The 13 American cities with the best vacation light screens

Enter the spirit of the season by consulting these best destinations.


Throughout the holiday season , One of the most precious traditions for many is to go out to see the festive Christmas lights. Simple displays of ice cream fires suspended at the ease of a house with the most elaborate musical shows and everything else, people love to see the glitter and the color of these seasonal glasses. Although certain events require tickets or admission fees, many are open to the public for free. To launch your vacation, here are the 13 American cities with the best Christmas light screens.

In relation: 12 small towns that will give you the impression of being in a Christmas film. .

The best Christmas light displays in the United States

1. Duluth, Minnesota

holiday light display in duluth minnesota
Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock

For a really immersive Christmas light experience, visit Duluth, Minnesota, where you can discover the famous Visit the lights of Bentleyville .

"This huge Christmas extravagance on foot has more than five million lights displayed in a 20 acres park adjacent to the upper lake, and it is the largest free lighting display in America", " Mercedes Zach , travel expert at Asptickets , tell Better life . "Visitors of all ages can browse different light tunnels and other lit paths to see the large scenes of lights representing various holiday figures and local attractions."

You can also warm up with free hot cocoa and enjoy the snacks - and if you have trailer children, do not visit Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, says Zach.

"The event takes place until December 26, and admission is free (except $ 10 parking per vehicle), but donations are welcome and much appreciated," she explains. "In my opinion, this Winter Wonderland Park is a must for all visitors and residents."

2. Fayetteville, Arkansas

Fayetteville, fattest cities
Gunnar Rathbun / Shutterstock

Zach's list is also a place in Arkansas, which, she said, should not be missed. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"When it comes to finding the most beautiful festive decorations and light displays in one place, Fayetteville, Arkansas, is the place to go," explains Zach. "The directory Ozarks lights illuminates the historic place of the city center with an incredible land of winter Wonders of Enlightenment. He also offers night holidays, fresh hot chocolate and festive music, as well as pony and carriage rides. ""

What is even better is that this show is free to enjoy, and the lights are open to the public every evening until January 1, 2024.

"No wonder the breathtaking demonstration of the sparkling lights of half a million was cherished by the inhabitants and visitors who cross the lights of the Ozarks in the past 20 years," said Zach. "It is a vacation event that cannot be missed."

In relation: 21 "American" Christmas traditions that we borrowed from other countries .

3. Grapevine, Texas

Grapevine Texas
Victoria Ditkovsky / Shutterstock

All aficionado of the holidays will want to visit the Texas Christmas capital . This city has a 40-day celebration which starts with the annual Carol of Lights in which the historic city center vines shines in the light of millions of Christmas lights, including those of live life, more than 40 feet of Christmas top in Peace Plaza.

For more lights, go to the Gaylord Texas Resort for his happy and brilliant light show with more than two million lights. And on December 1, catch the light parade, a parade filled with more than 100 lit tanks and walking bands.

Do you have an additional time? Just under two hours of the Texas Christmas capital is the Texas North Pole : Pickton.

"Each year, we lead all our children to spend a few hours in the huge light display organized at the North Pole of Texas". Kourtney Shepard , vacation rental host in Casitas Solitaire Star , tell Better life . "Along a train journey, there are dozens of light Christmas screens, as well as enlightened jet ski with elves which roll them around the almost frozen water near the workshop of Santa Claus . "

4. Atlanta, Georgia

christmas lights at atlanta botanical gardens
Rob Hainer / Shutterstock

The Big Peach is also known for its vacation lights, hosting its annual Garden lights, holiday nights event.

"It lights up and completely transforms the Atlanta botanical garden with thousands of brilliant lights and fanciful, larger than life, of beloved books such as The adventures of Alice in Wonderland "Said Zach." In 2023, guests can also expect new twists and turns, including a bright colored grove along the flow of flowers, oversized flowers leading to the goddess of ice and several lit sculptures . "

The music is coordinated with the screen, which allows an even more memorable spectacle - and according to Zach's advice: "You cannot miss the emblematic tunnel of light or orchestral orbs, which is the most beautiful place to dance in time with shiny orbs choreographed. "

This attraction is a little more expensive, but if you are interested, you have the opportunity to discover the screens until January 14, 2024.

5. Forge pigeon, Tennessee

Pigeon Forge Tennessee
Scott Heaney / Shutterstock

Although known for amusement parks, theme entertainment and A lot of shopping , Pigeon Forge also celebrates the holiday season with the fairly brilliant show. Each year, the The city hosts Winterfest , a three -month event with more than six million lights as part of one of the country's largest exterior light festivals.

Along the Winterfest driving visit, visitors can admire explosive exhibitions of favorite vacation seasons and favorite fairy tale scenes as well as giant ornaments and large trees, including a 60 feet high tree. To really become one with the lights, go on the wonders of Winterfest of the light walking trails along the Riverwalk.

6. Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix Arizona
You touch Eutoch / Shutterstock Pix

No matter where you live In the Phoenix region , you will find a lot of Christmas lights. For example, World of Illumination Hosts Candy Rush , the biggest animated light show in the world, in Diablo Stadium. The one -kilometer trip includes millions of sparkling lights synchronized with Christmas music which turns into a holiday show. World of Illumination will also have light shows at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor and Desert Diamond Casino in Glendale.

