Look at the Bright Side - 6 Holiday Light Displays Worth the Drive
- Ren Gudino
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
A Glittering Highway
No, that's not just your astigmatism making the highway glow across the night sky—those are some of the most memorable and carefully planned festivals of light in the country. For a few short weeks, roadways transform into temporary holiday constellations made of millions of tiny bulbs. Forget typical roadside decorations; these holiday light displays are among the most ornate and stunning attractions of the year. Some are expanded annually, others are planned throughout the year. Whether it’s an immersive drive-through experience or an on-foot exploration through a magical winter village, these dazzling spectacles bring people together from across the country to celebrate the season.
The best holiday light displays across America share three qualities: they're impressive enough to justify the drive, memorable enough to become annual traditions, and convenient enough to fit into holiday plans. Read on for six holiday light displays that aren't just about decoration—they're about creating a moment worth pulling off the highway.
What Makes These Holiday Light Displays "Worth the Drive"?
Not every string of lights deserves a detour, but the displays that do tend to share a few things in common. Some offer uniqueness in size—we're talking millions of bulbs, acres of orchestrated color, or towering trees that dominate the skyline. The setting counts too: a speedway loop lit end-to-end carries a different energy than a historic downtown square or a lakefront boardwalk glowing against dark water.
Holiday light displays that call themselves a "festival" aren't using that word passively. Some offer extras that make a stop even more memorable: lights timed to music, amusement rides for restless kids, or the promise of snow falling every single night, even in places where winter barely shows up.
Winter City Lights - Maryland
In the D.C.–Baltimore corridor near Frederick, Winter City Lights spans 10 acres with over a million lights in a choreographed show. The centerpiece is a 52-foot programmable tree that shifts colors with a soundtrack, under a 200-foot-wide canopy that turns the night into a light show. Walk-through sections let visitors get close to the displays, while heated structures offer a place to warm up when the December wind starts blowing.
The venue markets itself as one of the most advanced holiday displays in the country, guaranteeing that "it snows every night." And they follow through: falling snow, right on schedule, whether the forecast cooperates or not.
For Mid-Atlantic travelers already navigating I-70 or I-270 between family visits or holiday shopping runs, it's a perfect detour that doesn't stray too far from the normal route but delivers something far from usual. The display runs nightly through early January, making it an option even for travelers whose schedules don't align with the traditional holiday week.
Oglebay Festival of Lights - West Virginia
Wheeling's Oglebay Festival of Lights covers over 300 acres of rolling resort property, making it one of the largest light displays in the country. The route winds through animated scenes and tunnel-style displays, with hillside lights glowing above the road like something out of a vintage postcard. Drivers navigate at their own pace, though the sheer volume of traffic on peak nights can slow things down—a mixed blessing that gives more time to absorb the displays but tests patience when the kids are asking "are we done yet?" (Make sure to plan ahead if you're bringing the littles.)
The Oglebay Resort setting adds another layer—drivers can cruise the route and keep on their original road trip, or turn it into an overnight lodge stay. There's also a full calendar of holiday programming that includes everything from breakfast with Santa to glassblowing demonstrations.
For travelers navigating I-70 through the Ohio Valley, Oglebay offers a reason to exit the interstate and discover a West Virginia destination that exceeds expectations when it comes to holiday hospitality.
The Tour of Lights - Bentleyville, Minnesota
Duluth's Bentleyville sprawls across the Lake Superior waterfront, with more than five million lights stringing through a massive walk-through display. The setting alone makes it worth the trip, with lights reflecting off the water and cold air biting just enough to make hot chocolate, coffee, cookies, popcorn, and marshmallows for roasting (all for free) taste even better. Volunteers hand out refreshments throughout the night, adding a community feel that separates Bentleyville from other, more commercial operations.
The display itself is massive, covering enough ground that a full tour takes close to an hour, and the variety keeps things interesting—giant light tunnels, animated displays, massive trees, and themed sections that range from classic Christmas to winter wonderland whimsy.
