America’s 150 Most Magical Christmas Light Displays: Your Holiday Bucket List

As the holiday season approaches, towns and cities across the United States transform into glittering wonderlands. With millions of twinkling lights decorating streets, parks, and landmarks, these dazzling displays evoke a sense of magic and nostalgia that draws families from far and wide.

To celebrate this cherished tradition, we've conducted a survey of 3,000 families to uncover the most enchanting Christmas light displays across the country. The results are in, and we’re thrilled to share the top 10 destinations guaranteed to make your holidays shine bright.

Top 10 Must-See Christmas Light Displays in America

1. Peace, Love & Lights Holiday Light Show – Catskills, New York

Nestled in the scenic Catskill Mountains, this drive-through display offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Featuring themed sections like a Woodstock tribute alongside holiday classics, this event captures the serene beauty of the Catskills while blending nostalgia with festive cheer. A family favorite for good reason!

2. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights – Brooklyn, New York

In this iconic Brooklyn neighborhood, homeowners go all out with jaw-dropping displays of inflatables, synchronized lights, and decked-out facades. A stroll through Dyker Heights feels like stepping into a Christmas wonderland, where every turn reveals something more magical than the last.

3. Honolulu City Lights – Hawaii

Dreaming of a warm Christmas? Honolulu City Lights brings festive vibes to paradise with a tree-lighting ceremony, colorful ornaments, and Santa in his signature Hawaiian shorts. The Pacific breeze pairs perfectly with the holiday spirit.

4. Kauai Festival of Lights – Lihue, Hawaii

For a creative twist, visit Kauai’s Festival of Lights, where handmade ornaments crafted from recycled materials decorate the Historic County Building. It’s a heartwarming and eco-friendly celebration of the season.

5. Illuminate SF Festival of Light – San Francisco, California

San Francisco’s Illuminate SF transforms the city into a glowing masterpiece with over 60 light-art installations. From the Golden Gate Bridge to neighborhood exhibits, this celebration is a fusion of art and holiday magic.

6. Westchester’s Winter Wonderland – Hudson Valley, New York

Take a scenic drive through Kensico Dam Plaza to experience a mile-long winter wonderland filled with music, light displays, and even surprise visits from Santa. It’s festive fun surrounded by the beauty of the Hudson Valley.

7. Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade – Bradenton, Florida

Christmas lights take to the water in Bradenton’s dazzling boat parade. Watch as boats decorated with twinkling lights glide along the river, creating a mesmerizing spectacle perfect for the whole family.

8. Tree Lights at Citadel Outlets – Los Angeles, California

For a modern holiday experience, visit the Citadel Outlets in LA. From nightly light shows to festive "snow flurries," this destination offers California’s unique spin on Christmas cheer.

9. Tanglewood Festival of Lights – Clemmons, North Carolina

A beloved family tradition, Tanglewood’s drive-through display features over a mile of illuminated scenes. From classic holiday motifs to whimsical creations, this festival is pure holiday magic.

10. Bellagio Conservatory – Las Vegas, Nevada

Rounding out the top 10, the Bellagio Conservatory brings sophistication and glamour to the holiday season with intricate light displays and themed floral arrangements. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting Las Vegas during the holidays.

Why We Love These Displays

According to Leslie Albertson, Senior Director of Marketing at Mixbook:

“These incredible light displays remind us of the magic that comes from bringing communities together. Whether it’s a neighborhood effort or a citywide festival, they capture the spirit of the season and give us all a reason to celebrate.”

Plan Your Holiday Adventure

Whether you're exploring a new destination or staying local, these holiday light displays are perfect for creating cherished memories. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the magic—you’ll want to preserve these moments for years to come!

