The holiday season brings a magical tradition that shines bright every year: dazzling light displays that transform cities and landscapes into sparkling winter wonderlands. From twinkling holiday lights adorning historic homes to synchronized light shows set to festive music, these spectacles are a beloved tradition for families across the United States. Whether strolling through a park aglow with color or driving through streets lined with shimmering trees and animated displays, the beauty of holiday lights sparks joy and creates treasured moments with family and friends.
For 2025, here are standout confirmed events around the country offering light, cheer and seasonal experiences.
Table of contents:
- Alabama – Mobile County
- California – Los Angeles
- California – Riverside
- Imaginarium: California (4 locations)
- California – Southern: Coachella Valley, Marina Del Rey, San Diego, Encinitas
- Illinois – Chicago
- Nebraska – Omaha
- LuminoCity: New York/Maryland
- Oregon – Portland
- Pennsylvania – Philadelphia
- Texas – Grand Prairie
- Texas – Houston
- Wisconsin – La Crosse
- Enchant: Las Vegas/Los Angeles
La Crosse, Wisconsin: Electrical Lights Feed the Hungry
Now in its 31st year, Rotary Lights returns to Riverside Park with drive-through, walk-through and carriage-ride viewing starting November 28. Opening night features a 5 pm parade, ceremony and fireworks. Santa and his reindeer appear nightly through December 23, with the live nativity, carriage rides and hay rides offered on select evenings. Free s’mores are available every night near the giant snowman. All Abilities Night takes place on December 1 from 5–8 pm with adjusted lights and sound for a more accessible experience. The ice rink and free skate rental will be open as the weather permits.
This is a free event, but food and cash donations benefit food pantries throughout the local area. This year, you can also support the Salvation Army by purchasing Baxter, the adorable Rotary Light puppy available at local retail stores.
Event: Rotary Lights at Riverside Park
Dates: 11/28/25 – 12/31/25
Open: 5-10 pm, special hours Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve
Location: 410 Veterans Memorial Drive, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601
Southern California – Los Angeles: Take a Train through a Festival of Lights in Griffith Park
“Beginning the day after Thanksgiving,” LA’s Griffith Park announced, “join us for an evening train ride around our festively decorated, one-mile track in Griffith Park.”
Every night until early January, the Griffith Park & Southern Railroad is transformed into an enchanted locomotive toward festivities in scenes decorated with thousands of lights. A gift kiosk and a few winter-themed, open-air photo booths have been added. The cost of the train ride, which goes from November 28th through January 11th is seven dollars per guest (18 months and under ride for free).
The trip lasts about 10 minutes as you make your way around a mile-long track journeying into holiday lights in one of America’s largest city parks adorned with thousands of lights. The ride’s appropriate for all ages.
Event: Holiday Light Festival Train Ride
Dates: 11/28/25 – 1/11/26 (closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve)
Open: 5-8 pm Monday – Thursday, 5-9 pm Friday & Saturday
Location: Griffith Park & Southern Railroad, 4400 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Northern Illinois – Chicago: Starscape, Lightscape and Mandylights
Lightscape returns with a reimagined 1.3-mile trail of illuminated installations that transform the Chicago Botanic Garden into a bold, artistic nighttime experience. Guests can explore the glowing path with hot chocolate in hand, listen to one of two curated Spotify playlists, and enjoy all the new installations added this season. Jingle Jam Family Nights on December 16, 17 and 18 add meet-and-greets with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Snow Queen, plus family-friendly music and themed treats. Adults can opt for Cocktails Under the Lights on November 19, December 4 and January 2 with a festive, 21+ atmosphere and specialty drinks. Lightscape also offers private event options and opportunities for proposals under the lights.
Event: Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
Dates: Select dates from 11/14/25 – 1/4/26
Open: 4:30-11 pm, last ticket time 9:15 pm
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022
Omaha, Nebraska: Holiday Lights Festival
Omaha’s Holiday Lights Festival marks its 26th season with nightly displays from November 29 through January 1 across the Old Market, North Omaha, South Omaha and The RiverFront.
The festival begins with a lighting ceremony on November 29 at Gene Leahy Mall, featuring live music at 5 pm and a 6 pm countdown that launches the season’s color-changing uplights, video projections, and a themed multimedia show presented every Friday and Saturday. Families can enjoy the KETV Family Festival on December 7, featuring free trolley service connecting downtown attractions and hands-on activities. The celebration concludes on December 31 with the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular set to a custom musical soundtrack aired on STAR 104.5, with viewing available throughout downtown.
