Best Christmas Lights in Every State Part 1

I love Christmas light displays!  I found an article on yahoo (of all places) for the best lighting displays in each state.  I included the link to the article at the bottom of the article so you can see their links and pictures (which I couldn’t copy here.) The pictures I did find to post, listed only the state in most cases, so don’t assume the picture matches the reference in the article.

From PARADE:

Here are the 50 best Christmas light displays in the U.S., state by state.

There is something about twinkling lights, hot cocoa in hand and Christmas music playing, right? It evokes that warm holiday feeling everyone loves. That’s why holiday light shows and holiday light displays are so special to children and adults—it’s a chance for everyone to pause and look at the magic all around.

And luckily, every state has a holiday light show they are known for (and usually, more than one!). We rounded up the best Christmas and holiday light shows in every state so you can plan your holiday tradition-making now.

Here are the 50 best Christmas light displays in the U.S., state by state.

Alabama — Huntsville Botanical Garden in Huntsville, AL

The Galaxy of Lights Festival at the Huntsville Botanical Garden in Huntsville, Alabama is a must-visit if you live in the Heart of Dixie. Starting over 25 years ago, the Huntsville Botanical Garden Christmas lights display now spans 2.5 miles and features classic holiday themes, characters, and even scenes from nature. It’s open from November 11 to January 1, can be driven or walked, (even with your dog some nights!) and tickets start at $16 for the public and $13 for members if pre-purchased. Tickets at the gate start at $25 for the public and $20 for members.

Alaska — Alaska Botanical Gardens in Anchorage, AK

If you live near Anchorage, Alaska, you know that Alaska Botanical Gardens is worth visiting at any time of the year. But particularly during the holiday season, Alaska Botanical Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland worthy of the North Pole itself. You’ll have plenty of time to experience this magic as the event begins November 27 and lasts all the way through January 21! Brighter Winter Nights Tickets start at $10 for members ages 7+ and kids 6 years old and under are free.

Arizona — Glendale Glitters in Glendale, AZ

With a name like Glendale Glitters, how could you not want to attend?! Glendale Glitters is home to the largest free light display—featuring 1.6 million LED lights—in the state, and runs from November 21 until January 11. This year marks the 27th anniversary of Glendale Glitters and the display illuminates 16 blocks of the town’s Historic Downtown District.

Arkansas — Lights of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, AR 

Beginning the Friday before Thanksgiving, the holiday celebration of lights in Fayetteville illuminates the Historic Square every night from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. The initial Lighting Night kicks off at 6 p.m. and is followed by a holiday parade. There are also plenty of vendors set up on the Square each night during the Lights of the Ozarks featuring winter treats, seasonal activities, holiday music and more. Lights of the Ozarks is a free public display and will run from November 18 to January 1.

California — Festival of Lights at The Mission Inn in Los Angeles, CA

Every Christmas season, Californians love visiting residential light displays such as El Segundo’s Candy Cane Lane or LA Zoo Lights. While those are both popular attractions, maybe you’d like to head to a different event in hopes of experiencing something new this year. Look no further than The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa in LA and witness the castle’s gorgeous interior décor. This year’s 30th annual lighting festival will take place from November 25 through January 6.

Colorado — Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver, CO

Blossoms of Light is the Denver Botanic Gardens’ annual holiday lights event that has been held for three decades. Participants walk through the Blossoms of Light pathway and can stop by the Hive Garden Bistro for hot cocoa and other holiday treats. This event runs from November 18 to January 7, (closed November 24 and December 25) and tickets start at $24 for non-members, $21 for members, and each ticket is limited to a 30-minute time slot.

Connecticut — Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce, CT

Connecticut is home to one of the nation’s most unique light displays. In fact, it’s more of an experience than a display. Lake Compounce is an amusement park turned winter wonderland during the holidays! This year will be their longest running season yet, opening every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 19 through December 24 and Monday through Saturday December 26 through 31. Admission starts at $39.99 for adults but you can save some money if you buy online. There are plenty of twinkling lights to enjoy as well as fun festive activities!

Delaware — Historic Odessa Candlelit Tours in Odessa, DE

Throughout the First State, Christmas light displays are abundant and in fact, Frampton Realty has put together an amazing stop-by-stop road trip for light-lookers that spans all of Delaware. However, if you want to hone in on just one area, consider taking a Historic Odessa Candlelit Tour in the 18th-century hamlet of Odessa, DE. Tours span throughout the month of December on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and you must have a reservation. On the tour, you’ll walk past Historic landmarks and buildings like the National Historic Register Wilson Warner House (c. 1769), National Historic Landmark Corbit-Sharp House (c. 1774), the Stone Barn (c.1812), and of course, bear witness to a plethora of beautiful light displays.

Florida — Night of Lights in St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine, Florida is a Historic area and as most historic areas tend to do, offers a one-of-a-kind light display each year during Christmastime. Known for its famous white light display along 20 blocks of Historic buildings, Night of Lights is celebrating its 29th year in 2022. Pro tip: The event is best witnessed, according to the website, from either the Plaza de la Constitución or The Bridge of Lions and will be open each evening from November 19 to January 31.

Georgia — Fantasy in Lights in Pine Mountain, GA

Did you know that Georgia is home to one of the top 10 light displays in the world? Experience the wonder of one of the world’s most top-rated light displays at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, which claims to feature 10 million twinkling lights across 2500 acres. This year, Fantasy in Lights is introducing a new scene called the Celebration Lake which will feature a floating combination of 30 dancing trees in honor of the event’s 30th year. Tickets range from $15 to $39.95 depending on the night you choose, and while you’re there, don’t forget to hop on the Jolly Trolley!

