12 Light Displays In Wyoming That Are Pure Holiday Magic
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Jennifer
Author
Whether there is a blanket of snow on the ground, a light dusting of frost, or just Wyoming’s trademark frigid temps permeating the air, winter is one of our favorite times of year here in the Cowboy State. But before we dive into Wyoming’s winter activities galore, the holidays come first – and one of our absolute favorite things to do in winter is peruse the abundance of Christmas lights adorning neighborhoods, businesses, and parks. Nothing else captures the magic of the holidays quite like twinkle lights!
Of course, we couldn’t possibly make a list of every prettily decorated residential street in the state, but we CAN offer a sneak peek at some of our state’s biggest and coolest Christmas light displays. Many of Wyoming’s best Christmas lights continue to make headlines and some are already well known, but we’ve rounded up a few hidden gems for you to check out as well. This winter, bundle up and head out to see some of the most dazzling, heart-warming Christmas lights in Wyoming!
Check out this Google map to guide you to the closest “Christmas lights near me.”
1. Buffalo Bill State Park, Cody
Cody, WY 82414, USA
Typically the Month of December | Simple and unique, Buffalo Bill State Park's Christmas light display is a relatively recent addition to Wyoming's annual Christmas lights scene and it continues to get bigger and better every year. Wyoming's biggest state park adorns the park's foliage and flora with pretty, multicolored lights and festive displays that in the past have, quite fittingly, boasted the theme of "Cowboy Christmas Lights" - although no word on what this year's theme will be (we're pretty partial to sticking with the cowboy angle!). This lovely community display can be found at the Lake Shore Campground, where local businesses have adopted a variety of campsites to decorate, with the park itself decking out the office areas. This is a drive-thru Christmas light display in Cody, so no worries about layering up too much - just keep the heat cranked up and the hot cocoa flowing!
2. Cody (Christmas) Trolley Tours
Cody, WY 82414, USA
Typically First Week of December - December 23 | Why admire just one Christmas light display when you can enjoy…well, all of them?? For even more Christmas lights in Cody, every winter, Cody Trolley Tours goes into Christmas mode and switches from showing Cody's sights and history to showing off the town's most festive light displays. These 50-minute Holly Jolly Trolley Light Tours take riders through the most decked-out Christmas neighborhoods in Cody, while also providing hot cocoa, Christmas cookies, and caroling opportunities to amplify the holiday spirit! Riders will even get to vote for their favorite decorated house, and that home will win the much-coveted “Trolley Rider’s Favorite Award.” But don't let the name "trolley" mislead you…if you feel like ogling Wyoming's Christmas lights in style or with a more intimate party, you can also do so from the plush comfort of a limo as well! (And if you have a house that you want to be in the contest this year, make sure to sign up!)
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3. Christmas Stroll, Sheridan
Sheridan, WY 82801, USA
Black Friday | Downtown Sheridan becomes an absolute wonderland of lights and greenery during the Christmas season, and the sweet Sheridan Christmas Stroll lets visitors and residents alike enjoy all of it! The day after Thanksgiving, Historic Main Street in Sheridan comes alive with festive Christmas lights, holiday cheer, decorations, and live entertainment all day long in a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie. While you won't find any animatronics or radio-synched lights, you WILL encounter Christmas light displays galore, festive light tunnels, wagon rides, selfie areas, caroling, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and - of course - plenty of shopping opportunities. Even fireworks!
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4. Ucross Christmas, Clearmont
2753 US-14, Clearmont, WY 82835, USA
Date Varies | Ucross is an acclaimed artist residency program located on a 20,000-acre ranch on the outskirts of Sheridan. Every year, this creative non-profit goes all-out to light up the holidays and celebrate the Christmas season! The Ucross Community Christmas Celebration is a festive one-day annual event that takes Sheridan's Christmas lights scene up a few notches. In addition to canons, fireworks, carolers, and Cowboy storytelling, the highlight of the Christmas party is undoubtedly the ceremonious lighting of literally thousands of trees at the Park at Ucross. With so many dazzling, twinkling lights filling the park and a pretty layer of snow, Christmas at Ucross is a true winter wonderland that is undeniably magical for the whole family! While you're out exploring Christmas lights in Sheridan, make sure to stop here as well.
5. Casper Holiday Square Lights, Casper
Casper, WY, USA
Typically Mid-November - New Year's Day | Every year, Healing Park on Conwell in Casper transforms into a festive winter wonderland, starting with an annual community tree lighting event. Each evening during the holiday season, colorful displays throughout the park (and beyond) dazzle and delight, and are set to music hourly. While you're out enjoying the snow and sights, be sure to catch Casper's annual Christmas parade as well! This family event is set to a new theme every year and is typically held the day after Thanksgiving. Add on Casper's Christmas Tree Lighting and beautiful outdoor ice skating at David Street Station, and you have a fantastic, can't-miss family event!
