The Best Drive-Through Christmas Lights in America
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Whether you’re RVing during the Christmas season or hanging out in your hometown, driving through Christmas lights is a fun way to get you in the spirit.
We’re letting you in on seven places around the country where you can find drive-throughs each year. Perhaps you’ll want to structure an RV trip around one or more of these locations.
Let’s check them out!
What Is a Drive-Through Christmas Light Display?
A drive-through Christmas light display is typically one or more streets of houses in a neighborhood that all agree to decorate their homes and yards in light shows. Then, you can drive through the streets to view the displays.
Furthermore, some homeowners go the extra mile to add in things like music and cookies. It’s fun and festive.
The Best Drive-Through Christmas Lights in America
From the east to the west coast, let’s check out seven of the best drive-through Christmas light displays in the U.S. They’ll certainly get you in the holiday spirit!
#1. Glendale Glitters, Arizona
Address: N 58th Ave and W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85305. The lights are in a 12-block area that includes the Old Towne and Catlin Court districts.
About Glendale Glitters: Downtown Glendale, Arizona, hosts the Glendale Glitters Holiday Lights each year. In fact, nearly one million lights bring downtown to life. You can drive or walk by the festive wonderland.
Need to Know: Glendale Glitters Holiday Lights opens the day after Thanksgiving and closes the second week of January. It’s free to experience.
Christmas Cheer Rating: 10/10
#2. Candy Cane Lane, California
Address: 5966 Lubao Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367. You can drive to the Christmas lights at the intersection of Lubao and Oxnard Streets. This is near Pierce College, in Woodland Hills, a neighborhood in Los Angeles.
To get there from the 101 freeway in the west part of the San Fernando Valley, exit at Winnetka Avenue. Drive north on Winnetka Ave. When you’re just across from Pierce Junior College, turn right on Oxnard Street.
If there’s a traffic jam, you can park and walk Candy Cane Lane.
About Candy Cane Lane: Candy Cane Lane is a drive-through light display in a neighborhood. The homeowners come together to put on the festive event each year. It’s been a tradition since 1952, and neighbors like to one-up each other with their decorations.
Need to Know: Residents have requested that visitors drive by no later than 10 p.m. on weeknights and no later than 11 p.m. on weekends. Many turn off their lights after these
times.
Christmas Cheer Rating: 10/10
#3. Holiday Light Fantasia, Connecticut
Address: 1106 Maple Ave, Hartford, CT 06114
About Holiday Light Fantasia: Holiday Light Fantasia is an annual tradition in Hartford. It’s a two-mile-long Christmas light drive-through with 200 individual displays. The scenes celebrate Christmas in addition to Hanukkah, New Year’s, and Three Kings Day.
Need to Know: Holiday Light Fantasia runs from Thanksgiving to January 2. It’s open Thursday to Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $16 per car when purchased online or $20 per car at the entrance. Up to eight people are allowed per vehicle, and the proceeds benefit a kids’ camp.
Christmas Cheer Rating: 9/10
Pro Tip: Bring the open road to your Christmas tree with these 7 Festive RV Christmas Ornaments.
#4. Fantasy in Lights, Georgia
Address: Fantasy in Lights takes place at Callaway Resorts & Gardens: 17800 US Hwy 27, Pine Mountain, GA 31822
About Fantasy in Lights: Fantasy in Lights is one of National Geographic’s Top 10 Light Displays worldwide. You can visit the Christmas village, get photos with Santa, and ride through the illuminated forest.
This year, they additionally have a new scene that’s almost two football fields long with a 10-story Christmas tree.
Need to Know: The light display is open from November 19 to January 3. Tickets start at $19.95 per adult and $16.95 for ages 3-11. Prices can also go up to $34.95, depending on which night you visit.
Christmas Cheer Rating: 10/10
#5. 34th Street, Maryland
Address: On the 700 block of 34th Street between Chestnut Avenue and Keswick Road in Baltimore, Maryland.
About Baltimore’s 34th Street: The Miracle on 34th Street in Hampden is a long tradition for this community. You can drive or walk through the light display.
There’s also hot chocolate and cookies available for donations to benefit local animal shelters.
Need to Know: Miracle on 34th Street starts at 6 p.m. on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and runs through New Year’s Day.
Christmas Cheer Rating: 9/10
#6. Santa Claus Land of Lights, Indiana
Address: Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort, 78 N Holiday Blvd, Santa Claus, IN 47579
About Santa Claus Land of Lights: Santa Claus Land of Lights is a 1.2-mile drive-through Christmas light display. It’s a great event for the whole family, and in fact, it all takes place inside the RV resort.
However, it’s part of the Santa Claus Christmas Celebration, which takes place throughout the whole town.
Need to Know: Santa Claus Land of Lights is open on Thanksgiving night and Friday-Sunday nights from November 26 to December 5. It’s then open nightly from December 10 to 27 but closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The cost is $15 per car.
Christmas Cheer Rating: 9/10
#7. Magic Christmas Lights at Bellingrath Gardens, Alabama
Address: Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd, Theodore, AL 36582
About Magic Christmas Lights at Bellingrath Gardens: The Magic Christmas Lights at Bellingrath Gardens is a walking tour through the gardens. It features 1,100 set pieces, three million lights, and 16 scenes throughout the 65-acre Garden estate.
It takes about an hour to walk through the display. Hot chocolate and snacks are also available for purchase.
Need to Know: The display is open nightly from November 26 to January 5. Though, it’s closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day. The price starts at $8 for children and $16 for adults for the gardens-only package. Children under 4 are free.
Christmas Cheer Rating: 8/10
Pro Tip: Don’t know what to get your loved ones who love RVing? Check out these Top 10 RV Christmas Gifts.
Where Will You Experience the Holiday Spirit?
We hope you have the opportunity to visit one of these Christmas light displays this year. They’ll certainly get you into the holiday spirit, and each one is great to enjoy with family or friends.
Do you know of other Christmas light displays that would make your top 10 list?
Let us know in a comment.
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