The 35 Most Magical Christmas Light Displays Across the U.S.
Light up the night at these dazzling holiday installations.
Get ready for the joys of the holiday season! From baking big batches of Christmas cookies with loved ones to whipping up DIY Christmas crafts to share with friends, there are countless ways to settle into the joyful season. Although there are plenty of opportunities to create meaningful Christmas traditions inside your own home, there’s a huge array of merry memories to experience by taking a trek outside. The great outdoors is full of magic and Yuletide splendor if you know where to look! Our favorite option? Putting our snow boots on and bundling up in our winter outerwear to head to a nearby dazzling Christmas lights display!
From an underground cavern in Louisville, Kentucky, to tropical palm trees all lit up in St. Augustine, Florida, each region of America offers unique Christmas light displays the whole family will enjoy exploring. So if you’re searching for the closest light display near you, you’ve come to the right place! Our list of truly excellent Christmas light displays has options big and small. (Some even cover several acres!) Some are in the heart of big cities, while others sit near the best Christmas towns. Wherever you roam, and whatever you may be in the mood for, there’s sure to be something on this list to satisfy your craving.
With the countdown to December 25 officially on, it’s time to break out the calendar and start planning which Christmas light display you’ll be visiting next. (Just be sure to check their websites for more info, as some require that tickets be purchased in advance.) Then, let the over-the-top electric extravaganzas inspire your own Christmas lights. Maybe this will be the year you finally splurge on some oversized ornaments for the front lawn, or you add a new Christmas inflatable to your roster. Happy holidays!
Asheville, North Carolina: Christmas at the Biltmore
When: November 3 – January 6, 2024
What to expect: The Biltmore Estate at Christmastime is nothing short of pure holiday magic. At night during Christmas, the lawn is decorated with a massive lighted tree and luminaries that lead you inside. The interior of the mansion is full of ornate trees and thousands of lights spread throughout, including the Antler Hill Village and Winery, that sprout up during the holidays. Admission to tour the house and grounds ranges from $110–$145 per person depending on the day you visit.
For more information, visit biltmore.com/candlelight-christmas-evenings.
Branson, Missouri: Christmas in Midtown at Silver Dollar City
When: November 4 – December 30, 2023
What to expect: Everywhere you look in this Midwest theme park, you'll be greeted by the sight of a colorful Christmas display featuring 6.5 million twinkling lights. Through December 30, visitors can take in An Old Time Christmas at the Silver Dollar City theme park for $89 per person.
For more information, visit silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/Festivals/An-Old-Time-Christmas.
Bernville, Pennsylvania: Koziar’s Christmas Village
When: November 4 – January 1, 2024 (on select dates)
What to expect: Why see a decorated house or two when you can explore an entire Yuletide village? This Bernville, Pennsylvania, attractions boasts dozens of outdoor displays that shine bright enough to see from miles away. It's open weekends starting the first Saturday in November and every night beginning on Thanksgiving Day. General admission is $13 for adults (it's an additional $4 on prime nights.)
For more information, visit koziarschristmasvillage.com.
Las Vegas, Nevada: Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
When: November 9 – January 7, 2024
What to expect: You don't know how beautiful Christmas lights can be until you've made your way through this 2.5-mile holiday attraction complete with several tunnels of twinkling bulbs. November through January 7, you can load up your car to see the Las Vegas Motor Speedway show for just $39 per vehicle and up.
For more information, visit glitteringlightslasvegas.com.
Hershey, Pennsylvania: Hersheypark's Candy Lane
When: Nov. 10 – January 1, 2024 (select dates)
What to expect: Families come from far and wide to check out Hersheypark's fabulous Christmas Candy Lane display. More than five million lights will delight your kids, along with the rides and a visit from Santa. Tickets start at $25 per car for a drive-thru lights experience, and $53 per person for a day pass.
For more information, visit hersheypark.com/explore-the-park/christmas.
Charleston, South Carolina: Holiday Festival of Lights
When: November 10 – December 31
What to expect: Drive through this three-mile lakeside attraction and you'll see millions of lights, Christmas carolers, and more festive fun. The Holiday Festival of Lights in Charleston, South Carolina and admission costs start at $15–$20 per car.
For more information, visit ccprc.com/3548/Discover-the-Festival.
Louisville, Kentucky: Lights Under Louisville
When: November 10 – January 1, 2024
What to expect: For one of the country's most unusual lights displays, head to Louisville, Kentucky, and Lights Under Louisville, an underground display you'll take in from the comfort of your car, held in the Louisville Mega Cavern. It will take about 30 minutes to drive through the more than 17 miles of passageways, and admission is $42.99 and up.
For more information, visit lightsunderlouisville.com.
Syracuse, New York: Lights on the Lake
When: November 13 – January 12, 2024
What to expect: Planning to visit the Finger Lakes in New York this December? Better make your way to Onondaga Lake Park where you'll find a dazzling two-mile twinkling light show that you can drive through. Depending on the date, admission ranges from $5–$20 per car.
