Trip Ideas Holiday Travel The Best Christmas Light Displays in Every State From coast to coast, we've rounded up the best Christmas light displays in the U.S. By Maya Kachroo-Levine Maya Kachroo-Levine Instagram Twitter Maya Kachroo-Levine is the luxury and experiences editor at Travel + Leisure digital. She has previously edited at Departures, Expedia, Good, Medium, and The Balance, and written for LA Weekly, Time, The Atlantic, Marie Claire, and Refinery29, among others. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 19, 2022 Fact checked by Jillian Dara Fact checked by Jillian Dara Instagram Website Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, spirits, wine, food, and culture. Outside of Travel + Leisure, her work has appeared in USA Today, Elite Traveler, Forbes, Wine Enthusiast, Michelin guides, and Hemispheres, among others. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Getty Images Whether you live in Texas, Oregon, or North Pole, Alaska, it just wouldn't be Christmastime without twinkling lights. Bulbs blinking red and green or classic white have become a part of our identity, a symbol of prosperity, holiday cheer, and end-of-the-year celebration. Christmas lights actually have a history that dates all the way back to the pagan rituals of northern Europe. The custom of the Yule Log, a bonfire of sorts, was first recorded in the 12th century and is thought to have served as a representation of hope that the sun would once again shine brightly, ending the darkness of December. Winter light traditions have come a long way since the 12th century, from early Yule Logs to candles on the German Christmas tree — perhaps the most flammable Christmas light iteration — to the LED Christmas light displays we know and love today. While travelers fly halfway around the world to see the European Christmas lights illuminating holiday markets, we have some exquisite displays right here in the U.S. Whether you prefer a sophisticated tea light-lined spectacle or a drive-through LED extravaganza, here's where to find the best Christmas light displays in every state, most of which can be seen from late November to early January. More holiday travel 01 of 51 Alabama: Magic Christmas in Lights Rosabetancourt / Alamy Stock Photo Since 1995, Bellingrath Gardens and Home has been the place to see holiday lights in Alabama, and its display lives up to the reputation with more than 1,100 set pieces and three million lights spread throughout the 65-acre estate. The Bellingrath Gardens' Magic Christmas in Lights display runs from the day after Thanksgiving to early January and is closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, with whimsical displays like Christmas Tree Lane, Candy Land, Fire & Ice, Gumball Grove, and Christmas Corridor for all to enjoy. Get your picture taken with Santa in the Magnolia Room or tour the historic Bellingrath Home, built in 1935, while you're there. 02 of 51 Alaska: Santa Claus House Christmas in Ice In the town of North Pole, located just 20 minutes from Fairbanks, going all out on Christmas decorations is a given. Stop by the Santa Claus House where "It's Christmas every day!" for photos with the world's largest Santa, his whole reindeer team, and the big man himself. A tradition since 1952, you'll find Santa at his workshop on weekends in October, and throughout November and December. Pick up some fudge, cookies, chocolates, and candies from the Sweet Shop, or to really impress friends and family back home, mail your letters, souvenirs, gifts or holiday cards from here with an authentic postmark from the North Pole. Amazon Has More Than 50,000 Cyber Monday Deals — These Are the Only 78 You Need to Shop 03 of 51 Arizona: The Tumbleweed Tree National Geographic Image Collection / Alamy Stock Photo No pines or spruces in your state? Simply make do with what you have à la Arizona's Tumbleweed Tree. About a 30-minute drive from Phoenix in Downtown Chandler — and a quirky area tradition since 1957 — the community centerpiece is, quite literally, a pile of nearly 1,000 tumbleweeds formed into a tree shape, sprayed with white paint, dusted with 65 pounds of glitter, and adorned with 1,200 lights. It's truly a sight to behold. If you're in town in early December, don't miss the Tumbleweed Tree-Lighting & Parade of Lights, where you can see Santa, hear live music and see the downtown area in all its holiday season glory. 