Craziest and Coolest Holiday Lights to See in Every State

‘Tis the season to be merry, and we’re kicking things off with the best holiday light shows in every state. Many of these displays offer budget-friendly fun for the whole family, whether you want to stay socially distant and enjoy the lights from your car or get out and stretch your legs in the fresh air after being stuck at home for so long.

Whether you’re planning a winter road trip or just looking for something to do with the whole family, add these light shows to your list of holiday traditions. So, pack up the kids and get ready for a sparkling good time out on the road.

November 26, 2021 through January 5, 2022

Cost: $16-$25 for adults, $8-$14 for children, kids four and younger are free.

Bellingrath Garden and Home is celebrating its 26th year of holiday lights, and with more than 1,100 set pieces, 3 million lights, and 16 different scenes throughout the 65-acre estate, there’s sure to be a lot to dazzle your senses. The interior of the historic Bellingrath house is also decorated for the holidays, and tours are available for an additional cost.

November 25, 2021 through December 31, 2021

Cost: Free to attend, but various activities have fees.

Who doesn’t want to spend Christmas at the North Pole? Every year, North Pole, Alaska, puts on a spectacular winter festival with various activities and light shows to entertain you and the kids. Visit Santa Claus House to drop your letter to Santa personally and even mail gifts from the local post office for an authentic North Pole postmark.

Dates: Courthouse lighting on December 4, 2021, with various events now through the middle of January

Cost: Free

Prescott is called Arizona’s Official Christmas City, and they really raise the bar on holiday cheer with two parades, a downtown area ablaze with holiday lights, and multiple events happening throughout December. Be sure to check out the World’s Largest Gingerbread Village at the nearby Prescott Resort and Conference Center.

Dates: November 20, 2021 through December 31, 2021

Cost: $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12, children three and under are free, $5 for dogs

Wonderland is the latest art installation at Garvan Woodland Gardens and features nine areas, each with a different theme reflecting the spirit of winter and the holidays. In addition to an impressive bejeweled tree and lighting installations like a yeti, a sea dragon, and floating lanterns, the natural beauty of the gardens is enhanced with path lighting and natural accents so you can enjoy the lush surroundings just as much as the lights themselves.

Dates: November 19, 2021 through December 26, 2021

Cost: $25-$45 per standard vehicle, based on the date chosen

This year, the Magic of Lights will debut at Angel Stadium and feature multiple set pieces, illuminated canopies, and digital animation constructed with thousands of individual LED lights. This drive-through adventure is a great way to get multiple generations in one place, all marveling at the magic of the holiday lights.

Dates: November 22, 2021 through January 2, 2022

Cost: $15-$25 per person

A Colorado tradition, Zoo Lights returns this year to celebrate Denver Zoo’s 125th birthday. In addition to the multiple LED lights throughout the entire zoo, there are nightly ice carving demonstrations and even a chance to see nocturnal animals at their most active. Head into Tropical Discovery to warm up on a cold night or visit the nocturnal fishing cats and small-clawed otters in Toyota Elephant Passage.

Dates: November 18, 2021 through January 2, 2022

Cost: $25 per car and up

Located at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheatre, locally known as “the Amp,” this drive-through experience includes choreographed lighting, projections, and millions of lights, as well as a laser show. Listen to holiday music as you drive through the experience by tuning into a dedicated FM station and let the season’s cheer wash over you and the family.

Dates: November 25, 2021 through December 26, 2022

Cost: Free

Locals refer to this privately-owned home as Santa’s House, and it really delivers on the lighting spectacle. Multiple holiday inflatables, lights of every color and type, and every inch of available space, including the roof, makes this home a great place to stop and marvel against the backdrop of the night sky.

Dates: November 27, 2021 through January 3, 2022

Cost: Free

More than 3 million lights spread along the grounds of the historic Donnelly House, Donnelly Park, and the Mt. Dora Boating Center and Marina make this light show something to remember. Take an evening stroll in the warm Florida air and explore a dazzling path of illuminated palm trees and water, or take an electric cart tour through all three sites.

