This guide is about Carlsbad, California, in North County San Diego; searches for Carlsbad Christmas lights also turn up Carlsbad, New Mexico, which has traditions of its own. It covers a neighborhood display that has come back in recent years, plus the Village tree lighting and a ranch evening, which have confirmed 2026 dates. Informal displays have no organizer page, so check before you go.
Ho Ho Highland
Where: Highland Drive, as ABC 10News has reported
Giant inflatable Santas stand in front yards along the street. ABC 10News reported in December 2025 that a neighbor brought the idea home from a photo of a Toronto street lined with giant Santas, that the display began in 2023, and that more than 40 Santas were up by early December 2025, with more expected before Christmas.
In past years: the 2023, 2024 and 2025 seasons, per the same 10News report.
2026: No word yet for this season as of October 31, 2026. There is no organizer page, so in the first week of December we look for coverage from 10News, NBC 7 and FOX 5.
- Enjoy it from the sidewalk: the Santas stand on private front yards.
Carlsbad nights with a 2026 date
41st Annual Rotary Holiday Tree Lighting
When: Sunday, December 6, 2026, 2 to 4:30 p.m. · Where: Front entrance of Village Faire Shopping Center, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr
The afternoon begins at 2 p.m.; Santa pulls up on an antique fire truck soon after, and the tree goes on at 4:30 p.m. The event page lists free photos with Santa, and the Rotary Club provides cookies, coffee and hot cider. Village Faire event page.
Holiday at the Rancho
When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 5 to 8 p.m. · Where: Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park
An evening at the City-run historic ranch; the City’s special events page has the program and any registration details. City of Carlsbad special events.
More of the month is in our Carlsbad fall events and holiday traditions guide.
Before you head out
- Pick a quieter weeknight for neighborhood displays and save the weekend for the tree lighting.
- Coastal evenings get chilly after sunset in December, so pack a sweater.
- Look at each source page on the day itself; plans can shift.
Carlsbad lights questions
Where is Ho Ho Highland?
On Highland Drive in Carlsbad, according to ABC 10News. The Santas are on private front yards, so enjoy them from the sidewalk.
When is the Carlsbad tree lighting in 2026?
Sunday, December 6, 2026, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the front entrance of Village Faire Shopping Center, with the tree lit at 4:30 p.m., per the Village Faire event page for the Rotary Club’s celebration.
Is this Carlsbad, New Mexico?
No. This guide covers Carlsbad, California, in San Diego County.
Sources, checked Oct 31, 2026: ABC 10News, Dec 5, 2025; Village Faire Shopping Center, Rotary tree lighting; City of Carlsbad.
Neighbors, the City and the Rotary Club create these displays and events; this site has no connection to any of them. Every place and date here was confirmed on October 31, 2026, using the pages linked above. Please view the Santas from the public sidewalk.
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