In Livermore, holiday lights are not just something you drive past with the heater on full blast. They are an event, complete with wine, singalongs and a trolley that sells out most nights through December 23.
The "Lights of Livermore" wine trolley has become a local ritual. Guests start with an hour-long tasting at Concannon Vineyard, then climb aboard a festively wrapped trolley for about an hour of cruising past some of the valley’s biggest neighborhood displays, ending at Deacon Dave’s much-photographed House of the Dove. Two tours typically run most nights, and organizers say tickets regularly disappear in advance.
Riders, Drivers And The Holiday Spirit
Driver Travis Helton, who has been behind the wheel for eight years, told CBS News Bay Area that his favorite part is watching riders loosen up and start belting out carols as they roll past the lights. Owner Toni Singh shared with the same outlet that "one of my favorite things about the trolley ride is that you come as strangers, and you leave as friends." Riders like Nikki Rake, who travels in from Sacramento, have turned the night into an annual tradition, a pattern the CBS piece notes as key to the tour’s staying power each December.
How The Tour Works
The evening kicks off at Concannon Vineyard with an hour of tasting before passengers board the holiday-decorated trolley for a roughly hour-long tour. The route includes a stop at a so-called "Snow House" where guests can hop off for photos.
According to the Livermore Wine Trolley, the Lights of Livermore usually runs two tours most nights, and tickets are priced around $72.99 plus fees. Tickets are nonrefundable but can be transferred to someone else. The company notes that the event is adults-only unless you book the separate family edition, and optional charcuterie and dessert boxes can be added to the Concannon tasting.
Deacon Dave’s Showstopper
For many riders, the grand finale at Deacon Dave’s House of the Dove is the main attraction. The decades-long, volunteer-built display draws long lines and a sea of camera phones. The San Francisco Chronicle has detailed the massive scale of the setup, reporting hundreds of thousands of bulbs and national attention, and notes that the house at 352 Hillcrest Ave. has solidified its place as a must-see stop on Livermore’s holiday map. Weekend visitors should be ready for crowds and a wait.
Tickets And Tips
Because the tours often sell out, organizers urge riders to book early and arrive with extra time for both the tasting and boarding. The Livermore Wine Trolley also runs a separate "Lights of Livermore with the Family" itinerary for guests bringing children, with different times and pricing listed by the Livermore Wine Trolley on its site.
If you miss out on trolley tickets, the neighborhood displays themselves are still free to visit most evenings. That includes Deacon Dave’s elaborate walk-through and other heavily decorated streets, although parking fills quickly on weekends.
Between Concannon’s historic tasting room and what might be the valley’s most Instagrammed house, the trolley offers an easy way to hit the major holiday highlights without a long drive between stops. For schedules and reservations, check the Livermore Wine Trolley’s listings and plan ahead for the inevitable crowds on peak nights.
