2. Oakland Mormon Temple Holiday Lights & Garden

The extensive grounds of this hilltop temple include tall palm trees wrapped in lights so bright they can be seen from the freeway. The grounds glow every evening from dusk to 9 p.m. through Dec. 31. 4766 Lincoln Ave., Oakland

3. Oakland Zoo Glowfari

Oakland Zoo has gone wild with Glowfari, featuring larger-than-life glowing animal lanterns throughout the zoo. Every evening through Jan. 29, you can take a mile-long illuminated stroll and visit the desert with camels and bighorn sheep, have an African safari adventure with elephants, giraffes, and an 8-foot crocodile head, walk through the forests of Asia to meet red and giant pandas – and, of course, ride the gondola to the land of bugs featuring a 65-foot Queen Ant Tunnel! Finish the evening with a visit to Santa and ride the Express Train through a Winter Wonderland. The zoo lights up from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Get details and buy tickets here. 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland

4. Picardy Drive, Oakland

The entire block of storybook-style houses on Picardy Drive is aglow in this Mills College neighborhood. When residents buy homes here, they commit to participating and stringing twinkly lights along their rooftops. Picardy Drive is located between Seminary and 55th avenues, Oakland

5. Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round, Berkeley

Tilden's historic merry-go-round has been spinning dreams for 110 years! There are holiday lights, photo stations, hot chocolate, classic movies, and more. Through Jan. 2, the Carousel is open on weekends 12–8 p.m. and on weekdays 4-8 p.m.  Details and tickets.  Central Park Drive and Lake Anza Road, Berkeley

6. Holidays on Fourth Street, Berkeley

Fourth Street sparkles with cheer every night, beginning at dusk. Special events include visits from Santa in his big red sleigh (find him across from Peet's Coffee Dec. 18 and 19 from 12-4 p.m.) Details

7. 928 The Arlington, Berkeley

Located in the Thousand Oaks neighborhood of north Berkeley, 928 The Arlington has a spectacular display. Walk down a candy-cane pathway and see every tree and shrub lit in different colors.

8. Tunnels of Joy, Brentwood

This beautiful display on La Costa Drive in Brentwood began as a Christmas-time tribute to resident Joy Bursch. Joy lost her fight against breast cancer in 2009 and left behind three young children. The bright tunnels are meant to reflect Joy’s kindness, and they attract holiday sightseers from all over the county. The annual event also is a fundraiser; this year's beneficiary is 11-year-old Cristian Munoz, a Brentwood boy diagnosed with kidney cancer. Drive or walk through the tunnel from 5-9 p.m. nightly. The neighborhood also hosts special events throughout December, including food vendors, photo ops, and live music. On Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. stop by to hear the Heritage High Treble Makers a capella group and Bristow Middle School Choir and Sax Ensemble. Find additional details at the Tunnels of Joy Facebook page. Donations for Cristian can be made through Venmo @Cristian_Munoz11. Location: The event is centered around La Costa, Pasatiempo, and Torrey Pines drives in Deer Ridge.

9. 6716 Fountaine Ave., Newark

One of the contenders on the ABC show, “Great Christmas Light Fight”! You literally can’t miss the 30-foot inflatable Santa and 20-foot Frosty the Snowman that tower over this magnificently glowing house at 6716 Fountaine Ave. (If you do miss it, you obviously had too much bourbon in your nog – and shouldn’t be driving!) Past years have featured a synchronized light show broadcast on 88.1 FM.

10. Shadi Holiday Display, El Cerrito

The annual creation of a life-size nativity scene on the Moeser Lane hillside is a 73-year-old family tradition started by resident Sundar Shadi. Every year, the Shadi family and volunteers transform the lot into a picturesque Bethlehem with many sheep and shepherds. This year's display lights up Dec. 17-27,  5-10 p.m. Check out this cool time-lapse video from a previous year's setup. Get more details here. 7501 Moeser Ln., near Seaview, El Cerrito