The holiday season is one of the most magical times of the year, and there’s nothing quite like taking in the glow of twinkling lights with family and friends. Across the U.S., cities and towns transform into winter wonderlands with spectacular light displays. Whether you’re looking for a drive-through experience or a walkable winter light festival, we’ve rounded up the best holiday light displays in every state!
Alabama: Galaxy of Lights – Huntsville
This stunning display at the Huntsville Botanical Garden features over 2.5 miles of holiday lights, with drive-through and walkable nights. Learn more about Galaxy of Lights.
Alaska: Christmas in Ice – North Pole
Known for its ice sculptures and light displays, this unique event includes an ice playground for kids and incredible ice carvings. Explore Christmas in Ice.
Arizona: ZooLights – Phoenix
The Phoenix Zoo comes alive with millions of lights, animal sculptures, and a Wildlife Lantern Safari. See ZooLights.
Arkansas: Lights of the Ozarks – Fayetteville
This display lights up the Downtown Square, featuring horse-drawn carriage rides and hot cocoa stations. Visit Lights of the Ozarks.
California: Festival of Lights – Riverside
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa hosts one of the largest holiday displays in the country, with five million lights covering the historic property. Learn more about the Festival of Lights.
Colorado: Blossoms of Light – Denver
This annual display at the Denver Botanic Gardens features immersive light tunnels and vibrant holiday displays. Check out Blossoms of Light.
Connecticut: Holiday Light Fantasia – Hartford
A two-mile display in Goodwin Park with over one million lights and animated scenes. Discover Holiday Light Fantasia.
Delaware: Winter WonderFEST – Lewes
Enjoy a drive-through wonderland of holiday lights along with carnival rides and a Christmas village. See Winter WonderFEST details.
Florida: Night of Lights – St. Augustine
This charming coastal town glows with over three million lights, illuminating the historic downtown area. Plan a visit to Night of Lights.
Georgia: Garden Lights, Holiday Nights – Atlanta
Atlanta Botanical Garden hosts this event with synchronized light shows and beautifully lit displays. Learn more about Garden Lights, Holiday Nights.
Hawaii: Honolulu City Lights – Honolulu
A free month-long celebration featuring holiday lights, decorations, and live entertainment. More on Honolulu City Lights.
Idaho: Winter Garden aGlow – Boise
Experience the Idaho Botanical Garden’s transformation with dazzling light displays. Visit Winter Garden aGlow.
Illinois: Festival of Lights – East Peoria
With hundreds of light displays, including the famous 160-foot long steam engine, this festival is a must-see. Discover East Peoria Festival of Lights.
Indiana: Christmas Nights of Lights – Indianapolis
A synchronized light and music display that you can drive through for a cozy holiday experience. See Christmas Nights of Lights.
Iowa: Jolly Holiday Lights – Des Moines
A 2.5-mile drive-through holiday light show that benefits Make-A-Wish Iowa. Explore Jolly Holiday Lights.
Kansas: Illuminations – Wichita
The Botanica Wichita comes alive with over two million lights and themed displays. Plan your visit to Illuminations.
Kentucky: Southern Lights – Lexington
A horse-themed light display at the Kentucky Horse Park with pony rides, a petting zoo, and Santa. Visit Southern Lights.
Louisiana: Natchitoches Christmas Festival – Natchitoches
One of the oldest light displays in Louisiana, with fireworks, parades, and a million lights. Learn about the Christmas Festival.
Maine: Gardens Aglow – Boothbay
The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are illuminated with half a million LED lights, creating an enchanted winter wonderland. Discover Gardens Aglow.
Maryland: Miracle on 34th Street – Baltimore
This famous neighborhood in Hampden goes all out with elaborate light displays across row houses, bringing holiday magic to life. Explore Miracle on 34th Street.
Massachusetts: Blink! at Faneuil Hall – Boston
This synchronized light and music show features the largest Christmas tree in the Northeast. Learn more about Blink!
Michigan: Wayne County Lightfest – Westland
The Midwest’s longest drive-through holiday light show, spanning over four miles with animated displays. See Wayne County Lightfest.
Minnesota: Bentleyville Tour of Lights – Duluth
Bentleyville is a stunning display along Lake Superior. It features over five million lights and free hot chocolate and popcorn. Visit Bentleyville.
Mississippi: Christmas in the Park – Tylertown
A popular drive-through display with whimsical holiday scenes, all in Holmes Water Park. More about Christmas in the Park.
