Are you looking to find out about holiday lights at Dana Point Harbor 2025? I feel like IlluminOcean in Dana Point Harbor made a big impression on people. It was a holiday lights extravaganza that lasted only one year (2014). IlluminOcean was, for the most part, not a static light display. Most of the lights moved or had some sort of animated features and sounds to go along with them. They even had special 3D glasses to view the show. You can see what I mean with my video of this light tunnel. The public loved it and so did the harbor businesses. Ever since that year, there are holiday lights at Dana Point Harbor that are FREE to enjoy.
Video of the 2014 IlluminOcean Light Tunnels
Dana Point Harbor Holiday Light Displays for 2025
Local dad and CEO, Bruce Brenon, of Shine Illumination comes up with new concepts every year (while keeping the old favorites)! Follow the @shineillumination account on Instagram to get current news about their displays all over our area.
The light display started on November 12th, 2025 and will run through January 4th, 2026.
The harbor is under construction this 2025 season, so some of the old favorites are NOT happening this year and I don't know if they will return.
At least you know before you go!
It's not that there are NO lights, they are just in separate locations this year. You will want to head down towards Baby Beach to get more lights and room to wander.
Candy Cane Lane 2025
Candy Cane Lane is closed off by construction fencing for 2025. Usually, there are static light displays that the kids love with candy cane pillars and lighted stars hanging above. This area with starbursts overhead and the impression of snow falling is called Candy Cane Lane.
This is what it looked like in 2024 and before:
This next picture is what Candy Cane Lane looks like for 2025. The Lane itself is blocked off by construction but there is still a narrow walkway to the shops, but unfortunately Coffee Importers which was our main stop for ice cream and hot chocolate had to move to their new Ocean Institute location earlier this year. So, a little bit of a sad face for times past!
They did try to make a white-lights-version of Candy Cane Lane right as you walk out the back of the new parking structure on your way to the Merry Kiss Me sign. It's a much smaller stretch, but at least they tried!
Merry Kiss Me Sign 2025
What is Merry Kiss Me? Merry Kiss Me Dana Point 2025 is a holiday light display that appears in many, many Insta posts this time of year! Couples flock here like it is mistletoe. Take your photo and share with a #MerryKissMe hashtag. #HappyHarborDays and #HolidaysattheHarbor are the other hashtags for this spot at Dana Point Harbor this time of year.
For 2025, the sign is right outside of Dana Wharf Whale Watching building. The plus side is that you can see it just driving by. The downside is that it's a little more stand-alone this year away from a big light grouping this year.
If you want to skip the crowds, it even makes a cute photo during the day! See the small white sign on the left in the photo above? It's saying "Line Forms This Way" to the left, so you will probably have to wait in line for your photo on a busy weekend night.
Where are the Happy HarborDays whales?
You can drive down towards Baby Beach just past the hotel and the harbor offices to experience blue and green lights on the trees that line the road along the median. Then you will see the huge grass area with Christmas trees and the two whales.
You will probably want to turn your car around so you can park along the curb or in one of the Baby Beach parking lots.
Is there anything on the Dana Point Harbor island area?
Yes! The big red Adirondack chair and Christmas tree is there with some sparkling lights hanging down.
Highlights of Holiday Lights at Dana Point Harbor
It's FREE!
Dana Point Harbor Christmas lights 2025 runs from November 12th through January 4th. The lights stay on from dusk until dawn.
Lots of the eucalyptus trees are lit up with green and blue along the medians and the parks that line the harbor. Lots of white lights on the trees near the parking structure.
The popular “Merry Kiss Me” arch is located right near Dana Wharf along with a whale tail. But that's it for lights at the main harbor area. You get 4 hours FREE in the parking structure and after that it's $6/hour. You won't need that long to see the lights.
This was the HUGE welcome light display as you come to the entrance of the harbor, but it has moved down to a grassy area between the bridge and Baby Beach for 2025. You can still take photos in the belly of the whale. You can either walk to it (kinda far) or get back in the car and park along the road.
New a few years ago was a pile of giant ornaments stacked in the shape of a tree which are fun for Instagram photo opps. There is a Christmas tree out at the island with a big red Adirondack chair and sparkly lights. There are also palm trees down at the south end of the island. I liked being able to look out from this side across the water at Wind & Sea and all the lights there. Wind & Sea has a great Happy Hour that includes affordable food options from 4pm-7pm on M-F.
How to Visit the Dana Point Harbor Lights
How much does it cost? $0! You can see these lights for free.
Dana Point Harbor Lights 2025 Location and Directions: The Dana Point lights address is the same as Dana Point Harbor: 34571 Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point, CA. If you drive down Golden Lantern towards the harbor, you will dead end right into it. If you are taking Interstate 5, exit at Dana Point Harbor/Beach Cities and follow the signs to the harbor, making a left onto Del Obispo towards Doheny State Beach.
Free parking for holiday lights at Dana Point Harbor around the shops (if you can find it). Surprisingly, one year we went on Holiday Boat Parade night and got a spot super close with no trouble! The new structure is open and we didn't have problems finding parking.
Hours: Come in the evening on a weeknight and you'll probably find easy parking! Maybe bring the kids in their pajamas? The lights are on from dusk until dawn. Lights are on from November 12, 2025 until January 4, 2026.
Restrooms at Dana Point Harbor are near Dana Wharf -- AND outside the old Harbor Grill Restaurant (closed in Fall 2022) across from Beach Harbor Pizza.
Be Aware
More crowds on weekends and during the Holiday Boat Parade nights.
There used to be signs everywhere that said "don't touch the lights" so you might want to prep the kids ahead of time to look, but don't touch.
Dana Point Boat Parade & Event Information
The 2025 "Carol of the Boats" Boat Parade of Lights is scheduled for the weekend of December 12th-14th starting at 6:30pm.
Additional Holiday Happenings:
Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching will also host the annual Boat Rides with Santa on December 6th and 7th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Take photos with Santa and his holiday helpers on this adventure at sea for a $5 donation with proceeds supporting Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay. Reservations will be required. Visit danawharf.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
The Pet Project Foundation will host its annual Santa Paws on December 13th & 14th from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. hosted just off Island Way and Dana Drive near the Richard Henry Dana Jr statue and the 2025 holiday display. Pet photos with Santa will be available for a small donation ($15) with all proceeds directly supporting the Pet Project Foundation.
Little Folk Club returns December 19th. Join everyone’s favorite singalong at an all-new location at Bump Out Park. Located right along Dana Point Harbor Drive, bring your blankets, your favorite instruments and your childlike wonder to Little Folk Club by Victoria Bailey from 10 - 10:45am.
Visit the Harbor events calendar on their website for additional holiday happenings.
If you want more inspiration for celebrating the holidays and making new family traditions, then make sure you read my post about Christmas in Orange County: Mostly Free Things to Do for Families (+ Gift Ideas).
Originally published in 2014.
