Holidays at Filoli is one of the Bay Area’s most captivating and underrated light displays, but many San Franciscans have yet to make the trip. Woodside’s Filoli Estate & Gardens is currently adorned with thousands of glittering lights and decorations for their special holiday experience.
Twinkling lights will be placed throughout the gardens and lit both day and night. As the sun goes down, the lights transform the gardens into a charming escape. The house itself will also be decked out with festive décor, holiday trees, and charming Christmas music. Enjoy sights, sounds, and scents to evoke the holiday spirit throughout the estate.
One of the centerpieces at Holidays at Filoli is a 210-foot-long light tunnel where you’ll find yourself surrounded by sparkling lights on all sides. The gardens themselves are covered with 3,600 strands of lights, which, if placed end to end, would stretch over 25 miles. Twinkling lights will be placed throughout the gardens and lit both day and night. As the sun goes down, the lights transform the gardens into a charming escape.
Inside the home, you can find over 7,000 ornaments individually hung throughout the estate to bring holiday cheer during daytime hours. The historic ballroom hosts a glamorous champagne tasting, serving Moët & Chandon Champagne in the gilded room. Plus, you can also rent a private fire pit, perfect for family outings.
This year, the beautiful estate has welcomed a charming new addition to its holiday lineup. Thistlewyck is a whimsical holiday village located in the estate’s redwood grove. You can find tiny fairy homes, toy trains, and even a post office for letters to Santa. Plus, you can see the giant troll, Rose Wonders, created by artist Thomas Dambo. Some of the experiences are already sold out, so we recommend getting tickets as soon as you can.
Check out the full list of special holiday events at Filoli here:
- Holiday Teas (Select Dates in December): Enjoy a luxurious tea inside the estate’s beautiful Garden House. Select Dates in December.
- Toto’s Tea (December 7, 20, 21, 22 & 23, 2025): A family-friendly tea with story time, drinks for adults, and an adorable plushie for kids.
- Filoli Unwrapped (Tuesdays and Thursdays): A behind-the-scenes tour of the mansion
- Flora Party)December 8-19) Make your own holiday wreath
- Ballroom Champagne Lounge: (until January 11) Enjoy Champagne in the ballroom
- Hair of the Dog Hike (January 1) Start the new year with a hike on the grounds
The Filoli property covers 654 acres in Woodside. The house and garden themselves cover 16 immaculate acres, having been beautifully maintained for over a century. The gardens are unique in that they bloom all year round, thanks to seasonal planting and carefully planned maintenance by the estate’s 14 full-time horticulturalists. The estate is stunning every season, but it’s a great time to see beautiful holiday decorations in the historic estate.
You can visit Filoli at 86 Cañada Road in Woodside, CA, just a short drive from San Francisco. Be sure to experience this spectacular piece of California history glowing with holiday lights.
Written by Jamie Ferrell and Dana Flynn