Missouri: An Old Time Christmas – Branson
Silver Dollar City transforms with millions of lights, a Christmas parade, and holiday shows. Discover An Old Time Christmas.
Montana: ZooLights – Billings
This popular light display at ZooMontana features over a mile of holiday lights and themed displays. Learn about ZooLights.
Nebraska: Santa’s Rock N Lights – Omaha
A mile-long, animated holiday light show that families can drive through. Explore Santa’s Rock N Lights.
Nevada: Glittering Lights – Las Vegas
Located at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, this 2.5-mile drive-through display features over three million lights. Visit Glittering Lights.
New Hampshire: Gift of Lights – Loudon
Held at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, this drive-through display includes a Tunnel of Lights. Plan your visit to Gift of Lights.
New Jersey: Skylands Stadium Light Show – Augusta
A mile-long drive-through show with over two million lights, plus a walkable Winter Wonderland village. See Skylands Stadium Light Show.
New Mexico: River of Lights – Albuquerque
The ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden lights up with immersive displays and themed gardens. Learn about River of Lights.
New York: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights – Brooklyn
This Brooklyn neighborhood is famous for its extravagant holiday light displays, attracting thousands of visitors. Visit Dyker Heights.
North Carolina: Christmas Town USA – McAdenville
Each December, the town of McAdenville transforms with millions of lights, attracting visitors from near and far. See Christmas Town USA.
North Dakota: Holiday Lights at the Zoo – Bismarck
The Dakota Zoo’s annual display includes thousands of lights and holiday scenes. Visit Holiday Lights at the Zoo.
Ohio: Wildlights – Columbus
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium hosts this event, with millions of lights, animated displays, and holiday music. Discover Wildlights.
Oklahoma: Rhema Christmas Lights – Broken Arrow
This massive display features over two million lights at Rhema Bible Church, open to the public and free to visit. Learn more about Rhema Christmas Lights.
Oregon: ZooLights – Portland
The Oregon Zoo’s holiday display features millions of lights, animal-themed sculptures, and a lighted train ride. Explore ZooLights.
Pennsylvania: Kennywood Holiday Lights – West Mifflin
The famous amusement park lights up with holiday displays, shows, and a Christmas tree forest. Visit Kennywood Holiday Lights.
Rhode Island: Holiday Lights Spectacular – Providence
Roger Williams Park Zoo offers a walk-through display with animated light displays and holiday music. More on Holiday Lights Spectacular.
South Carolina: Holiday Festival of Lights – Charleston
Located at James Island County Park, this event includes over 750 displays, with a train ride and sand sculpture. See Holiday Festival of Lights.
South Dakota: Christmas Nights of Light – Sioux Falls
This drive-through display with music-synchronized lights is located at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. Explore Christmas Nights of Light.
Tennessee: Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas – Pigeon Forge
Dollywood lights up with millions of lights, holiday shows, and special seasonal treats. Learn more about Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Texas: Trail of Lights – Austin
One of Austin’s favorite holiday traditions, this event features over two million lights in Zilker Park. Discover Trail of Lights.
Utah: Luminaria – Lehi
Thanksgiving Point’s Ashton Gardens transforms into a magical light display with illuminated pathways. Plan your visit to Luminaria.
Vermont: Morse Farm Sugarworks Holiday Display – Montpelier
This family-owned farm offers a rustic holiday display with a Vermont flair. More about Morse Farm Sugarworks.
Virginia: Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights – Richmond
The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden hosts this annual event with a themed light display. Visit GardenFest of Lights.
Washington: Enchant Christmas – Seattle
A large holiday festival featuring an ice skating trail, holiday market, and maze of lights at T-Mobile Park. Learn more about Enchant Christmas.
West Virginia: Oglebay Festival of Lights – Wheeling
One of the largest light displays in the country, with over 300 acres of animated displays. See the Oglebay Festival of Lights.
Wisconsin: Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival – Milwaukee
Downtown Milwaukee lights up with festive displays across three parks, plus a Jingle Bus tour. Explore Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival.
Wyoming: Cheyenne Botanic Gardens Holiday Light Celebration – Cheyenne
The botanic gardens host a cozy light display, complete with warm drinks and caroling. Visit Cheyenne Botanic Gardens.
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With these holiday light displays across all 50 states, there’s bound to be a magical experience near you. Gather your family, bundle up, and enjoy the sparkling displays that bring the festive season to life!
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