Drive-thru Christmas lights displays are a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays. They’re easy for anyone to enjoy from the comfort of their car, are a blast for kids and adults alike, and often include animated scenes and musical numbers. To top it all off, they’re accessible to wheelchair users, keep your health and safety in mind, and YOU control the temperature. All-around magical Christmas events, read on to discover some of the best drive-thru Christmas lights in America to consider visiting this December!
- Trail of Lights, Zilker Park - Austin, Texas
Austin Trail Of Lights/Facebook A family favorite for decades, this year’s drive-thru event features more than 2 million lights around the park, 90 lighted holiday trees, and over 70 other holiday displays and lighted tunnels. Tune in on the radio for Christmas music and trivia. The event runs from December 2 through December 23. Zilker Metropolitan Park, 2207 Lou Neff Rd, Austin, TX 78746, USA
- Lights Under Louisville, Louisville Mega Cavern - Louisville, Kentucky
Image: Lights Under Louisville The world’s only underground Christmas light show is worth adding to your holiday bucket list. Enjoy a 30-minute drive through over 6 million lights with more than 900 illuminated displays. A unique experience, visit between November 11 and January 2. Louisville Mega Cavern, 1841 Taylor Ave, Louisville, KY 40213, USA
- Christmas In Color - Colorado, Utah, California, Minnesota, Idaho
Christmas In Color/Facebook This massive event features multiple locations including Aurora, Morrison & Federal Heights, Colorado, South Jordan, Utah, San Dimas, California, Shakopee, Minnesota, Garden City, Idaho, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Henderson, Nevada. Each offers millions of dancing lights, synchronized to holiday music. Dates vary by location but most run from mid-November until the first weekend in January. Christmas In Color at Water World, 8800 N Pecos St, Federal Heights, CO 80260, USA
- Gardens Aglow, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens - Boothbay, Maine
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens/Facebook Gardens and gorgeous lights are a perfect holiday pairing. This driving tour doesn’t stop at the Garden, though - neighbors in the area are participating in a decorating contest. Enjoy two shows for the price of one! This event runs from November 19 to December 31, Thursdays through Sundays. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 105 Botanical Gdns Dr, Boothbay, ME 04537, USA
- The Lights Of Christmas, Warm Beach Camp - Stanwood, Washington
The Lights Of Christmas/Facebook Located between Seattle and Bellingham, this drive-thru display offers over a million lights, costumed Christmas characters for the kids to wave to, and more. It’s fun, affordable, and runs on select nights between November 25 through December 31. Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center, 20800 Marine Dr, Stanwood, WA 98292, USA
- Butch Bando’s Fantasy Of Lights, Alum Creek State Park - Delaware, Ohio
Butch Bando’s Fantasy Of Lights/Facebook Located near Columbus, this local holiday tradition is sure to entertain. You’ll find over 3 miles of twinkling lights, a mailbox to drop off letters for Santa, and more. Veterans get a discount and active-duty military and spouses get free admission during Military Appreciation Week. (December 26 – December 30). The event itself runs from November 17 - January 1. You can purchase tickets for a night or buy a season pass for unlimited access. Butch Bando’s Fantasy Of Lights, 3311 S Old State Rd, Delaware, OH 43015, USA
- World Of Illumination - Arizona, Georgia
World Of Illumination/Facebook This spectacular drive-through event now has six locations. In addition to Tempe, Arizona, Glendale, Arizona, and Marietta, Georgia, you can now also experience the awe of this Christmas lights event in Saint Louis, MO and Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s the world’s largest entirely animated Christmas light show, with each and every display dancing to holiday music. There are hundreds of displays to enjoy including giant LED trees and massive candy canes. All locations will run November 16 until January 1. If you live close enough to one of these locations, it’s worth a day trip to see some of the best holiday lights in America! World of Illumination - Glendale, AZ, 9431 W Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ 85305, USA
- Winter Fantasy Of Lights, Harrison Smith Park - Upper Sandusky, Ohio
Upper’s Winter Fantasy Of Lights/Facebook Drive through this picturesque park and enjoy millions of lights, Christmas decorations galore, and themed displays. The budget-friendly event helps to support local charities! Donation requested upon entry. It runs from December 1 to December 30. Harrison Smith Park, 525 E Wyandot Ave, Upper Sandusky, OH 43351, USA
- Sweet Lights, Hersheypark - Hershey, Pennsylvania
HersheyPark/Facebook You’re in for a sweet treat at this 2-mile Christmas light show! There will be nearly 600 animated displays to enjoy along a wooded driving trail. The park itself offers over 5 million lights if you wish to walk around. Sweet Lights will be open between November 11 and January 1. Hershey Park, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Santa Claus Land of Lights, Lake Rudolph - Santa Claus, Indiana
