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The Many Dazzling Light Displays Throughout the South



Sparkle, twinkle, glow ... whether strung high in the trees or wrapped around ground-level props, white and colored lights complete the season. A special feeling comes over you when you are basking in the warmth of shining lights during the holidays.


Check out the many dazzling light displays throughout the region guaranteed to illuminate your holidays.


Missouri


Celebration of Lights, through Dec. 30, O’Fallon: Region’s largest holiday light display at Fort Zumwalt Park features lighted scenes designed and funded by local organizations, churches and businesses. Drive through, or reserve seats on a horse-drawn carriage, tractor-pulled hayride or the city train.


Winter Wonderland, through Dec. 30, St. Louis: Over a million lights dazzle on over 100 festive displays at Tilles Park. Opt to walk, drive or reserve a carriage ride to see the lights.

Arkansas


Christmas at the Park, through Jan. 1, 2023, Jonesboro: Over a half-mile drive-through of about 65 collections of almost 450 pieces with over 400,000 lights at Joe Mack Campbell Park. Special features include a Snowflake Forest and a 300-foot lighted tunnel. Check the calendar for special nights, like the Night of Fireworks on New Year’s Eve.


Lights of the Ozarks, through Jan. 1, 2023, Fayetteville: Over 500,000 LED lights glow nightly in the Historic Downtown Square.


White River Wonderland, through Jan. 2, 2023, Batesville: Arkansas’ oldest city transforms itself into the “Christmas Capital of Arkansas” as millions of lights decorate the 35-acre Riverside Park. Drive-through, ride the train or take a carriage ride. In addition, there’s also ice skating, a Ferris Wheel and more.

Texas


Austin Trail of Lights, through Dec. 23: The Zilker Park walk-through features over 2 million lights, 90 lighted holiday trees, and more than 70 other holiday displays and lighted tunnels. In addition, there are special nights and events.

Lights Spectacular, through Jan. 8, 2023, Johnson City: With over 2 million lights taking over the historic square, Memorial Park and Pedernales Electric Cooperative’s (PEC) headquarters, Johnson City has rightfully earned its holiday moniker, “The Twinkliest Town in Texas.” Take in the lights on foot, or from a hay or carriage ride.

Holiday in the Gardens, through Jan. 7, 2023, Galveston: Within Moody Gardens’ rather large celebration, “Holiday in the Gardens,” is the Festival of Lights, a mile-long walking trail featuring 2 million lights and lighted displays. Of course, you can’t miss Star the Dancing Tree of Light, coming in at four stories tall.

Santa’s Wonderland, through Dec. 30, College Station: Hop on the hayride to enjoy the view of over 4 million lights. Or you can upgrade your ride on a horse-drawn carriage tour. For those who rather walk (or want to do both), there is a secondary lighted walking trail that includes Santa’s Lone Star Lane, perfect for photos and Nativity Scene, with live animals. There are add-ons to enhance your visit and special night as well.

Louisiana


Holiday Lights at Baton Rouge General, through Dec. 31: During the season, the hospital’s large green space looks like a holiday wonderland with millions of lights and lighted displays. See the three dancing-light mega trees, walk through a giant ornament, a 24-foot lighted tunnel, and more.

Noel Acadien au Village, through Dec. 23, Lafayette: Ten acres of LARC’s Acadian Village glow with a half-a-million lights and holiday displays. Also, enjoy live entertainment, carnival rides, food and more.

Christmas in Lafreniere Park, through Dec. 30, Metairie: The lights shine grandly at this drive-through holiday experience starting at dusk. Among the whimsical displays include the New Orleans Saints with the Lombardi Trophy.

Mississippi


Southern Lights, through Dec. 31, Southaven: Drive through the 116-acre Central Park as it twinkles with 500,000 lights. For a bonus during the ride, tune in to any of the five FM radio stations playing Christmas music.

Canton Christmas Festival, through Dec. 23: Over 100,000 dazzling lights surround Canton’s Historic Square. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride around, see the four-story Christmas tree, walk through an 18-foot gift box and more.

Alabama


Oxford Festival of Lights, through Dec. 24: Chocolocco Park shines through the evening and night with the drive-through holiday lights show. Also, don’t forget to visit Santa’s Village, where there’s something for all ages.

Magic Christmas in Lights, through Jan. 4, 2023, Theodore: Be dazzled walking through the 65-acre Bellingrath Gardens and Home to take in over 1,100 set pieces, 3 million lights and 16 scenes.

Tennessee


Pinnacle Speedway In Lights, through Jan. 7, 2023, Bristol: Bristol Motor Speedway is a four-mile trip through 3 million lights, powered by TVA, and the chance to take a lap around “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile.” End the experience at the Christmas Village, on the infield.

