We may not have a traditional white Christmas in Southern California, but we do have the twinkling magic that gets the job done.

Citadel Outlets
100 Citadel Drive, Suite 480, Los Angeles
These outlets don’t just have a beautiful Christmas tree up; it’s actually the tallest tree in the world, standing at 115 feet tall. Also, the outlet features the world’s biggest installation: a bright red bow that can be seen from the freeway. Stop by for holiday shopping and marvel at the displays, which are up until the end of December.

The Grove
189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles
This place is gorgeous all year round. During the holidays, look up and you’ll see the sky lit up with strings of white lights. Santa Claus is riding on the sled with his reindeers prancing away just above your head. Take a walk, and watch the water fountain shoot waves and spin water in the air as holiday music plays in the background. Wait patiently, and there will be snowfalls at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. nightly. The holiday atmosphere is ongoing until Dec. 24.

Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills
For the first time, Beverly Hill’s Rodeo Drive lights up with nearly 150,000 lights. The trees are fully wrapped in lights, and giant stars hang above the street. It is a sight to see. Even the stores on the block will decorate elaborately with stars, crystals and bows along with the glistening lights. Dress warm and stroll along with a group of friends; the lights will illuminate nightly until the end of December.

Yolanda Street
7300 Yolanda Avenue, Reseda
For a romantic evening, dress warm and walk through the light tunnel on Yolanda Street in Reseda. It is just row of arches sparkling with lights - no crazy decorations or competitions between houses. Instead, everyone works together trying to extend the “tunnel” longer and longer. At the end, be sure to stop and sign the photo album at the end of the block. The lights start from dark and end at midnight nightly, lasting until the first week of January.

2nd Annual Venice Sign
Intersection of Windward & Pacific avenues at Venice Beach
If snow is not your scene and you want to be near the beach, Venice is the place to go. The 2nd Annual Venice Sign will kick off on Dec. 6. Its iconic sign will alternate between red and green to fit into the holiday spirit. The whole event is also to raise money for LED bulbs. LED bulbs would allow the city to change the sign’s colors for different holidays to come. Don’t just show up for the festival; bring a new unwrapped toy and drop it off in the collection box for the toy drive.

Candy Cane Lane
Intersection of Lubao Avenue & Oxnard Street in Woodland Hills
Grab a group of friends, and carpool together down to Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills. This 8-square block residential street will have houses decorated with lights and Santa Claus, Grinch, reindeer and snowman inflatable decorations. Many of the homeowners voluntarily decorate and usually try to top their neighbors. If you’re lucky, you can find Santa Claus and take a picture with him or find his elves scurrying through the neighborhood. The decorations light up nightly from dark to 10 p.m. on weekdays and to 11 p.m. on weekends. Drive around, and don’t miss a house.

Sleepy Hollow Christmas Light Extravaganza
Robert Road, Pacific Coast Highway and cross streets, Torrance
There’s another neighborhood, this one in Torrance, that also decks out in holiday spirit! The Sleepy Hollow Christmas Light Extravaganza sounds like a television show, but the extravaganza itself is a winter wonderland. The neighbors work together to go beyond the traditional means, bringing fun holiday cheer for everyone. If you’re lucky, Jack Skeleton dressed up as “Sandy Claws” might be hanging around. It’s a great drive, but if you can park and walk along the block, it’s even more spectacular. The extravaganza will be up until Jan. 1.

Christmas Tree Lane
Santa Rosa Avenue, between Woodbury Avenue and Altadena Drive in Altadena
Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena is the oldest large-scale lightings in the world, and it is a sight to see while driving. The Christmas Tree Lane Association made sure this tradition will continue by putting up lights on rows of deodar trees. The deodar trees were planted originally as a driveway for a mansion in 1885, but now they are being used to light up the street. This spectacle is a mile long, and the trees are decorated with 10,000 lights, which makes for a beautiful drive. The lights are expected to stay until the end of January.


GET YOUR DORM ROOM IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Bring the holiday cheer to your dorm room by decorating your place with your own sparkling creations.

String lights are cheap and can be found everywhere. Buy frosted lights that give off soft light; it will seem as if snow is floating in the air. Or go for colorful bulbs, and make your room a festive place to have a party. Many stores offer winter-themed lights such as snowflakes, icicles and little gingerbread cookies.

You can also grab a miniature tree and set it on a nightstand or desk if you have room.

Whatever you choose to do, have a delightful holidays season, and share the cheers with your family and friends.