No Halloween lights this year. Due to Michael's recent spine surgery, there won't be a Halloween light display in 2026. We'll see you at Christmas!

JZ Light Show presents

Where Neighbors Gather and Magic Comes Alive.

Due to Michael's recent spine surgery, this year's display will be a little smaller, but just as full of heart. We can't wait to share it with you.

Over 100,000 synchronized lights with a mesmerizing musical experience and jaw-dropping circus acts, all in the spirit of community and free for all to enjoy. This year, a steampunk Christmas of gears, brass and light.

Nightly light display 6 PM – 8 PMTarget start date Dec 6, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027Special displays Dec 11 · 12 · 18 · 19

Until the clock strikes six on opening night, Sun Dec 6 (target)

See display dates Wind the clock · Donate Join the crew · Volunteer
As seen on See all coverage ↓

Display times

When the clock strikes six

We're targeting opening night on Sunday, December 6. Lights are on nightly through January 3, and admission is always free.

Every night

6–8 PM

Nightly light display

Lights play every evening from December 6 (target) through January 3.

Admit allFree

Special displays

6:15 & 7:45

Special lighting displays

  • Friday, December 11
  • Saturday, December 12
  • Friday, December 18
  • Saturday, December 19

Toy drive: bring a new and unwrapped toy for For the Child.

Admit allFree

Special display nights

Backstage

Behind the scenes

Behind-the-scenes viewings run between the two displays and after the second one. For a private behind-the-scenes viewing, contact us.

See how it worksFree

Please keep streets and sidewalks clear for those passing by. This is a residential neighborhood, so park legally and keep driveways open.

For the Child logo

Toy drive · Special display nights only

Bring a new and unwrapped toy

On our special display nights, December 11, 12, 18 and 19, we collect toy donations for For the Child, a Long Beach nonprofit. Bring a toy that is new and unwrapped when you come to the 6:15 or 7:45 PM display.

A For the Child representative is here each special display night to collect the toys directly.

Toy donations are collected on special display nights only. Can't make one of those nights? Reach out to us and we'll coordinate a drop-off with the For the Child representative.

Learn about For the Child ↗

Calendar

The 2026–27 almanac

Opening night (target) Lights 6–8 PM Special displays 6:15 & 7:45 PM + toy drive

Opening is targeted for Sunday, December 6 and may shift. Rain can cancel a night. Check our social pages for same-day updates.

Coming this season

The JZ Light Show presentsA Clockmaker's Christmas

Our new Christmas light display for 2026 is a steampunk Christmas built from gears, brass and light. Catch it during the special displays on December 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 6:15 and 7:45 PM.

Stay after the second display, or come between displays, for a behind-the-scenes look at how the lights, music and props come together. For a private behind-the-scenes viewing, please contact us.

Visit

Finding the lights

The workshop

3033 Pattiz Ave
Long Beach, CA 90808

Residential property in the Ranchos neighborhood, near the Long Beach–Seal Beach border.

Open in Maps ↗

  • Free for everyone. No tickets or reservations for the nightly display or special displays.

  • Tune in from your car. On regular nights, the music is broadcast on 89.3 FM so you can listen while parked or walking nearby. The radio broadcast is off on special display nights (Dec 11, 12, 18 and 19).

  • Bring a lawn chair. Special displays run about an hour. Set up across the street to watch comfortably, and keep the sidewalk clear for people passing by. Do not sit or stand in the street.

  • Park responsibly. Arrive early for street parking. Do not park in neighbors' driveways or your car will be towed.

  • Dress warmly. Everything is outdoors at night, so wear layers. Displays are weather permitting.

About us · Our story

In loving memory of Loretta Nelson

The JZ Light Show was founded by husbands Michael and David Johnson-Zargoza, the "J" and the "Z." It began in 2021 to honor Michael's aunt, Loretta Nelson.

After a terminal cancer diagnosis around Halloween 2020, Loretta said she wanted her Christmas decorations to stay lit until she passed. She passed away on January 3, 2021. To carry on her love for Christmas, the arts and her community, the family began building a synchronized neighborhood light display every year.

What started as one family's tribute has become a holiday tradition for the Ranchos: a place where neighbors gather, families make memories year after year, and the lights shine for everyone.

2021First season
100,000+Lights
37Lit trees in the backyard display
HandmadeBuilt by our family and neighbors

Watch & follow

Videos and social

Can't make it in person? Watch past seasons on Vimeo, and follow along for nightly updates.

Past seasons

  • 2025

    A Child's Dream

    The Ranchos Neighborhood Winter Lights Show, with lights, music and Cirque-style performances by Aerial Butterflies, and a toy drive for new, unwrapped toys.

  • 2024

    A Child's Dream Christmas Light Spectacle

    Lights nightly from November 29 to January 3, plus Circus Spectacular Nights with Aerial Butterflies.

  • 2023

    Cirque du Noël

    Circus Spectacular Nights with Aerial Butterflies, and a special show on December 14: Starbucks Holiday Cheermakers featuring Christina Milian.