Another popular show takes place at the Phoenix zoo, which includes animal lanterns, light displays and a music and light show that you will not forget. Or there is the lighting show at the wheel known as the Arizona Lights at night at the Thompson Event Center in Mesa. More than a million lights will dance in synchronized holiday music. Check it Visit Phoenix Website for even more light shows.

In relation: The 14 best winter destinations outside radar in the United States

7. Columbus, Ohio

Columbus Ohio
Arthurgphotography / Shutterstock

Start your Christmas light exploration in downtown , where you can see nearly 500,000 lights at Columbus Commons. Then go to Scioto Mile, who will present more vacation lights along the edge of the river. To continue the experiment, you can buy a vacation lights allow admission to Wild fires at the zoo and the aquarium of Columbus, and Aglow Conservatory At the Franklin Park Conservatory and botanical gardens.

8. Gulfport, Mississippi

Gulfport Harbor Lightshow
@ gptharborlights / Instagram

With more than 1.2 million lights covering 40 acres of Jones Park, it is not surprising that Gulfport is home to the greatest spectacle of state's Christmas lights. THE Gulfport Harbor Lights winter festival Understands everything, giant ornaments with festive scenes developed to a "Dancing Trees" show. In addition to the lights, visitors can watch the Elves work in the Village du Santa Noël, make carnival walks, take a train trip or visit the great man himself.

You can even jump on the heated CTA cart along Jones Park Drive for a walk from one side of the park to the other, offering a different perspective on the shiny lights.

9. Santa Claus, Indiana

Holiday Train in Santa Claus Indiana
@ Santaclausind / Instagram

How could you not live the Christmas lights in a city named after Santa ? Start exploring the Santa's Enlightenment Terre , a trip of 1,2 mile that tells the story of Rudolph Le Renne using LED lights. Then go to the Christmas at Dale Light Show , where you can watch 48 -minute music and a light display. Simply associate with 100.3 FM on your radio dial and look in the comfort of your car.

Keep the lights on the move in the large large tree of LED lights of Santa Claus located outside the Christmas store of Santa Claus in the Kringle Place shopping center. Every night between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Local time, a local radio station plays music to accompany the Tree light show.

10. Branson, Missouri

Christmas in the Ozarks
Corey Mathery / Shutterstock

Christmas in Branson is completely the show, starting with the lights of the experience of joy to go through which presents animated displays in a variety of themes, such as the Village du Santa Noël, the 12 days of Christmas and the Christmas safari.

In Shepherd of the Hills, the Enlightenment path covers 2.5 miles illuminated by millions of lights on dozens of Christmas screens. HAS Promised land zoo , visitors can browse a journey of two miles through a Christmas LED light exhibition among animal habitats. For more pleasure in the holidays, follow the Christmas city of Christmas, with more than 700 colorful and decorated trees.

In relation: 10 small towns in the United States that feel like you are in a characteristic film .

11. Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor, Maine

Boothbay Harbor Maine
Eqroy / Shutterstock

Located an hour north of Portland, the cities of Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor Go big on Christmas lights! At Botanical gardens of Maine Coastière , visitors can browse the Aglow gardens, which includes more than 750,000 LED lights strategically placed on 14 acres of gardens.

For lights beyond the gardens, consult the residents and the companies that have entered to participate in the community lighting competition for the Aglow gardens. On November 26, local fire services decorated their trucks with lights and left on the parade of fire trucks on the city. And on December 3, the owners of boats decorate their ships with hundreds of Christmas lights and sail in the interior port as part of the parade of lit boats and sparkling fireworks.

12. Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth Washington
Mark a lee / shutterstock

For a taste of Bavaria and a magical experience of Christmastime, head to Leavenworth, Washington . During the holidays, the city turns into a village of Lights with half a million LED lights through Christmastown.

"It is aside one of the best places to visit during the holidays because of their Christmas light display!" Tess Arnold , the blogger behind Tessie traveling , tell Better life . "The whole city is covered with sparkling lights and a clear day, you can see the snowy mountains of the northern waterfalls in sight - it's really a view to see and gives you the impression of being inside 'A snow globe. "

When you admire the lights, stop at the Gazebo for live entertainment By choirs, singers and groups - and Arnold recommends taking the time to enjoy a meal, shopping and enjoying the Christmas theme attractions.

"The city is full of stores locally, including clothing shops, wine tasting rooms and even a black breaking museum," she said. "Nearby, visitors can take advantage of a sled ride pulled by horses through the snowy forest or the Rennes Leavenworth farm where you can not only know more about reindeer but feed them!"

13. Newport Beach, California

Newport Beach
Sunflowermomma / Shutterstock

Don't let California's sun go wrong: Newport Beach knows how to celebrate the season.

The most notable event in the city is the Christmas boat parade and light ring . The ships range from canoes and kayaks to boats and yachts of all sizes, each decorated with sparkling Christmas lights. HAS Sherman library and gardens , visitors can walk in the nights of 1000 lights, which have dazzling displays with entertainment at "Moulin Rouge", on the miniature rail of Sherman and in the Santa Claus workshop.

Lighting the Newport Dune bay, you can walk along the rear bay, which is time with festive floating vacation lights.

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