O Enchanted Night!

Visiting the Enchanted Forest of Light in Descanso Gardens

12.14.2017

Prepare to be mesmerized! Holiday-season nights in Descanso Gardens are a magical interplay of lights and natural beauty that dazzle as you stroll through the Enchanted Forest of Light. Kids and adults alike will thrill as they enter 10 themed gardens, each beckoning visitors to slow down and savor the sparkling and serene displays.

Each light installation plays off of the plant life found in the gardens, creating a seamless blend of art and nature. One moment you’re in a prehistoric forest; the next, you’re shooting lasers across a lake. Follow a path where the colors change with every step you take (kids go crazy with this!), and end up in a colorful forest where you might expect a unicorn to emerge any moment.

Tickets have a timed entry and must be purchased in advance, but once inside, you’re free to stay as long as you please.

Don’t worry about becoming hungry or thirsty while you explore, because Descanso Gardens has plenty of dining options, including vendors positioned throughout the Enchanted Forest! Grab a glass of wine and some hot chocolate for the kids while you walk the mile-long path. Maybe make it a fancy date night by dining at their signature restaurant, Maple (reservations suggested), before wandering through the labyrinth of lights.

Yes, it’s a labyrinth, but just follow the arrows; you’ll see everything and end up right back where you started. Be sure to bring warm clothes—it’s as chilly as it is enchanting!

Enchanted Forest of Lights.

From Verdugo Blvd. in La Cañada, go south on Descanso Dr. You’ll find Descanso Gardens on the right. Free parking, but the lot is small, so arrive early to find a spot. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Mike Zakowski (aka Mike the Baker) standing in front of his wood-fire oven at the Sonoma Valley Farmers' Market

    NEW! Walkin' and Talkin': Break Bread, Go On a Panoramic Hike

    What’s a world-traveling, medal-winning baker’s favorite local hike? Weekend Sherpa co-founder Brad Day caught up with Mike Zakowski (aka Mike the Baker) at Sonoma’s Friday farmers' market, where his wood-fired loaves draw loyal crowds. Between bites of fresh-baked bread, they talk baking, travel, and why Sonoma's Overlook Trail is one of his favorite quick, panoramic hikes.

    View

  2. Hidden Botanical Garden

    Forget a dozen roses. Give your love a botanical garden. Hidden on the western slope of Sonoma Valley’s Mayacamas Mountains, Sonoma Botanical Garden has one of the Bay Area’s best displays of Asian flora—and it’s a brilliant place for a quiet picnic and some calming contemplations.

    View

  3. Sunnyvale and Salty

    For up-close bird watching, it’s hard to beat a walk along the San Francisco Bay. This 5-mile loop on the Sunnyvale coast is a favorite of local wildlife photographers.

    View
  4. A man takes a break at a temple spot on a hike at Dragon Mountain in Milptas

    Dragon Quest

    The newly reopened, 4-mile out-and-back hike at Dragon Mountain in Milpitas mixes the physical with the spiritual for a serene hiking experience.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

    View
  2. A woman stands at Dante's View in Death Valley, looking out to Telescope Peak and Manly Lake, Badwater Basin below.

    Sunset Hike at Dante's View

    It’s one of the world’s best places to watch a sunset. Dante’s View is a 5,476-foot vantage of the whole southern basin of Death Valley from the top of the Black Mountains. Right now there's a banner and bonus view of a rare lake formation that appears only after big rains.

    View

  3. It's a Waterfall Life

    Tahquitz Canyon’s crystalline stream and lush stands of desert lavender, honey mesquite, and leafy sycamores is home to an easy day hike with a big bonus: a 60-foot waterfall that runs with remarkable gusto after winter rains.

    View

  4. Oh Snow Nice

    Live in California long enough, and you’ll come to know the rite of passage called “going to the snow”–when we ditch our fair-weather cities and towns in search of winter weather. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks deliver a winter wonderland worth a visit if there’s been a good dose of snow.

    View