Amigos Lights Returns: A Camino De Amigos Neighborhood Holiday Tradition
Photo by Autumn Coding
Every December, Camino De Amigos transforms from a quiet neighborhood street into one of the most heartwarming holiday traditions in Carlsbad. Families bundle up, kids pile into cars (or walk down the street), and the glow of twinkling lights guides visitors toward a display that has quickly become a beloved local favorite.
At the center of it all is the Amigos Light Show, a music-synced holiday experience created by neighbors who simply love spreading joy. And like many traditions that matter most, it started in an unexpected moment.
Amigos Lights began in 2020, during a year when everyone needed a little extra joy. With a new baby at home, a canceled Christmas gathering, and the world feeling disconnected, what started as a simple display grew into something much bigger. The lights became a source of comfort, a spark of hope, and a way for families to feel connected even when we were physically apart.
What was once a small neighborhood idea has evolved into a show filled with personality, community spirit, and that unmistakable holiday magic you feel the second you turn onto the street.
And while yes, you’ll find this stop on our Christmas Lights in Carlsbad Map (full guide linked here for anyone planning to see Christmas Lights this season), this display is so much more than a pin on a screen. It is connection. It is joy. It is neighbors showing up for each other. It is the kind of tradition born from a hard moment but carried forward because of how deeply it touched people.
That heart is most visible during Cocoa for a Cause, now in its fifth year.
On December 13 from 5 to 8 pm, the Codling, Horton, and Quinn families host a festive fundraiser complete with Santa’s visit, hot cocoa, sweet treats, an outdoor holiday movie, and plenty of cheer. Donations benefit families in need at La Costa Meadows Elementary School, turning one family’s light display into a meaningful community effort.
“The generosity of spirit from our family and friends. Community coming together for a cause that is so close to our hearts — families in need at our school. It’s amazing to see the outpouring of love and support.”
The families make it clear that this night is about community first. Anyone who visits is invited to soak in the magic, watch the movie, sip cocoa, and enjoy the moment, whether or not they choose to donate.
So what does Autumn hope people will feel when they visit? “We hope visitors feel the Christmas magic and a sense of community.”
And somehow, that’s exactly what happens every night the lights switch on. Kids feel the wonder. Parents feel the nostalgia. Neighbors feel connected. You can sense the meaning behind it. A display built with love, grown with community support, and shaped by a moment in time when joy was desperately needed.
If you’re looking for a holiday outing that fills your cup in more ways than one, this is a must-see. Bring the kids, bring friends, request a song on their website, sip some cocoa, support a great cause if you’re able, and enjoy the glow of a neighborhood that truly cares.
Carlsbad is lucky to have traditions like this and we cannot wait to see it shine again this season.
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