, start at the official ceremony intersection, and check the association’s events page before you go. This guide does not list private home addresses.
More info: Christmas Tree Lane Association
FAQ
When does the Americana Christmas tree go up in 2026?
The official tree page lists Nov. 2 through Dec. 25, 2026.
What time is snowfall at the Americana?
The official Winterland 2026 page lists nightly snowfall from Nov. 13 through Dec. 31, at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Do I need a ticket to see the lights at the Americana?
Official Americana pages do not list a ticket to walk the property or view the tree and snowfall. Santa’s House photo packages are separate, and walk-ins are welcome, with wait times that may vary. Check the Meet Santa page for current package details.
When is the City of Glendale tree lighting in 2026?
The official city listing is Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at City Hall – Perkins Plaza, 141 N. Glendale Ave., Glendale, CA 91206.
When is the Montrose tree lighting?
Shop Montrose lists Friday, Nov. 27, at 6:15 p.m., with carolers from 5:30 p.m. Weekend activities continue Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 28 through Dec. 20.
What is the closest ticketed lights show?
Enchanted at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge is the closest large ticketed display, at 1418 Descanso Drive. L.A. Zoo Lights in Los Angeles is the other nearby ticketed show. Both are outside Glendale city limits.
Is this Glendale, California or Glendale, Arizona?
This page is only about Glendale, California. Searches for “Glendale Christmas lights” often turn up Glendale Glitters and other events in Glendale, Arizona. Those are a different city.
Is there a 2026 Santa at the Glendale Galleria?
As of Nov. 10, 2026, the official Galleria events page says, “There are no news or events available at this time.” We are not posting Galleria Santa dates from other websites. The Americana tree and snowfall are across the street.
Where can I buy a Christmas tree in Glendale?
See our separate guide to Christmas tree lots, delivery, and decorations in Glendale.
For more in the Jewel City, start at the Visit Glendale CA homepage.