For more information, visit lightsonthelake.com.
San Diego, California: Lightscape
When: November 17 – January 1, 2024
What to expect: Get lost in the magic of a multifaceted immersive holiday light experience. Lightscape at the San Diego Botanic Garden has a custom one-mile walking trail with international art installations that come to life with sound and color after dark. Highlights include a California poppy-inspired display, an illuminated laser sky, whimsical fiber optic flowers, and a unique floral display. Admission is $29 for adults.
For more information, visit sdbg.org/lightscape.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Longwood Gardens
When: November 17 – January 7, 2024
What to expect: If you're looking for a Christmas experience that offers more than just lights, this garden and conservatory presentation located just outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is for you. General admission is $30 for adults.
For more information, visit longwoodgardens.org/events-and-performances/events/longwood-christmas.
Fayetteville, Arkansas: Lights of the Ozarks
When: November 17 – January 1, 2024
What to expect: The annual Lights of the Ozarks illuminates the historic downtown square of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Expect nightly holiday activities, hot chocolate, and festive music, plus pony and carriage rides. Admission is free.
For more information, visit experiencefayetteville.com/experience/lights-of-the-ozarks.
New York City: Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo
When: November 17 – January 7, 2024
What to expect: While the "illuminated safari" boasts ornate, life-size lanterns of animals, the Bronx Zoo also has a musical light show, a holiday train ride, and magical ice sculptures on display throughout the zoo during its Holiday Lights celebration during the Christmas season.
For more information, visit bronxzoo.com/holiday-lights.
Caldwell, Idaho: Winter Wonderland Festival
When: November 17 – January 8, 2024
What to expect: While most light attractions tend to power down right after Christmas, the Winter Wonderland Festival continues to shine bright through January 8, making it the perfect thing to do when you're feeling those post-holiday blues. Swing by downtown Caldwell any evening to check out the free attraction. (To enjoy opening weekend festivities, including ice skating, food trucks, vendors, and entertainment, be sure to attend Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, November 17 – 19).
For more information, visit indiancreekplaza.com/winter-wonderland-weekend.
Denver, Colorado: Blossoms of Lights at the Denver Botanic Gardens
When: November 17 – January 7, 2023 (closed Nov. 23 and Dec. 25)
What to expect: Get ready for lights of all kinds, colors, and magnitudes at the Blossoms of Light holiday even at the Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver, Colorado. With larger-than-life displays, 3-D experiences, and much more, you'll be entertained for hours. Admission starts at $25 for adults and $21 for kids.
For more information, visit botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/blossoms-light.
Atlanta, Georgia: Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
When: November 18 – January 14, 2024
What to expect: One of the south's most spectacular displays, the annual Garden Lights, Holiday Nights sees the Atlanta Botanical Garden's 30 acres illuminated with whimsical, larger-than-life displays from beloved stories like Alice in Wonderland.
For more information, visit atlantabg.org/plan-your-visit/atlanta-garden-calendar/garden-lights-holiday-nights.
Lisle, Illinois: Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum
When: Nov. 18 – January 6, 2024
What to expect: There's a reason this light show is award winning! Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, puts on a one-of-a-kind light show through a whopping 50 acres, and it'll delight kids as much as adults. Music and projections are just as much a part of the show as the lights themselves.
For more information, visit mortonarb.org/explore/activities/exhibitions/illumination.
Boothbay, Maine: Gardens Aglow at the Maine Botanical Gardens
When: November 18 – December 31, 2023
It's hard to believe that the Maine Botanical Gardens could get any prettier, but they do with their Gardens Aglow light display. The event takes place in the attraction's upper gardens and houses 650,000 Christmas lights. Tickets are $16 for adults and $9 for children.
For more information, visit mainegardens.org/calendar-events/gardens-aglow.
Natchitoches, Louisiana: Festival of Lights
When: November 18 – January 6, 2024
What to expect: What New Orleans is to Mardi Gras, Louisiana's small town of Natchitoches is to Christmas, which is why it's considered one of the best places to see holiday lights come December. Drop by any evening to see displays all over town or check out the iconic Festival of Lights Parade on December 2.
For more information, visit natchitocheschristmas.com.
Riverside, California: Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn
When: November 18 – January 7, 2024
What to expect: For 28 years, the owners of the Mission Inn in Riverside, California, have been decorating the grounds with millions of lights. This year's Festival of Lights will include 400 animated figures, Christmas trees, and fireworks displays.
For more information, visit missioninn.com/festival-of-lights.
Duluth, Minnesota: Bentleyville Tour of Lights
When: November 18 – December 26, 2023
What to expect: This enormous walk-through Christmas extravaganza features four million lights displayed on a 20-acre park adjacent to Lake Superior. The best part? The Bentleyville Tour of Lights is free ($10 for parking)!
For more information, visit bentleyvilleusa.org.
Chloe Gorman is the lifestyle writer for Country Living who covers food, décor, entertainment, and more.
Janece Maze is Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covers DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When she’s not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop.
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