Dates: November 13, 2021 through January 15, 2022

Cost: Starting at $25 per person

Another spectacular botanical garden, the 2 million lights shining over 30 acres also include lighted sculptures for an exhibition called SUPERnatural. As you walk around the grounds, be sure to check out the Ice Goddess and the Ice Storm Trees, as well as the Santa Mantis with her Brilliant Bugs in the Edible Garden.

Dates: November 25, 2021 through January 1, 2022

Cost: Free

A local favorite, the Kauai Festival of Lights started as The Kapa’a Christmas House, a private home completely decorated with Christmas lights and handmade ornaments from recycled materials and natural objects. The original decorations fill one-fourth of the Historic County Building. The rest of the space features large lighting displays and various Christmas trees designed around this year’s “Santa’s Gone Kauaiian” theme. Well worth a visit if you’re spending Christmas on the island of Kauai.

Dates: November 13, 2021 through January 2, 2022

Cost: $9-$27 for children and adults, kids under five are free.

This unique cruise could quickly become a family tradition. Board a boat and journey around Lake Coeur D’Alene for about 40 minutes and take in the more than 1.5 million Christmas lights from 250 displays on the lakeshore. Santa makes an appearance at his workshop, and if you add your child’s name to your ticket reservation, they’ll be included in the Nice list that Santa reads out each evening.

Dates: November 26, 2021 through December 31, 2021

Cost: Free with a suggested donation

This year, the Festival of Lights will have more than 70 different sets, a mix of old favorites rented out by the Festival of Lights Committee, and individual installations by homeowners and local businesses. As you drive through town, tune into a local radio station for 24-hour holiday music and pack hot cocoa and snacks to keep everyone cozy as you relish the shimmering lights.

Dates: November 12, 2021 through January 2, 2022

Cost: $30 per car (up to 8 passengers in a single vehicle)

This drive-through event at the Indiana State Fairgrounds features more than a million lights, all synchronized to a holiday music playlist. Enjoy the various holiday themes and tunnels as you drive through the fairgrounds with your family and friends. If you’re looking for something to do after a large holiday meal, this could be the perfect way to get a little air.

Dates: November 24, 2021 through December 30, 2021

Cost: $5.00 per person to walk or $8 per car (up to 10 passengers)

Reminisce about your childhood as you drive through the Symphony of Lights and take in the classic figures of Santa, elves, and reindeer on this one-mile loop of Eagle Point Park. Meet Santa Claus to top off the evening and feel some classic Christmas vibes with these gorgeous lights.

Dates: November 25, 2021 through December 28, 2021

Cost: Monday-Thursday suggested donation; Friday-Sunday $10 per carload

These lights gleam brightly but also give back to the local community. Embrace the holiday cheer while giving back to the community since this light show supports Ability Point, which provides resources to local people living with developmental disabilities and their support systems. This drive-through display features at least 22 miles of extension cords to keep the 1.5 million lights humming through the cold nights.

Dates: November 22, 2021 through January 1, 2022

Cost: $33 per standard vehicle

Lights Under Louisville, features a drive-through experience through the Mega Cavern and says it’s the only underground light show in the world. Take a 30-minute ride through 17 miles of the famous underground cavern and enjoy multiple scenes set against the natural rock formations. This lighting feat takes more than 4 million lights to illuminate the 900+ displays and holiday characters. If you’re in the area this holiday season, definitely check this one out.

Dates: November 25, 2021 through January 1, 2022

Cost: Varies based on length of trip and accommodations

If you’re searching for a way to make holiday lights part of your winter dream trip, be sure to check out Natchitoches and its contribution to the eight-city Holiday Trail of Lights in Louisiana. Natchitoches is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, and their Christmas Festival was ranked as the 2018 Top Festival in the state by Louisiana magazine. Visitors can help celebrate this event's 95th birthday on December 4, or use this as an excellent excuse for a road trip and visit the other cities on the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights.

Dates: November 20, 2021 through January 1, 2022

Cost: $30 per member car, $40 per non-member car

This driving tour along the Boothbay Peninsula offers a stunning view of the local landscape and excellent illumination. In addition to the main attraction winding along the peninsula, you can also download a map of local houses entered into the community lights contest to extend your evening. Be sure to pack snacks and warm drinks since there are no restrooms or concessions along the route.