  • 2022

    Ranchos Light Show & Toy Drive

    A light show and toy drive hosted by the JZ family, with a hot chocolate bar and a cirque performance by Aerial Butterflies. Toys went to Miracles for Kids and For the Child.

  • 2021

    The first display

    A synchronized display in honor of Loretta Nelson.

As seen on

In the news

The JZ Light Show has been featured on local TV, in national entertainment news, and in Halloween and Christmas light guides.

TV & local news
KCAL News ↗CBS News Los Angeles · "Look At This!" · 2022 & 2024
KTLA 5Los Angeles
Long Beach Post ↗Things to do: free light shows · Dec 2023 Long Beachize ↗"Lights, aerials, Christmas" The Whipple Group ↗"JZ Light Show on Pattiz Avenue"
National coverage · Starbucks Holiday Cheermakers, Dec 2023
People ↗Star Tracks
Entertainment Tonightetonline.com
Extra ↗December 2023 Fresh Pix Hollywood Life ↗Holiday Cheer
MSNLifestyle
OK! MagazineHot Pics
Bossipbossip.com
The Tea House TimesNews
HorecatrendsNetherlands
GethuCinemagethucinema.com
Haunt & holiday light guides
Local HauntsHalloween directory
SoCal Haunt ListSouthern California haunts
FrightMapsHaunt map
ChristmasPrismChristmas lights app

Starbucks Holiday Cheermakers · 2023

Starbucks Holiday Cheermakers featuring Christina Milian

On December 14, 2023, Starbucks celebrated Michael and David as Holiday Cheermakers. Singer and actress Christina Milian joined the Cirque du Noël performance and neighborhood block party, and the story was picked up by People, ET, Extra, Hollywood Life and more.

Sponsors & partners

The people who light it up

Thank you to our current and past sponsors. Interested in sponsoring the JZ Light Show? Get in touch.

Coastal Homes Group logo

Sponsor · Brought to you by

Erin Barry, REALTOR®

Coastal Homes Group · 5222 E. Los Altos Plaza, Long Beach, CA 90815

Phone: 562-233-0971 · DRE: #01391580

erin@erinbarry.com

erinbarry.com ↗ coastalhomesgroup.com ↗
Lowe's logo

Sponsor

Lowe's ↗

Long Beach store

Starbucks logo

Prior sponsor

Starbucks ↗

Named us Holiday Cheermakers in 2023.

Aerial Butterflies logo

Performance partner

Aerial Butterflies ↗

Long Beach aerial and circus troupe behind our Cirque-style performances.

Partners of Parks Long Beach logo

Fiscal agent

Partners of Parks ↗

Long Beach 501(c)(3) that receives all donations for the JZ Light Show.

For the Child logo

Toy drive beneficiary

For the Child ↗

Toys collected on special display nights go to this Long Beach nonprofit.

Make a night of it

The lamplighter's route

More lights in the area. A few of our favorite neighborhood displays. Dates and hours change every year, so check before you go.

Our top recommendation

Haberman's Holiday Magic

3343 Chatwin Ave, Long Beach, CA 90808 · Hosted by Jeff & Ann Haberman

A synchronized holiday light show just around the corner from us, with more than 90 Disney characters, over 9,000 pixels, video projectors, and snow and bubble machines. Check their website for this year's dates and hours.

Visit holiday-magic.net ↗

Also recommended · Our neighborhood

Ranchos Long Beach

Everything Ranchos in one place: neighborhood events, artists, makers and services.

Visit ranchoslongbeach.com ↗

Have a favorite display that's not listed? Please let us know and we'll check it out.

Suggest a display

Support the lights

Keep the clock wound

The JZ Light Show is free for the community. Your donations cover the lights, performances and expenses that bring this holiday experience to life. We're deeply grateful for your support.

Donate through Partners of Parks ↗

Partners of Parks is the fiscal agent for JZ Light Show. Partners of Parks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (tax ID 33-0104238) and all monetary donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Partners of Parks Long Beach logo

All donations are run through the nonprofit. JZ Light Show is a fiscally sponsored project of Partners of Parks, Long Beach.

Volunteer

Join the workshop crew

We have lots of needs, from setup to the stage, and we'd love your help. Please sign up here if you'd like to join in.

Setup

Hanging lights, placing props and running cable before the season.

Sign up ›

Tree assembly

Putting together and lighting the trees for the display.

Sign up ›

Moving from storage

Carrying props and equipment out of storage, and back again after the season.

Sign up ›

Costumes

Sewing, fitting and repairing costumes for the performers.

Sign up ›

Performers

Joining the cast on special display nights.

Sign up ›

Take down

Packing everything away safely after January 3.

Sign up ›

And so much more

Display nights, the toy drive, greeting guests. Tell us what you enjoy.

Sign up ›

Interested in helping out? Please let us know.

Sign up to volunteer

Contact

Get in touch

For private behind-the-scenes viewings, sponsorships, volunteering, or to suggest a display, reach us here.

From the creator of the JZ Light Show

Step into the world of Michael Unfinished

The lights are just the beginning. See what else Michael is dreaming up.

Enter Michael Unfinished ↗