04 of 51 Arkansas: Wonderland at Garvan Woodland Gardens Garvan Woodland Gardens Garvan Woodland Gardens is both an architectural and botanical phenomenon, seeing as the gardens in Hot Springs are affiliated with the University of Arkansas' School of Architecture and Design. Its annual Wonderland event takes place nightly from mid-November to New Year's Eve and features holiday-themed art installations, plenty of lights, and nine creatively themed "worlds" within the garden. Note that all tickets must be purchased online ahead of time, and everyone in your party must have one to enter. 05 of 51 California: Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights Dana Point Harbor When you're on the water, it doesn't get any better than a boat parade of lights. And these Southern California boat — or, let's be real, yacht — Christmas light displays are pretty exceptional. The Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights is a Southern California tradition where you're in for a treat, with boats showing off their best holiday decorations, Christmas-themed photo-opts, visits from Santa, and a slew of impressive installations like the "Merry Kiss Me" arch and the giant whale sculpture (in Dana Point). Nearby, the King Harbor Holiday Boat Parade in Redondo Beach is another family-friendly favorite, and the best views can be seen from around King Harbor, in the former Moonstone Park and Mole B areas, but not from the pier. 06 of 51 Colorado: The Ski Tree telluride.net Every December, the Telluride, Colorado, community gathers to light its 17-foot-tall Ski Tree, a true work of art created by local artist and metalwork creator Anton Viditz Ward that's made from donated skis — even the star at the top of the tree is made of ski poles. The tradition began in 2013 as a unique way to express the ski town residents' love of the holidays and their time on the mountain. Each year, it's assembled as part of Noel Night, which kicks off two weeks of holiday festivities throughout Telluride and Mountain Village. Prefer a more traditional display? Check out the Denver Botanic Gardens for its annual Blossoms of Light event. 07 of 51 Connecticut: Holiday Light Fantasia Holiday Light Fantasia Hartford, Connecticut's Holiday Light Fantasia, also known as Goodwin Park Lights, is a two-mile-long, drive-through winter celebration featuring larger-than-life scenes depicting Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's Eve. Drive through the animated displays in Goodwin Park and keep an eye out for Flurry, a puppy donning a Santa hat, hidden among the lights. 08 of 51 Delaware: Yuletide at Winterthur Visit Delaware In Delaware, the name du Pont holds some serious weight, and that goes double when it comes to Christmas decorations — in fact, many of the best Christmas light displays in the state can be found in du Pont mansions. One of the best is Yuletide at Winterthur, which features a Christmas tree decorated with more than 60 varieties of dried flowers. The displays typically correspond with exhibitions related to the du Pont family. For instance, in 2022, an exhibit entitled, "Jacqueline Kennedy and Henry Francis du Pont: From Winterthur to the White House," featured trees inspired by those shown in the White House, the interior of which he had helped her restore in 1961. 09 of 51 District of Columbia: The National Christmas Tree and More Hisham Ibrahim / Getty Images Not only can you find the National Christmas Tree, the Capitol Christmas Tree, and the National Menorah in Washington, D.C., the entire District of Columbia is rife with incredible Christmas light displays, holiday markets, and ice skating rinks — you'll find them set up at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, The Wharf, and at Washington Harbour in Georgetown. The District's Holiday Boat Parade dazzles audiences lining the scenic Potomac River while Zoo Lights twinkle at the Smithsonian National Zoo. Otherwise, check out Enchant at Nationals Park, a winter wonderland including a Christmas Light Maze, festive holiday village, and ice skating. 10 of 51 Florida: Walt Disney World's Holiday Festivities Getty Images Walt Disney World might be called "The Most Magical Place On Earth" all year-round, but it certainly kicks the pixie dust up a notch during the holidays. Hotels and theme parks are all decked out in holiday decor, and guests will find tasty seasonal snacks and festive entertainment that can only be enjoyed during the most wonderful time of the year. For a special treat, especially if you've got little ones in tow, don't miss Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom, which features special events starring Santa, holiday themed shows throughout the park, and Christmastime fireworks, select nights from mid-November until just before Christmas. 