Entwined is Back: Golden Gate Park Lights Up - And It's Free! - 510 Families
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Entwined is Back: Golden Gate Park Lights Up – And It’s Free!

With lighted trees ranging from 12 to 30 feet tall, Golden Gate Park will be home to Entwined, an annual exhibit of lights that will run from December 7, 2023 – April 28, 2024.

Lights go on at sunset and turn off at 9:30 pm.

Photo of Entwined installation in Golden Gate park
2022 installation of Entwined | Photo: @secret.san.francisco

The installation, “Entwined,” is designed by San Francisco artist Charles Gadeken, and returns for its fourth year to delight visitors of all ages.

This exhibition welcomes the public, at no charge, throughout the winter.

Perfect for strollers and scooters, the sculptures, comprised of thousands of LED lights, will be along the JFK Promenade in front of Peacock Meadow in Golden Gate Park. Visitors can approach the sculptures, making it a fun outing for families.

Monthly live programming will bring music and activities to the site, and we will update this post with those details in December.

entwined light up trees
Photo Credit: Daniella Forney (2020)

The variety of lighting effects include

  • raindrops on the pavement
  • lighting and thunderstorms
  • wind blowing tall grass and flowers
  • ripples on a pond

New for 2023: An extra large “tree”, titled Elder Mother, stands more than 25 feet tall and just as wide, and offers visitors the chance to control the light patterns by using a QR code to access the selections.

Lights in Golden Gate Park
The Elder Mother Canopy of lights in Golden Gate Park is interactive | Photo: William Tracy

Love lights? Don’t miss our list of the best Christmas lights in the East Bay.

Plan your visit to the Entwined light installation in San Francisco

Lights will turn off at 9:30 pm each night.

Visit on a weeknight. Entwined will be in Golden Gate Park through the end of April and will remain free.

If it’s crowded, come back later. Entwined is just one stop in an illuminated journey along JFK Drive. Take a picture in front of the lit-up façade of the Conservatory of Flowers. Travel a little further to the Music Concourse to find a wonderland of festive lights on the Observation Wheel and Spreckels Temple of Music. Plus, the Holiday Tree (aka Uncle John’s Tree) will be aglow outside of McLaren Lodge starting December 7.

Admission to this art installation is free. Peacock Meadow is on the east end of the park along JKF Drive, near the Conservatory of Flowers. Portions of JFK Drive are car-free, so plan accordingly. The Music Concourse Garage, which may be accessed from the Fulton Street and 10th Avenue entrance, is a 10-minute walk.

conservatory of flowers lit up for the holidays
Conservatory of Flowers | Photo: @secret.san.francisco

Note that the buildings are not open, so restrooms are not easily accessed. You’ll be parking and walking through the paths of Golden Gate Park. Bundle up and bring flashlights for extra fun!

Entwined Information Website >>

See more of our favorite annual holiday traditions in San Francisco >

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