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14 Dazzling Light Displays to Illuminate Your Holidays



Sparkle, twinkle, glow—a special feeling comes over you when you bask in the warmth of brightly shining lights during the holidays.


Whether they are strung high in the trees or wrapped around ground-level props, lights - white and colored- complete the season. So, even if you aren't truly in the holiday mood, you will be after visiting a holiday light display.


Festival of Lights at Oglebay Resort, through Jan. 5, 2025, in Wheeling, West Virginia, is a holiday celebration like no other. The event features 300 acres of light and over 100 lighted displays on a six-mile drive. Not in the mood to drive? Reserve a spot for a guided trolley tour. Don't forget about the other attractions, like a 70-foot-tall Welcome Tree, lighted selfie stations and more, including Ogleby's Good Zoo.


It's one thing to view holiday lights in general; it's another thing to view them underground. Lights Under Louisville (Ky.), through Jan. 4, 2025, transforms the Mega Caverns into a holiday wonderland with over 7 million points of light and around 900 lit displays. And the best part is you get to drive your car into the caverns and explore the 17 miles of underground passageways decked out for the season.


Lights, lights and even more lights - over 5 million through a 100-acre forest- await you at the Lights of the South in Grovetown, Ga., Nov. 22 - Dec. 30. Walk or take a hayride to view the many displays. End the visit by roasting marshmallows over the open fire or exploring the lighted Christmas Tree Maze.


Said to be the "largest and oldest Christmas attraction in eastern North Carolina," Meadow Lights, which runs Nov. 22 - Dec. 31 in Benson, features 30 acres of sparkling lights and various displays. In addition, there are train rides for children of all ages, a carousel, and the Old Country Store, which features over 300 varieties of old-fashioned candy.


The Lights of the Ozarks features over 500,000 LED lights illuminating the Downtown Square in Fayetteville, Ark., Nov. 22 - Jan. 1, 2025, with seasonal activities taking place on the Historic Square. The Light Night on Nov. 22 kicks off the festivities, followed by a parade on Dec. 5 and a new event, Fayetteville Festivus, on Dec. 3.


Drive along Virginia Beach, Virginia's Boardwalk and take in various colorful light displays during the BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach through Dec. 31. Among them include a 40-foot tall dancing light Christmas and a Surfing Santa.


Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, S.C., shines brightly during Wild Lights through Jan. 12, 2025. Take in over 60 larger-than-life handcrafted wildlife lantern displays. There's also a snowfall, photo ops and visits with Santa (through Dec. 23.)


Take in the over 2 million lights along the mile-long trail at the Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas, Nov. 23- Jan. 1, 2025. Enjoy hot chocolate, fireside s'mores and more along the way, and then stare in awe at the Dancing Tree of Light. Don't overlook additional activities like taking a trip down the Artic Slide and more.


Take to the racetrack during the Drive-Thru Christmas Lights at Clarksville (Tenn.) Speedway, Nov. 26- Dec. 30. The one-mile drive features over 3 million lights.


View over a million dazzling lights from the comfort of your vehicle at Winter Wonderland in Tilles Park in St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 27- Dec. 30.


Tune in on your radio at Christmas on the Hill in Sulphur, Louisiana, Nov. 28- Jan. 1, 2025, and watch lighted displays synch up with holiday tunes. Be sure to check out their Facebook page for videos from years past.


Deemed as "Mississippi's Largest Christmas Light Show," Gulfport (Miss.) Harbor Lights Winter Festival, Nov. 29- Dec. 31, features over 1.5 million lights throughout 40 acres in Jones Park. The festival also includes carnival rides, train rides, Santa's Village and more.


Arab, Ala.'s City Park is all aglow with two million lights during Christmas in the Park, Nov. 29- Dec. 31. Enjoy walking through the festive wonderland.


In DeFuniak Springs, Fla., Christmas Reflections, Nov. 29 - Dec. 31, offers over 10 million lights on displays decorating Chipley Park. In addition, the event also hosts special holiday activities, markets and the Festival of Trees.






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