It is the holiday season which means there are endless amounts of light displays around the country. Some people will simply hang one string of lights along their roof, while others will cover their whole yard in a display that can be seen from an airplane window. The bigger displays are known to draw all kinds of attention. We will be going over some of the brightest and most intricate light displays within the United States!
Fantasy of Lights in Pine Mountain, Georgia
Callaway Resort and Gardens hosts the Fantasy of Lights! This display stretches for miles through forests, Christmas villages, markets and more! There are interactive experiences like meet-and-greets, music, and snacks. The Fantasy of Lights gives you walking experiences as well as driving options! This show is taking place now through January 3, 2022. To receive more information and buy a ticket for yourself, visit https://www.callawaygardens.com/resort-experiences/signature-events/fantasy-in-lights/.
WildLights in Palm Desert California
This light display is special because it takes place in a zoo! The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is transformed into an animal inspired light show. This event takes place throughout the month of December and tickets can be reserved online on their website. This year will be the 29th year that this display has been running. There are life-size animal light sculptures, light tunnels, various unique paths, holiday music and so much more. Head over to their website to check it out: https://www.livingdesert.org/events/upcoming-zoo-events/wildlights/.
Gardens Aglow in Boothbay, Maine
Maine Botanical Gardens covers the Boothbay peninsula with a stunning, drive-through light display. This driving tour displays the botanical garden with a holiday twist! Along with the display, there is a Lighting Contest! Contestants can enter and create their own display along the peninsula that drivers can also view! The winner is decided by the popular vote of all observers. For the dates and ticket sales, go to https://www.mainegardens.org/events-exhibits/gardens-aglow/.
Austin Trail of Lights in Austin, Texas
Zilker Park in Austin, Texas is home to the Austin Trail of Lights. This event has been a success for years and will be celebrating their 57th year of business. This is also a driving light tour. It displays millions of lights that snake through Zilker Park. Take a look at the event by going to https://austintrailoflights.org/#introparagraph.
Bentleyville in Duluth, Minnesota
Bentleyville claims to be the largest free walk-through Christmas light display in the country! There are multiple interactive experiences: meeting Santa Claus, roasting marshmallows, popping popcorn, and eating cookies. This event is completely free to the public, besides the optional parking which is a $10 fee. Bentleyville encourages Salvation Army donations for new unwrapped gifts and non-perishable foods. Check out their map and all of the events at https://www.bentleyvilleusa.org/visitor-guide/.
During the holidays, there are endless displays of lights. If you are searching for something festive to do, look into traveling to one of the famous light shows on this list. Another option is to simply drive through the neighborhoods in your own town and see what you can find. When looking into different light displays, decide how far you would like to travel, if you would rather participate in a driving or walking display, what you are willing to pay to get in, and how interactive you want the experience to be!