24 Best Drive-Thru Holiday Attractions in the U.S.
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After facing a global pandemic, more and more people are decorating early to get ready for the holidays. That means the time-honored tradition of piling into the car and driving around neighborhoods in search of the best Christmas lights is in full force this year.
Even better? These drive-thru Christmas lights are sure to bring a smile to the faces of all — even the Grinch!
Hershey Sweet Lights, Hershey, Pennsylvania
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Dates: Nov. 10 to Jan. 1
Hersheypark, located in the same town where Hershey candy got its start and continues today, welcomes visitors every holiday season with its special attraction that features a 2-mile drive through wooded trails filled with lights.
You'll see nearly 600 illuminated and animated displays in this winter wonderland.
Purchase tickets.
Reindeer Road, Tempe, Arizona
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Dates: Nov. 15 to Dec. 31
One of five drive-thru Christmas lights displays operated by World of Illumination, this one in Tempe is quite spectacular.
Bringing polar characters and arctic chill to the desert, this drive takes visitors through Santa's Workshop, where you may even spot Santa and his elves making toys.
Purchase tickets.
Land of Lights, Santa Claus, Indiana
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Dates: Nov. 24 to Dec. 23 (with a few days closed in early December)
In the city famous for its dedication to all things Christmas, find the Land of Lights drive-thru at the Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort.
Telling the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer through a 12-mile attraction of lights and storyboards, it is one of the largest light displays you can drive through in the country.
More information.
Rockin' Christmas, Marietta, Georgia
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Dates: Nov. 15 to Dec.31
Another attraction from World of Illumination, this one in Marietta features the world's largest animated drive-thru light show.
Up to 16 million lights and colors are on display, along with a 500-foot-long tunnel, and its rock 'n' roll theme guarantees a sensory overload.
Purchase tickets.
Glittering Lights, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Dates: Nov. 9 to Jan. 7
For more than 20 years, Glittering Lights has been bringing the holiday feel-goods to Las Vegas, with 5 million glittering lights spread around the Motor Speedway.
The 2.5-mile course makes this drive-thru light show the largest in Nevada.
Purchase tickets.
Trail of Lights, Austin, Texas
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Dates: Nov. 26 to Dec. 23
For more than half a century, Texans have been lucky enough to witness this magical lighted event held at Zilker Park.
The park is illuminated by more than 2 million lights, featuring 90 holiday trees, lighted tunnels and 70 additional holiday displays.
Purchase tickets.
Christmas Light Show, Augusta, New Jersey
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Dates: Nov. 22 to Dec. 30 (some dates excluded)
Skylands Stadium brings a 1-mile-long, drive-thru attraction right onto its field for its annual winter event.
An outdoor village and winter carnival add to the fun, and although this event sells out every year, you can sign up for sell-out alerts.
Purchase tickets.
Bentleyville Tour of Lights, Duluth, Minnesota
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Dates: Nov. 18 to Dec. 26
When Nathan Bentley began to decorate his home in Esko, Minnesota, he had no idea his over-the-top display would become such a hit. A friend jokingly called it Bentleyville, and the name stuck, even when Nathan moved to Cloquet, Minnesota, where it got bigger and better.
Duluth contacted Nathan and asked him to host his lights at Bayfront Park, where it continues today, making it one of the biggest events in Minnesota.
More information.
Santa's Speedway Christmas Lights Drive-Thru, Irwindale, California
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Dates: Through Jan. 1
Spreading good cheer to Southern California, Irwindale Speedway becomes Santa's Speedway during the holidays.
Decorated by the same folks that decorate Universal and Warner Brothers Studios, this immersive experience features jaw-dropping scenes and vignettes, including a 110-foot tree decorated with more than 100,000 lights.
Purchase tickets.
New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudo, New Hampshire
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Dates: Nov. 23 to Dec. 31
On the opposite coast, another speedway gets covered in lights. The 2.5-mile, drive-thru light show features 3.5 million lights and storybook themes the kids will love to see.
Enter a 150-foot tunnel of lights, and find more than 520 displays and 80 different themes.
Purchase tickets.
Celebration in the Oaks, New Orleans, Louisiana
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Dates: Nov. 24 to Jan. 1
For more than 35 years, New Orleans' storied oaks have been dripping with more than 1 million lights that you can see while on a 2.5-mile driving tour — and 2020 was the first year the city made the event a driving attraction.
Add-on activities include a walking tour in Carousel Gardens, a train ride and a commemorative ornament.
Purchase tickets.