The festival supports the Shine the Light on Hunger campaign benefiting Food Bank for the Heartland.
Event: Holiday Lights Festival
Dates: 11/29/25 – 1/1/26
Location: Downtown Omaha
Lone Star State: Motor through Prairie Lights in Texas
Prairie Lights returns November 27 through December 31 with a two-mile drive-through experience featuring four million lights, animated displays and themed lands at Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie. Guests can explore hundreds of new installations along the route before stopping at Holiday Village for a redesigned walk-through forest, free carnival rides, concessions and photos with Santa through December 23. The second half of the drive ends with Prairie Lights’ signature LED tunnel, offering a standout finale and plenty of photo opportunities.
Event: Prairie Lights
Dates: 11/27/25 – 12/31/25
Open: 6-10 pm
Location: Lynn Creek Park, 5610 Lake Ridge Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX 75052
Portland, Oregon: Electrical Lights Help Feed the Hungry
Portland’s Winter Wonderland returns November 28 through December 31, 2025, at Portland International Raceway, featuring a drive-through display of holiday lights with all proceeds supporting Sunshine Division’s hunger relief programs. Guests can also bike the lights on November 30 or join Lights & Leashes dog walks on December 1 and 2. This event, the largest fundraiser for Sunshine Division, supports local families in need, celebrates more than a century of community service, and provides a festive, light-filled experience for all ages.
Event: Winter Wonderland Portland
Dates: 11/28/25 – 12/31/25
Open: 5-10 pm Monday-Thursday, Friday-Sunday 4:30-11:00 pm
Location: Portland International Raceway, 1940 N Victory Blvd, Portland, OR 97217
California: Riverside County’s Festival of Lights
Riverside’s Festival of Lights returns for its 33rd year at the Historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, running November 23 through December 31, 2025 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day). Visitors can enjoy millions of holiday lights across the hotel and downtown Arts and Culture District, along with festive photo opportunities, food vendors, and activities.
The Switch-on Ceremony begins at 5 pm on November 22 with fireworks following.
Recognized nationally by Newsweek and USA Today, this festival remains a favorite destination for holiday lights in Southern California.
Event: Riverside Festival of Lights
Dates: 11/23/25 – 12/31/25
Location: Downtown Riverside, CA – Main St. between University Ave. and Mission Inn Ave.
Houston, Texas: Light Festival Open for Christmas and New Year’s
Houston’s Magical Winter Lights returns for 2025 at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, offering nightly displays of larger-than-life lanterns and festive attractions. Guests can explore over 60 lantern displays, including the Space Maze, Dino Land, and a towering Christmas tree, as well as carnival rides, live performances and food vendors. This immersive holiday event provides entertainment for all ages, combining twinkling lights, interactive experiences and seasonal treats for an unforgettable festive outing.
Event: Magical Winter Lights
Dates: 11/15/24 – 1/5/25
Open: 5-9:30 pm Sunday-Thursday, 5-10:30 pm Friday & Saturday
Location: 4310 TX-36 S, Rosenberg, Texas 77471
Philadelphia: An Electrical Spectacle Celebrating One of Our Nation’s Founders
Philadelphia’s Electrical Spectacle Light Show returns to Franklin Square for 2025, featuring hundreds of thousands of LED lights choreographed to holiday favorites. Highlights include Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, and José Feliciano’s Feliz Navidad.
The show is themed around Ben Franklin’s electric discoveries, complete with a giant kite and key, and runs nightly from 5 pm with performances every 30 minutes. Admission is free, making it a festive stop for families, friends, and photographers alike.
Event: Electrical Spectacle Light Show
Dates: 11/20/25 – 1/4/26
Open: 5-8 pm; closed November 27, December 25 and January 1
Location: Franklin Square, 200 N 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19106
Alabama: Magic Christmas in Lights
Alabama’s Magic Christmas in Lights returns to Bellingrath Gardens & Home for its 30th year, transforming 65 acres into a dazzling holiday paradise. Guests can stroll through thousands of twinkling lights, enjoy festive décor in the historic Bellingrath Home, and hear live choral performances throughout the gardens. Handcrafted displays by the Bellingrath team highlight the season, while seasonal treats and warm beverages add to the festive experience. This Gulf Coast tradition invites families and friends to create lasting holiday memories.
Magic Christmas in Lights is a made-in-Alabama production. Each year, set pieces for the holiday lights are designed, welded, painted and lamped by Bellingrath’s staff. Three employees work full-time all year on the light display.