Dates: November 20, 2021 through February, 2022

Cost: Free, but each vote for your favorite display costs $1

With more than 25 private boats participating in this Winter Solstice Festival, it is sure to be astonishing. Stroll along and see three-masted schooners, yawls, and even pirate ships with their sails and decks lit up in all kinds of wintery scenes. The event itself is free, but you can vote for your favorite for $1 per vote. All proceeds will be split among local charities.

Dates: November 23, 2021 through December 30, 2021

Cost: $23 per car

This drive-through light show offers a chance to social distance while still enjoying the holiday season. A one-mile route has dozens of lighting displays synced to the music, so as you drive, you can sing all of your holiday favorites at the top of your lungs without a care in the world.

Dates: November 18, 2021 through December 31, 2021

Cost: $5 per car

The Wayne County Lightfest brings some bright lights to Motor City. With a route over four miles long and more than 50 scenes all laid out in Hines Park, this occasion is sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Kids of all ages will be delighted at the oversized train station and the globe featuring a “You Are Here’ sign in bright lights. Poinsettias decorate a local overpass and light up the night sky.

Dates: November 26, 2021 through January 1, 2022

Cost: Free with a suggested donation

Beginning as a single home with multiple displays, Celebrating the Light of the World has grown into a holiday tradition for locals and visitors alike. This drive-through display of homes and businesses has more than 900,000 lights and seven miles of extension cables to keep it running.

Date: November 26, 2021 through December 31, 2021

Cost: $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-12, kids under five are free

If you like your holiday lights mixed in with carnival rides, then Gulfport Harbor and a decked out amusement park spread out over 40 acres in Jones Park is the place for you. See the whole park by catching a ride at The Train Station, or better yet, get a bird’s eye view of the splendor from the top of the Ferris wheel.

Dates: November 19, 2021 through January 8, 2022

Cost: $18 during the week, $20 Friday and Saturday

Another fascinating botanical garden experience, Garden Glow, offers multiple staged photo opportunities, including a snow globe, giant holiday frames, as well as s’mores, and festive drinks for purchase. This holiday light extravaganza is the perfect way for kids and adults to burn off some energy after being cooped up inside.

Dates: Official Stroll takes place on December 4, 2021 but lights stay up through the season

Cost: Free

If you happen to be in Bozeman, Montana, on December 4, check out the festivities of the official Christmas Stroll. Watch Santa work his way down Main Street and get a head start on holiday shopping as you experience the joy and flickering lights of a small-town Christmas. If you make it to Bozeman after December 4, you can still enjoy the gorgeous holiday lights as you experience Christmas in the Wild West.

Dates: November 19, 2021 through January 2, 2022

Cost $25- $35

Santa’s Rock N Lights set themselves apart from other drive-through light shows with more than 700 feet of dancing light tunnels and 3D polar bears and dinosaurs. The mile-long drive includes shimmering lighted peacocks and row upon row of winking lights and fun decorations. This experience is sure to excite the little kid in everyone.

Dates: November 5, 2021 through January 2, 2022

Cost $5 for groups of up to six people

Two words: Holiday. Cacti.

This fantastic three-acre walk through a twinkling cactus garden will help you get into the holiday season even if there isn’t a snowflake to be found. Visit the Ethel M Chocolate Shop before or after your cacti stroll for some tasty treats and marvel at the effort it took to wrap strings of lights around a prickly cactus.

Dates: November 25, 2021 through January 2, 2022

Cost: $30-$35 per carload

Get ready for a traditional New England Christmas in New Hampshire. This two-and-a-half-mile drive features light displays totaling more than 3.5 million lights including a 150-foot Tunnel of Light. There are more than 520 unique decorations and 80 different scenes, so they’re sure to delight even the grouchiest of holiday holdouts.

Dates: November 26 through 28, 2021, December 3 through 23 2021, and December 26 through 2021

Cost: $17.95 per person, plus ticket fees

Take a train ride through a magical holiday wonderland at this New Jersey fun center, and explore multiple activities designed to keep everyone entertained. After the train ride through the lights, enjoy a photo op with Santa, a stroll through a Holiday Village, and even a holiday movie. If that’s not enough excitement, add a game or two of bowling to round out your evening.