11 of 51 Georgia: Garden Lights, Holiday Lights Atlanta Botanical Garden For one of the best Christmas light displays in Georgia, look no further than the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Its two-month Garden Lights, Holiday Nights exhibition illuminates the plant and flower-filled outdoor space. For a real treat, don't miss a visit to the Skylights Lounge in the Skyline Garden. 12 of 51 Hawaii: Honolulu City Lights Getty Images If you're on the island of Oahu, one of the best Christmas light displays in the whole state takes place during the month of December in Honolulu. Each year, the city's downtown is made aglow with dazzling lights and Hawaii-themed holiday displays — think Santa and Mrs. Claus chilling in the Hawaiian sun, flashing the Shaka sign — as part of Honolulu City Lights, an event guaranteed to get even holiday Scrooges into the celebratory spirit. 13 of 51 Idaho: Lake Coeur d'Alene Golf & Spa Resort Joel Riner Setting itself apart from the other Christmas light displays in the state, Idaho's Coeur d'Alene Golf & Spa Resort features lights along the sparkling Lake Coeur d'Alene. Take one of the resort's "Journey to the North Pole" lake cruises to see the site's massive floating Christmas tree — and its 1.5 million bulbs reflected in the water. 14 of 51 Illinois: Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo Todd Bannor / Alamy Stock Photo Go wild this holiday with a visit to Zoo Lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. An annual Windy City tradition, the zoo features a 40-foot tall Christmas tree, more than 30 lit animal silhouettes, a tree canopy light walk, a 60-foot light tunnel, and lots of fun family-friendly activities like holiday train rides and s'mores and hot cocoa stations. 15 of 51 Indiana: Santa Claus Christmas Celebration Spencer County Visitors Bureau As you might expect from a town named Santa Claus, this community in Indiana really goes all out for Christmas. The main event is a three-weekend-long Santa Claus Christmas Celebration that includes the story of Rudolph told in brilliant LED lights over a 1.2-mile drive at a place called — wait for it — Lake Rudolph, a popular RV park and campground run by Sun Outdoors. 16 of 51 Iowa: Jolly Holiday Lights Jolly Holiday Lights Iowa's Jolly Holiday Lights, which takes place in Adventureland Park about 15 minutes from Des Moines, reign supreme in the Hawkeye State. Featuring a 2.5 mile-ride through more than 100 Christmas light displays, a trip to Jolly Holiday Lights is also a gift to charity — 100 percent of admissions fees are donated to Make-A-Wish Iowa. 17 of 51 Kansas: Illuminations at Botanica Wichita Illuminations The honor of best Christmas lights in Kansas undoubtedly belongs to Illuminations at Botanica in Wichita. Each year, more than two million lights completely overhaul the gardens into a Christmas-themed show. While you're there, check out the Khicha Family Carousel and get your picture taken with Santa. Note that timed tickets must be purchased ahead of time for this event, as none will be available at the gate. 18 of 51 Kentucky: Lights Under Louisville Lights Under Louisville Kentucky's lights shine the brightest quite literally underground. At Lights Under Louisville, the Louisville Mega Cavern (a former limestone mine) is transformed into a 30-minute Christmas-themed drive-through holiday experience lit by more than six million points of light. 19 of 51 Louisiana: Celebration in the Oaks Celebration in the Oaks It just isn't Christmas in New Orleans until the lights at Celebration in the Oaks flip their switch. Every year since the late 1980s, thousands of visitors pour into City Park to see the hundreds of thousands of lights twinkling throughout the oak groves. Choose from a 90-minute walking tour, a 30- to 45-minute driving tour, or buy a combo ticket and enjoy both. Whichever way you choose to enjoy the festivities, know that the proceeds will go toward keeping City Park beautiful all year long. 20 of 51 Maine: Gardens Aglow Coastal Maine Botanical Garden Gardens Aglow, held each year at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, is more than your typical Christmas display experience — it's a one-mile stroll through a magical, glowing forest lit by 65 miles worth of lights. Gardens Aglow is open from mid-November to January 1, giving visitors the chance to see nature come to life through more than 750,000 LED lights throughout 14 acres of gardens. 