Here's our full list of all 150 magical Christmas light displays:

1. Peace, Love & Lights Holiday Light Show - Catskills, New York

2. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights - Brooklyn, New York

3. Honolulu City Lights - Honolulu, Hawaii

4. Kauai Festival of Lights - Lihue, Hawaii

5. Illuminate SF Festival of Light - San Francisco, California

6. Westchester’s Winter Wonderland - Hudson Valley, New York

7. Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade - Bradenton, Florida

8. Tree Lights at Citadel Outlets - Los Angeles, California

9. Tanglewood Festival of Lights - Clemmons, North Carolina

10. Bellagio Conservatory - Las Vegas, Nevada

11. Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular - Paramus, New Jersey

12. Alaska Botanical Garden - Anchorage, Alaska

13. Christmas Town at Busch Gardens - Williamsburg, Virginia

14. Rocky Ridge County Park Christmas Magic - York, Pennsylvania

15. Santa’s House by the Bigda’s - Winter Haven, Florida

16. Dana Point Holidays at the Harbor - Dana Point, California

17. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights - Columbus, Ohio

18. ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, Illinois

19. North Carolina Arboretum’s Winter Lights - Asheville, North Carolina

20. Winter Wonderland of Lights - Ashland, Kentucky

21. Fantasy In Lights - Pine Mountain, Georgia

22. Santa's Wonderland - College Station, Texas

23. Holiday in the Gardens - Galveston, Texas

24. Dominion Energy GardenFest Of Lights - Richmond, Virginia

25. Koziar’s Christmas Village - Bernville, Pennsylvania

26. Winter WonderLights - Athens, Georgia

27. Zoo Lights - Memphis, Tennessee

28. Let It Glow - Union City, Tennessee

29. Nature’s Coastal Holiday Festival of Lights - Brookings, Oregon

30. Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens - Denver, Colorado

31. Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo - Royal Oak, Michigan

32. Holiday Wonders At The Garden - Memphis, Tennessee

33. Longwood Gardens Christmas - Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

34. Winter Wonderland NM - Albuquerque, New Mexico

35. New England Botanic Garden Night Lights - Boylston, Massachusetts

36. Southern Lights - Lexington, Kentucky

37. Upstate Holiday Light Show - Greenville, South Carolina

38. Santa's Ranch - New Braunfels, Texas

39. Winterfest of Lights - Ocean City, Maryland

40. Winter Wonderscape - Ames, Iowa

41. Lights on the Bay - Annapolis, Maryland

42. Lahaina Banyan Court Park - Lahaina, Hawaii

43. River of Lights - Albuquerque, New Mexico

44. Silverton Christmas Market - Silverton, Oregon

45. The Holiday Wish Express - Stamford, Connecticut

46. Winter Wonderland at Falls Park - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

47. Spokane Christmas Light Show - Spokane, Washington

48. Wild Lights at Saint Louis Zoo - St. Louis, Missouri

49. Celebration in the Oaks - New Orleans, Louisiana

50. Portland's Christmas Street - Portland, Oregon

51. Festival of Lights - Rockford, Illinois

52. Zoo Lights at Stone Zoo - Stoneham, Massachusetts

53. Festival of Lights - Lake Havasu City, Arizona

54. Holiday SPECTRA at The Wharf - Orange Beach, Alabama

55. Bright Up the Night - Palmer, Alaska

56. Spruce Peak Lights Festival - Stowe, Vermont

57. Candy Cane Lane - West Allis, Wisconsin

58. Christmas Stroll - Downtown Bozeman, Montana

59. IllumiNights at the Zoo - Atlanta, Georgia

60. Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo - Denver, Colorado

61. Carson City State Capitol - Carson City, Nevada

62. Magical Express at DiDonato's Family Fun Center - Hammonton, New Jersey

63. Celebration In Lights - Newport News, Virginia

64. Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum - Lisle, Illinois

65. Strawbery Banke Candlelight Stroll - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

66. Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens - Boothbay, Maine

67. Sparkling Lights at the Breakers - Newport, Rhode Island

68. Candy Cane Lane - Prairie Village, Kansas

69. 50 Nights of Lights - Cleveland, Mississippi

70. Holiday Nights at ZooMontana - Billings, Montana

71. Magic of Lights at Pine Knob Music Theatre - Clarkston, Michigan

72. Winter City Lights - Olney, Maryland

73. Pawtucket Winter Wonderland - Pawtucket, Rhode Island

74. Hope Ferry Road Lights - Lexington, South Carolina

75. Holiday of Lights - Bluefield, West Virginia

76. Candy Cane Lane - Calhoun, Louisiana

77. Festival of Lights at Oglebay - Wheeling, West Virginia

78. Holidays on the Marketplace - Burlington, Vermont

79. Celebration of Lights - Oshkosh, Wisconsin

80. The Christmas Lite Show - Comstock Park, Michigan

81. Pioneer Park - Fairbanks, Alaska

82. Fleetwood Lights - Montclair, New Jersey

83. Pandora’s Winter Lights - Portland, Maine

84. Conway Christmas Lights Extravaganza - Coventry, Rhode Island

85. Holidays on Higgins - Missoula, Montana

86. Santa Fe Plaza Holiday Lights - Santa Fe, New Mexico

87. WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo - Seattle, Washington

88. Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens and Home - Theodore, Alabama