Dates: November 27, 2021 through December 30, 2021

Cost: $14 Monday-Thursday, $17 Friday-Sunday

The River of Lights features some whimsical and flat-out funny holiday displays. With a cow being beamed up by a spaceship and a unicorn pulling a pumpkin coach, not to mention dinosaurs galore, this walk through the holiday lights will have everyone excited to see what’s around the next turn.

Dates: December 4, 2021 through December 30, 2021

Cost: $35 per person for a walking tour, $75 for a bus tour

Embrace your inner Home Alone fandom and wander through the neighborhood where the original movie was set. You can take either a guided walking tour of the famous homes in Dyker Heights or join the bus tour to see the gleaming decorations in comfort. Whichever option you choose, sip on some complimentary hot chocolate at John’s Deli after you return.

Dates: November 6, 2021 through January 2, 2022

Cost: $16.50 - $24.50

The Greensboro Science Center display is all about the animals this year as it has expanded to include Revolution Ridge, their new 11-acre zoo expansion. This lighting extravaganza will surely delight all ages, featuring penguins dancing atop water fountains and interactive lights that will light up and respond as kids jump and play through the exhibit.

Dates: November 25, 2021 through December 31, 2021

Cost: $10 per car

Enjoy more than 75 displays as you drive through Lindenwood Park and embrace the small-town feel as local businesses and individuals create their shining arrays. With some charming scenes recreated from movies and favorite holiday memories, this light show highlights what the holidays are all about.

Dates: November 25, 2021 through December 31, 2021

Cost: Free with a suggested donation

Not only are there shining holiday lights aplenty, but Light Up Middleton also boasts Balloon Glow, an event featuring hot air balloons stationed around the park. Although a date for Balloon Glow is still pending as of Nov. 2021, the lights and Storytime with Santa event will delight visitors, even if the balloons don’t make it off the ground this year.

Dates: Thursdays-Sundays, November 26, 2021 through December 12, 2021

Open nightly: December 16, 2021 through January 2, 2022

Cost: $10-$15 per person

With multiple activities throughout the season, including visits from Botanical St. Nick and The Snow Queen and Snow Princess, there is a lot to interact with at the Botanic Garden of Lights. Featuring a holiday model railroad display and train rides every night except Sundays when there’s live jazz music in the Mabee Grange, kids of all ages will enjoy spending time under the twinkling stars and festive lights.

Dates: November 21, 2021 through January 1, 2022

Cost: $10 per car

Feel like you’re going over the hills and through the woods at the Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights as you drive through 90 lighting features and almost 500,000 lights decorating the natural splendor of the Pacific Northwest. Wave to the World’s Largest Nutcracker standing 41 feet tall and weighing eight tons as you pass by.

Dates: November 20, 2021 through January 29, 2022

Cost: $40 per car

With options to drive through in your car or take an open-air wagon ride through the glimmering displays, country holidays will come to life at the Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show. Multiple campfires throughout the experience offer visitors a chance to warm up and try some delicious s’mores before continuing to the delightful Candy Cane Lane.

Dates: November 26, 2021 through January 2, 2022

Cost: $10-$12, children under 2 are free

The Holiday Lights Spectacular at Roger Williams Zoo Park offers a drive-through experience and features more than 1.5 million lights. This year the zoo is putting visitor and animal safety above all else by providing a drive-through experience that winds slowly through the zoo grounds. Consider supporting this institution and spend your holidays on the wild side if you’re in the area.

Dates: November 24, 2021 through December 31, 2022

Cost: $25 per car

Holiday Lights on the River features more than three miles of colorful lights and animated displays, and you can take either a hayride or train ride through the wintry scenery. kids can work out some of their excitement by going down the Winter Wonder tube slide and watching a laser show on the Wetland Trail.

Dates: December 4, 2021 through January 6, 2022

Cost: $6 per person

Located on the South Dakota State University Campus, the Garden Glow event at McCrory Gardens is a self-guided walk through the grounds decorated with holiday lights and twinkling lighting features. Explore the brand new Reindeer Meadow and wonder at all of the magnificent illuminated botanicals.