21 of 51 Maryland: Lights on the Bay Courtesy of Lights On The Bay As Christmas descends on Annapolis in a haze of beautiful lights lining the Chesapeake Bay, the SPCA of Anne Arundel County hosts Lights on the Bay each year at Sandy Point State Park. Pile the whole brood into the car and drive through the more than 70 stunning animated and stationary Christmas light displays set up along the road. 22 of 51 Massachusetts: Bright Nights at Forest Park Bright Nights Bright Nights at Forest Park, a collaboration between the City of Springfield and Spirit of Springfield, a private non-profit organization, has been bringing light to Forest Park in Massachusetts since it began in 1995. Can't make it there in person this year? Check out the live webcam on its website or the virtual tour of glowing displays. 23 of 51 Michigan: Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic Michael Snell / Alamy Stock Photo A real-life Polar Express, Michigan's Huckleberry Railroad takes guests on a 40-minute holiday-themed ride, passing by Christmas lights and ending at Crossroads Village. Visitors can also take in the sights from the comfort of their cars during the Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic drive-through experience, or you can purchase a combo ticket and enjoy both the train and village offerings. 24 of 51 Minnesota: Bentleyville's Tour of Lights Bentleyville Minnesota's best holiday display is at Bentleyville in Duluth. The Bentleyville Tour of Lights features more than five million lights spread over 20 acres. If you can make it for opening night in November, you'll catch Santa skydiving down to the event. While you're there, check out the cookie house and popcorn factory, roast marshmallows, and take your photo with the big man himself. 25 of 51 Mississippi: Canton Christmas Festival Canton Tourism In Canton, Mississippi, located about a 30-minute drive from the capital city of Jackson, the Canton Christmas Festival lights up the holiday season year after year, with train rides, playgrounds, story time with Mrs. Claus, a peek into Santa's workshop, and an animated village for the whole family to enjoy. 26 of 51 Missouri: An Old Time Christmas © Ilene MacDonald / Alamy Stock Photo Branson, Missouri's Silver Dollar City is regularly hailed as one of the best Christmas destinations in the country, a title well-deserved considering the park features more than 6.5 million lights. Plan your visit to Silver Dollar City's An Old Time Christmas, where every nook and cranny is illuminated. For a real treat, don't miss Rudolph's Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade, where Rudolph and his friends, including Bumble (the formerly abominable snow monster), make an appearance. 27 of 51 Montana: Christmastime in Bozeman Getty Images This time of year in Montana, Bozeman is known for its highly decorated homes. Stop by "Christmasland" at 4486 Shadowglen Drive, as well as the houses at 902 West Babcock Street and 313 Powder Ridge Avenue. These are among the most popular neighborhood homes decked out each year in all their holiday glory, with some featuring inflatable Christmastime characters and hot cocoa stations in addition to their respective Christmas light displays. Tune into the local radio station (XL Country 100.7), where they'll guide you to the city's best lights. 28 of 51 Nebraska: Omaha Holiday Lights Festival Holiday Lights Festival The tagline for the Omaha Holiday Lights Festival is "See Downtown Dazzle," and with more than 40 blocks of bulbs, this annual family-friendly event certainly lives up to that promise. You'll find it at the Gene Leahy Mall, though it's also worth visiting the Christmas light displays in North Omaha, South Omaha, and the Old Market. 29 of 51 Nevada: Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway ShotsFiredPhotos.com Kick your Christmas up a notch by visiting Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a 2.5-mile course featuring more than five million lights and 400 animated displays. But lead-foots, take a breath before you floor it — the event isn't actually on the racing track, so speed limits are still enforced. 30 of 51 New Hampshire: Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth Go Portsmouth Few things beat Christmas in New England, from the idyllic snow-capped homes to the surplus of hot cider. In New Hampshire, find the coziest, hygge-esque holiday cheer in Portsmouth at the Strawbery Banke Museum. Its after-dark celebration and candlelight stroll happens right at the heart of Portsmouth's famed "Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth" event and takes place on select days in December. 