12 US Christmas Lights Displays That Rival Santa’s Workshop

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Throughout the United States, cities and towns turn into beautiful displays of colorful lights during the Christmas holidays. However, a handful of destinations do it better than anywhere else.

When the weather gets cold, people in the US break out their Christmas lights. Businesses and homes everywhere start decorating for the season.

As festive as the country gets, there are always a few destinations that crank the holiday light displays to 11. Below are the 12 best Christmas lights displays in the US.

Hot Springs, Arkansas

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As the holidays approach, Hot Springs, Arkansas, turns into a sea of red, white, and green lights. The southern city is a university town with a love of parks, architecture, and making things look pretty.

The School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas puts on a show during the holidays. The annual Wonderland festival at the Garvan Woodland Gardens turns into a wonderland of lights and decorations. Visitors can walk through the family-friendly event and see hundreds of art pieces and Christmas characters lit up in the trees and open spaces.

Downtown Hot Springs also comes alive in color during the holidays. During the annual Christmas parade, thousands of people come decked out in holiday clothes and ugly Christmas sweaters as a parade of lights marches by. This city’s holiday lights spectacles are worth flying in for.

Chicago, Illinois

For a true holiday-inspired treat, head to Chicago. You’ll find some of the biggest holiday light shows in the country.

The city’s top destination is the Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual Zoo Lights celebration. Throughout the winter season, the zoo turns into a spectacle of lights. There’s a special canopy walk on top of lit-up trees and a giant light tunnel.

Throughout the city, you’ll find unique decorations and holiday parades. Check out the Christmas markets to buy gifts and special beverages like hot chocolate to carry with you as you check out the city’s decorations. Who would dare leave Chicago for Paris during the holidays? As strange as it sounds, it did make a good movie plot.

East Windsor, Connecticut

Connecticut is the perfect place to celebrate the holidays, with its snow and festive spirit. In the town of East Windsor, you’ll get to experience that holiday spirit in overdrive.

Every year, the Connecticut Trolley Museum puts on Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights. During the event, the museum’s massive collection of antique trolleys is lit up in an excess of lights. You can hop on a trolley and watch the lights pass you by.

The famous event has been going on for 45 years. Inside the visitor center, there will be incredible light displays, food, and events. Come bundled up and hungry because this is going to be a day-long cold weather spectacle.

Dana Point, California

Yes, California doesn’t get much snow. In Orange County, it hasn’t snowed since 1949. Still, the city of Dana Point is the place to be during the holidays.

Every December, the Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights kicks off the winter season in Dana Point Harbor. You’ll see a massive fleet of boats decked out in colorful Christmas lights and decorations. From a North Pole-themed pirate regatta to a Disney princess-inspired sailboat, you’ll get all the quirky holiday energy you’d expect from California.

Downtown Dana Point also turns into a holiday extravaganza, with storefronts and homes decorated to perfection. For more fun, consider driving to other Orange County locations over the holidays. Each city and town has something special going on.

Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia’s largest city may not be a snowy wonderland, but it sure is a must-see destination for Christmas lights. Throughout the city, homes and businesses deck their properties out with colorful lights and decorations.

One of the city’s top places to catch holiday lights is the Garden Lights, Holiday Nights event in the Atlanta Botanical Garden. You’ll walk through the forested space and enjoy tunnels of lights, giant sculptures, and plenty of family fun.

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After the event, head downtown to enjoy the many holiday-themed events going on in the city. For a taste of the season, check out the Atlanta Christkindl Market for endless food and artisanal crafts. At night, head to one of the city’s theaters to enjoy a special performance of holiday masterpieces such as The Nutcracker With The Atlanta Ballet.

Springfield, Massachusetts

The city of Springfield puts on an incredible light show every holiday season. Check out the Bright Nights at Forest Park event for endless fun and holiday magic.

Since 1995, the event has created a captivating spectacle of lights on the edge of the forest and ponds. You’ll see epic light displays such as Never Never Land, Santa’s Forest, and special holiday decorations for Kwanzaa and others showing the Menorah.

During the event, there’s an annual 5k race where participants dress up as their favorite holiday characters. When you visit, don’t miss the live music, choral performances, and special activities at the park’s zoo.

Orlando, Florida

Orlando’s theme parks throw some of the most spectacular holiday light shows on the planet. Parks such as Walt Disney World turn into a wild, family-friendly holiday party.

You’ll parade through the lit-up streets and attractions of Walt Disney World and Universal Studios and marvel at the endless lights. There will be Christmas trees and life-size ornaments decorated to the max.

On top of all the grand decorations, Orlando’s parks throw some of the biggest holiday parades and events in the country. You’ll get to enjoy live music, parades, and plenty of fun costumes. Once the sun goes down and the kids are asleep, don’t miss downtown Orlando’s holiday events and clubs.

Boothbay, Maine

Just a short drive north of Portland, Maine, is the small town of Boothbay. Here, you’ll see one of the country’s best holiday lights spectacles.

From November 16 to December 31, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens transforms its forest into a mystical holiday light show. With the trees covered in snow, you’ll walk through a scene that feels like a fantastical dream.

The walk follows over a mile of trails through dense forests covered in over 750,000 lights that could stretch for 65 miles. At the event, you can cozy up at the garden’s cafe for a cup of homemade hot cocoa and homemade treats.

Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville is more than just country music and bourbon. Well, that is a big part of it. The beautiful city also puts on wonderful holiday displays in some unassuming locations.

At Lights Under Louisville, you’ll get to drive through an abandoned mine converted into a procession of incredible light displays. For half an hour, you’ll drive through a tunnel of lights. The event is so intense that you’ll feel like you’re in a video game.

After driving through the mesmerizing tunnel, head to downtown’s Waterfront Botanical Gardens. Here, you can check out the Gardens Aglimmer festival. Here, you’ll see an entire waterfront botanical converted into a giant light show.

Las Vegas, Nevada

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When you think of Christmas, you probably don’t think of Las Vegas. However, on top of all the Elvis Santas and bankrupt elves, you’ll find one of the world’s best Christmas lights displays.

Every year, the city becomes even brighter by lighting up its 2.5-mile Motor Speedway. The track features hundreds of animation displays and so many lights that you would think it would drain the entire country’s supply of electricity.

In addition to the festival, you can find special holiday events at the casinos and hotels around the city. For an exciting new experience, check out the Las Vegas Sphere for special displays and performances to remember.

Omaha, Nebraska

Come to the Midwestern city of Omaha to take part in one of the country’s most significant holiday lights events. During the Omaha Holiday Lights Festival, you’ll see the entire downtown turn into a colorful spectacle of lights and entertainment.

The event runs from November 30 to January 1. You’ll see holiday parades, special performances, and a magical holiday-inspired New Year’s fireworks display to cap it all off.

The lights are visible in three sections of the city: Old Market, South Omaha, and North Omaha. Each section features something unique. The lights cover dozens of city blocks, making the city’s show one of the country’s most spectacular.

Washington DC

It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that the nation’s capital puts on one of the country’s biggest Christmas light shows. Throughout the city, historic monuments and businesses are lit up in a blanket of color.

You can visit monuments like the National Christmas Tree towering over the city. Every year, the tree is covered in homemade ornaments from every corner of the US. At the annual lighting ceremony, you can see live performances by some of the year’s biggest musical artists.

On top of the famous Christmas trees and holiday decorations, you’ll get to experience other events, such as the National Boat Parade. Hundreds of decorated and lit-up boats parade down the river near the capital. For a Christmas lights celebration to remember, it’s hard to beat the exciting capital city of the United States.