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.
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. Not to mention, over 7,000 ornaments were individually hung throughout the estate to bring holiday cheer during daytime hours. You can also enjoy the grand ballroom while sipping on champagne, take a tour through the historic home, and sit by a private firepit while enjoying the lights. Filoli’s holiday programming has something for all ages and is great for a family outing.
Twinkling lights will be placed throughout the gardens and lit both day and night. During the day, they add a new dimension to the vibrant fall foliage, and by night, they transform the gardens into the ultimate enchanted 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. Some of the experiences are already sold out, so we recommend getting tickets as soon as you can.
Filoli will host a series of fun seasonal events and attractions through January 12, 2025, including the following:
- Merry and Bright Preview Night– Nov. 15- get a dazzling preview of the holiday lights
- Visit Santa- Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22- bring your kids to get a lovely photo with Santa
- Ballroom Signature Lounge– Nov. 16 to Jan. 12- enjoy the beautiful ballroom with sparkling wine
- Private firepits – available daily – Sip on seasonal drinks beside a roaring fire pit in the garden.
- Holiday Tea – Select days in Dec.- An exclusive tea experience in the Garden House.
- Gilded Guide: Tour with the Curator – Select dates – See the behind-the-scenes of how Filoli transforms for the holidays.
- Holiday Wreath Party– select days in Dec.- Create your own beautiful holiday wreath at Filoli with expert instruction
- Hair of the Dog Hike – Jan. 1 – Ring in 2025 with a boozy self-guided walk through Filoli’s 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.