12/04/2020
This is a great year for families to get in the holiday spirit while enjoying a drive-through festive light show. These festive experiences feature millions of holiday lights, colorful displays, beautifully decorated Christmas trees, classic characters and special add-on activities.
Here are twelve of the best holiday light shows located throughout the United States:
1. Austin Trail of Lights, Texas
The 56th annual Austin Trail of Lights in Zilker Park is designed to be a drive-through only event this year. The trail features more than 2 million holiday lights, 90 beautifully decorated holiday trees and 70 other holiday displays of various kinds. A variety of different ticket types are available and all can be purchased online. For more information about the Austin Trail of Lights event, visit https://austintrailoflights.org.
2. Bull Run Festival of Lights, Virginia
Guests can enjoy driving along this 2.5 mile route illuminated by festive holiday light displays. Tickets are sold per vehicle and can be purchased online in advance. Discounts are available for festival visits on Monday through Thursday. For more information about the Bull Run Festival of Lights in Manassas, visit https://www.novaparks.com/events/bull-run-festival-of-lights.
3. Bright Nights at Forest Park, Massachusetts
Bright Nights has welcomed more than 6 million visitors since its inception in 1995. This holiday event has been named as one of the “Top 100 Attractions in North America” by the American Bus Association and “One of the Top Ten Holiday Happenings in America” by People.com. Holiday light displays cover a wide variety of themes. For more information on Springfield's Bright Nights event in Forest Park, visit https://www.brightnights.org.
4. Celebration in the Oaks, Louisiana
New Orleans' Celebration in the Oaks has been named as one of America's top holiday light shows. This year’s driving tour features 2.25 miles of light displays and over 1 million twinkling lights. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are date specific for a set timeslot. Select add-on activities like train rides, marshmallow roasting and hot chocolate are available as well. For more information on New Orleans' Celebration in the Oaks, visit http://neworleanscitypark.com/celebration-in-the-oaks.
5. Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nevada
This popular drive-through Christmas light show is a Nevada holiday tradition for many. The spectacular displays decorating 2.5 miles of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway feature millions of twinkling lights and decorations. A portion of the ticket sales from this event benefit Speedway Children’s Charities. For more information, visit http://www.glitteringlightslasvegas.com.
6. Glow Holiday Festival, Minnesota
Navigate through this beautiful holiday lights display at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. This mile-long drive-through experience with multiple stops takes about 40 minutes and features over a million twinkling holiday lights, decorated and illuminated holiday trees, a festive gingerbread house, a variety of art displays and much more. Guests are required to stay in their car throughout the experience. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information about the Glow Holiday Festival, visit https://www.glowholiday.com.
7. Hershey Sweet Lights, Pennsylvania
Located just a short drive from Hersheypark, Hershey Sweet Lights is a popular holiday drive-through attraction. It featuring two miles of trails decorated with close to 600 illuminated displays made up of about 2 million LED lights. The attraction has been nominated for a 2020 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award as one of the best holiday lights displays in America. For more information, visit https://www.hersheypark.com/explore-the.../christmas.php....
8. Holiday Festival of Lights, South Carolina
This year's Holiday Festival of Lights in Charleston's James Island County Park is a drive-through event, only. The holiday display, named as one of the best in the Southeast, features millions of twinkling lights adorning more than 700 displays set along the three-mile route. Guests have the opportunity to purchase scrumptious holiday treats from the event's drive-up concessions area as well. For more information about Charleston's Holiday Festival of Lights, visit https://ccprc.com/1975/Holiday-Festival-of-Lights.
9. Lights On The Lake, New York
Located in Onondaga Lake Park, Lights On The Lake is a 2-mile long drive-through light show featuring massive holiday displays including the Land of Oz, a twinkling fantasy forest, colorful arches and a magical finale. Tickets are available online and must be purchased in advance. For more information about Syracuse's Lights on the Lake holiday event, visit https://www.lightsonthelake.com.
10. Oglebay Winter Festival of Lights, West Virginia
Oglebay Resort’s Winter Festival of Lights began in 1985 and has grown into one of America’s largest holiday light displays, attracting over 1 million visitors yearly. The 6-mile drive-through attraction features 300 acres of twinkling lights and more than 90 lighted displays. A life-sized nativity display, guided trolley tours, Snowflake Express Train rides and other attractions are also available. For more information about the Oglebay Winter Festival of Lights at Oglebay Resort, visit https://oglebay.com/lights.
11. Portland International Raceway’s Winter Wonderland, Oregon
Portland International Raceway’s Winter Wonderland is known as the “Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi.” Guests can view over 250 colorful lighted displays and animated scenes while driving along the raceway. Over 2 million visitors have enjoyed this attraction since its inception. Tickets must be purchased online. For more information on Portland International Raceway’s Winter Wonderland holiday lights event, visit http://winterwonderlandportland.com.
12. Winter Fest OC’s Night of Lights OC, California
Guests can enjoy an interactive 1-mile drive through a winter wonderland of lights at this holiday event featuring over one million lights animated to music, plus snow flurries, Santa and more. Seasonal foods and beverages are also available as well. For more information on Costa Mesa’s Night of Lights OC, visit https://winterfestoc.com.