East Peoria Festival of Lights, Peoria, Illinois
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Dates: Nov. 24 to Jan. 1
Led by Folepi, the wooden toy soldier, this Central Illinois tradition begins with a parade of lighted floats that then become a part of the show you can experience nightly.
More information.
Winter Festival of Lights, Oglebay, West Virginia
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Dates: Nov. 7 to Jan. 9
Considered one of the largest drive-thru light shows during the holidays, the Winter Festival of Lights celebrates more than 25 seasons of magic.
The 6-mile drive features 90 lighted attractions across 3 acres decorated with more than 1 million LED lights connected with audio experiences you can listen to in your car.
More information.
Lights Under Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
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Dates: Nov. 10 to Jan. 1
For the most unique drive-thru event, go underground into the MEGA Cavern for the only holiday light show beneath the surface.
Seventeen miles of passageways and 850 characters will be lit with more than 3 million lights in this one-of-a-kind attraction.
Purchase tickets.
Peace, Love & Lights, Bethel, New York
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Dates: Nov. 24 to Dec. 31 (some dates excluded)
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in New York's Catskills — and home to Woodstock Festival — wants to bring peace and love to families this year with this lighted drive-thru extravaganza.
Enter the Enchanted Forest, and follow along Groovy Way and Snowflake Alley for a mix of holiday and Summer of '69 cheer.
Purchase tickets.
Galaxy of Lights, Huntsville, Alabama
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Dates: Nov. 17 to Dec. 31
Huntsville is home to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, so it's only fitting the city's Botanical Garden themes its annual event around the stars.
Celebrating more than 25 years, the gardens feature 2.5 miles of lights weaving the holiday theme through its natural surroundings.
Purchase tickets.
Illuminate Light Show at The Meadow Event Park, Doswell, Virginia
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Dates: Nov. 17 to Dec. 31
The largest drive-thru found in Central Virginia, near King's Dominion amusement park, this music-synced light show is an annual favorite.
Lights sparkle along the 1.5-mile track found at the historic Meadow Event Park with an 80-foot tunnel of lights and 50-foot Christmas trees.
Purchase tickets.
Holiday Night Lights, Wentzville, Missouri
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Dates: Nov. 24 to Dec. 30
This 1-mile collection of holiday lights is found at Rotary Park and is connected to the Kolb Building, where Santa awaits in a winter wonderland.
The lighted drive passes scenes and through tunnels with a special walk-thru offered on Dec. 13 for a slower pace.
More information.
Magic of Lights, East Hartford, Connecticut
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Dates: Nov. 23 to Dec. 31
Taking over the Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field is another dazzling drive-thru filled with characters and holiday spirit all bedazzled in sparkling lights.
Similar attractions by the company take place in more than 20 cities throughout the U.S., so check out the Magic of Lights website to see if there's a holiday light display near you.
Purchase tickets.
Christmas in Color, Morrison, Colorado
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Dates: Through Dec. 30 (closed Christmas)
You'll find millions of lights synchronized to holiday music playing on your car's stereo as you drive through this attraction at Water World in Federal Heights, north of Denver.
The same company is operating similar drives in eight other cities across the U.S.
Purchase tickets.
Fantasy of Lights, Coconut Creek, Florida
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Dates: Nov. 22 to Jan. 1
For more than 25 years, Tradewinds Park in Broward County has become the place to get into the holiday spirit.
Drive along a 3-mile path to see illuminated trees and giant animated displays during this seasonal favorite in the Sunshine State.
Purchase tickets.
ZooLights, Portland, Oregon
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Dates: Nov. 17 to Jan. 7 (closed certain days)
Oregon Zoo in Portland couldn't pass up hosting its annual holiday lights event last year, so they decided to open as a drive-thru attraction.
Both drive-thru and walking options are available this year to see the 1.5 million lights surrounding the various animal habitats — where you just may spot an elephant or a monkey along with the holiday decor.
Purchase tickets.
Fantasy Lights, Tacoma, Washington
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Dates: Nov. 17 to Jan. 1
To visit the largest holiday drive-thru in the Northwest, drive over to Spanaway Park where you'll find 2 miles of lakeside displays alit for the season.
Tune your radio to holiday music on 1700 AM to add to the festive environment that includes seasonal characters as well as giant dinosaurs and bears flying kites.
Purchase tickets.
Christmas Carnival of Lights, Caledonia, Wisconsin
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Dates: Nov. 18 to Jan. 1
Jellystone Park Camp-Resort shines bright in its annual light show, touted as the biggest, brightest and most dazzling drive-thru in southeastern Wisconsin.
More than 2 million lights are sprinkled across the 1.5-mile drive near Milwaukee, where Santa appears nightly.
Purchase tickets.