Santa Claus Land Of Lights/Facebook America’s most festive Christmas town, Santa Claus is hosting a holiday lights display that tells the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The 1.2-mile drive is an absolute delight. Discount coupons will be available at participating McDonald’s locations in Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, and a portion of proceeds will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley in Evansville. The show runs between November 24 and December 26 but is closed December 24-25. It does not close when it rains! Santa Claus Land Of Lights …, 78 N Holiday Blvd, Santa Claus, IN 47579, USA
- Speedway Christmas, Charlotte Motor Speedway - Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte Motor Speedway/Facebook Head to the race track and drive through a magical display of Christmas lights! Bigger and better than ever, you’ll enjoy over more than 4 million lights along a magical 3.75-mile course that includes most of the oval, the infield, and the ROVAL™! Tune into 101.3 FM to enjoy Christmas music and visit the holiday movie drive-in theater on select nights. Visit the Speedway Christmas event page for more information on dates, admission rates, and more. Charlotte Motor Speedway, North Carolina 28027, USA
- Zoo Lights, Dallas Zoo - Dallas, Texas
Dallas Zoo/Facebook There will be lights, lanterns, and plenty of holiday cheer at this very special safari at the Dallas Zoo. With more than a million lights, larger-than-life animal lanterns, and Santa’s workshop, you won’t want to miss it. The show is open on select nights from November 17 through January 1. Dallas Zoo, 614 S Ewing Ave, Dallas, TX 75203, USA
- Winter Wonderland, Portland Raceway - Portland, Oregon
Winter Wonderland Portland/Facebook The largest drive-thru Christmas light show in the Northwest, this colorful display spans the racetrack. Attendees also get virtual gift bags that add to the holiday cheer with discounts you can use for holiday shopping! The event is will be open November 25 until December 31. Portland Winter Wonderland, 1940 N Victory Blvd, Portland, OR 97217, USA
- Pigeon Forge Winterfest - Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville, Tennessee
My Pigeon Forge/Facebook This event isn’t quite like the rest but it’s so incredible, it had to be on this list. It’s not a drive-thru event but rather a driving tour. Follow a map and travel the Pigeon Forge Parkway to enjoy the 12 Days of Christmas in lights - millions of lights. You’ll also find displays featuring the wildlife of the Great Smoky Mountains, a Snowflake Lane, and a historic mansion all decked out for the season. In addition to the over two dozen beautiful and intricate displays, there are numerous holiday events throughout the area and the celebration will run November 10 all the way until February 19, 2023! Pigeon Forge, TN, USA
Have you been to any of these amazing drive-through Christmas lights in America before? Are there any others you would add? If you’d like to learn more about any of these Christmas light shows (hours, prices, dates, addresses, etc.), check out the links below.
Austin Trail Of Lights/Facebook
A family favorite for decades, this year’s drive-thru event features more than 2 million lights around the park, 90 lighted holiday trees, and over 70 other holiday displays and lighted tunnels. Tune in on the radio for Christmas music and trivia. The event runs from December 2 through December 23.
Zilker Metropolitan Park, 2207 Lou Neff Rd, Austin, TX 78746, USA
Image: Lights Under Louisville
The world’s only underground Christmas light show is worth adding to your holiday bucket list. Enjoy a 30-minute drive through over 6 million lights with more than 900 illuminated displays. A unique experience, visit between November 11 and January 2.
Louisville Mega Cavern, 1841 Taylor Ave, Louisville, KY 40213, USA
Christmas In Color/Facebook
This massive event features multiple locations including Aurora, Morrison & Federal Heights, Colorado, South Jordan, Utah, San Dimas, California, Shakopee, Minnesota, Garden City, Idaho, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Henderson, Nevada. Each offers millions of dancing lights, synchronized to holiday music. Dates vary by location but most run from mid-November until the first weekend in January.
Christmas In Color at Water World, 8800 N Pecos St, Federal Heights, CO 80260, USA
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens/Facebook
Gardens and gorgeous lights are a perfect holiday pairing. This driving tour doesn’t stop at the Garden, though - neighbors in the area are participating in a decorating contest. Enjoy two shows for the price of one! This event runs from November 19 to December 31, Thursdays through Sundays.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 105 Botanical Gdns Dr, Boothbay, ME 04537, USA
The Lights Of Christmas/Facebook
Located between Seattle and Bellingham, this drive-thru display offers over a million lights, costumed Christmas characters for the kids to wave to, and more. It’s fun, affordable, and runs on select nights between November 25 through December 31.
Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center, 20800 Marine Dr, Stanwood, WA 98292, USA
Butch Bando’s Fantasy Of Lights/Facebook
Located near Columbus, this local holiday tradition is sure to entertain. You’ll find over 3 miles of twinkling lights, a mailbox to drop off letters for Santa, and more. Veterans get a discount and active-duty military and spouses get free admission during Military Appreciation Week. (December 26 – December 30). The event itself runs from November 17 - January 1. You can purchase tickets for a night or buy a season pass for unlimited access.
Butch Bando’s Fantasy Of Lights, 3311 S Old State Rd, Delaware, OH 43015, USA
World Of Illumination/Facebook
This spectacular drive-through event now has six locations. In addition to Tempe, Arizona, Glendale, Arizona, and Marietta, Georgia, you can now also experience the awe of this Christmas lights event in Saint Louis, MO and Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s the world’s largest entirely animated Christmas light show, with each and every display dancing to holiday music. There are hundreds of displays to enjoy including giant LED trees and massive candy canes. All locations will run November 16 until January 1. If you live close enough to one of these locations, it’s worth a day trip to see some of the best holiday lights in America!
World of Illumination - Glendale, AZ, 9431 W Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ 85305, USA
Upper’s Winter Fantasy Of Lights/Facebook
Drive through this picturesque park and enjoy millions of lights, Christmas decorations galore, and themed displays. The budget-friendly event helps to support local charities! Donation requested upon entry. It runs from December 1 to December 30.
Harrison Smith Park, 525 E Wyandot Ave, Upper Sandusky, OH 43351, USA
HersheyPark/Facebook
You’re in for a sweet treat at this 2-mile Christmas light show! There will be nearly 600 animated displays to enjoy along a wooded driving trail. The park itself offers over 5 million lights if you wish to walk around. Sweet Lights will be open between November 11 and January 1.
Hershey Park, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
Santa Claus Land Of Lights/Facebook
America’s most festive Christmas town, Santa Claus is hosting a holiday lights display that tells the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The 1.2-mile drive is an absolute delight. Discount coupons will be available at participating McDonald’s locations in Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, and a portion of proceeds will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley in Evansville. The show runs between November 24 and December 26 but is closed December 24-25. It does not close when it rains!
Santa Claus Land Of Lights …, 78 N Holiday Blvd, Santa Claus, IN 47579, USA
Charlotte Motor Speedway/Facebook
Head to the race track and drive through a magical display of Christmas lights! Bigger and better than ever, you’ll enjoy over more than 4 million lights along a magical 3.75-mile course that includes most of the oval, the infield, and the ROVAL™! Tune into 101.3 FM to enjoy Christmas music and visit the holiday movie drive-in theater on select nights. Visit the Speedway Christmas event page for more information on dates, admission rates, and more.
Charlotte Motor Speedway, North Carolina 28027, USA
Dallas Zoo/Facebook
There will be lights, lanterns, and plenty of holiday cheer at this very special safari at the Dallas Zoo. With more than a million lights, larger-than-life animal lanterns, and Santa’s workshop, you won’t want to miss it. The show is open on select nights from November 17 through January 1.
Dallas Zoo, 614 S Ewing Ave, Dallas, TX 75203, USA
Winter Wonderland Portland/Facebook
The largest drive-thru Christmas light show in the Northwest, this colorful display spans the racetrack. Attendees also get virtual gift bags that add to the holiday cheer with discounts you can use for holiday shopping! The event is will be open November 25 until December 31.
Portland Winter Wonderland, 1940 N Victory Blvd, Portland, OR 97217, USA
My Pigeon Forge/Facebook
This event isn’t quite like the rest but it’s so incredible, it had to be on this list. It’s not a drive-thru event but rather a driving tour. Follow a map and travel the Pigeon Forge Parkway to enjoy the 12 Days of Christmas in lights - millions of lights. You’ll also find displays featuring the wildlife of the Great Smoky Mountains, a Snowflake Lane, and a historic mansion all decked out for the season. In addition to the over two dozen beautiful and intricate displays, there are numerous holiday events throughout the area and the celebration will run November 10 all the way until February 19, 2023!