Hawaii — Honolulu City Lights in Honolulu, HI

Honolulu City Lights—put on by Honolulu’s city hall Honolulu Hale—usually kicks off with an electric light parade and the annual lighting of the town’s Christmas tree. This year, Honolulu City Lights is inviting guests to partake in a free milk and cookies night on December 17 for its 20th year.

Idaho — Winter Wonderland Festival in Caldwell, ID

The Winter Wonderland Festival takes place at the Indian Creek Plaza every year in Caldwell, Idaho and features all kinds of festive activities. Downtown Caldwell is lit with over a million lights and will stay lit from November 19 to January 9.

Illinois — Christkindlmarket in Chicago, IL

Chicago, Illinois is home to many various Christmas light displays, but an annual favorite has to be Christkindlmarket. An authentic and traditional German-style holiday market, Christkindlmarket will be open to the public from November 18 to December 24. Always admission free, the Christkindlmarket boasts plenty of vendors that will appeal to all the senses! From seasonal treats to holiday music and of course twinkling lights, this festival should definitely be on your to-visit list this year.

Indiana — Santa Claus, IN

In a town aptly named Santa Claus, you’ll find Indiana’s 1.2-mile-long Christmas LED-light display called Shining Story of Rudolph at Lake Rudolph Campground. The drive-through display runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from November 25 to December 4 and every night December 9 through 26 (but is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).

Iowa — Adventureland Resorts in Altoona, IA

In Altoona, Iowa, you’ll find the Jolly Holiday Lights at Adventureland Resorts. Open from November 25 through January 1, the Jolly Holiday Lights display features 2.5 miles of stunning lights to feast your eyes on. What’s more, 100 percent of the admission fee goes to Make-A-Wish Iowa, which sponsors the event annually. To date, they have funded over 1000 wishes! The event is also offering virtual meetings with Santa Claus as well.

Kansas — The Lights at Ability Point in Wichita, KA

In Sedgwick County, Kansas, The Lights at Ability Point is one of the most unique Christmas light displays throughout the Sunflower State. While the drive-through light display, featuring more than 1.5 million glittering lights, offers admission by donation on Mondays, a $10 fee is required to visit The Lights every other night from November 24 until December 28.

Kentucky — Lights Under Louisville in Louisville, KY

 

From now until January 1, the Lights Under Louisville Christmas light display is open for business in Louisville, Kentucky. One ticket for a passenger vehicle costs $34.99 and the event starts at the Louisville Mega Cavern. Known as the world’s only underground lights show, the tour rides along 17 miles of lit-up underground passageways throughout the city.

Louisiana — Holiday Trail of Lights in Natchitoches, LA

If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the state known for its Mardi Gras, then you know that Louisiana is big on all celebrations. Christmas, of course, is no exception. The Holiday Trail of Lights is Louisiana’s statewide light display with several towns included on the trail. However, if you’re going to visit just one, check out Natchitoches, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase Territory.  You’ll find 300,000 lights and more than 100 set pieces on display in Natchitoches alone. This year is the Holiday Trail of Lights’ 96th, so head out and celebrate!

Maine — Coastal Maine Botanical Garden in Boothbay, ME

Every year, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens hosts Gardens Aglow in the Boothbay peninsula of Maine. This year the event will be more traditional as they reinstate the walking tour. Tickets start at $18 for non-members, $14 for members, and the event runs from now until December 31.

Maryland — 34th Street in Hampden, MD

Nearby Baltimore, 34th Street in Hampden, Maryland—also known as Christmas Street—is known for its holiday decorations come December. The lights will be shining brightly this year from November 26 to New Year’s Day and there will be plenty of food, drinks and shopping to enjoy!

Massachusetts — Zoolights at Stone Zoo in Stoneham, MA

Walk along the zoo’s 26 acres under lighted trees and see animals such as black bears, arctic foxes, lynx and reindeer. On certain nights you may even catch a glimpse of Mrs. Claus! Zoolights will be open from November 18 through January 8, (closed November 24 and December 25) and general admission for non-members starts at $12.95.

Michigan — The Big Bright Light Show in Rochester, MI

The Big Bright Light Show in downtown Rochester, Michigan, is quite a sight. From now until January 3, as you walk through the downtown area, you’ll bear witness to every single building covered in more than 1 million lights in rainbow order. The result? Downtown Rochester transforms into a holiday-themed rainbow.

Minnesota — Bentleyville Tour of Lights in Canal Park, MN

The goal of Bentleyville’s Tour of Lights is to bring people together during the holiday season. The free, walk-through light display features more than 5 million lights and 20 acres of the park to walk through, as well as free hot cocoa and treats. Parking for the event is $10 per car.

Mississippi — Victorian Christmas Festival in Canton, MS

With more than 100,000 lights glowing from the town’s historic buildings, the Courthouse Square carousel, a 4-story tree, an 18-foot walk-through gift box and Rudolph’s playground, Canton transforms itself into an authentic Christmas village each December. Also, be sure to check out the town’s Animation Museums for an animated Polar Express train and stop by Santa’s Workshop to play “I Spy” and look for the elves’ top 10 favorite toys!

Missouri — Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO

While visiting Silver Dollar City in Branson, you’ll stumble upon one of the best holiday light displays in the state. From November 5 to December 30, An Old Time Christmas is a light spectacular at the center of Silver Dollar City. Featuring 6.5 million twinkling lights, animations, and other larger-than-life displays, the whole light show spans nine stories into the sky above.

SOURCE: PARADE

Stephanie Osmanski

December 22, 2022

50 Best Christmas Light Displays State by State