Posted in Virginia
December 11, 2015
Here Are The 13 Best Christmas Light Displays In Virginia. They’re Incredible.
From beautifully decorated Main Streets to elaborate window displays, the holidays are going strong in Virginia. And while Virginians do a lot of things well, there’s one thing we do especially well this time of year…LIGHTS. So, in the interest of keeping the holiday spirit going strong, we’ve looked around to find some of the best public light displays in the state.
From traditional to non-traditional, LED t0 laser, these holiday lights are truly works of art (and I’m guessing a lot of patience). You’re going to want to make at least a few of these part of your holiday traditions from now on – assuming you haven’t already.
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Celebration in Lights was Virginia’s first drive-through lights display and after 23 years, is still going strong. Join in on the fun at Newport News Park with more than 800,000 lights, 70 animated displays and 43 arches. The event is open nightly from 5:30pm – 10pm from now until January 2, 2016. Click here to learn more.
Every year, the beach comes alive with hundreds of thousands of lights as the Virginia Beach boardwalk is transformed into a nautical winter wonderland. Featuring dozens of light displays, a 40’ Christmas tree and, of course, Santa and his elves, the “Fanta-Sea” of lights draws more than 25,000 visitors every year and has been named one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s “Top 20 November Events.” Open from 5:30pm-10:00pm Sunday - Thursday and 5:30pm-11:00pm Friday and Saturday, the event will be available through January 2, 2016. Visit Beach Street USA to learn more.
The Bull Run Festival of Lights is an annual event featuring thousands and thousands of lights, animated displays and Christmas decorations stretching over 2.5 miles at Bull Run Regional Park. The event is a full-on holiday spectacular with a Holiday Village offering bonfires, s’mores, activities for the kids and holiday shopping, plus, a Christmas Carnival and camel rides. For a complete list of activities, dates and times, visit Bull Run Festival of Lights.
After you see hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights perfectly synchronized to music from your car radio, an 80’ tunnel and 50’ Christmas trees, you’re going to want to make Illuminate part of your holiday traditions for sure. With dancing snowmen, singing trees, Santas galore and much more, Illuminate is worth the trip. After the lights, visit Santa’s village for pictures with St. Nick himself, a life-sized Snow Globe and an outdoor skating rink. The event lasts from now until January 2, 2016. Visit Illuminate Light Show to plan your visit.
Natural Tunnels is one of Virginia’s natural wonders any time of the year. But with holiday lights? It just doesn’t get much better. Ride the chairlift past thousands of sparkling lights, animated displays and holiday decorations. Then enjoy music, hot chocolate and Santa visits, as well as historic re-enactments of a 1775 Frontier Christmas at the nearby Carter Cabin. Learn more at Natural Tunnel State Park.
Lewis Ginter lights up the nights with more than 500,000 lights, botanical decorations, model trains, holiday dinners, a fire pit, s’mores, family activities and so much more. This year’s event, themed “H2Whoa,” is open nightly from 5pm -10pm, November 27, 2015 - January 11, 2016 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Visit Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens to learn more.
For Christmas lights with a twist, check out Spotsylvania Towne Centre’s holiday-themed laser light show, featuring everything from Santa to snow. With shows every Friday at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm, and Saturdays at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, & 9pm, from now until December 19, 2015, you’ll have the perfect excuse to get a little shopping done without missing a show! Visit Spotsylvania Towne Centre to learn more.
Everything you love about Busch Gardens becomes that much more thrilling when wrapped in lights. Featuring 8 MILLION lights in 2015, Christmas Town is Busch Garden’s annual holiday extravaganza. The event includes rides, holiday shows, Christmas traditions from around the world and, of course, Santa's workshop. The fun began on November 27 and lasts for select days through January 3, 2016. Visit Busch Gardens Christmas Town to learn more.
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights is a breathtaking display of twinkling lights alongside countless family-friendly events and activities. Special features include Lakeside Lights, Funny Photo Night, special musical performances, face painting and much more. Don’t miss this amazing holiday event, open nightly from now until January 3, 2016, from 5:30pm -10pm. To see a complete list of upcoming events and buy tickets online, visit Winter Walk of Lights.
Featuring displays created exclusively by members of the Danville community, from private residents to local businesses, the Danville Community Lights Show offers an exciting display of holiday lights and decorations. In 2014, the show’s inaugural year, more than 3,500 visitors came through, raising $4,200 for local non-profits and organizations. Located at Ballou Park, December 12 – 27, the event is open Monday-Thursday from 6pm-9pm
and Friday-Sunday from 6pm-10pm. Click here to learn more.
Join the Norfolk Botanical Garden for their 21st annual Dominion Garden of Lights. This spectacular drive-through display covers more than 2 miles and features millions of sparkling lights. The 2014 display was voted #8 in the nation by USA Today and "10 Best.” The event opened on November 27 and will be open nightly until December, 31, 2015. Visit Norfolk Botanical Garden for times and pricing.
New this year, the Abitt Planetarium at The Virginia Living Museum is featuring a Christmas lights’ spectacular with a dazzling display of laser lights accompanied by 15 of your favorite holiday songs. Daytime shows are available every Wednesday and Sunday from November 30 until December 18, 2015 at 12:30pm and 2:30pm, and December 19 – 23 and 26 – 31 at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm. Evening shows are available December 12 at 8:30pm and December 19 at 7:30pm. Visit The Virginia Living Museum to plan your visit.
The elegant beauty of the Norfolk Pagoda and Garden is even more stunning during the holidays with the addition of over 40,000 lights. Technically called the Marine Observation Tower, "the Pagoda" was given to the City of Norfolk by the Taiwan Provincial government in 1989 after a visit from the governor of Taiwan. Artisans from Taiwan built the structure, which now houses a restaurant, gardens and a koi pond. Be sure to visit this beautiful display between now and December 31, 2015, 5:00pm-11:00pm. The Pagoda is located at 265 West Tazewell Street, Norfolk.
If you’ve been to one – or more – of these amazing holiday lights extravaganzas, we would love to hear about your experience. Or maybe there’s a good one we’ve left off the list? Let us know all about it in the comments below!