Dates: November 6, 2021 through January 2, 2022

Cost: $84 per person for a day pass

Although the most expensive ticket on our list, the splurge may be worth it for Dolly Parton fans or people looking to experience an authentic Smoky Mountain holiday. A day pass gives you access to the entire park decked out in more than 5 million holiday lights and multiple live performances. End your day at the park with a Merry and Bright fireworks display and a gourmet meal at one of the restaurants located in the park.

Dates: November 19, 2021 through January 1, 2022

Cost: Free

Marble Falls, Texas, takes its holiday lights seriously and wants to make sure everyone has the chance to experience the bright holiday cheer with this free event. Enjoy 350+ lighted sculptures and 2 million lights as you meander through the walkway. Be sure to pause and watch the lights reflecting off of Lake Marble Falls for a moment of quiet serenity.

Dates: November 19, 2021 through December 31, 2022

Cost: Free

With fireworks and ice sculptures, visiting the shops can be their own destination, or pair it with a way to keep the kids busy while completing your holiday shopping at this outdoor shopping center. Although the official lighting ceremony took place on November 19, the holiday feeling will continue throughout the season, offering a bit of beauty for anyone to stop and enjoy.

Dates: Tree Lighting November 26, 2021

Cost: Free

This tree lighting ceremony in Vermont feels like a scene from a Hallmark Holiday movie. Enjoy picturesque views of a New England town as you stroll through the Church Street Marketplace. If you happen to be in Burlington on November 26, watch the official ceremony, or check out the twinkle of more than 250,000 LCD lights and a 50-foot holiday tree into the New Year as you stroll down the street.

Dates: November 19, 2021 through January 2, 2022

Cost: $25-$30

If you’re already sick of the cold, Christmas on the beach sounds pretty nice, and this socially-distanced event allows everyone to check out the nautical and adventure-themed light displays this year. Enjoy watching the lights dance across the Atlantic Ocean and the color-changing archways and scenes paying tribute to the Armed Forces community.

December 1-5h, 8-12, 15-23, and 26-30, 2021

January 2-8, 2022

Cost: Car Pricing: $25 Sunday-Thursday, $30 Friday-Saturday, $30 Christmas week

Tune in to LOC Radio and enjoy Christmas music with ‘host’ Bruce the Spruce as you take a drive around this ring of merriment at The Lights of Christmas in Stanwood, Washington. Appreciate the surrounding trees brilliantly illuminated with more than a million lights, and marvel at the new arrangements created especially for 2021.

Dates: November 4, 2021 through January 9, 2022

Cost: $25 suggested donation

With more than 1 million visitors to the Festival of Lights each year, you know this has to be something special. A six-mile, self-guided drive includes 90 attractions with a million LED lights blazing a trail. Pop on some holiday tunes to create a party, or drive in silence and marvel at the gleaming brightness.

Dates: November 27, 2021 through January 1, 2022

Cost: $30 per car or $13 per person for a ride in Santa’s Sleigh

The Carnival of Lights includes the opportunity to either drive your vehicle or view the lights from Santa’s 43-person Sleigh. Revel in a fun trip around a one-and-a-half-mile loop and snuggle together as you experience the holidays as a family. Bring blankets and dress accordingly to keep warm, or take a self-guided driving tour of the lights instead.

Dates: December 10, 2021 through January 2, 2022, Fridays through Sundays only

Cost: $15 per person

Last but not least on our tour is Wyoming, and we end with a trolley ride around Cheyenne to enjoy the holiday lights and Christmas cheer. The 90-minute tour is part of Cheyenne’s Old West Holiday season and features local homes and businesses that have gone all out for the holidays.

From cacti in Nevada to pirate ships in Maryland, these light displays are certainly something to marvel at. Traveling over the holidays can be expensive, but using one of the best travel credit cards for beginners can help you get ahead of your budget and enjoy the festive season.

Whether you choose to visit one of these impressive displays or just take a drive (or walk) through your neighborhood to see the decorations, make sure to take some time to savor the holiday lights and seasonal cheer.