The annual Filoli Holiday Lights event has opened, drawing Bay Area visitors to the estate, where they can stroll through the colorfully illuminated gardens and experience the festive spirit of the season.
The Holiday Lights at Filoli began on Nov. 22, 2025, and will run through Jan. 11, 2026. It features 16 acres of formal gardens that have been transformed into a dazzling display of lights and radiant colors.
“It’s such a magical place to visit during the holidays, especially when you see so much joy on the faces of the kids,” said Stephanie Carmen, an employee at Filoli.
Guests can wander through gardens with colorful orbs, walk beneath lit trees, and meander through a tunnel of lights. The house on the estate is also open and decorated with elaborate Christmas trees and decorations.
“We were just completely amazed by the decor. They go over the top with their holiday decorations, and the lighting was just much more beautiful than we ever imagined it could be,” said Susie Gaffney, a visitor at Filoli.
Filoli opened to the public in 1975, and festive decorations inside the house were there from the beginning. According to Filoli, the Holiday Lights event began in 2020.
Every year, returning and new visitors explore Filoli and experience the festivity.
“Our main priority is to enjoy and feel the holiday magic,” said Ella Alvarado, a visitor at Filoli.
Holiday Lights not only brings a festive spirit to visitors, but also makes the staff feel the magic of the holiday season. Part of this is the lights, and another part is the community, seeing people enjoy the experience.
“I love working at Filoli during the holidays mainly just because of the people I get to work with, my coworkers, and then the people that come to visit,” Carmen said. “People are so happy to be here, and it’s just such a nice place to share with everyone.”
Numerous people are attending this event, as many of the tickets have already sold out. The tickets are $49 for adults and $39 for children aged five to 17, with children under five admitted free of charge. Despite the cost, attendance remains strong.
Holiday Lights is one of several experiences offered by Filoli. For instance, Nightfall at Filoli took place in October and November of 2025.
“Filoli is definitely expanding in the offerings that it has, especially in our nature play area, with the Thomas Dambo Troll exhibit that was here over the summer. That was an entirely new event for us, and it brought in lots of guests,” Carmen said.
As Filoli adds more offerings, more people are enticed to visit the estate, and according to Carmen, the membership base is growing.
“I’ve lived here my entire life in the Bay Area, and I had heard about Filoli, and I had never been here before,” said Chris Gaffney, a visitor at Filoli.
Above all, the holiday season is a time when people like to come together with friends and family. Filoli offers a unique gathering location and experience, adding to the magic of the season with loved ones.
“There’s nothing like it, I think, in the Bay Area,” Gaffney said.
