5 of the Best Christmas Light Shows in America
The Christmas season is moving at full speed. Most people already have their lights and displays up, making for pleasant night drives in any community. But at least once a season it’s worth it to travel a bit further to one of the largest Christmas light shows in the US. Every year, people, organizations, and cities spend hundreds of hours programming and piecing together extravagant light shows with thousands upon thousands of individual light bulbs. These shows can be spectacular, but others can be duds. To help you find the best shows, we’d like to give you a list of some of the best Christmas light mega-shows in the nation.
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
This show is so large it takes place in three different cities this year! The show’s locations change annually, but this year Shadrack’s is sporting shows in Acheville, NC; Sevierville, TN; and Myrtle Beach, SC. The shows themselves are spectacular, with over 300,000 lights each, all programmed to accompany a beautiful blend of energetic and spirited music that makes the lights dance before your eyes! The entire display is self-driven, meaning you can stay warm and cozy in your car while enjoying the lights and music. If you’re visiting family or live in any of these cities it’s worth the trip to see!
Austin Trail of Lights
The Austin Trail of lights started in 1965 in Austin, TX and is celebrating nearly 50 years of lights and Christmas spirit! This show features 1.25 miles of Christmas light displays and ramps up the fun to full festival level with food, a children’s workshop, and musical entertainment. The Austin Trail of Lights is regularly recognized as one of the top 10 light shows in the US and is well worth the trip since it includes a wide array of events of features beyond its glorious display of Christmas lights.
Enchanted Garden of Lights
If you’re looking for more than just lights, then the Enchanted Garden is for you. A Christmas light display settled within beautiful Rock City, GA, this walk-about display centers around the magic and fantasy of Christmas with dancing tree lights, and colorful characters. As you travel the garden you have the chance to spy elves and other Christmas characters. The journey also includes a variety of shops and activities like gingerbread making with Mrs. Clause!
Silver Dollar City
Located in Branson, Missouri, the Silver dollar City show features not just a beautiful Christmas light show, but a vintage Christmas village attraction. Sporting over 5 million lights and 1,000 decorated trees, this festival celebration has rides, unique shops, live performances, and delectable Christmas feasts so you when you finally do leave, it’s full of good food and joy. If you find yourself in Branson this Christmas, be sure to take the time and stop in for a show!
Lights Under Louisville
The Louisville Mega Cavern in Louisville, KY, transforms the underground drive with more light than the cavern sees in a year. A 30-minute drive features over 850 characters and more than 2 million points of light for a one-of-a-kind light show under rocks instead of under the stars! It is the most rocking light-show in Louisville, and it’s only open during the Christmas season!
Even if you don’t plan to take in any shows this year, you can set up your own Christmas lights around the home or drive through your neighborhood to see what others have done. Or, if you know of some other stellar light shows this year, tell us about them in the comments or through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or Instagram!