31 of 51 New Jersey: Storybook Land Storybook Land For some of the best Christmas lights in New Jersey, head to Egg Harbor Township, located about 20 minutes from Atlantic City, to experience the magic of Storybook Land. Here, Santa lights up the park nightly, bringing more than one million lights to life. Guests are also welcomed donate new and unwrapped toys to benefit Toys For Tots throughout the event. 32 of 51 New Mexico: Old Town Holiday Stroll ZUMA Press Inc / Alamy Stock Photo There are a few neighborhoods New Mexicans make the trek to see during the holidays, like Cabezon, a neighborhood outside Rio Rancho that goes all out with Christmas light displays, and Sandia Heights, in Albuquerque, where the upscale houses are lavishly decorated for the season. One of the best is in Old Town Albuquerque, where the historic storefronts and buildings are decked out with holiday decorations. At the Old Town Holiday Stroll in early December you'll feel like you're ambling through a southwestern Christmas postcard. 33 of 51 New York: Dyker Heights in Brooklyn Randy Duchaine / Alamy Stock Photo Move over Rockefeller, the real highlight of New York's Christmas spirit is out in Brooklyn's Dyker Heights neighborhood, about 30 minutes away. Homeowners here are said to have an unspoken competition, continuing to up the ante annually with over-the-top lights, professionally-created displays, and inflatable lawn ornaments, so it's definitely worth a look. 34 of 51 North Carolina: Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights Tanglewood Park The Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights is extremely popular, and with good reason. The beautiful North Carolina countryside park is filled with over a million lights, which visitors can explore by car, tractor-pulled hayride, or horse-drawn carriage. While you're in the area for the festival, stop by Wake Forest University to see the stunning traditional Moravian star lit above Wait Chapel. 35 of 51 North Dakota: Holiday Lights Drive Williston CVB Every December, Spring Lake Park sparkles with thousands of twinkling lights, all a part of the annual Holiday Lights Drive. Guests to the park can enjoy themed nights and even catch one of the ice carving demos scheduled throughout the season. 36 of 51 Ohio: Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill Flickr At Ohio's famed Clifton Mill, nearly four million lights illuminate the building, the gorge, the bridges, and nearby trees, but the real highlight is a 100-foot "waterfall" of twinkling lights. After experiencing the Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill, peek inside Santa's Workshop, where you might find the big guy checking his list. 37 of 51 Oklahoma: Rhema Bible School Jeremy Charles Three million lights decorate Rhema Bible School during the holidays, with walk-through tunnels, an illuminated Nativity scene, and a Christmas tree forest delighting the more than 500,000 visitors they expect each year. Open top and private carriage rides are also available for an extra fee at this spectacular wintertime attraction that's been an area tradition since 1982. 38 of 51 Oregon: Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights Peacock Lane The Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights is a hit among Disney-loving kids (and adults with a soft spot for Frozen). This epic Christmas lights display features more than 500,000 lights and 90 animated displays, most of which are characters from the popular Disney film. Proceeds from this drive-through holiday experience at River Forks Park go to worthy local organizations, such as the Boys & Girls Club of the Umpqua Valley. 39 of 51 Pennsylvania: Koziar's Christmas Village Getty Images Koziar's Christmas Village in Bernville, about a 90-minute drive from Philadelphia, is a cozy annual tradition that comes to life in early November and continues through January 1. When the event started in 1948, it featured William and Grace Koziar's gorgeous decorated "Christmas House," but over the years, the Koziars have expanded, decorating nearby barns, walkways, and trees to create an entire Christmas Village. 40 of 51 Rhode Island: Newport Mansions Newport Mansions Preservation Society For many, the more Christmas lights there are, the better. But a holiday trip to Holidays at the Newport Mansions, presented by The Preservation Society of Newport County, offers up a refined and subtle approach to the holiday magic. The event features 28 themed Christmas trees, including an impressive 15-foot poinsettia tree made up of 150 poinsettia plants. 