In the last few years, drive-thru Christmas lights displays have exploded in popularity, with new displays every season and bigger and better versions of returning events. Drive-thru displays are a fun and easy way to get your whole family together for an unforgettable holiday experience. Many locations include musical accompaniments and seasonal beverages and food-and you can even bring your furry family members along! Plus, stay safe and cozy in the warmth of your vehicle while still making the most of that magical winter weather.
Keep reading to find our top picks for the best drive-thru lights displays across the country this holiday season.
Arizona
Glendale
From November 16-December 29, 2024 Glendale’s Desert Diamond Casino presents World of Illumination: Rockin’ Christmas, offering a stunning drive-thru experience. Take in the mile-long stretch of intricate, animated light displays that are timed to a musical celebration of holiday classics as well as some popular favorites.
The display is open Tuesdays-Sundays from 6-10 p.m. and on select Mondays in December. Depending on the day, tickets range from $39.99-$49.99 for a standard vehicle. Bring your pets, bring some snacks, and prepare for a magical musical holiday experience.
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California
Costa Mesa
Winter Fest OC is a magical and immersive Christmas lights and winter wonderland experience. This year, it runs on select dates from November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025 at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. Ticket presale begins November 1. Admission is $55 for adults and $50 for children ages 3-12, but presale will net you some big savings at just $29.99 for adults and $24.99 for children. Higher tier passes are available from $84.99-$119.99, which allows you admission to special attractions and more perks like unlimited rides.
The all-new holiday light show twinkles with 2 million lights perfectly synchronized to music. Stroll through the enchanting “North Pole Journey,” featuring the Forest of Light, Holiday Town, and Toy Workshop, or skate at the region’s largest outdoor ice skating rink, play in real snow, or brave Snowflake Summit, a 150-foot ice tubing slide.
Don’t miss the new $5 Taste of Winter Fest! Each evening from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., savor sample-sized portions of winter favorites like tacos, corn dogs, churro bites, chocolate chip cookies, and more for just $5.
Reserve an igloo. They’re super cozy with plush seating, a fire pit, and awesome views of the nightly light show. It’s such a fun way to soak up the holiday vibes!
Sonoma County
For just eleven December nights, Christmas in the Redwoods presents a magical, unforgettable holiday experience. On the Bohemian Corridor of Sonoma Valley, drive through cozy cottages, cabins and yes, redwoods lit up in a mesmerizing display. The experience is only offered from December 8-December 18 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. each evening, so make sure to plan your trip ahead of time!
Reservations are required, and are available starting on November 18 for only $10 a car. Bring the whole family for this unique, memorable Christmas celebration, and after driving through the lights, you can take time to relax, get some hot cocoa and even meet Santa Claus—as well as Bigfoot!
Florida
Daytona
For the eighth consecutive year, The Magic of Lights holiday experience will transform the Daytona International Speedway into a wonderland of Christmas cheer. Enjoy unique animations and displays with themes like Prehistoric Christmas, Toyland, Reindeer Road, and a 200ft long tunnel of lights.
The event runs most evenings from 6-10 p.m. between November 22, 2024-January 4, 2025. Tickets per vehicle start at $18.50 online and then $30-35 when purchased at the gate.
Georgia
Pine Mountain
Head to Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens to see 10 million Christmas lights and a sound show with 17 scenes. This festival of lights was named one of the world’s top 10 by National Geographic Traveler. You can drive your own car through the display or take the Jolly Trolley. This year, it runs from November 15, 2024-January 4, 2025. Ticket prices vary considerably – on regular nights, adult tickets are $24.99 and children ages 3-11 are $19.99, but on busier nights, tickets can be $34.99-$39.99 for adults and $29.99-$34.99 for children.
Indiana
Indianapolis
Indy’s Christmas Nights of Lights provides a half-hour interactive driving experience at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and boasts more than a million lights across dozens of displays. This year, dates are from November 8, 2024-December 31, 2024. Enter the fairgrounds at Gate 12 on 42nd Street.
Tickets are $35-$80 per carload, depending on how many people are in the vehicle (up to 35). If you are planning on bringing a larger vehicle, note that automobiles over 11’ tall are not allowed. Go before you go – the only facilities are portable toilets located at the entrance.
Kentucky
Louisville
Lights Under Louisville is one of those awe-inspiring attractions. Enjoy a ride through the Christmas lights at MEGA Caverns. It claims to be the world’s only fully underground drive-thru Christmas lights show.