Christmas on the Cumberland, through Jan. 2, 2023, Clarksville: Take a stroll among over 1 million glowing lights decorating seven-tenths of a mile along the McGregor Park Riverwalk.


Georgia


Winter WonderLights, through Jan. 8, 2023, Athens: The winter light show at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia features shimmering snowflakes, a tunnel of multicolored lights, a cone tree forest and more along a half-mile trail.


Lights of the South, through Dec. 30, Grovetown: Walk or take a hayride to view the more than 5 million lights adorning over 100 acres. In addition, there are other festive festivities, such as the Christmas Tree Maze and Candyland, to enhance the experience.


Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza, through Jan. 1, 2023: Illuminating four blocks in downtown Macon glow with over 500,000 lights. The 45-minute shows on the top of 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m., feature the bright lights synchronized to music arranged and performed by the Macon Pops.


Florida


Sowell’s North Pole, through Dec. 23, Milton: Drive through and Take in over 1 million holiday lights on display. Also, enjoy a train ride, concession and more.

Christmas Reflections, through Dec. 31, DeFuniak Springs: Over 10 million lights on displays decorate Chipley Park. In addition, there are also carriage rides and a Festival of Trees.


Deck the Chairs, through Jan. 1, 2023, Jacksonville: More than 40 American Red Cross lifeguard chairs displayed in Jacksonville Beach are decorated in coastal-themed designs and lights.


Give Kids The World’s Night of a Million Lights, through Jan. 1, 2023, Orlando: Set at the Island H2O Water Park, the event features millions of luminous lights, displays and themed lightscapes, along with a dancing lights show on a five-story water slide. There are also activities and entertainment to round out the visit.


Holiday Fantasy of Lights, through Jan. 1, 2023, Coconut Creek: Take in 65 larger-than-life displays, multiple animation techniques, 3-D experiences and more along the 3.5-mile stretch in Tradewinds Park - North Entrance.


South Carolina


Christmas in Hopelands, through Dec. 22, Aiken: The holiday wonderland walk-through features more than 100,000 twinkling lights, over two miles of lit pathways and holiday displays.


Lights at Riverbanks Zoo, through Dec. 30, Columbia: Recognized as the city’s longest-running tradition, the exhibit features around 1 million twinkling lights and over 300 animated displays along the paths. There’s also Santa’s Village, Gingerbread Express (train) and more.


North Carolina


Meadow Lights, through Dec. 31, Benson: Said to be the “largest and oldest Christmas attraction in eastern North Carolina,” the event includes 30 acres of sparkling lights and various displays. Hop aboard the train to get closer to the brilliance. In addition, there’s a carousel, concessions and the Old Country Store, featuring over 300 varieties of old-fashion candy and more.


Speedway Christmas, through Jan. 8, 2023, Concord: 4 million sparking lights illuminate Charlotte Motor Speedway’s 3.75-mile track. The country’s largest drive-through synchronized light show also features an infield Christmas Village, open Thursday - Sunday nights, with a 16,000-square-foot TV showing holiday movie classics, fire pits for s’mores roasting and more.


Kentucky


Southern Lights Holiday Festival, through Dec. 31, Lexington: View over a million twinkling lights as you drive through the Kentucky Horse Park. At the trail’s end, enjoy Holiday Village, which includes Animal Land, model trains and more.


Christmas in the Park, through Dec. 31, Paducah: Drive through or walk through the thousands of lights strung up throughout Bob Noble Park.

Virginia

High Country Lights, through Jan. 1, Galax: Felts Park hosts a musical light show featuring over two hundred thousand Christmas lights choreographed to the sounds of the season. Additional activities include carriage rides, food trucks, selfie areas and more.


WinterFest on the Wisconsin, through Jan. 1, Norfolk: Experience over 1 million lights in themed light zones. Other festivities include Mistletoe Marina, Elf Door Discovery and more.


BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach (presented by Food Lion), through Jan. 1, 2023, Virginia Beach: Drive along Virginia’s Boardwalk and take in various colorful holiday, nautical, and adventure-themed light displays. Among them include a 40-foot-tall dancing light Christmas and one honoring the region’s Armed Forces community.

West Virginia


Celebration of Lights, through Dec. 30, Fairmont: Drive through 1.3 miles of light displays in Morris Park. On Wednesday nights in December, safely walk the route to enjoy the lights.

Festival of Lights at Oglebay Resort, through Jan. 9, 2022, Wheeling. The event features over 100 lighted attractions on a six-mile drive. Not in the mood to drive? Reserve a spot for a guided trolley tour. Other activities include The Hilltop Attractions with a 70-foot-tall tree and lighted selfie stations, Ogleby’s Good Zoo and more.

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