6. Festival of Lights, Gillette
Gillette, WY, USA
Typically Mid-November - First week of January | We've touted the multicolored, family-friendly wonders of the Campbell County Festival of Lights before, but this Christmas lights drive-thru definitely deserves a spot on our "Best Christmas Lights in Wyoming" list! Opening in conjunction with Gillette's Festival of Trees, the Campbell County Festival of Lights is Wyoming's largest municipal light display, featuring multiple show schedules for various ages and with varying themes throughout the week. Over 50 displays dazzle visitors to the festival, boasting nearly 100 individual installations and over 1,000,000 lights, all set to festive music…including a fantastic infinity light tunnel! This is truly a community event and effort, as every display is generously sponsored by a local business. Visitors may even find a few opportunities to enjoy a beautiful, horse-drawn carriage ride through the lights!
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7. Holiday Lights Trolley, Cheyenne
Cheyenne, WY, USA
Typically Second Week of December - December 27 | While perhaps lesser-known than its Cody counterpart, Cheyenne is one of the most beautifully-decorated Christmas towns in Wyoming, so you know that the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley Holiday Lights Tours are top-notch! Settle into the warmth and throwback comfort of a historic trolley for a tour around Cheyenne's best-decorated neighborhoods. En route, you'll also be able to admire the trinkle-lit magic of downtown and beyond, where Cheyenne's Old West Holiday is bursting at the seams with Kris Kringle-themed decorations, fantastic family stops, and oodles of Christmas cheer. Trolleys depart from the Cheyenne Depot Plaza. And YES, there is a Christmas lights competition too! Private charters are available, as well as a large-group bus. Be sure to spend a few moments admiring the beautifully lit Christmas tree at the Plaza - it's the tallest Christmas tree in Wyoming!
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8. Late Night Lights, Cheyenne
Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, 710 S Lions Park Dr, Cheyenne, WY 82001, USA
Dates Vary by Year | Thousands of colorful twinkle lights can be found adorning the flora and displays at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens on select days in December. Stroll through a tropical wonderland, tiny Christmas villages, and enjoy literal walls of poinsettias surrounded by festive décor. But don't worry if you can't make the Late Night Lights; the lights are still pretty and visible during normal operating hours!
9. Governor's Mansion, Cheyenne
Wyoming Historic Governors' Mansion State Historic Site, 300 E 21st St, Cheyenne, WY 82001, USA
Typically November 25 - December 23 | When it comes to Christmas lights in Cheyenne, there's clearly a lot to love! Even its historic sites are (literally) glowing with holiday spirit. For a traditional Christmas experience, pay a visit to the Historic Governor's Mansion, which is rich with garlands, twinkle lights, and warm seasonal tidings inside and out. Every year, in what has become a Cheyenne Christmas tradition, the Wyoming Historic Governors’ Mansion “Tinsel Through Time” exhibit opens up for guests, and includes live music, finger foods, and plenty of traditional lights and vintage, themed Christmas collections. But the outside is just as gorgeous! You won't want to miss seeing the Mansion in all its glory lit up and decorated for the holidays.
10. Holiday Light Trail/Wyoming Territorial Prison Lights, Laramie
Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, 975 Snowy Range Rd, Laramie, WY 82070, USA
Typically Mid-November - First Week of January, Closed Christmas Eve/Day | Boasting somewhere between 10,000-15,000 lights, the Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie comes to life during the Christmas season, bursting into glorious, festive color. But while the lit-up prison often gets the most glory, the Holiday Light Trail around the historical site is just as much of a must-visit! Walk around lights and enjoy hot cider, warm up by the fire, take photos, and experience the Wardens' House decorated for Christmas. Visitors can also park in the parking lot if they would prefer, and tune into 99.5 to enjoy the two dozen displays from the warmth of their car, immersed in Christmas tunes. While you're here, check out the Laramie Courthouse as well, which lights up beautifully for the holidays.
11. Rock Springs Lighted Parade, Rock Springs
Rock Springs, WY 82901, USA
First Week of December | Every year, this small town's themed parade goes all out, lighting the night with colors, strobes, and Christmas magic galore - a tradition over two decades strong. A new route and new theme this year means that 2023's parade will be even bigger and better than ever! But in addition to the one-night-only lighted parade, families will enjoy strolling around downtown Rock Springs as well, which becomes a brilliant snow globe of color, lights, and cheer - typically set to a theme, and offering plenty of twinkly vignettes and selfie spots to capture those precious holiday memories. Visitors can also show up early for the Governor's annual Christmas Tree Lighting, which offers a few special activities for kiddos…like a visit from Santa Claus himself.
12. Jackson Town Square, Jackson
Jackson, WY, USA
All Season Long | While Jackson Hole's infamous antler arch is a beloved photo op on any trip through Western Wyoming, no matter the season, during the holidays, don't pass up a stroll through the Square and park to enjoy ALL of the lovely lights adorning the trees, shops, and streets!
These gorgeous Christmas lights around the state are just a small taste of what Wyoming has to offer during the holidays, and they certainly help make those chilly nights a little sweeter! If your town, organization, or neighborhood dolls up for the season, be sure to let us know.
Now that you’ve experienced some of Wyoming’s most gorgeous Christmas light displays, why not take a winter day trip and enjoy Wyoming’s magnificent natural beauty as well?
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