Plan to spend about 30 minutes driving through the 17 miles of underground passageways to see 7 millions points of light. Hours are 9 a.m.-10 p.m. with the exception of 5:30-10 p.m. on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Dates this season are from November 8, 2024-January 4, 2025. Tickets are by the carload for $42.99 for cars, trucks and minivans.
Nevada
Las Vegas
Drive through 2.5 miles of Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Named one of 7 Over-The-Top Holiday Light Displays You Gotta See by Huffington Post in 2015, the event runs November 8, 2024-January 5, 2025, though November 28, December 14 & December 20-23 are listed as extended wait. Prices are $39 per carload, with season passes available for $129. A portion of each ticket sold is donated to the Speedway Children’s Charities.
New York
Long Island
The drive-thru Magic of Lights display runs November 22-January 4 this year. Families drive their own car through the course, held at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh. The new Illuminating Mega Trees features over 240 feet of lights and music. Hours are Sunday-Thursday from 5-10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 5-11 p.m. Tickets are $30 per car if purchased in advance, and $30 for weekdays or $35 for weekends when purchased at the entrance.
Syracuse
It gets cold in upstate New York, but you can stay warm in your car at the drive-thru Lights on the Lake. The 30th annual event is open November 18, 2024-January 13, 2025, from 5-10 p.m. The two-mile winter extravaganza includes a radio accompaniment. There is a Land of Oz and Fantasy Forest, and the two-mile winter extravaganza includes a radio accompaniment. Admission is by the carload; $10 on Monday-Thursday, and $20 Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Oregon
Portland
The annual Winter Wonderland at the Portland International Raceway spans the entire eight miles of the track. From November 29-December 31, see more than 250 colorful set pieces and many fully animated scenes from the comfort of your car at this drive-thru Christmas lights show. Hours are 5-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 4:30-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday. From December 13-25, hours are 4:30-11 p.m. every day. Tickets are per car, and prices vary by date.
Tennessee
Clarksville
This year is the 9th annual Drive-Thru Lights at Clarksville Speedway, and they’re not slowing down! With over 3 million lights over the course of one mile and dozens of displays depicting everything from a nativity scene to toy soldiers to a light tunnel. The hours are 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5:30-10 Fridays, Saturdays and Holidays between November 26 and December 26. From December 27 to when the event closes on December 30, it will only run 5:30-8.
Admission is $30 for a 7 person or less carload and $50 for cargo vans or vehicles with more than 8 passengers. There are discounts for military members and special Sunday discounts for church goers. And by exploring the town of Clarksville, you may even be able to find $5 off coupons at local establishments or in the local newspapers. Regardless, your admission includes endless trips around the track while you’re there, so you can go back through to enjoy the magic again and again.
Texas
With locations in six cities across Texas, The Light Park offers stunning displays, millions of lights and a unique twist at each location. They can be found in Arlington, Round Rock, Frisco, Katy, Selma and Spring, and tickets are available now! From November 1, 2024 until the parks close on January 1 or January 5, 2025—depending on the location—admission for one car starts at $29, though you can purchase a season pass for unlimited visits at all six parks for $159.
Arlington
More than 600 LED Christmas lights displays can be seen each holiday season at Arlington’s Texas Motor Speedway’s Gift of Lights. Cruise around more than two miles of light displays, with almost 3 million lights, while listening to Christmas music on KLTY.
The festival opens November 28 this year and runs through January 5, 2025. Hours are 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 6-10 p.m. Friday & Saturday. The attraction stays open until 10 p.m. every day from December 19-29. Tickets are by the carload for $35 each. Unfortunately, the Santa’s Village special attraction is not open this year, but restrooms will be available. Sundays-Wednesdays are usually the least busy.
Washington
Spanaway
Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park claims to be the Northwest’s largest drive-thru display. Featuring an LED light tunnel, the display includes thousands of lights and nearly 300 figures along the two-mile drive along Spanaway Lake.
This year, dates are from November 29, 2024-January 5, 2025. Prices range from $15-$45 per vehicle depending on size and dates. While driving through, tune your car radio to FM 95.3 to hear a selection of special holiday music.
Wisconsin
If you’re in Madison, WI for the holidays and you’re looking for fun, free Christmas activities, visit Fantasy in Lights at Olin Park! The Madison community pulls together with a dedicated volunteer base to not only organize and run the event, but also to create a holiday soundtrack with local musicians. Over 60 light displays are designed and put together by local contractors and electricians throughout the year. The lights go on every night from dusk to dawn until the event ends on December 31.
While you’re there, you can also try a unique ice cream flavor named “Fantasy in Lights” and crafted specifically for the event. Stop by Babcock Dairy Store to try it out!
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