89. Ethel M. Chocolate Factory Cactus Gardens - Henderson, Nevada

90. Zoo Lights - Lincoln, Nebraska

91. ZooLights at Hogle Zoo - Salt Lake City, Utah

92. Winter Lights at Shelburne Museum - Shelburne, Vermont

93. Garden Glow at Missouri Botanical Garden - St. Louis, Missouri

94. The Lights of Christmas - Stanwood, Washington

95. Christmas at the Falls - Gadsden, Alabama

96. Festival of Lights - Michigan City, Indiana

97. Christmas on Temple Square - Salt Lake City, Utah

98. Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival - Gulfport, Mississippi

99. Gift of Lights - Dover, Delaware

100. Holiday Lights at the Fairgrounds - West Fargo, North Dakota

101. Journey to the North Pole - Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

102. Magic of Lights - East Hartford, Connecticut

103. Hudson Christmas - Hudson, New Hampshire

104. The Christmas Ranch - Morrow, Ohio

105. GLOW Holiday Festival - St. Paul, Minnesota

106. Charlestown's Christmas City - Charlestown, Indiana

107. Christmas Stroll - Sheridan, Wyoming

108. St. Albans Festival of Lights - St. Albans, West Virginia

109. Lights Under Louisville - Louisville, Kentucky

110. Christmas City - Prescott, Arizona

111. La Salette Festival of Lights - Attleboro, Massachusetts

112. Holiday Nights at the Red River Zoo - Fargo, North Dakota

113. Sparkle Celebration - Freeport, Maine

114. Rotary Winter Wonderland - Marshfield, Wisconsin

115. Holiday Lights Festival - Omaha, Nebraska

116. Stewart Family Christmas Light Display - Fayetteville, Arkansas

117. Illuminations at Botanica - Wichita, Kansas

118. Gift Of Lights - Loudon, New Hampshire

119. Glendale Glitters - Glendale, Arizona

120. HollyDazzle Festival of Lights - Grand Forks, North Dakota

121. Stone Park Resort Christmas in Lights - Bonne Terre, Missouri

122. Mount Pleasant Festival of Lights - Mount Pleasant, Iowa

123. Rhema Christmas Lights - Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

124. Bentleyville Tour of Lights - Duluth, Minnesota

125. Woolaroc Wonderland of Lights - Bartlesville, Oklahoma

126. Christmas in Natchez - Natchez, Mississippi

127. Cody Christmas Trolley Tours - Cody, Wyoming

128. The Meadow Lights - Benson, North Carolina

129. Lafreniere Park Holiday Lights Display - Metairie, Louisiana

130. Christmas City of the High Plains - WaKeeney, Kansas

131. Watertown Optimist Club Winter Wonderland - Watertown, South Dakota

132. Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens - Denver, Colorado

133. Winter Spirit - Lewiston, Idaho

134. Kiwanis Holiday Lights - Mankato, Minnesota

135. Lights at Harding - Searcy, Arkansas

136. Yuletide at Winterthur - Winterthur, Delaware

137. Santa's Rock n Lights - Papillion, Nebraska

138. Cava Restaurant - Southington, Connecticut

139. Christmas at Buffalo Bill State Park - Cody, Wyoming

140. Finney Christmas Wonderland - Crossett, Arkansas

141. The Faucher Family Christmas House - New Castle, Delaware

142. Chickasha Festival of Light - Chickasha, Oklahoma

143. Winter Garden aGlow - Boise, Idaho

144. Kall Christmas Lights - Davenport, Iowa

145. Pleasant Grove Farm Christmas Light Show - Lyons, Indiana

146. Senn-Sational Christmas Lights - Aiken, South Carolina

147. The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill - Clifton, Ohio

148. Draper City Park - Draper, Utah

149. Garden Glow at McCrory Gardens - Brookings, South Dakota

150. River of Lights Toue - Tampa Bay, Florida