Is there anything more nostalgic than driving around to see the Christmas lights in Mississippi during the holiday season? Dazzling displays abound here as evidenced by the following inspiring and delightful light shows. With so many amazing places to experience holiday lights here in the Magnolia State, sit down and start planning a season of fun. From renowned light shows to local favorites, here are the best displays of Christmas lights near me in Mississippi guaranteed to make your holiday pure magic.

1. Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival, Gulfport

The Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival is a local favorite with some of the best Christmas light displays near me. Beginning in 2015, Island View Casino & Resort and The City of Gulfport collaborated to bring a Winter Holiday Festival to the Mississippi Gulf Coast unlike any other holiday show in the State of Mississippi. Visitors can enjoy carnival rides, visit with Santa Claus, and hop on a train at the Train Station. This is a delightful event the whole family is sure to love. Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival begins near the end of November and typically goes through New Year's Eve. Read more on the Gulfport Harbor Lights website.

2. Christmas in Natchez

In Natchez, Mississippi, the festive fun typically begins the Friday after Thanksgiving with the annual Lighting of the Tree and continues through New Year's Day with city-wide celebrations, which include tours of the beautifully decorated historic homes that fill Natchez. For more information, check out the Christmas in Natchez website.

3. 50 Nights of Lights, Cleveland

This winter wonderland comes by way of more than 1,000,000 lights transforming the city this holiday season. One of the best Christmas light displays lasts from mid-November through New Year's Day by walking the trail or driving through in your vehicle. Admission is free to this fun event. Find out more on the 50 Nights of Lights website.

4. Christmas in the Park, Tylertown

Attracting more than 30,000 visitors a year, this dazzling display is made up of millions of lights. The annual light show is open from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve and is a must-visit holiday event. Christmas in the Park is held at Holmes Water Park, which is located at 65 Old Highway 98 East in Tylertown. For more information, visit the Christmas in the Park Tylertown Facebook page.

5. Canton Victorian Christmas Festival

During Canton’s annual festival, the Historic Courthouse Square is set aglow with over 200,000 glittering lights, making it one of the most exciting Christmas light shows. The much-anticipated fun also includes parades, train and trolley rides, the Merchant's Open House, the Carousel on the Square, and Canton’s Magical Animation Museum, which is filled with 135 life-sized holiday figures. The festival is typically held from the end of November through December, but exact dates vary by year. To plan your trip to these Christmas festivities, visit the Canton Christmas Festival webpage.

6. Snowflakes in the Bay, Bay St. Louis

From November through New Year's, Mississippi's enchanting Bay St. Louis will be transformed into a magical coastal wonderland, thanks to the Snowflakes in the Bay festival. Aside from holiday-themed activities, such as tree-lightings, concerts, and ice skating, the annual event also means the city's beautiful, century-old Live Oak trees will be decked to the nines with glowing, sparkling snowflakes. For more details, visit the

"target="_blank">City of Bay Saint Louis Facebook page.

7. Downtown Christmas Light Display, Yazoo City

During the Christmas season, the small town of Yazoo is set aglow as the city’s Main Street is adorned with colorful lights. And the best way to see these Christmas lights in Mississippi is by taking a carriage or trolley ride through Yazoo’s downtown. The city’s Yuletide celebrations typically begin the first weekend of December. Read more on the Visit Yazoo website.

8. Light Garden, Olive Branch

We love to let the warmth of the holiday season settle in through the stunning illumination, live holiday entertainment, and unique gift-shopping at the Light Garden.

Read more on the Light Garden Facebook page.

9. Southern Lights, Southaven

Held in Central Park, Southaven’s annual drive-through display encompasses 116 acres adorned with 500,000 twinkling lights, some of the best Christmas lights near me. While visiting this local favorite, be sure to check out the Christmas Tree Farm, which is synchronized to music by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The amazing light show is a must-see and is generally open from Thanksgiving until New Year's Eve. For more information on this event and all other Christmas festivities, visit the DeSoto County website.

10. Christmas on Deer Creek, Leland

Beginning first thing in December Downtown Leland invites you to its 58th Annual Christmas on Deer Creek celebration! The daylong event event starts with the excitement of the arrival of Santa at sunset, on a water-propelled sleigh down Deer Creek, with all of the floats remaining lit during the holiday season. Read more about the fun on the Christmas on Deer Creek webpage.

11. Christmas in the Park, Collins

Typically held from the end of November through the end of the year, this annual light show takes place on select nights at Mississippi's Bettie D. Robertson Memorial Park. One of the best Christmas light displays near me is meant to honor both the birth of Jesus Christ and the heroes of the United States Armed Forces. There's no admission charge, however, donations are accepted at the exit gate. Discover more on the Christmas in the Park webpage.

12. Lewis Light Show, Purvis

For well over two decades, this family-operated light show has been getting people into the Christmas spirit here in Mississippi. Made up of over 200,000 lights and several pieces of original art, the larger-than-life display has actually attracted visitors from as far away as Canada, Europe, and Asia! The light show is located at 280 White Chapel Road, is free to attend (donations are accepted, however), and is open seven days a week, weather permitting, until the end of the year. For more information, check out the event's

Lewis Lights & Crafts website.

13. Lazy Acres in Lights, Chunky

From Thanksgiving until Christmas, Lazy Acres Farm completely transforms into an epic winter wonderland that would make Elsa jealous! Holiday visitors can take part in a magical hayride that includes festive holiday scenes, thousands of twinkling lights, and the state’s largest hand-painted nativity scene at one of the most amazing Christmas light displays. For more information, visit the

Lazy Acres Farm website.

Watch this brief video of the upcoming fun at 50 Nights of Lights.

On or off this list, what do you think are the best displays of Christmas lights in Mississippi? If your favorite light displays didn't make our list, please share them in the comments below. For more Christmas lights near me and other epic adventures this holiday season, take a road trip to see some of the most magical Christmas lights in Mississippi.

And while you're traveling through this festive state, look for lodging on Expedia.com.