The path to a light-filled holiday experience is wide open in Calabasas with the return of the Holiday Road walk-thru event at King Gillette Ranch.
The nearly one mile trail is an Instagram-worthy holiday destination with photo ops that include stops at the North Pole, a Christmas tree forest, Gingerbread Lane, a Polar bear hang out spot and an elf village.
Holiday Road, which is now in its third year, started as a drive-thru experience during the pandemic and switched to a walk-thru attraction last year. It’s also turned into quite a celebrity hangout with stars like Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jamie Foxx and all of the Kardashian and Jenner families sharing photos of their experiences on social media.
On a recent visit last week, even tough guy and MMA great Chuck Liddell and “Band of Brothers” and “Suits” actor Neal McDonough were spotted strolling through with their kids.
Here are three of the best spots to talk selfies or family photos inside Holiday Road’s picture-worthy winter wonderland.
Natural Christmas trees
There are several traditional Christmas trees on display at Holiday Road and they’re all fun to look at, but the more spectacular displays are hung on the real oak trees along the path. Several of these trees, which stand about 30-50 feet tall with branches spreading out like tangled overgrown reindeer antlers, are completely covered in bold strings of lights. The first tree is at the start of the path and it’s all wrapped in colorful green, yellow, blue and red lights. Just past that selfie stop are a handful of trees blanketed in all white lights with a white, fluffy blanket of faux snow carpeting the floor underneath the bright canopies. It’s like a living postcard; the perfect place to take a portrait for your family holiday card.
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The North Pole
Just past the elf village, visitors will notice the signs for the North Pole. Straight ahead are life-size figures of Santa in his sleigh. Next to that, Mr. and Mrs. Claus are sitting by a warm fire with a giant bag of gifts next to them. Snag a photo with the lovely couple and turn around to check out the towering pole behind them with a string of lights falling from the very top. Beneath it is a sea of colorful lights that dance along to the music. That’s Santa’s Christmas tree. And it’s probably better than the one you’ve got at home, so it’s worth of a few snaps, too.
Let it snow
As you round the corner near the end of the road, there’s the Gingerbread Village, which is lined with cute and tasty looking little houses and gingerbread men. When you cruise through this area, have your phone in hand because you’ll start to feel something gently falling from overhead. Yes, it’s snowing! Well, it’s actually foam, but as close as we can get in Los Angeles county. Take in the moment, twirl around in it and try to capture the perfect selfie to make it look as if you’re standing in the middle of an actual winter wonderland. But we don’t recommend that you stick your tongue out and try to catch the little foamy flakes; they taste like soap.
Holiday Road
When: 5-10 p.m. daily (except Dec. 25) through Dec. 30
Where: King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas
Tickets: Tickets to various time slots are $24.99-$64.99 at holidayroadusa.com.