Pigeon Forge, TN, USA
Trail Of Lights – Austin, Texas
Lights Under Louisville – Louisville, Kentucky
Christmas In Color – Colorado, Utah, Minnesota, California, Idaho
Gardens Aglow – Boothbay, Maine
The Lights Of Christmas – Stanwood, Washington
Butch Bando’s Fantasy Of Lights – Delaware, Ohio
World Of Illumination – Tempe & Glendale, Arizona – Marietta, Georgia
Winter Fantasy Of Lights – Upper Sandusky, Ohio
Sweet Lights – Hershey, Pennsylvania
Land Of Lights – Santa Claus, Indiana
Speedway Christmas – Charlotte, North Carolina
Zoo Lights – Dallas, Texas
Winter Wonderland – Portland, Oregon
Winterfest – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Drive-Thru Christmas Lights In America October 14, 2022 AnneMarie Where are some other great holiday lights around America? The Minnesota Bentleyville “Tour of Lights” Christmas display is one of the largest in America. It’s a walk-through event with free admission. One of the most unique Christmas lights displays in the country is Lights Under Louisville, a Christmas cave experience in Kentucky! What are some interesting Christmas traditions around America? South Carolina’s favorite Christmas cookie, surprisingly, is the Peanut Butter Blossom, found by a General Mills study to be the most clicked holiday cookie recipe by South Carolinians. In Mississippi, you can experience America’s oldest Christmas tree tradition. In Alaska, the massive “Star on the Mountain” shines throughout the Anchorage area throughout the entire winter season as a sign of hope. What are the best Christmas small towns in America? Small-town America has so much to offer but often gets overshadowed. You may discover some of the best Christmas experiences there! For example, Stockbridge, Massachusetts was named the best Christmas town in America by Country Living Magazine. The town relishes being known as the town made famous by Norman Rockwell and what better time than the holidays to showcase its charm? Fountain Inn, South Carolina has made it a tradition to turn its town into a Hallmark movie scene during the holiday season, with the Christmas “Inn” Our Town Festival, including lantern-lit streets, horse-drawn carriages, Santa’s workshop, and much more.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Drive-Thru Christmas Lights In America
October 14, 2022
AnneMarie
Where are some other great holiday lights around America? The Minnesota Bentleyville “Tour of Lights” Christmas display is one of the largest in America. It’s a walk-through event with free admission. One of the most unique Christmas lights displays in the country is Lights Under Louisville, a Christmas cave experience in Kentucky! What are some interesting Christmas traditions around America? South Carolina’s favorite Christmas cookie, surprisingly, is the Peanut Butter Blossom, found by a General Mills study to be the most clicked holiday cookie recipe by South Carolinians. In Mississippi, you can experience America’s oldest Christmas tree tradition. In Alaska, the massive “Star on the Mountain” shines throughout the Anchorage area throughout the entire winter season as a sign of hope. What are the best Christmas small towns in America? Small-town America has so much to offer but often gets overshadowed. You may discover some of the best Christmas experiences there! For example, Stockbridge, Massachusetts was named the best Christmas town in America by Country Living Magazine. The town relishes being known as the town made famous by Norman Rockwell and what better time than the holidays to showcase its charm? Fountain Inn, South Carolina has made it a tradition to turn its town into a Hallmark movie scene during the holiday season, with the Christmas “Inn” Our Town Festival, including lantern-lit streets, horse-drawn carriages, Santa’s workshop, and much more.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Minnesota Bentleyville “Tour of Lights” Christmas display is one of the largest in America. It’s a walk-through event with free admission. One of the most unique Christmas lights displays in the country is Lights Under Louisville, a Christmas cave experience in Kentucky!
What are some interesting Christmas traditions around America?
South Carolina’s favorite Christmas cookie, surprisingly, is the Peanut Butter Blossom, found by a General Mills study to be the most clicked holiday cookie recipe by South Carolinians. In Mississippi, you can experience America’s oldest Christmas tree tradition. In Alaska, the massive “Star on the Mountain” shines throughout the Anchorage area throughout the entire winter season as a sign of hope.
What are the best Christmas small towns in America?
Small-town America has so much to offer but often gets overshadowed. You may discover some of the best Christmas experiences there! For example, Stockbridge, Massachusetts was named the best Christmas town in America by Country Living Magazine. The town relishes being known as the town made famous by Norman Rockwell and what better time than the holidays to showcase its charm? Fountain Inn, South Carolina has made it a tradition to turn its town into a Hallmark movie scene during the holiday season, with the Christmas “Inn” Our Town Festival, including lantern-lit streets, horse-drawn carriages, Santa’s workshop, and much more.
