Visiting Enchanted Forest of Light lets you witness tons of Christmas lights and fairy lights in person. Kids and adults will surely fall in love with blinking Christmas lights, LED curtain lights, icicle lights, net lights, meteor shower lights, and rope lights.
The light displays are a complete sensory experience. While you are exploring the festival venue, you are accompanied by tricks of the eye and sounds. A number of food and beverage options await you before, during, and after the program.
The entire Enchanted Forest of Light venue is a perfect place to take beautiful pictures. You can use selfie sticks or monopods with care. During the event, do not forget to visit the gift shop, where you can buy a variety of seasonal and unique merchandise for nature lovers, gardeners, and more.
Enchanted Forest of Light Dates (2022-2023)
Enchanted Forest of Light encourages every visitor to engage with nature, which forges a strong emotional connection with the place. So, do not hesitate to join this year’s festival of lights to capture the magical and memorable spirit of the season.
The Christmas light show runs from November 20, 2022, to January 9, 2023. You still have plenty of time to prepare for visiting the Enchanted Forest of Light. This event will keep you away from stress and worries. All you need to do is enjoy, bond with your loved ones, and connect with nature.
Where It’s Located and How to Get There
With the Enchanted Forest festival of Light, you can experience a sensory-stimulating event that will introduce you to an unforgettable holiday celebration through immersive light, mesmerizing sound, and heartwarming music.
The festival of lights takes place in Descanso Gardens in 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011, USA. This botanical garden is close to the 210 intersections and 42 freeways. If you are from downtown Los Angeles, it is only a 20-minute drive.
If you prefer taking a bus, transit lines 3, 33, and 90 have routes that pass near the festival venue. The bus stations close to the botanical garden are the Foothill at Alta Canyada (10-minute walk) and Verdugo Blvd and Hilldale Drive, Westbound (13-minute walk).
Bus 3 is the first bus that travels to Descanso Gardens and stops nearby at around 5:20 AM. It is also the last bus to travel to the festival venue and stops nearby at around 8:30 PM.
Festival Hours
Enchanted Forest of Light is a rain or shine Christmas light show. In short, you can wear a raincoat, bring an umbrella, or go on a muddy night. Nothing can stop you from enjoying the holiday season at Descanso Gardens.
This festival of lights is from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM. You have a few hours to explore and discover beautiful things in the venue. It is also perfect to meet new friends or reuniting with them.
If you bring your own car, the parking is free, and some attendants will guide you. Please note that the parking space is available on a first-come, first-serves basis.
How Much It Cost to Visit Enchanted Forest of Light
The best thing about Enchanted Forest of Light is that you do not need to spend too much cash just to make your holiday celebration memorable and unique while connecting to nature. This Christmas light show provides an affordable way to enjoy your entire holiday with your loved ones and nature.
Here are the ticket prices:
- Free – children under 2 (still require a ticket)
- $25 to $28 – children (2 to 18), adults, and seniors (members)
- $32 to $35 – children (2 to 18), adults, seniors (non-members
- $7 discount per ticket – Descanso Gardens members
Please note that tickets are non-refundable. You can also reschedule them. If you cannot use the tickets, please consider them a donation to the 5011© (3) non-profit organization, Descanso Gardens Guild, Inc.
A special rate for groups is not available. The light festival venue cannot accommodate buses in the parking space.
