Shore Acres Holiday Lights: Coos Bay, Oregon

Shore Acres Holiday Lights (at Shore Acres State Park, just outside Coos Bay/Charleston) turns a cliffside botanical garden into a glowing maze of color: hedges outlined in LEDs, walkways traced in light, trees sparkling overhead, and themed displays. It’s classic, it’s coastal, it’s a little chaotic in the best way, and it’s a super fun holiday outing.

Most holiday lights are either:

1. a drive-through line of cars, or
   
   
2. a downtown block that’s cute for 12 minutes and then you’re done.
   
   

Shore Acres is a full-on walk-through experience—and because it’s set inside formal gardens, it feels intentionally designed. You’re not wandering a random park; you’re strolling structured paths, terraces, and garden beds where the lights are layered on top of the landscaping. Even on busy nights, it’s more of a steady flow than a shoulder-to-shoulder shuffle.

And then there’s the setting: the gardens sit near the edge of the Pacific, so you get that misty, salty, winter-coast vibe that makes the lights look even brighter. (Pro tip: the ocean is loud in winter. Don’t skip the viewpoints if conditions are safe.)

Shore Acres State Park is known year-round for its botanical gardens and dramatic coastal views. The garden entry is free, but the park has a $10 daily parking fee per vehicle.

Holiday Lights takes that already-pretty place and turns it into a seasonal tradition that draws visitors from all over Oregon (and beyond).

The schedule can vary a little year to year, but it generally runs from late November through December 31. For example, Oregon’s Adventure Coast lists the 2025 season as Nov 27–Dec 31, with the lights on 4:30–9:00 p.m. nightly.

Shore Acres’ own site commonly lists Holiday Lights open hours as 3:30–9:00 p.m. (so you’ll want to check the current season’s official info when you’re planning).

The #1 thing to know before you go: timed entry + parking passes

This is the part that saves you from having a “we drove all the way out here for what?” moment.

Because Holiday Lights is so popular, Oregon State Parks uses timed-entry parking tickets that must be obtained in advance.

A few key points that trip people up:

• The $10 fee is per vehicle, not per person.
  
  
• Tickets/parking passes must be purchased before arrival (no last-minute buying at the gate during event hours).
  
  
• ReserveAmerica listings for Shore Acres note one ticket per vehicle (covers the normal parking fee) and that entry requires advance purchase.
  
  

If you have a qualifying Oregon Parks pass (annual pass, etc.), the parking fee may be waived—but you still generally need to go through the reservation/timed entry process, depending on the season’s rules.

On select nights, there’s often a free shuttle option that takes a ton of stress out of the experience (and can be a lifesaver on peak weekends).

The Shore Acres Holiday Lights Shuttle FAQ describes “Santa’s Shuttle” running from the Charleston Marina parking area to Shore Acres.
A City of North Bend post (for a prior season) describes shuttles departing roughly every 20 minutes and a last shuttle to the park timed so visitors still have time to enjoy the lights before closing.

Shuttle schedules and operating days can change year to year, so it’s smart to check the current season info before you build your whole plan around it.

If you dress for “cold,” you’ll be fine. If you dress for “coastal winter cold,” you’ll be happy.

Go-to Shore Acres night kit:

• Waterproof shoes (or at least water-resistant sneakers)
  
  
• Warm socks you trust
  
  
• A hooded jacket (wind + umbrellas can get dramatic)
  
  
• Beanie + gloves (your hands will thank you when you’re holding a phone for photos)
  
  
• A small thermos of something warm if you’re that person (highly recommend being that person)
  
  

Bonus: rainy nights can be gorgeous—wet paths reflect the lights and the whole place looks extra glowy.

1. Enter and slow-walk the first section (because your eyes adjust and you want photos immediately).
   
   
2. Meander the main garden paths, stopping at the big displays and the tree-lit areas.
   
   
3. Loop back through your favorite spots once you realize your first pictures were basically “bright blob, bright blob, bright blob.”
   
   
4. Hit the viewpoints if the weather’s cooperative—because hearing winter surf while the garden behind you is lit up is peak Oregon.
   
   

And if you’re visiting with kids (or a big family group), it’s one of those rare outings where everyone is entertained without having to “manage the fun.” People just wander, point, laugh, and take pictures until they’re ready to go.

Photography tips

Phone cameras have gotten insanely good, but holiday lights are still tricky.

Try this:

• Wipe your lens every few minutes (coastal mist will fog it up and you won’t notice until later).
  
  
• Tap to focus on a bright object, then lower exposure slightly (most phones let you drag the exposure slider).
  
  
• Use night mode when you’re standing still.
  
  
• For people shots, have them stand near a brighter display so faces aren’t total shadows.

Make it a whole evening

Since Shore Acres is just one part of the Cape Arago area, it pairs really well with:

• Dinner in Coos Bay or Charleston (seafood + lights is the correct order of operations)
  
  
• A quick scenic drive along Cape Arago Highway before your timed entry
  
  
• A low-key storm-watching stop if conditions are safe
  
  

If you’re traveling from out of town, this is also an easy excuse to turn it into a one-night coastal stay—especially if you want to go on a quieter weeknight and not rush back over dark highways.

If you want the “wow” factor and less chaos:

• Choose an early time slot so you can catch the transition from dusk to full dark.
  
  
• If possible, go Monday–Thursday (weekends are peak).
  
  
• Screenshot or print your timed entry pass so you’re not scrolling through email in the rain.
  
  

If you hate traffic and waiting, seriously consider the shuttle option