Yes, It's Time to Plan for the 2025 Holiday Lights at Shore Acres

Come see why the holidays shine brighter in 2025 on Oregon’s Adventure Coast

Timed entry vehicle passes are now available for the 2025 Holiday Lights at Shore Acres - Open Nightly (holidays included) from 4:30 to 9:00 pm, November 27 through December 31, 2025.

We know, it’s only July, but on Oregon’s Adventure Coast: Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston, planning is already underway for one of the most beloved seasonal traditions on the Oregon Coast: the Annual Holiday Lights at Shore Acres State Park .

From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, the gardens at Shore Acres State Park come alive with over 325,000 LED lights, illuminated sculptures, and glittering Christmas trees. It’s a sight so beautiful, visitors travel from around the world to see it, and once you’ve experienced it, you’ll understand why. Rain or shine, it’s a magical way to celebrate the season.

Whether you’ve been to the holiday lights display before or this is your first time hearing about it, here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit and make the most of the upcoming holiday season that is (believe it or not) just around the corner.

But first, it’s Christmas in July! If you’re among those who can’t wait until November and December to enjoy the holiday season, come to Coos Bay this month and enjoy these “Christmas in July ” themed films at the historic Egyptian Theatre :

• Friday, July 25 @ 7 pm: Elf – Admission is a pair of new socks for donation.
• Saturday, July 26 @ 2 pm: Home Alone
• Saturday, July 26 @ 7 pm: The Shop Around the Corner

Start Planning Your Visit Now to See the Holiday Lights at Shore Acres

The 2025 Holiday Lights at Shore Acres State Park runs nightly from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm, November 27 through December 31, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The holiday lights are one of the most popular holiday traditions in the state, so Oregon State Parks has implemented a few logistical measures to ensure visitors' safety and a smooth operation. Even if you are familiar with these logistics, please read the following very carefully, as some of the information is new for 2025!

Driving and Parking Info

There is a $10 parking fee per vehicle to park at Shore Acres State Park. Please be advised that Shore Acres State Park is one of Oregon’s 25 state parks that charge a parking fee. As mentioned above, visitors who intend to drive should reserve their timed entry and pay the $10 parking fee in advance. Note: Free parking is available for Green Friday, November 28, at all state parks that charge a parking fee during the daytime, including Shore Acres. However, this offer does not apply during event hours.

Timed-entry reservations for 2025 are now open. To help traffic flow smoothly and keep everyone safe, Oregon State Parks requires visitors to reserve a timed-entry vehicle pass in advance. Visitors must reserve their date and time, and pay the $10 Oregon State Park parking fee BEFORE arrival. Only one pass is required per vehicle, not per person. Reservations must be made in advance; no onsite permits will be available for purchase during event hours. Visitors can make their reservations by visiting bit.ly/2025holidaylights or calling ReserveAmerica at 800-452-5687, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tip: Weekends are the busiest. For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting on Monday through Thursday or earlier in the evening to enjoy the daylight, sunset, and lights all in one trip.

IMPORTANT! Print or save a screenshot of your pass before you leave for the park. Park staff will check each vehicle upon arrival to verify that it has a valid vehicle reservation pass for the correct date and time. To keep traffic moving, have your pass, permit, or confirmation clearly showing the date, time, ticket ID, and visitor name printed or saved to your phone and ready to show park staff. There is no internet at the park, so visitors may not be able to access their ReserveAmerica account.

All vehicles without a 4:30 reservation must leave Shore Acres State Park by 4 pm. All guests without a 4:30 pm vehicle reservation for Holiday Lights must remove their vehicle from the park by 4 pm to accommodate timed entry and parking ticket arrivals. For visitor and vehicle safety, parking at nearby day-use areas, overlooks, or along the highway after dusk is prohibited.