Weather and What to Wear
Enchanted Forest of Light starts in November, and traveling to La Cañada Flintridge, Los Angeles County, CA, during this month gives you dry and balmy weather with little rain. During the daytime, average temperatures are in the low 20s C (low 70s F). So, make sure to pack the following:
- Short or long sleeves shirts
- Light dresses
- Light skirts
- Extra socks
- Sandals
- Heavy shorts or short pants
- Breathable footwear
- A raincoat
- Waterproof footwear
- Rain pants
In December, you will experience mild weather. The daytime average temperatures are in the low 10s C (60s F). It is recommended to wear the following:
- Light and heavy skirts
- Extra socks
- Fleece or light jacket
- Jeans or pants
- Standard footwear
- Long sleeve shirts
- A raincoat
- Waterproof footwear
- Rain pants
The light exhibition lasts until the first week of January. During this month, the weather is balmy. In some cases, you will experience rainy days. Daytime average temperatures are in the high 10s C (60s F). Do not forget to bring the following:
- Light and heavy skirts
- Jeans or pants
- Dresses
- Fleece or light jacket
- Long sleeve shirts
- Extra socks
- Waterproof footwear
- Rain pants
hotels nearby the Enchanted Forest of Light
Have you already booked rooms for your family? If not yet, here are the recommended accommodations near the Descanso Gardens:
Oak Grove Ranch House
This accommodation is around 2.5 km from the festival venue. It features a concierge service, a 24-hour front desk service, and free Wi-Fi. It also has a beautiful and relaxing garden.
The Patrician Hollywood Universal
The Patrician Hollywood Universal is 6.5 km from Descanso Gardens. It features a garden and clean rooms. It is also 2.5 km from Norton Simon Museum and 1.7 km from Rose Bowl Stadium.
The Glenmark
This hotel is 6.2 km from Descanso Gardens. It features free Wi-Fi, a bar, a fitness center, and a restaurant. It is only 1.7 km from Alex Theater and 7 km from Griffith Park.
Motel Sakura
Motel Sakura is 7.1 km from Descanso Gardens. It offers a 24-hour front desk. It is 2.2 km from Alex Theater and 5 km from Griffith Park.
Hyatt Place Glendale
This hotel is 7.5 from Descanso Gardens. It features free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, and a bar. It is 2.7 km from Griffith Park.
Where to Eat
If you wish to dine in before visiting the Enchanted Forest of Light, you can try the following top food destinations:
The Kitchen at Descanso
This eater offers fresh, seasonal food and beverage options. You can find it near the garden’s entrance and open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It showcases the season’s best herbs, fruits, and veggies from local gardens and farms.
Casa Cordoba
Casa Cordoba provides authentic Spanish dishes. You can choose from the extensive menus of tapas, specialty paellas, and more Spanish food options.
Chess Park Lounge
This food destination is famous for its hospitality, live music entertainment, and European-inspired cuisine. You can also choose from their curated wine selection and handcrafted cocktails.
Eden on Brand
Eden on Brand features an extensive wine list, artisan beers, cocktails, and innovative food options. Do not forget to order Truffle Fries, Shishito Peppers, Seared Tuna Sashimi, Eden Shrimp, and Ahi Tuna Tartar.
Bacari GDL
For a Venetian-inspired small plates food destination, Bacari GDL features Mediterranean-influenced dishes. It also offers a rotating curation of electric beers and small-production wines from around the world.
More Things to Do in the Area
Aside from Enchanted Forest of Light, La Cañada Flintridge, Los Angeles County, CA, also offers other destinations, such as:
Boddy House
Boddy House allows a glimpse of how glamorous the bygone era was. It is situated on the crest of a hill above the Descanso Gardens. It was built as the home of founder E. Manchester Boddy.
Enchanted Railroad
The Enchanted Railroad will introduce you to a diesel train’s 1/8th scale replica. It travels a section of the Descanso Gardens. Tickets are available at the Visitor Center and cost $5 each.
Sturt Haaga Gallery
Your Descanso Gardens visit is not complete without visiting the Sturt Haaga Gallery. The rotating exhibits illuminate the intersections between the sciences represented by the Descanso Gardens and contemporary art.
Descanso Gardens Gift Shop
This gift shop is near the garden’s entrance. It offers a cozy and relaxing cedar-beamed complex, where you can buy merchandise, such as wall hangings, rugs, original watercolors, lanterns, statuary, bird baths, garden and home furnishing, and many more.
