Found all over the US, drive-through Christmas lights displays are a beloved festive tradition, offering a safe and comfortable way to soak in the holiday magic.
For families, couples, and groups of friends, they are the perfect way to celebrate, creating lasting memories and festive cheer without having to brave the cold. From sunny Florida to wintry Pennsylvania, these dazzling displays are fun for everyone.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top 10 drive-through Christmas lights displays in the US, providing a mixture of free and ticketed events. So, rent a SIXT vehicle and read through the details before planning your trip.
What is a drive-through Christmas lights display?
A drive-through Christmas lights display is a seasonal event open to the public, typically taking place between November and January, where millions of holiday lights are arranged along a roadway. These events allow visitors to admire festive decorations without leaving their vehicles, and often feature elaborate themes, music, animated displays, light tunnels and more.
Drive-through Christmas lights displays are especially popular for families with children, as kids will love the twinkling lights, decorations, and animated displays, whilst parents will appreciate the comfort of enjoying it all from the warmth and comfort of the car. If you’re in a warm-weather state or a town with snow in December, these festive celebrations are a must.
Top 10 drive-through Christmas lights displays
Whether you’re planning a cross-country trip or staying close to home, here are 10 of the best drive-through light shows in the US to brighten your holiday season:
Louisville, Kentucky
- Location: MEGA Caverns, Louisville, KY.
- Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 3, 2026.
- Ticket Info: $42.99 per carload.
- Unique Attractions: 17 miles of cavern passages, 7 million points of light, underground setting.
- Website: https://lightsunderlouisville.com/
Lights Under Louisville is one of the most unique Christmas lights shows in the country. Held inside the Mega Cavern, a former limestone mine in Louisville, Kentucky, this event features over 4 million lights and dozens of themed displays. Driving through the underground tunnels is an exhilarating experience like no other.
Pine Mountain, Georgia
- Location: Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA.
- Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026.
- Ticket Info: Advance tickets required, $20-$40 per person
- Unique Attractions: National Geographic recognition, forest scenes, and animated displays.
- Website: https://www.callawaygardens.com/beach/events/fantasy-in-lights/
Located at Callaway Resort and Gardens, Georgia, Fantasy In Lights is a family tradition that draws visitors from across the Southeast. The display includes millions of shimmering lights, themed scenes, and a 10-mile driving route through the gardens. For many, it’s considered one of the South’s best Christmas lights displays.
St. Louis, Missouri
- Location: World Wide Technology Raceway, near St. Louis, MO.
- Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026.
- Ticket Info: Advance tickets advised, $30 per car
- Unique Attractions: Shooting stars, candy cane dancers, tunnels, synchronized music.
- Website: https://www.wonderlightschristmas.com/st-louis
WonderLight’s Christmas in St. Louis, Missouri, transforms the city’s motor racing facility into a wonderful holiday experience. The synchronized drive-through light show features over a million LED lights choreographed to classic holiday music that you can tune into on your car radio, providing fun for the whole family.
Coconut Creek, Florida
- Location: Coconut Creek, FL.
- Dates: November 22, 2025 – January 3, 2026.
- Ticket Info: Varies by car; advance purchase recommended.
- Unique Attractions: 3+ miles of scenes, 3D effects, long‑standing festive tradition.
- Website: https://holidaylightsdrivethru.com/
At Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, Holiday Fantasy of Lights is a drive-through display which brings festive cheer to South Florida each and every year. The three-mile drive includes colourful arches, twinkling tunnels, and animated displays, that bring holiday magic to life.
Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Location: Hershey, PA.
Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026. - Ticket Info: Car‑based pricing, booking suggested.
Unique Attractions: Candy‑themed displays, cocoa sipping option, Hershey’s chocolate ambiance. - Website: https://www.hersheypark.com/plan-your-visit/christmas-candylane
Known as “the sweetest place on Earth”, Hershey, Pennsylvania, also hosts Hershey Sweet Lights, a two-mile drive filled with nearly 600 animated and illuminated displays. Families can enjoy candy-themed scenes along the route, making it one of the most whimsical Christmas light shows in the US.
Liverpool, New York
- Location: Liverpool, NY.
- Dates: November 17, 2025 – January 12, 2026.
- Ticket Info: $10-$20, buy ahead.
- Unique Attractions: Themed scenes, high light‑count, family‑friendly.
- Website: https://www.lightsonthelake.com/
Lights on the Lake in Liverpool, just outside of Syracuse, is a two-mile drive-through Christmas lights experience along Onondaga Lake. The show features animated light displays, holiday villages, and sparkling tunnels. It’s been a beloved New York holiday tradition for over 30 years.
Austin, Texas
- Location: Austin, TX.
- Dates: November – December (TBC).
- Ticket Info: Advance tickets recommended.
- Unique Attractions: Iconic park setting, larger‑than‑life displays, live carols.
- Website: https://peppermintparkway.com/
Peppermint Parkway at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas is a unique Christmas light show, allowing visitors to drive through the parkway and cruise on the F1 track (add-on experience). The parkway transforms into a glowing wonderland featuring millions of lights, themed villages, and interactive displays.
For those who love both holiday spirit and motorsport venues, this is a must-see drive through light show in Texas.
Clemmons, North Carolina
- Location: Tanglewood Park, Clemmons, NC.
- Dates: Nov 14, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
- Ticket Info: $20 per car, advance purchase encouraged.
- Unique Attractions: Animated displays crafted over decades; arboretum and park atmosphere.
- Website: https://www.forsyth.cc/parks/tanglewood/fol/
The Festival of Lights at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, North Carolina, offers a five-mile route lined with dazzling displays. It’s one of the largest and most popular Christmas lights displays in the Southeast. Families can also stop at the Holiday Gift Village to shop for seasonal treats and crafts.
Stanwood, Washington
- Location: Stanwood, WA.
- Dates: Select nights Nov 28–Dec 28
- Ticket Info: Advanced online vehicle tickets required.
- Unique Attractions: Vast acreage, snack stops, drive‑thru, and activity nights.
- Website: https://www.thelightsofchristmas.com/
Just north of Seattle, The Lights of Christmas in Stanwood is a magical holiday tradition in the state of Washington. The drive-through route features millions of spectacular lights, dazzling displays, creative activities, and two activity stops along the way, offering a memorable Christmas experience for people of all ages.
Portland, Oregon
- Location: Portland, OR
- Dates: end of Nov – end of Dec TBC
- Ticket Info: one car load, one price – book online.
- Unique Attractions: The largest fundraiser for Sunshine Division’s year-round hunger relief programs. Every dollar raised will go toward feeding local families in the Portland metro area.
- Website: https://winterwonderlandportland.com/
Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway, Oregon, is the largest holiday light show in the Pacific Northwest. The track transforms into a 2.5-mile drive-through Christmas lights experience with more than 250 colorful light set pieces and animated displays. Proceeds also benefit local charities, making it a festive outing with a good cause.
Ready to hit the road? Rent a SIXT car and drive through one of these Christmas lights displays. With our modern fleet and flexible rental options, you’ll enjoy both comfort and safety, wherever your destination. Whether you’re heading to a snowy northern city or a light show in a warm-weather state, SIXT is committed to helping you create memorable and stress-free journeys this festive season.
