Great Christmas Light Displays in the US

I’m all about the Christmas lights.

The holidays are upon us. What better way to do so than checking out drive-thru light displays? Here are a handful from across the country. What am I missing? Share in the comments!

Dyker Heights

Where: Brooklyn, NY

There are a lot of places to go in New York City for Christmas, but one place stands out and that is Dyker Heights! This largely residential neighborhood lights up immediately following Thanksgiving and lasts until New Year’s Eve. Over the last thirty years the homes here have become known for the extravagantly fun displays and lights! If you’re looking on a map, aim for 83rd – 84th Streets between 10th and 12th Avenues.

Trail of Lights

Where: Austin, TX – Zilker Park

The annual Trail of Lights celebration will be a drive-thru experience this year. It’s just as magical as ever, with two million lights, 90 lighted holiday trees, and more than 70 other holiday displays and lighted tunnels. You pay by the car load, with a few different ticket options available to best fit your needs (PS one includes Christmas cookies, so you know which one I’d be picking).

Fantasy of Lights

Where: Lighthouse Point Park – New Haven, CT

For nearly three decades, Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven hosts the Fantasy of Lights, an LED-fueled holiday extravaganza. In this drive-thru event, cars travel through more than a mile of colorful holiday lights. Each display is sponsored by a local area business, corporation, individual or organization. Entry ticket is per car, so pack up the minivan, stock up on snacks and hot cocoa, and let yourself be magically whisked away to a winter wonderland.

Lights on the Lake

Where: Liverpool, New York

Say hello to one of the largest and longest light displays in New York State! Lights on the Lake is a two-mile long drive-thru show featuring towering holiday displays, larger-than life Land of Oz, a twinkling fantasy forest, impressive colorful arches, animated scenes and a grand finale that I will not spoil for you.  Set your radio to Sunny102 and let the Christmas carols fly.

GLOW Holiday Festival

Where: Minnesota State Fair Grounds – St Paul, MN

The Great Minnesota Get-Together gets a holiday makeover this year. This experience features a one-mile route through the fairgrounds, which will be decked out with more than 1 million lights, a 100-foot illuminated tree, icicle and art installations, a gingerbread house and more. There’s a food court onsite, with a handful of delicious sweet and savory items.

The Holiday Fantasy of Lights

Where: Tradewinds Park – Coconut Creek, Florida

Once again this year, Tradewinds Park morphs into a winter wonderland…well, as close as you can get to winter wonderland in the state of Florida. The park is decked in a fantasy of color, lights and design this holiday season. Drive through three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees.

World of Illumination

Where: Six Flags in Marietta, Georgia,
2 more locations in Tempe, AZ and Glendale, AZ

Live near in the Atlanta area? You must’ve been good this year, because the World of Illumination, the world’s largest drive-through animated light show, is coming in as hot as Santa’s sleigh with a new holiday theme park called Candy Rush. Located at Six Flags White Water in Marietta, the Christmas and candy-themed attraction features millions of lights that are fully synchronized to popular holiday music. In addition to the RGB LED lights, which are customizable to up to 16 million different shades of color, World of Illumination’s Candy Rush also showcases hundreds of animated displays. When completed, it will be the largest candy-cane structure in the world.

Christmas in Color – 6 Locations!

Where: South Jordan, UT; Morrison, CO; Federal Height, CO; San Dimas, CA; Shakopee, MN; Garden City, ID
Dates: Vary by location

This one’s got it all– giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways… and 6 locations across the country. Drive through millions of lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music played right through your car’s radio. Take your time enjoying this lighting extravaganza, and be prepared to wipe smudges off the interior windows from everyone pressing their hands and faces to get a better look.

Where are you going to check out the holiday lights? Share in the comments!

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