They’re bright, dazzling, festive and bring the whole family together: Holiday light displays capture the true essence of the season and, no matter how old you are, you can’t help but stop and stare. We’ve rounded up 25 must-visit light displays this winter.
Dillsboro, North Carolina
Don’t miss Dillsboro Lights & Luminaries, Dec. 4–5 and Dec. 11–12. The event began in 1983 as a single event before growing into a two-week festival, spanning 2,500 candles and twinkling lights. Listen to carolers and live music, sip hot chocolate or apple cider, and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.
© Experience Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Village Lights in German Village features a German-inspired market and glowing luminaries on Dec. 6. Downtown, Wanderlights is a walkable trail connecting more than 150 trees at Columbus Commons. Nov. 20–Jan. 3, 2027, Wildlights comes to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, while Conservatory Aglow runs Nov. 21–Jan. 10, 2027, complete with a 100-foot light tunnel and life-sized Candyland board.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
From Nov. 27 to Dec. 30, make for Windrush Gardens at Burden Museum & Gardens for Louisiana Lights, where live oaks, crepe myrtles, waterways and a dazzling lake are transformed with lights. Enjoy Louisiana and Cajun food, too. Look for special evenings like Mistletoe & Moss, Barks & Bright Nights, and Sundays with Santa.
© Visit Wheeling
Wheeling, West Virginia
Head to the town’s Oglebay Festival of Lights (Nov. 5–Jan. 3, 2027) to experience 300 acres of winter-themed displays, family-friendly activities and immersive holiday experiences. Oglebay Lodge, near the festival, offers overnight packages with fun amenities included.
Lodi, California
Lodi Parade of Lights returns Dec. 4. This free tradition draws nearly 30,000 spectators to downtown Lodi, where more than 80 illuminated floats, marching bands and themed vehicles fills the streets. Santa closes the parade aboard a Lodi fire truck!
© Brookgreen Gardens
Brookgreen Gardens, South Carolina
This is truly one of the South’s most memorable holiday experiences. Nights of a Thousand Candles (Nov. 27–Jan. 3, 2027) boasts more than 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights. Expect hot chocolate, glowing sculptures, live music and a nightly tree lighting.
Jekyll Island, Georgia
This historic island transforms into a coastal winter wonderland with more than 2 million lights, 500 handcrafted displays and 600 ornaments. See it all from the Holly Jolly Trolley. Holly Jolly Jekyll runs from Nov. 27 to Jan. 3, 2027.
© Jekyll Island Authority
Sugar Land, Texas
Constellation Field transforms to Sugar Land Holiday Lights Nov. 20 and lasts until Jan. 3. Expect festive photo ops, family activities and more.
Oxford, Mississippi
Holly Jolly Holidays fills the city with displays inspired by Ole Miss memorabilia and city landmarks. The event runs Nov. 21–Jan. 3, 2027.
© Meadow Lights
Providence, Rhode Island
Roger Williams Park Zoo transforms into the Holiday Lights Spectacular from Nov. 27, to Jan. 4, 2027, in which more than 3.5 million lights, seasonal scenes and photo-worthy displays grace the zoo.
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Want to experience a Christmas market? Here, you’ll find Silverton Christmas Market (Nov. 20–Dec. 31), boasting more than 2 million lights, an authentic German market, snowless tubing, festive food and drinks, live entertainment, and visits with Santa. There’s also a train ride and an ice-skating rink.
© Visit Lodi
Sarasota, Florida
The city’s iconic Marie Selby Botanical Gardens puts a tropical twist on the traditional holiday display with millions of lights illuminating native plants, winding pathways and immersive installations.
Marquette, Michigan
For a more high-tech spin on the typical light display, Holiday Lasers on the Ore Dock (Nov. 26–Dec. 26) has you covered. Colorful lasers are projected across Marquette’s 1,200-foot-long Lower Harbor Ore Dock along Lake Superior. Watch from the warmth of your car or stroll the shoreline.
© Tourism Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
During the Holiday Tree Lighting on Santa Fe Plaza on Nov. 27, holiday lights take on a Southwestern character. On Christmas Eve, head to the Canyon Road Farolito Walk to enjoy live music, seasonal treats, Santa’s arrival and more.
© Travel Marquette
Other can’t-miss holiday light displays happening across the country include:
- Poinsettias After Dark, Buffalo and Erie County, New York (Nov. 27–Dec. 29)
- Holidays on the Plaza, Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Nov. 23–Jan. 1, 2027)
- Annual Light of the Christmas Tree, Natchez, Mississippi (Nov. 28)
- Christmas at Blithewold, Bristol, Rhode Island (Nov. 24–Jan. 3, 2027)
- Garden Lights, Holiday Lights, Atlanta, Georgia (Nov. 14–Jan. 10, 2027)
- Speedway Christmas, Cabarrus County, North Carolina
- Winter WonderLights, Athens, Georgia (TBA)
- Tweetsie Christmas, Boone, North Carolina (Nov. 27–Dec. 30)
- Christmas on the Water, Biloxi, Mississippi (TBA)
- Meadow Lights, Benson, North Carolina (Nov. 20–Dec. 31)
- Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Georgia (Nov. 21–Jan. 3, 2027)
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