Hardy winter travelers already heading north on I-35 toward the Iron Range or the North Shore can turn the drive into a full-blown light pilgrimage, parking the car and wandering through a display that feels less like a festival and more like a glowing city built just for December. Since it's free, the only cost is time and the willingness to brave Minnesota cold.
Celebration in the Oaks - New Orleans
New Orleans doesn't do anything halfway, and Celebration in the Oaks proves the city applies that philosophy to holiday lights as enthusiastically as it does to Mardi Gras. This holiday light festival has enchanted City Park visitors since the 1980s and now transforms roughly 25 acres into illuminated live oaks, gardens, and amusement rides, running from Thanksgiving through early January. The ancient oaks, draped in Spanish moss and wrapped in lights, create a canopy that feels distinctly Southern—a stark contrast from the snow-dusted pines of the north.
Visitors can choose their own adventure: a 2.25-mile driving tour lined with over a million lights for the classic car-window experience, or opt for the walking tour, which includes access to Storyland (a whimsical sculpture garden), Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, and the Botanical Garden. The walking option turns one of the country's largest urban parks into a temporary winter carnival where riders can board vintage rides between light displays, and where the temperature rarely requires more than a light jacket.
For travelers navigating I-10 through the Gulf Coast or making the trek to New Orleans for holiday festivities, Celebration in the Oaks delivers a light show that feels as rooted in place as the centuries-old trees that surround it.
The Light Park - Texas
The Light Park doesn't stick to one location—it travels across Texas in Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, branding itself as the state's top drive-through holiday show. Each setup features millions of lights synced to DJ-run holiday music that broadcasts directly to car radios, turning suburban parking lots and fairgrounds into tunnels of light that glow nightly through early January.
Tickets are sold by the carload, and this year, the event is entirely cashless, so travelers should keep their credit cards ready. It's a "plug-and-play" holiday experience, designed for the traveler who prefers maximum glow with minimum planning.
For Texans crossing the state during the holidays—or visitors navigating I-35, I-10, or I-45—it offers a consistent, high-quality stop that doesn't require research or reservations.
Glittering Lights - Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nevada
Las Vegas may be lit up with neons throughout the year, but Glittering Lights illuminates Las Vegas in a different way. This display turns the Motor Speedway into a family-friendly holiday tradition. This drive-through event stretches for 3 miles, guiding cars through themed vignettes lit by six million LEDs and over 750 exhibits. A must-see is the Neon Forest, where the event showcases glowing weeping willows. The route loops through the infield and around the track, giving passengers plenty of time to take in scenes that range from magical to just plain impressive.
A local tradition for over two decades, part of its staying power comes from charitable partnerships with local organizations, giving the spectacle a bit of heart to go with the sheer visual overload. The event also features a holiday village at the end of the route, complete with food vendors, carnival rides, and photo ops that bring travelers into this Christmas world.
For travelers passing through on I-15—whether heading to Southern California or coming from Utah—it's a wholesome pit stop in a city better known for excess, and proof that even Las Vegas can do cozy when the season calls for it.
Road Tips for Holiday Light Trips
Keep your trips smooth and ready for Christmas light fun with a few tips:
Check event calendars early for dates, timed entry windows, and weather policies, especially for walk-through displays near water or in colder climates. Consider locations where weather conditions can shift fast and impact whether a night is worth braving.
Planning around peak weekend traffic can save time and gas—some venues offer weekday discounts or shorter lines that make a Tuesday drive more appealing than a Saturday crawl through gridlock.
For drive-through shows, confirm the rules on headlight use, speed limits, and whether pets are welcome. Every venue handles those details differently, and nobody wants to learn restrictions at the entrance gate.
It's also worth considering the route itself—some displays are natural pit stops on existing holiday travel routes, while others require a dedicated detour that might feel like a side quest.
As long as your tank is full and the playlists are ready, holiday light hunting can turn any winter drive into not just a wholesome memory, but an annual tradition. Wherever you go, just remember that Interstate Signways marked the way, one exit at a time.
All images in this post are hyperlinked to their original sources.