The Ultimate Guide to America’s Best Christmas Lights – By State!
Nothing brings the holiday spirit to life quite like dazzling Christmas lights. Across the United States, towns and cities transform into these wonderlands, attracting visitors with festive displays that range from massive light festivals to small-town charm. This is your chance to drive through a spectacular show or stroll through a twinkling neighborhood. Here’s your guide to the best Christmas lights in every state!
New York: Holiday Light Displays
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New York City’s Holiday Light Displays are world-famous, with standout locations including Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, where entire neighborhoods compete to create the most extravagant holiday light shows. In Manhattan, The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and the surrounding displays bring a magical glow to the city. Additionally, The Bronx Zoo hosts its Holiday Lights Show, a spectacular display that is set against the backdrop of the zoo’s wildlife exhibits.
Washington: Woodland Park Zoo’s Wildlights
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Washington is known for its beautiful and diverse light displays, including Woodland Park Zoo’s Wildlights in Seattle, where millions of twinkling lights cover the zoo’s exhibits and animal sculptures. Leavenworth’s Christmas Lighting Festival turns this Bavarian-themed village into a picturesque holiday town with thousands of lights, carolers, and festive activities.
Texas: Trail of Lights
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Texas is home to some of the country’s most extravagant light displays. The Trail of Lights in Austin’s Zilker Park features more than 2 million lights, creating a festive holiday atmosphere with performances, food vendors, and activities. In San Antonio, The San Antonio River Walk is lined with over 100,000 lights. Additionally, Dallas’ Highland Park Christmas Lights offers an experience of the neighborhood’s elaborately decorated homes.
South Dakota: Sioux Falls Winter Wonderland
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The Sioux Falls Winter Wonderland at Falls Park features more than 300,000 lights. Another favorite is the Jingle Bell Light Parade in Rapid City, where the streets are filled with floats, lights, and festive decorations. South Dakota’s holiday lights create an enchanting atmosphere, making it a great destination for those looking to experience a small-town Christmas glow.
Oregon: Portland Christmas Festival
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Oregon offers a variety of beautiful holiday light displays, including The Portland Christmas Festival and the Festival of Lights at the Grotto, where over 600,000 lights illuminate the lush grounds of a beautiful sanctuary. Oregon Zoo’s ZooLights in Portland also features millions of lights, with a theme that changes every year, keeping the experience fresh and exciting.
Minnesota: Holidazzle Festival
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In Minnesota, the Holidazzle Festival in Minneapolis lights up the season with displays, holiday markets, and food vendors. Over in St. Paul, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory enchants visitors with more than 100,000 lights adorning the zoo’s gardens and exhibits. Both events capture Minnesota’s festive community spirit.
Mississippi
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In Mississippi, the Festival of Lights in Biloxi is one of the state’s top displays, featuring vibrant lights along the Gulf Coast. Shoreline Park in Gulfport also shines brightly with a massive light display, attracting visitors each year. Both locations offer family-friendly fun, stunning displays, and local holiday spirit.
Maryland: Festival of Lights
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Maryland features the stunning Festival of Lights at the Washington DC National Zoo, with over 500,000 lights and animal-shaped displays. Brookside Gardens in Wheaton hosts the Garden of Lights, offering intricate displays set against a beautiful garden backdrop. Both blend nature and festive lights perfectly.
Florida: Nights of Lights
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The Nights of Lights in St. Augustine transforms the historic town into a sea of lights, with millions illuminating trees, buildings, and the iconic Castillo de San Marcos. In Fort Myers, the Festival of Lights at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates sparkles not just with lights, but also vintage decorations, and classic holiday charm.
Alabama: Bellingrath Gardens
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In Alabama, the Bellingrath Gardens and Home in Theodore features one of the state’s most impressive Christmas light displays. The “Magic of Christmas” light show includes over 3 million lights, beautifully decorating homes. Glenwood Drive in Birmingham also showcases stunning neighborhood displays for a more local touch.
Alaska: Fairbanks Ice Event
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Alaska’s Christmas in Ice event in Fairbanks includes ice sculptures, light displays, and an enchanting Christmas village. In Anchorage, The Holiday Lights Tour features over a hundred homes decorated with stunning lights, perfect for a festive drive. And don’t miss the unique sight of the Northern Lights adding their own magical glow.
Arizona: Winterhaven Festival of Lights
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Visit Tucson’s Winterhaven Festival of Lights, where residents decorate with thousands of lights, creating a festive spectacle. Another standout is Glendale Glitters, featuring 1.6 million lights illuminating downtown, along with live performances and holiday activities, making it a perfect destination for family fun.
Arkansas: Lights of the Ozarks
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In Little Rock, the Lights of the Ozarks covers 4 downtown blocks with over 4 million lights, featuring horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, and hot cocoa. Additionally, Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs radiates with its “Holiday Lights” display, showcasing over 6 million lights in a stunning botanical setting.
California: Christmas Tree Lane
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California boasts iconic light displays like Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena, the oldest large-scale display in the U.S., featuring grand homes adorned with extravagant lights. Balboa Park in San Diego offers stunning holiday displays across historic buildings. The Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach adds a nautical touch with festive lights.
Colorado: Denver Botanic Gardens
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Colorado’s Denver Botanic Gardens hosts the stunning “Blossoms of Light” display, featuring more than 1 million lights, hot drinks, and holiday music. For a more interactive experience, visit Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs for the Electric Safari, with over 85 light displays, including wildlife-inspired creations, spreading holiday cheer.
Connecticut: Holiday Light Fantasia
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In Hartford, Holiday Light Fantasia sparkles in Goodwin Park, featuring a drive-through experience and holiday displays like Santa’s Workshop. Lake Compounce in Bristol offers a festive lights festival with rides, Santa’s Village, and live entertainment, making it a top family-friendly attraction.
Delaware: Winter WonderFest
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Delaware’s Winter WonderFest in Rehoboth Beach features lights, ice skating, rides, and a holiday light show at the beach. In Wilmington, Brandywine Park hosts the Shadybrook Farms Christmas Light Display, offering a stunning drive-through experience. These events make Delaware’s holiday lights a must-see.
Georgia
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In Georgia, Stone Mountain Park dazzles with the Snow Mountain Christmas Lights, featuring millions of lights and a nightly parade. Another favorite is Lights of Life at Life University in Marietta, offering a free, family-friendly experience with thousands of lights arranged in festive displays. These vibrant shows make Georgia a heaven for holiday lights.
Hawaii: Honolulu City Lights
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Hawaii brings a tropical twist to Christmas decor with Honolulu City Lights, where the city hall sparkles with festive lights, a giant tree, and displays throughout downtown. The Festival of Lights at the Maui Tropical Plantation offers a unique holiday experience, blending traditional decorations with the stunning beauty of the Hawaiian islands.
Idaho: Winter Garden aGlow
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In Boise, Winter Garden aGlow at the Idaho Botanical Garden features over 500,000 lights illuminating the garden’s pathways, offering a peaceful, beautiful stroll. Caldwell’s Christmas Light Show combines synchronized lights and music, drawing crowds from across the region. These Idaho displays provide a charming, family-friendly holiday experience.
Illinois: Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
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In Illinois, Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival takes Michigan Avenue to a whole new level. With over 200 trees and decorations, it features performances, a parade, and plenty of lights. Lincoln Park Zoo hosts ZooLights, a free holiday event with millions of colorful lights, ice skating, and festive activities. Both offer big city charm for the holidays.
Indiana: Carmel Christkindlmarkt
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Indiana’s Carmel Christkindlmarkt is a beautiful European-style market featuring Christmas lights and a festive atmosphere. The town of Santa Claus is known for its holiday-themed displays, with Santa Claus Land of Lights offering a fun, family-oriented light show. These events help make Indiana a perfect spot for holiday fun and holiday-light viewing.
Iowa: Jolly Holiday Lights
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In Des Moines, Jolly Holiday Lights at the Waterworks Park offers a drive-through light show that benefits local charities. The event features dozens of creative light displays, including some common winter-themed stuff and some animal figures. Additionally, The Celebration of Lights in Marshalltown is another impressive event with more than 60 displays, making it one of the best in the state.
Kansas: Winterfest
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Kansas City’s Winterfest at Union Station is one of the state’s largest light displays, featuring a massive holiday tree, festive lights, and an ice skating rink. The Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens hosts Christmas in the Gardens, where more than a million lights illuminate beautifully decorated gardens.
Kentucky: Kentucky Derby Museum
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In Kentucky, the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville hosts Lights Under Louisville, a unique underground display inside the Louisville Mega Cavern. This breathtaking light show stretches over 17 miles of caverns. Southern Lights in Lexington offers a drive-through display with over 2 million lights, plus a holiday village and Santa visits.
Louisiana: Bossier City Christmas Festival
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Louisiana’s Bossier City Christmas Festival in Shreveport-Bossier features a stunning holiday display at the Louisiana Boardwalk. For a unique experience, Natchitoches hosts the Natchitoches Christmas Festival, where over 300,000 lights illuminate the historic town along the Cane River, creating a breathtaking riverside scene.
Maine: The Gardens Aglow
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In Maine, The Gardens Aglow at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay is a standout event. With over 650,000 lights illuminating the gardens, visitors can stroll through pathways lined with glowing displays of holiday cheer. The Portland Harbor Lights in Portland is another highlight, with the waterfront area beautifully lit up and offering a festive atmosphere in this charming coastal city.
Massachusetts: LaSalette Shrine in Attleboro
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In Massachusetts, the LaSalette Shrine in Attleboro features over 300,000 lights in a serene outdoor setting, perfect for a peaceful stroll. In Boston, the Blink! Light & Sound Show at Faneuil Hall Marketplace gleams with over 350,000 lights synchronized to festive holiday music, creating a stunning visual experience.
Michigan: Detroit Zoo
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Michigan’s Detroit Zoo comes alive with Wild Lights, where over 5 million lights turn the zoo even more breathtaking. For a more cozy holiday escape, head to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth—the world’s largest Christmas store—offering its own enchanting outdoor display. This charming Bavarian town is a festive dream come true.Missouri: Missouri Botanical Garden
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The Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden stands out with thousands of lights along scenic pathways. Meanwhile, Silver Dollar City in Branson has become a festive paradise with over 6.5 million lights, holiday rides, shows, and seasonal treats for the whole family.
Montana: ZooMontana
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The ZooMontana in Billings lights up the season with thousands of twinkling lights. In Helena, the Christmas Lights Tour showcases elaborate displays across many homes, adding charm to the town’s holiday spirit. Montana’s scenic beauty makes these displays even more magical.
Nebraska: Omaha Zoo
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In Nebraska, the Omaha Zoo hosts Holiday Lights at the Zoo, covering 60 acres with lights, making it one of the state’s top attractions. Nebraska’s Capital Square in Lincoln also shines with trees and illuminated sculptures, brightening up downtown.
Nevada: Glittering Lights
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The Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway offers a 2.5-mile drive-through experience with millions of lights synchronized to holiday music. The Holiday Lights Festival at Springs Preserve in Las Vegas features thousands of lights, themed exhibits, and live entertainment. Las Vegas truly knows how to light up the season!
New Hampshire: Festival of Trees
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In New Hampshire, the Festival of Trees in Manchester features over 100 beautifully decorated trees, each adorned with thousands of lights. Holiday Lights in the North Country in Jefferson is another perfect destination with colorful lights and festive decorations. These events make New Hampshire a must-see for light lovers.
New Jersey
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The Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show perfectly shines through with over 2 million lights. Turtle Back Zoo’s Winter Wonderland in West Orange also features 50+ light displays and family-friendly activities. These festivals are a must-visit if you enjoy a unique display of lights, which makes New Jersey a shining holiday destination.
New Mexico: River of Lights
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In New Mexico, the River of Lights at the Botanic Garden of Albuquerque is a standout attraction, with over 400,000 lights that brighten up the garden’s pathways, trees, and sculptures. The event also features seasonal performances, adding an extra layer of holiday magic. Additionally, The Santa Fe Plaza is beautifully adorned with twinkling lights, creating a charming atmosphere throughout the historic downtown area.
North Carolina: Speedway Christmas
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The Speedway Christmas at the Charlotte Motor Speedway is a must-see. The event includes a 3.5-mile drive-through light show with over 4 million lights. The Biltmore Estate in Asheville also offers one of the most beautiful Christmas light displays in the state, with the estate’s gardens and grounds illuminated by thousands of lights.
North Dakota: Holiday Lights Festival
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In North Dakota, the Holiday Lights Festival in Fargo offers a unique display of colorful lights, a massive Christmas tree, and a variety of festive events. The Lights of the North in Grand Forks offers a stunning drive-through experience with more than 2 million lights. The charming and simple displays across the state make North Dakota a great place to celebrate the holidays.
Ohio: PNC Festival of Lights
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Ohio is home to some spectacular Christmas light displays, including Cincinnati’s PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, where over 4 million lights brighten up the zoo into a glowing winter paradise. Another favorite is Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo, which features over 3 million lights, holiday train rides, and festive performances.
Oklahoma: Holiday Light Tour
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The Gardens at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater hosts the Holiday Light Tour, which features thousands of lights decorating the gardens and nearby walkways. Another standout is The Christmas in the Park display in Edmond, which includes more than 175,000 lights arranged in creative holiday-themed designs.
Pennsylvania: Longwood Gardens
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Pennsylvania is home to some truly iconic light displays, including Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, where visitors can walk through over 500,000 lights. The Christmas Village in Philadelphia features beautiful outdoor lights and a bustling holiday market, adding a festive atmosphere to the city’s downtown. Additionally, Peddler’s Village in Lahaska offers an enchanting light display that turns this quaint village into something spectacular.
Rhode Island: Providence Winter Lights
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Rhode Island’s Providence Winter Lights event at the WaterFire is a magical celebration, with over 10,000 lights illuminating the city’s rivers, creating a festive reflection that adds extra sparkle to the season. The Newport Mansions also host a breathtaking holiday light display, featuring the grand estates decorated with twinkling lights that captivate visitors as they stroll through the historic properties.
South Carolina: Holiday Festival of Lights
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In South Carolina, the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park in Charleston is a local favorite, with over 2 million lights spread over 700 acres. The event includes a unique drive-through experience, a holiday train, and an ice skating rink. The Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet also features a beautiful holiday light display, sculptures and gardens bathed in festive lights.
Tennessee: Christmas Wonderland
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Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland in Sevierville is a popular light display, with millions of lights in sync with the music. Gaylord Opryland in Nashville offers another incredible display, with thousands of twinkling lights set throughout the hotel’s garden atriums, accompanied by elaborate indoor holiday decorations.
Utah: Christmas Lights at Temple Square
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In Utah, the Christmas Lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake City is an iconic event, with millions of lights illuminating the square, the Mormon Tabernacle, and the surrounding gardens. The city also hosts ZooLights at the Hogle Zoo, where millions of lights adorn animal-themed displays, making it an enjoyable experience for families.
Vermont: Stowe Village Holiday Lights
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In Vermont, the Stowe Village Holiday Lights offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere with its festive lights. Another favorite is The Shelburne Museum’s holiday light display, where the museum’s outdoor exhibits are decorated with beautiful lights, creating a magical and picturesque winter scene.
Virginia: Dominion Energy Christmas Parade
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Virginia’s Dominion Energy Christmas Parade in Richmond features one of the state’s most beautiful displays, with floats, marching bands, and thousands of twinkling lights. The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden also hosts a spectacular light show, featuring over a million lights set throughout the gardens. The Holiday Lights at Tanglewood Park in Roanoke is another favorite, with a 2.5-mile drive through illuminated displays.
West Virginia: Winterfest Festival
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In West Virginia, the Winterfest Festival at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling features a massive light display for the resort’s grounds. Another favorite is The New River Gorge Bridge lighting in Fayetteville, where thousands of lights shine across the bridge, creating a stunning view against the backdrop of the Appalachian mountains.
Wisconsin: Holiday Lights Show
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The Holiday Lights Show at the Milwaukee County Zoo in Wisconsin lights up the zoo’s grounds with endless lights. The Christmas in the Ward event in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward is also a favorite, with the area’s streets and buildings beautifully lit with holiday decorations. The Rotary Winter Wonderland in Green Bay also boasts more than 2 million lights. Wisconsin’s light displays offer a festive glow that’s perfect for every type of holiday visitor.
Wyoming: Cheyenne Depot Plaza
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Wyoming’s Cheyenne Depot Plaza features one of the state’s most beloved light displays, with over 1 million lights decorating the downtown area. Additionally, The Laramie Christmas Lights Tour features homes and businesses decked out in festive lights, creating a charming holiday atmosphere that you don’t want to miss out on.