41 of 51 South Carolina: Nights of a Thousands Candles Getty Images Candles might not burn as bright as LED lights, but that doesn't mean Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles are any less magical. Grab a warm apple cider and stroll through the grounds, which are illuminated by more than 2,700 hand-lit candles in addition to thousands of sparkling lights. 42 of 51 South Dakota: Winter Wonderland at Falls Park Capital Pierre Winter wonderland awaits in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Since 2003, more than 25 miles of light strings, 270 decorated trees, multiple animated light features, and a whopping 355,926 LED lights put the holiday-loving city of Sioux Falls on the map. The annual event runs from mid-November to early January, and the best spot to take it all in is from the five-story viewing tower, which gives guests a 360-degree view of the spectacle. 43 of 51 Tennessee: Christmas at Gaylord Opryland Resort J. Carlee Adams / Alamy Stock Photo Home to the original Country Christmas, Nashville's Gaylord Opryland Resort has evolved from a simple Christmas light display to a veritable winter wonderland. At the holiday-light-laden resort, you'll experience holiday themed activities, shows, and events — and of course, a visit with Santa. 44 of 51 Texas: Austin Trail of Lights Eugene Brothermanround The Austin Trail of Lights is more carnival than Christmas light display. At the drive-through event, you'll be able to see more than two million lights and 70 displays in beautiful Zilker Park. The event is closed on Mondays. 45 of 51 Utah: Christmas in Color Christmas In Color While the concept of a drive-through display is nothing new, Utah's Christmas in Color is taking the idea to a whole new level with light tunnels, giant candy canes, and synchronized music-and-light sequences featuring more than one million holiday lights. 46 of 51 Vermont: Wassail Weekend in Woodstock Wassail Weekend Large-scale displays are few and far between in Vermont, but Woodstock's Wassail Weekend, a holiday celebration that borrows traditions from the 19th century, features seasonally-inspired a capella performances, luminaries, and plenty of family-friendly holiday activities. Don't look now, but there are the chestnuts roasting on an open fire and Jack Frost nipping at your nose. 47 of 51 Virginia: Richmond's Tacky Lights Tour Flickr Sure, Virginia has plenty of pristine houses decorated with all-white strands, but Richmond's famed Tacky Lights Tour is just so much more fun. For years, the Richmond Times-Dispatch has published a list of the best tacky lights in town. Cruise by all the tacky light hotspots in your own car, or book a Tacky Lights Tour via bus or even limousine. 48 of 51 Washington: The Lights of Christmas The Lights of Christmas With over a million lights spread across 15 acres, The Lights of Christmas in Stanwood is a drive-through event that features dazzling light displays, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and plenty of yummy snacks for the drive. 49 of 51 West Virginia: Winter Festival of Lights Oglebay Oglebay's Winter Festival of Lights is one of the country's largest displays, with more than one million LED lights stretching across 300 acres at Wheeling Park. Best of all, you can cruise through the full scene — a six-mile route featuring light tunnels and 90 lighted attractions — from the comfort of your car. 50 of 51 Wisconsin: Oshkosh Celebration of Lights Wisconsin Tourism With half a million lights, carriage rides, and Santa's workshop, the Oshkosh Celebration of Lights is one of the hottest tickets in town. Even better, the event donates to the Salvation Army and other nonprofit organizations that support local families in need. The Menominee Park celebration runs from the day after Thanksgiving until December 31. 51 of 51 Wyoming: Holiday Light Tour Dennis Macdonald Upgrade your Christmas light tour experience with a trolley ride on the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley during the annual Holiday Light Tour. From early December to early January, grab a ticket and hop on board to see some of the best light displays in Wyoming. Updated by Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Instagram Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. learn more Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit