The 14 Best Drive-Thru Christmas Lights Displays Across America

Drive-thru Christmas lights in the USA are some of the best holiday light shows and Christmas displays near you to celebrate the season. They're easy for anyone to enjoy from the comfort of their car, are a blast for kids and adults alike, and often include animated scenes and musical numbers. To top it all off, they're accessible to wheelchair users, keep your health and safety in mind, and YOU control the temperature. These are some of the best drive-thru Christmas light displays in the USA worth visiting this December!

1. Trail of Lights, Zilker Park: Austin’s Dazzling Holiday Tradition

A family favorite for decades, Trail of Lights features more than 2 million lights around the park, 90 lighted holiday trees, and over 70 other holiday displays and lighted tunnels. Tune in on the radio for Christmas music and trivia. Accessible parking is available, and tickets can be purchased online for timed entry.

2. Lights Under Louisville: An Underground Holiday Wonderland

Lights Under Louisville, the world's only underground Christmas light show, is worth adding to your holiday bucket list. Enjoy a 30-minute drive through over 6 million lights with more than 900 illuminated displays. This event is fully drive-thru and wheelchair accessible.

3. Christmas In Color: A Bright Drive-Thru Show Across America

Christmas In Color features multiple locations, including Aurora, Morrison & Federal Heights, Colorado, South Jordan, Utah, San Dimas, California, Shakopee, Minnesota, Garden City, Idaho, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Henderson, Nevada. Each offers millions of dancing lights, synchronized to holiday music. Dates vary by location, but most run from mid-November until the first weekend in January. For dates and ticket prices, visit the official Christmas In Color website.

4. Gardens Aglow, Boothbay: A Sparkling Holiday Display in Maine

Gardens and gorgeous lights are a perfect holiday pairing at Gardens Aglow. This driving tour doesn't stop at the Garden, though – neighbors in the area are participating in a decorating contest. Enjoy two shows for the price of one! Guests can enjoy contactless entry and accessible routes for all visitors.

5. The Lights of Christmas, Stanwood: A Magical Holiday Display

Located between Seattle and Bellingham, The Lights of Christmas offers over a million lights, costumed Christmas characters for the kids to wave to, and more. It's fun, affordable, and full of holiday cheer. Tickets are sold per vehicle, and this year’s show runs from late November through December.

6. Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights: Ohio’s Festive Drive-Thru Show

Located near Columbus, Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights is sure to entertain. You'll find over 3 miles of twinkling lights, a mailbox to drop off letters for Santa, and more. Veterans get a discount, and active-duty military and spouses get free admission during Military Appreciation Week (December 26 – December 30). Admission is per vehicle, and proceeds support local charities.

7. World of Illumination: A Spectacular Light Show in Arizona and Georgia

World of Illumination now has six locations. In addition to Tempe, Arizona; Glendale, Arizona; and Marietta, Georgia, you can now experience the awe of this Christmas lights event in Saint Louis, MO, and Salt Lake City, Utah. It's the world's largest entirely animated Christmas light show, with every display dancing to holiday music. There are hundreds of displays to enjoy, including giant LED trees and massive candy canes. If you live close enough to one of these locations, it's worth a day trip to see some of the best holiday lights in America.

8. Winter Fantasy of Lights: A Sparkling Tradition in Upper Sandusky

Drive through Winter Fantasy Of Lights and enjoy millions of lights, Christmas decorations galore, and themed displays. The budget-friendly event helps to support local charities! Donation requested upon entry. A suggested donation is asked for when it comes in, and proceeds benefit community organizations.

9. Sweet Lights, Hersheypark: A Dazzling Holiday Drive-Thru in Hershey

You're in for a sweet treat at this Sweet Lights, a 2-mile Christmas light show! There will be nearly 600 animated displays to enjoy along a wooded driving trail. The park itself offers over 5 million lights if you wish to walk around. Visitors can purchase combo tickets for both drive-thru and park admission.

10. Santa Claus Land of Lights: A Festive Drive-Thru in Indiana

America's most festive Christmas town, Santa Claus is hosting Land of Lights, a holiday lights display that tells the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The 1.2-mile drive is an absolute delight. Discount coupons will be available at participating McDonald’s locations in Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley in Evansville. Note: The show does not close when it rains. Even if it rains, the show goes on!

11. Speedway Christmas: A Thrilling Holiday Light Show in Charlotte

Head to the race track and drive through a magical display of Christmas lights! Bigger and better than ever, you'll enjoy over 4 million lights along a magical 3.75-mile course that includes most of the oval, the infield, and the ROVAL™! Tune into 101.3 FM to enjoy Christmas music and visit the holiday movie drive-in theater on select nights. Visit the Speedway Christmas event page for more information on dates, admission rates, and more.

12. Zoo Lights, Dallas Zoo: A Wildly Festive Holiday Experience

There will be lights, lanterns, and plenty of holiday cheer at Zoo Lights, a very special safari at the Dallas Zoo. With more than a million lights, larger-than-life animal lanterns, and Santa's workshop, you won't want to miss it. Parking is available on-site, and tickets can be reserved in advance online.

13. Winter Wonderland, Portland Raceway: Oregon’s Largest Light Show

The largest drive-thru Christmas light show in the Northwest, Winter Wonderland spans the racetrack. Attendees also receive virtual gift bags that add to the holiday cheer, featuring discounts for holiday shopping. The event typically runs nightly from late November through December. Read more about the winter Wonderland-themed Christmas light displays.

14. Pigeon Forge Winterfest: A Smoky Mountain Holiday Celebration

Winterfest isn't quite like the rest, but it's so incredible that it had to be on this list. It's not a drive-thru event but rather a driving tour. Follow a map and travel the Pigeon Forge Parkway to enjoy the 12 Days of Christmas in lights - millions of lights. You'll also find displays featuring the wildlife of the Great Smoky Mountains, a Snowflake Lane, and a historic mansion all decked out for the season. In addition to over two dozen beautiful and intricate displays, there are numerous holiday events throughout the area, and the celebration will run from November 6, 2025, through February 15, 2026. Unlike typical drive-thru events, visitors can follow a mapped route through town.

When you visit a drive-thru lights display, be sure to bring plenty of snacks to keep everyone in the car happy! Have you been to any of these fantastic shows, and do you agree that these are the best Christmas light displays in America? Are there any others you would add? Please reach out to us via this nomination page. If you'd like to learn more about any of these USA Christmas light displays (hours, prices, dates, addresses, etc.), check out the links in the descriptions.

Planning your next holiday adventure? Use the Only In Your State Itinerary Planner to map out the perfect winter road trip filled with dazzling light shows!