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Holiday Guide 2026

Christmas in San Pedro

San Pedro does the holidays on the water. Here are the best holiday things to do on the LA Waterfront this season — from the harbor boat parade to a walk through a world of light — and how to put them together into one festive night or a whole weekend.

Harbor Glow

Walk-through holiday lights at West Harbor. Nightly, Nov 20 – Jan 3.

Holidays by the Sea

Free tree lighting and the LA Harbor Holiday Boat Parade. Early December.

Spirit of the Holidays Parade

Downtown San Pedro's daytime holiday parade. Sunday, Dec 6, 2026, 1–3 PM.

Every Night of the Season

Harbor Glow: Christmas Lights at West Harbor

Crystal Christmas trees around a glowing ice heart at Harbor Glow

Concept imagery — design concept, final execution may vary.

Harbor Glow is a walk-through holiday light experience at West Harbor at Port of Los Angeles. You start in Winter Dreamscape — crystal ice gates, glowing Christmas trees, Santa and a snowman family — then cross into World Beneath the Waves, a bioluminescent ocean of jellyfish, coral and whales.

It's open every night from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027, including holidays. Most guests spend 40 minutes to an hour. It works for families with young kids and for a holiday date night alike, and it's an easy drive from Long Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes and the rest of the South Bay.

Sunday – Thursday5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Friday, Saturday & Holidays5:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Where1332 S Harbor Blvd, San Pedro, CA 90731
See the Scenes Plan Your Visit

One Night Only

Holidays by the Sea & the LA Harbor Boat Parade

San Pedro's biggest holiday night is Holidays by the Sea, a free celebration on the waterfront presented by the Port of Los Angeles and partners at San Pedro Town Square (6th St & Harbor Blvd). Past years have brought a tree lighting ceremony, snow play, photos with Santa, carolers and a holiday market.

The night ends with the LA Harbor Holiday Boat Parade — a decades-old tradition in which dozens of decorated, lit-up boats cruise the harbor after dark.

It's traditionally held on the first Saturday of December (Dec 2 in 2023, Dec 7 in 2024, Dec 6 in 2025), the night before the Spirit of the Holidays Parade. The 2026 date hasn't been announced yet — check lawaterfront.org for the official schedule.

A Daytime Tradition

San Pedro Spirit of the Holidays Parade

Organized by the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, this free hometown parade of bands, floats and community groups runs through downtown San Pedro, stepping off at 13th St & Pacific Ave and heading toward 6th St. It runs rain or shine.

The 46th annual parade is on Sunday, December 6, 2026, from 1 to 3 PM. Details at spholidayparade.com.

Put It Together

Three Ways to Spend a Holiday Night in San Pedro

With the Kids

Come at opening time, before bedtime. Walk Harbor Glow while it's fresh — Santa, the snowman family and the giant ocean creatures are the favorites — and you're heading home within the hour.

Date Night

Dinner on the waterfront at West Harbor, then a later walk through the lights. Sunday to Thursday nights are the quietest.

The Big Weekend

The first weekend of December is San Pedro's big holiday weekend: the Spirit of the Holidays Parade on Sunday, Dec 6, and — if past years hold — Holidays by the Sea and the boat parade the night before. Pick an evening for Harbor Glow.

Quick Answers

San Pedro Holiday FAQ

Harbor Glow at West Harbor (1332 S Harbor Blvd) is a walk-through holiday light experience open nightly from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027. On the night of Holidays by the Sea, the LA Harbor Holiday Boat Parade also lights up the harbor.

The LA Harbor Holiday Boat Parade is part of Holidays by the Sea, traditionally the first Saturday of December. The 2026 date hasn't been announced yet; the Port of Los Angeles posts it at lawaterfront.org.

In San Pedro, the free Holidays by the Sea celebration (snow play, Santa, the boat parade) and the Spirit of the Holidays Parade are both family favorites, and Harbor Glow is open every night of the season. Children 2 and under are free at Harbor Glow.

Yes. Harbor Glow is open every night of the season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, with extended holiday hours of 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM.

Holidays by the Sea, the LA Harbor Holiday Boat Parade and the Spirit of the Holidays Parade are run by their own organizers and are not affiliated with Harbor Glow. Dates, times and details are set by those organizers and may change. Harbor Glow dates, hours and operating details are subject to change.

The harbor is glowing.

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