Where to See Lights & Light Shows in Orange County
Orange County really comes alive after dark. From projection and water shows to fireworks, holiday light festivals and glowing shopping districts, here's where to see lights and light shows in Orange County, grouped by type so you can find the right night out.
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At a Glance
| Spot | City | Best for | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| World of Color | Anaheim | Water and light show | Year-round; showtimes vary |
| Disneyland Fireworks | Anaheim | Fireworks | Select nights |
| Knott's Berry Farm | Buena Park | Theme park lights | Year-round; seasonal events |
| Angels Fireworks | Anaheim | Postgame fireworks | Baseball season, Saturday home games |
| OCC Planetarium | Costa Mesa | Star and laser shows | Year-round |
| Dream Glow Festival | Irvine | Holiday light festival | Nov 5–Dec 30, 2026 |
| Downtown Disney | Anaheim | Shopping and dining | Year-round |
| Irvine Spectrum Giant Wheel | Irvine | Lit Ferris wheel | Year-round |
| Fashion Island | Newport Beach | Lit fountains and shopping | Year-round |
| Pacific City | Huntington Beach | Shopping near the pier | Year-round |
| Center Street Promenade | Anaheim | Downtown shopping | Year-round |
| The Lab Anti-Mall | Costa Mesa | String lights and art | Year-round |
| Anaheim GardenWalk | Anaheim | Outdoor shopping | Year-round |
| Orange Hill | Orange | City-light views with dinner | Year-round |
| Bolsa Chica State Beach | Huntington Beach | Bonfires and coastal lights | Year-round |
| Laguna Beach / Crescent Bay Point Park | Laguna Beach | Coastal city lights | Year-round |
| Pacific Coast Highway | Coast | Night drive | Year-round |
| Great Park | Irvine | Carousel and Balloon | Thu–Sun evenings |
| Balboa Peninsula | Newport Beach | Boardwalk and Fun Zone | Year-round |
| Dana Point Harbor | Dana Point | Harbor lights, boat parade | Year-round; holiday events |
| ARTIC | Anaheim | Lit architecture | Year-round |
Check Before You Go
Check before you go: Showtimes, seasonal dates and weather-dependent attractions change often. Confirm with each venue's official site before heading out.
Looking for holiday displays? See our Christmas Lights in Orange County guide for neighborhood light displays by city.
Theme Parks & Shows
World of Color
Disney California Adventure, 1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA
Disney California Adventure official site
World of Color fills the lagoon at Disney California Adventure Park with water, light and music from beloved Disney films. World of Color – ONE is reported to run through Nov. 12, 2026, with World of Color – Season of Light reported for Nov. 13, 2026, through Jan. 6, 2027. Showtimes vary, with one or two shows a night, so check the Disneyland app or entertainment schedule the day you go.
Disneyland Fireworks
Disneyland, 1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA
Disneyland official site
Colors burst over Sleeping Beauty Castle during Disneyland's themed fireworks shows throughout the year. Fireworks don't run every night, so check the entertainment schedule before you go. No ticket? See our guide to the best places to watch Disneyland fireworks.
Knott's Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA
Knott's official site
Knott's Berry Farm lights up after sunset, and seasonal events such as Knott's Merry Farm add even more holiday lights. Check Knott's site for event dates.
Angels Fireworks
Angel Stadium, 2000 E Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA
Angels promotions schedule
During the 2026 regular season, the Angels held Saturday Night Fireworks after every Saturday home game, plus postgame fireworks on July 3 and July 5. The 2027 promotions schedule hasn't been announced yet. Even without fireworks, the lights of a night game at Angel Stadium are hard to beat.
OCC Planetarium
Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA
Planetarium calendar & tickets
Explore the cosmos without leaving Orange County. Public shows run most Tuesday and Wednesday nights and Saturday afternoons, and LAZERDOME laser shows set light to music on select dates. LAZERDOME tickets are $20 general admission ($17 for children, seniors and military), and parking in Lot E is $5. Check the calendar for current shows.
Seasonal Light Festivals
Dream Glow Festival at Wild Rivers
Wild Rivers Waterpark, 10000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine | Nov. 5 – Dec. 30, 2026, 5–9/9:30 PM (holiday hours vary)
Dream Glow Festival official site
The Dream Glow Festival fills Wild Rivers with more than 1,000 light displays across three worlds: Sweet Dreams, Outer Space and Christmas Fantasy, plus a Christmas market, live performances and themed food. Tickets start at $25, and parking is free. For more holiday displays, see our Orange County Christmas lights guide.
More Holiday Light Festivals
Other seasonal favorites include the Hikari Festival of Lights at Tanaka Farms in Irvine, Holidayz at the Park at the Great Park, and Merry & Bright Nights at Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar. See each guide for dates and tickets.
Shopping & Dining After Dark
Downtown Disney
1580 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA
Downtown Disney official site
Downtown Disney glows after dark. Whether you're shopping, bowling or grabbing dinner, the evening scene is lively.
Irvine Spectrum Center Giant Wheel
Irvine Spectrum, 670 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, CA
The giant Ferris wheel at Irvine Spectrum Center lights up the night, and the view of the glowing wheel from below can be as fun as the ride itself.
Fashion Island
401 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA
Fashion Island official site
At night, Fashion Island's fountains and greenery are lit up, making it a nice backdrop for photos or an evening of shopping.
Pacific City
21010 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA
Pacific City official site
This two-story outdoor shopping center sits across the street from the Huntington Beach Pier, with night lights and outdoor seating that's great on warm evenings.
Center Street Promenade
Downtown Anaheim, 205 W Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, CA
Center Street official site
In the heart of Downtown Anaheim, Center Street Promenade is a lit-up strip of local shops and restaurants for an evening stroll.
The Lab Anti-Mall
2930 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA
The Lab official site
The Lab Anti-Mall is home to small businesses and art installations, including a CD tunnel that's popular for photos. In the evening, string lights overhead give the sculptures a different look. When you're done, head across the street to The CAMP.
Anaheim GardenWalk
400 Disney Way, Anaheim, CA
Anaheim GardenWalk official site
Anaheim GardenWalk is an outdoor shopping and dining complex a short walk from Disneyland. After sunset, lights overhead set an easy evening mood.
Orange Hill Restaurant
6410 E Chapman Ave., Orange, CA | Mon–Tue 4–10 PM, Wed–Fri 11:30 AM–10 PM, Sat 10 AM–10 PM, Sun 10 AM–9 PM
Orange Hill official site
Perched on a hilltop in Orange, this restaurant and event venue offers indoor and outdoor dining with views over the surrounding area. Take in the sunset, then watch the city lights come on.
See Our List of Rooftop Bars & Restaurants for More City Views
Scenic Night Views
Bolsa Chica State Beach
17851 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA
Bolsa Chica State Beach official site
The beach after dark? Yes. Bolsa Chica is one of our favorite night-time beaches: there's often the glow of the bonfire pits, plus views of the lights from the oil platforms, ships, Long Beach and the port.
Laguna Beach
Crescent Bay Point Park, Crescent Bay Drive, Laguna Beach, CA
When the sun goes down, Laguna Beach takes on a whole new feel as the shops and cafes light up. Occasionally, bioluminescent waves glow along the coast, but they're unpredictable.
For an after-dark view of the city lights, head to Crescent Bay Point Park, just off PCH on Crescent Bay Drive, for views of the ocean and coastal lights.
Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach to Laguna Beach
Pick your starting point and head north or south. My favorite path was from 2nd Street/Westminster Blvd. at PCH and head south. As a teen, we'd climb into my '64 Nova and cruise PCH past Sunset Beach, Huntington, Corona Del Mar, Crystal Cove, and turn around when we hit the end of Laguna. Even as adults, we still sometimes hop into the car and take our late night drive to reminisce. Popular points of interest along this path are the Sunset Beach water tower, Downtown Huntington and the tranquil darkness of Crystal Cove.
Orange County Great Park
8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, CA
Great Park Balloon & Carousel official page
The Great Park has plenty to explore after dark, including the lit-up carousel. The Great Park Balloon flies evening sessions Thursday–Sunday from 7–10 PM, weather permitting ($10 adults; kids free). Call the Visitors Center at 949-724-6247 for flight status before you go.
Balboa Peninsula Boardwalk
Balboa Fun Zone, 600 E Bay Avenue, Newport Beach, CA
Balboa Fun Zone official site
The Balboa Peninsula Boardwalk glows at night, from homes with string lights to the rides at the Fun Zone.
Dana Point Harbor
34571 Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point, CA
Harbor lights and their reflections off the boats make Dana Point Harbor a pretty evening stop any time of year. The harbor also hosts seasonal displays, including Holidays at the Harbor, and the Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights, Dec. 11–13, 2026.
ARTIC
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, 2626 E Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA
It may seem odd, but the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center is worth a look for the way it lights up in color at night.
If you visit any of these spots to see lights and light shows, let us know by tagging us on Instagram at our handle @enjoyorangecounty or use the hashtag #EnjoyOC to be featured on our page!
