Christmas Light Displays You Can Road Trip To
There’s nothing like the bright sparkle of Christmas light displays. Enjoy a road trip to celebrate the year’s most electrified time all across the United States. Almost every state has light shows on display. Here are a few read trip suggestions that will provide thrilling moments of beautiful lightseeing.
St Augustine, Florida: Night of Lights
You can take advantage of the Night of Lights trolley tour to see the extravagant lights of this annual event. With over three million lights arrayed in every corner of St. Augustine’s historic district, the Night of Lights lasts until January 11, 2026. The award-winning Christmas light displays are a great way to experience the city.
In St. Augustine, you can browse shops in the decorated buildings and dine while viewing the lights as businesses remain open later. Trolleys and trains give tours, carousing you through the city’s most lighted areas. There are also electric cart tours as well as air and water tours.
Syracuse, New York: Lights on the Lake
If you’re considering a road trip to New York’s Finger Lakes this holiday season, plan to visit Onondaga Lake Park. You won’t want to miss the two-mile, dazzling light show ending January 12, 2026. The tickets are $10 per car and must be purchased in advance online.
This dramatic drive-thru features over 600,000 lights with hundreds of Christmas light displays, including holiday traditions, a twinkling fantasy forest, a sparkling Land of Oz, and a magical fairy tale grand finale. With over 40,000 vehicles driving through this magnificent display each year, Central New York’s Lights on the Lake is a favorite holiday tradition.
Austin, Texas: The Trail of Lights
This stunning light show has 40 festive Christmas light displays, four light tunnels, and a giant Ferris wheel. This thrilling event features over two million lights in the extravagant Zilker Park. This 61st annual Trail of Lights display is Austin’s longest-running holiday event. In addition to displays and tunnels, there are ninety-six lighted trees.
After making your way through an iconic entry tunnel, you’ll enter Candy Cane Lane. Grab some food and cocoa from one of Austin’s most famous food trucks. Then head toward the North Pole for photos with Santa. How about roasting s’mores on the Trail? Take a ride on the Ferris Wheel and the carousel while enjoying local entertainment coming from the Zilker Stage. Tickets for this holiday season have already ended, but you can book your tickets in advance for December 2026.
Branson, Missouri: Christmas in Midtown at Silver Dollar City
Greeted by colorful Christmas light displays everywhere you look, this Midwest theme park is sure to thrill your light show expectations. Through the end of this year, adults can enjoy An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City’s park. This award-winning holiday event has over 6.5 million lights. You can’t help but be merry while basking in the dazzling lights that adorn every inch of Silver Dollar City. This location has been named “The Most Illuminated Park on Earth” by the Travel Channel.
This is the final year to enjoy Rudolph’s Holly Jolly, but there is Christmas in Midtown, Joy on the Town Square, the new Grand Fir in the Plaza, and other special features. Enjoy festive family entertainment with four great shows, including the Broadway-style “A Dickens’ Christmas Carol.” Enjoy wonderful food, holiday treats, and a perfect shopper’s paradise. Your road trip will be well worth it.
Las Vegas, Nevada: Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
This 2.5-mile holiday attraction is worth mentioning as it boasts the most beautiful Christmas light display ever seen. Take a road trip out west and enjoy it until January 7, 2026, for $20 per vehicle. It’s been a Las Vegas tradition for more than two decades, and has been a go-to holiday fun event for families and visitors. Enjoy enormous animated displays and mile-long tunnels, as the Speeday is fully covered in holiday twinkle. Every few minutes, a surprise awaits you around every corner!
Conclusion
The holiday season is winding down, so catch one of these sparkling Christmas light displays. Take a family road trip to experience an exciting location, and enjoy the most spectacular, light-filled trip you can imagine.
