Most of us have taken the scenic drive to tour the neighborhood’s light display. There’s nothing more charming than seeing the familiar completely transformed by dazzling lights year after year. And this year, we’ve expanded this sentiment into a whole Christmas-themed road trip! Rather than seeing only the nearby light displays, you can see some of the brightest in all of Virginia with this conveniently mapped-out drive. So queue up that Christmas playlist, grab a group of friends and family, and enjoy the festivities! For the interactive trip route and map, visit Google Maps. Here are some of our picks for the best Christmas lights in Virginia that you ought to check out:

Google Maps
1. McDonald's Holiday Lights (Virginia Beach)
100 2nd St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, USA
libsciterp/Flickr
Want to stretch your legs for a bit before embarking upon the drive? The McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach event is the perfect event for your first stop. This family-friendly gathering showcases the brightest and best of holiday decor. You’ll see dolphins, fish, Santa and his elves, and a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree as you stroll along the beloved boardwalk. This is one of those places to see Christmas lights you'll find yourself drawn to time and time again.
2. Dominion Garden of Lights (Norfolk)
6700 Azalea Garden Rd, Norfolk, VA 23518, USA
Norfolk Botanical Garden
Just a stone's throw away, the Norfolk Botanical Garden hosts an enchanting drive-through Christmas lights display the whole family will love. Visitors are encouraged to take this two-mile stretch and take in countless sparkling lights in various holiday formations. This light display has been voted among the best holiday light displays in the country. Tickets are available upon arrival.
3. Celebration in Lights (Newport News)
13560 Jefferson Ave, Newport News, VA 23603, USA
Newport News Government
This drive-thru Christmas lights display in Virginia e lets you stay in your car as you drive through nearly one million individual lights and 300 displays. The two-mile drive is located in the beautiful Newport News Park. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance of the park.

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4. Dominion GardenFest of Lights (Richmond)
1800 Lakeside Ave, Henrico, VA 23228, USA
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens/Facebook
Not to be confused with the other Dominion festival on this list, the OTHER Dominion GardenFest of Lights takes place at Lewis Ginter each year as a celebration of all things Christmas. Family activities, model trains, brilliant lights, and even a fire with s’mores await anyone who visits this season. You’ll be delighted to make this stop as you continue your drive through the state’s capital. This is a magical drive-through Christmas lights display you can't miss.
5. Downtown Farmville
Town of Farmville, VA/Facebook
The tree lighting ceremony is pretty fun, not going to lie. You might want to time your visit to coincide with that! The downtown district and Main Street Plaza are absolutely charming. You'll love it, we promise. You won't ever want to leave this Christmas town in Virginia - it's that amazing.
6. The Family Holiday Light Extravaganza (South Hill)
1899 Callis Rd, South Hill, VA 23970, USA
Elliott Family Holiday Light Extravaganza/Facebook
In the town of South Hill, one family pulls out all the stops to create a light show for the neighborhood and beyond. It's one of the best private Christmas lights displays in Virginia This synchronized light display is well worth the drive and the perfect addition to this holiday lights road trip. Just remember to respect the posted hours!
7. Olde Town Portsmouth
Olde Towne Portsmouth/Facebook
During the winter season, Olde Towne Portsmouth turns into a wonderland for all to enjoy. From the waterfront to the decorated streets, and especially the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center - which puts on an annual production - this town is full of seasonal sparkle. There are also plenty of local bed & breakfasts here if you need a break from driving. Visit the official Town of Portsmouth website for this year's festivities.

What do you think about this Christmas lights road trip? Is it something you would take? Share your thoughts with us – we’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite places to see Christmas lights in Virginia?

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Christmas Lights in Virginia

Tori Jane | October 28, 2021

What is winter in Virginia like?  

Virginia is a state that’s perfect for those who love the cold! Winters here tend to be very cold (read: frigid) and snow and ice are common. January is typically the coldest month of the year, with temperatures averaging about 26 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. At night, it gets much chillier. Warm clothes are essential! Virginia is also prone to large-scale winter storms that bring plentiful snowfall, like Nor’easters and other storms related to cold air masses moving in from the north. Average snowfall varies depending on which part of the state you’re in; along the coast, you may only see 8 or 9 inches of snow, but in parts of the Appalachians, you can expect upwards of about 100 inches of snow annually (that’s 8.3 feet). To say it’s a little cold here is a bit of an understatement. But don’t let that worry you or scare you off; cold winters like ours are what warm clothes and heaters are for. Should you play your cards right, you could turn a bitter, grey winter into a cozy, festive time to get closer to your person indoors. It’s up to you to make it perfect, and we’re certain you will.  

What are some fun road trips in Virginia to take?  

Virginia is a gorgeous state, and the best part about gorgeous states is taking fun road trips to explore them. There are plenty of awesome options in Virginia for your road-tripping needs. Some of our favorite road trip ideas include our awesome small-town Virginia road trip, which will lead you through six of our most awesome small towns, and the unforgettable lighthouse road trip, which takes you on a picturesque adventure to visit five historic lighthouses along the beautiful Virginia coast. There’s also a waterfalls road trip, a natural wonders road trip, and so much more. 

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