What to do if your preferred date/time is not available: If your preferred date and time are sold out when you seek to make a reservation, you have another opportunity via the 7-day rolling window that begins on November 20 (for Thanksgiving night) at 6:00 am (click here for more information on the 7-day rolling window ). The rolling window opens 7 days in advance of each date of the run of the lights, i.e. Nov 20 for Nov 27, Nov 21 for Nov 28, etc.

Click here for answers to more commonly asked questions. You can also call the OPRD Information line at 800-551-6949, and one of their information operators will help you. The line is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Don’t Want to Drive?

If you are looking for an alternative to the timed entry parking and reservation system, there’s a simple solution: Santa’s Shuttle!

This FREE shuttle offers round-trip service from the Charleston Marina to Shore Acres State Park every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, as well as on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 27), Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24), Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25), and New Year’s Eve (Wednesday, December 31). Look for the large parking lot at Guano Rock Lane and Crossline Street near the boat washing station. Here are some additional details you will need to know:

• Santa’s Shuttle operates on a first-come, first-served basis and departs from the Charleston Marina for Shore Acres at 4:15 pm, and runs approximately every 20 minutes. The last shuttle departs from the marina no later than 8:10 pm.
• The shuttle will run from Shore Acres back to the Marina between 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm. All guests must exit the park by 9:00 pm.
• No reservations are required, but it is recommended for patrons to arrive at the Charleston Marina between 4:00 pm and 7:45 pm. The last bus to the lights will depart the Marina no later than 8:10 pm.
• The shuttle is free for patrons, but if you feel inclined, tipping your driver is always appreciated.
• For more information, please visit our FAQ .

A Volunteer-Driven Tradition for 37 Years and Counting

What this army of volunteers, known as the Friends of Shore Acres , has accomplished each year for the last 37 years is nothing short of remarkable. The Annual Holiday Lights at Shore Acres tradition began in 1987 with just 6,000 lights, a decorated Christmas tree, and a handful of volunteers. That first year drew an impressive 9,000 visitors.

Fast forward to today, and the event is expected to welcome more than 55,000 people from across the globe, all thanks to the 1,500+ volunteers who make the magic happen. This dedicated team transforms the formal gardens at Shore Acres into a dazzling, walkable wonderland that becomes even more impressive with each passing season. The current display features 26 beautifully decorated Christmas trees, handcrafted animated and stationary sculptures, and tens of thousands of LED lights woven through the trees and shrubs. Visitors are warmly welcomed at the Garden House with cookies, cider, and the opportunity to support the volunteers who make it all happen.

Planning for the upcoming display begins in January each year. By spring and summer, volunteers are busy creating and refurbishing sculptures. By October of each year, they start the massive six-week installation, stringing lights through towering trees, setting up animated displays, and decorating the historic Garden House. Every detail is meticulously crafted by hand with care and a sense of community spirit.

Now is the Time to Plan Your Holiday Getaway

The Holiday Lights at Shore Acres are amazing and alone worth the trip, but there’s more holiday cheer and winter adventures to be found in Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston! In the coming months, we will update our Events Page and Calendar with information about festive tree lightings, community events, shopping, the only ice skating rink on the Oregon Coast , and more.

Many visitors return year after year and pair their visits to Shore Acres State Park with quiet walks on our undeveloped beaches , local holiday events and tree lightings , scenic drives along Cape Arago Highway, hiking & walking along countless miles of rugged terrain, storm watching and/or whale watching from designated safe spaces in our state parks , gaming at one of our two casinos , exploring the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America , a trip to the Charleston Marine Life Center (CMLC) or one of our other cultural institutions like the Coos Art Museum and the Coos History Museum , holiday shopping for unique gifts in locally owned boutiques, fishing , crabbing , clamming and more!

Whether you’re making this a yearly tradition or experiencing it for the first time, we look forward to welcoming you. Click here for lodging options and more travel inspiration. See our Adventures page and our Trip Ideas page to see all there is to do on Oregon’s Adventure Coast! Or request a visitor’s packet today .