Visit 12 Christmas Lights Displays In Florida For A Magical Experience

We may not have snow here in our part of the South, but that doesn't mean we lack holiday cheer as seen in some of the best Christmas lights in Florida. Crafting out seasonal traditions in this warm place, Floridians are experts at making their own winter wonderlands, with help from lots of lights. The weather isn't what makes the season for us, it’s the joy we share with family and friends. The places listed below would put even the Grinch in the holiday spirit. And this time of year, everyone seems to be searching for some of the best Christmas lights near me. In no particular order, here are some of the most stunning Christmas lights in Florida.

1. St. Augustine Nights of Lights

During the holiday season, we love how our nation's oldest city really shines. Every night from mid-November until the end of January, the city is decorated with millions of tiny lights. Take a trolley tour or a romantic carriage ride to take in all the magic of one of the best Christmas lights in Florida. Read more about it on the Visit St. Augustine website.

The St. Augustine Nights of Lights celebration is a wonderful way to enjoy Florida lights each season and develop some wonderful new holiday memories.

2. Downtown Mount Dora

Whether you already know and love the town of Mount Dora or you've never been before, you should schedule your next visit soon. The town is decorated with more than two million twinkling lights from the end of November through the month of December. There will be various events throughout the month including bus tours, a boat parade, and a magical train ride. Read more about charming Mount Dora before you go.

3. Pensacola Winterfest

Pensacola Winterfest: Falling snow, hot chocolate, holiday performances, and magical train rides. To find out this year's performance dates, check out the Pensacola Winterfest website for some of the best Florida Christmas lights.

4. Santa's Enchanted Forest, Miami

Santa's Enchanted Forest: The World's Largest Holiday Theme Park, features more than 100 rides, shows, games, and attractions. It runs from early November through the beginning of January so you have plenty of time to road trip over and partake in one of the most festive Christmas events in Florida. Learn more, about Santa's Enchanted Forest in our feature article!

5. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

This magical celebration is one of the best place to see Christmas lights, which also includes a spectacular parade, live entertainment, and fireworks on select nights from the beginning of November until the third week of December. It's the most magical place on Earth!

Perhaps the best Christmas lights display in the world can be found at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Disney World. Watch the magic in this awesome video.

6. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers

At the vacation homes for Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, you can tour the homes and the 21-acre botanical garden. During December, the houses are lit up and hours are extended for the Annual Holiday Nights Celebration. This event begins at the end of November with the annual tree-lighting ceremony. Nightly tours, river cruises, food service, and entertainment (and on certain dates, visits from Santa), will run from the end of November through the end of December. To learn more, visit the Edison & Ford Winter Estates website.

7. Festival of Lights, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center, White Springs

This park has so much holiday spirit, with marshmallow roasting, carol singing, and millions of lights twinkling in the majestic oaks. The Festival of Lights will have some nights open for drive-through viewing only offering the best Christmas lights in Florida. Be sure to check out these holiday lights this year! The event takes place from Dec. 8 through Dec. 24, 2023.

8. The Oakdale Christmas House, St. Petersburg

This huge light display with half a million Christmas lights in Florida is famous for its quirky charm. It's sure to put a smile on the face of even the grumpiest Scrooge out there. You can catch the magical display from the day after Thanksgiving until the beginning of January. It's truly one of the best Christmas lights displays in Florida.

9. Rainbow Springs State Park, Dunnellon

If you thought there was no way this park could be more enchanting, you should see it decorated for the holidays. Rainbow Springs State Park is decorated with 500,000 lights, with music, stories, visits from Santa, and food and crafts for sale. These Florida Christmas lights are on display in December.

10. Stetson Mansion, DeLand

Florida's first luxury home, built by the famous hatmaker blends different architectural styles and Gilded Age decorations. The house is especially charming dressed up for the holidays. Christmas tours are given from November through part of January and reservations are required. Have you ever visited Stetson Mansion during Christmas in Florida?

11. Florida Botanical Gardens, Largo

These gardens are always full of color and beauty, and may be the best place to see Christmas lights. Bright lights cover this tropical paradise, making a stunning combination. This is truly one of the most magical displays of Christmas lights in Florida.

For more amazing Christmas lights in Florida, check out the Florida Botanical Gardens Christmas light display in this video:

12. Holiday Fantasy of Lights, Tradewinds Park, Coconut Creek

Join in this longstanding tradition at the 29th edition of the Holiday Fantasy of Lights! This popular drive-thru holiday attraction offers three spectacular miles of gigantic holiday displays and illumination. This event brings in more than 125,000 visitors — so don't miss out! Read more details on the Holiday Fantasy of Lights website.

Have you visited any of the best Christmas lights in Florida? If so, please share your experience in the comments below. Even without piles of frozen snow, we think a Christmas in Florida is pretty special. Here are ten reasons why we think a Florida Christmas is the best.

Many of us stick pretty close to home for Christmas, but we think you'd love this holiday lights road trip in Florida! Rent an RV from RVShare and make this holiday season extra special.