From Twinkle to Trail: There's Still Time to Catch Post-Holiday Light Shows
- Apryl Thomas
- Dec 27, 2025
- 5 min read
The wrapping paper has been recycled, the cookies are now crumbs (or non-existent), and the decorations have been packed up and stored away until the day after Thanksgiving (or for some, the day after Halloween. No judgment here.)
It's just another day between the holidays, and back to school and work.
And to pile on, your calendar suddenly looks, well, empty.
But there is some good news - the fun didn't end just because the holidays did.
From lights to ice skating and more, plenty of places are keeping the shiny festive feeling going.
Missouri
Branson
through Jan. 3, 2026
Chose either the North Pole Adventure with its walk-through of thousands of lights and a hayride through a portion of the park and North Pole Adventure, or the Trail of Lights featuring millions of multicolored lights and themed, animated displays throughout the 160-acre Shepherd of the Hills Homestead.
Kansas City
through Jan. 4, 2026
The walk-through village inside Grand Plaza teems with lights, decorated trees, forest friends and so much more. Don't forget to check out the holiday model train exhibit.
St. Louis
through Jan. 11, 2026
Enjoy ice skating, s'mores and much more.
Arkansas
Batesville
through Jan. 4, 2026
Enjoy the light with millions of synchronized lights choreographed to festive holiday music from the car or on foot.
through Jan. 4, 2026
Experience the zoo at night with lights, larger-than-life displays and more.
Texas
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
through Jan. 4, 2026
Stroll along the self-guided trail to take in light displays and holiday music.
New Braunfels
through Jan. 4, 2026
Pets are also welcome to join in the car ride through a mile-long illuminated wonderland of over 3 million lights.
through Jan. 5, 2026
Rosenberg
Enjoy 60 larger-than-life lantern attractions depicting everything from space to dinosaurs. There are also nightly performances by Chinese acrobats, twinkling lights and more.
Louisiana
through Jan. 4, 2026
Bayou Segnette State Park comes alive with illuminated Chinese lanterns, performances by Chinese acrobats and more.
through Jan. 6, 2026
Take in the over 300,000 lights and 100-plus set pieces that light up the night.
Mississippi
Pearl
through Jan. 4, 2026
Enjoy ice skating, oodles of lights and much more at Trustmark Park.
through Jan. 4, 2026
Bask in the glow of lights before hitting the ice skating rink at mTrade Park.
Alabama
through Jan. 4, 2026
Birmingham Zoo shines with more than one million lights, hundreds of handcrafted lanterns on the trails, train rides and more.
through Jan. 4, 2026
People of all ages can marvel at the state's largest animated drive-through light show, featuring holiday lights synchronized to Christmas music.
through Jan. 4, 2026
Oxford
Choccolocco Park turned into a winter playground with ice skating and snow mountain tubing. There is also a drive-through light show and more twinkling lights.
Tennessee
Gatlinburg
through Jan. 4, 2026
Not only are there over a million sparkling lights on the mountaintop, but also a hot cocoa crawl, entertainment and seasonal food to enjoy. And extend the Anakeesta experience by purchasing tickets for Astra Lumina.
Nashville
through Jan. 4, 2026
Journey along the one-mile twinkling trail that features more than a million lights.
through Jan. 4, 2026
Take in more than three million lights from your car during the over one-mile drive.
Johnson City
through Jan. 4, 2026
Wander through more than 180 decorated Christmas trees.
Georgia
Athens
Jan. 2 -3 and 9 -10, 2026
It's a groovy kind of experience as the State Botanical Garden of Georgia's Winter Wonderlights transforms into a garden light show set to disco hits.
Marietta
through Jan. 4, 2026
Six Flags White Water became the world's largest animated drive-through audiovisual experience. The mile-long trip, hosted by Chef Kuma, features larger-than-life Christmas characters, confections, colorful lights and more.
Buford
through Jan. 4, 2026
Drive through miles of sparkling displays, twinkling lights, festive scenes and more.
Florida
Orlando
through Jan. 4, 2026
The world of holiday magic is going strong through the beginning of January with live entertainment, seasonal treats, the All is Bright celebration and more.
St. Augustine
through Jan. 11, 2026
America's Oldest City glows with more than 3 million sparkling white lights decorating every corner, stretching for nearly 20 blocks.
Loxahatchee
through Jan. 18, 2026
Enjoy over 60 illuminated exhibits featuring handcrafted wildlife lanterns, explore Lion Country Safari after dark and more.
South Carolina
Cottageville
through Jan. 4, 2026
Take in the many festive lights and lighted displays.
Mountain Rest
through Jan. 10, 2026
Drive through the lake loop of the campground to see the dazzling displays and twinkling lights.
Columbia
through Jan. 11, 2026
View over 60 larger-than-life handcrafted wildlife lantern displays inspired by nature. There's also nightly snowfall, activities and more.
North Carolina
Asheville
through Jan. 4, 2026
The walk-through light show, featuring over one million lights, includes the Quilt Garden and other delights.
through Jan. 4, 2026
It's all about seasonal joy: lights, indoor sock skating, snowfall, handcrafted Chinese-style lanterns, and more.
Cary
through Jan. 11, 2026
The walk-through experience at Koka Booth Amphitheater features thousands of handcrafted, illuminated lanterns showcasing various themes, as well as cultural performances, interactive elements for all ages and more.
Virginia
Centreville
through Jan. 4, 2026
Considered as Northern Virginia's largest drive-through holiday light experience, it features a 2.5-mile display of holiday and fairytale vignettes.
Richmond
through Jan. 4, 2026
With this year's theme "The Elements," millions of lights across the Garden feature displays inspired by fire, earth, air and water, as well as a special "fifth" element, love.
Williamsburg
through Jan. 11, 2026
Stroll through illuminated Chinese lanterns, take in performances by Chinese acrobats and more.
Kentucky
through Jan. 3, 2026
Don't miss the opporutnity to drive through Louisville Mega Cavern and marvel at over 7 million points of light illuminating the vast spaces. There are themed displays and much more.
Lexington
through Jan. 4, 2026
The walk-through event features lights and themed displays throughout the ballpark.
West Virginia
Wheeling
through Jan. 4, 2026
In addition to the drive-through light show with millions of lights and festive displays, there's also Christmas at the Zoo, featuring select animal habitats, and holiday laser and light shows, and Santa's Village, featuring ice skating and the Gingerbread Express Train.
through Jan. 4, 2026
The walk-through light experience showcases plenty of twinkling lights, themed displays and immersive holiday scenes. There's also snow tubing through Jan. 31, on a hill longer than three football fields, featuring 16 different tubing lanes.
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