Solid state lighting devices grown on semi-polar facets and associated methods of manufacturing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a solid state light device includes a light emitting diode with an N-type gallium nitride (“GaN”) material, a P-type GaN material spaced apart from the N-type GaN material, and an indium gallium nitride (“InGaN”)/GaN multi quantum well (“MQW”) active region directly between the N-type GaN material and the P-type GaN material. At least one of the N-type GaN, InGaN/GaN MQW, and P-type GaN materials is grown a semi-polar sidewall.