Event: Magic Christmas in Lights
Dates: 11/21/25 – 1/6/26 (closed Nov 26, Nov 27, Dec 25 and Jan 1)
Open: Park open 8 am-9 pm
Location: Bellingrath Gardens & Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore, AL 36582
New York/Marylard: Luminous Wonder at LuminoCity
LuminoCity returns for 2025 with two spectacular locations—Eisenhower Park in New York and Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Maryland—offering immersive holiday experiences for the whole family.
At Eisenhower Park, Fantasy Winter Fairyland brings towering light sculptures to life, turning the park into a magical fairytale world. In Maryland, six sparkling worlds, including Holidayville, Zoofari Funland, and the debut of Luna’s Enchanted Tales, create interactive light art, whimsical scenes, and endless photo opportunities.
Both locations host festive theme nights like Lumi & Me, Cosplay Under the Lights, and Ugly Sweater Night, inviting guests to explore, dress up, and make unforgettable holiday memories.
Event: LuminoCity Festival – Fantasty Winter Fairyland
Dates: 11/7/25 – 1/1/26 Wednesday-Sunday (except holidays)
Open: 4:30-9:30 pm (Wed, Thurs, Sun) and 4:30-10:00 pm (Fri, Sat), 1-hour entry time slots
Location: Eisenhower Park, 1899 Park Blvd, East Meadow, NY 11554
Event: LuminoCity Festival – Wonder Journey
Dates: 11/14/25 – 1/1/26 Wednesday-Sunday (except holidays)
Open: 4:30-9:30 pm (Wed, Thurs, Sun) and 4:30-10:00 pm (Fri, Sat), 1-hour entry time slots
Location: Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 501 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Las Vegas/Los Angeles: An Enchanting Display of Lights
“The world’s largest Christmas light maze and village” comes to Las Vegas and Los Angeles this holiday season.
Enchant Christmas returns in 2025 with two unforgettable locations—Santa Anita Park in Los Angeles and Las Vegas Ballpark in Las Vegas—offering the award-winning World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze. Guests can explore a story-driven maze filled with immersive lights, ice skating, snow slides, festive photo ops, and live entertainment. Enchant also features a holiday marketplace and private event options, making it ideal for families, groups, and corporate celebrations. This season, experience the magic, create lasting memories, and step into a holiday adventure unlike any other.
Event: Enchant
Dates: Select dates from 11/23/25 to 12/28/25
2 Locations:
- Las Vegas, Nevada: Las Vegas Ballpark, 1650 S Pavillion Center Dr, Las Vegas, Nevada 89135
- Los Angeles, California: Santa Anita Park, 285 W Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91007
California: Reimagining the Magic of the Holidays
Imaginarium returns in 2025 with four spectacular California locations, each offering a unique walk-through immersive light experience. In Camarillo, Imaginarium Atlantis transforms the Premium Outlets into a two-acre illuminated ocean kingdom. Lakewood’s Zenthara invites visitors to explore extraordinary realms where magic comes alive. Pomona’s Land of Oz guides guests down the yellow brick road through enchanted landscapes inspired by the classic story. Finally, Sacramento’s Utopia at Cal Expo presents California’s largest holiday light festival with over 15 million lights, dazzling displays, an ice rink, infinity rooms and carnival fun. Each event offers family-friendly entertainment, photo opportunities and unforgettable holiday magic.
Event: Imaginarium “Land of Oz”
Dates: 11/28/25 – 1/4/26
Locations: Fairplex, 1101 W McKinley Ave, Gate 17, Pomona, California 91768
Event: Imaginarium “Utopia”
Dates: 11/21/25 – 1/4/26
Location: Cal Expo Center, 1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento, California 95815
Event: Imaginarium “Atlantis”
Dates: 8/9/25 – 1/4/26
Location: Camarillo Premium Outlets (parking lot near Polo Ralph), 740 E Ventura Blvd, Camarillo, CA 93010
Event: Imaginarium “Zenthara”
Dates: 8/28/25 – 1/4/26
Location: Lakewood Center, 326 Lakewood Center Mall, Lakewood, CA 90712
Southern California: Bright Botanic Lights, Boats and Desert Landscapes
WildLights returns to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in 2025, bringing millions of lights and holiday magic to the Coachella Valley. Stroll through the African Safari section to enjoy dazzling light displays alongside rhinos, giraffes, zebras,and African painted dogs. Snap free photos with Santa through December 24 or the Grinch from December 26–30. Highlights include a 30-foot Christmas tree, a G-Scale model train with 3,000 feet of track and immersive walk-through exhibits. Guests can warm up at the s’mores station, grab dinner at Bighorn Cafe, or enjoy a full bar with beer, wine and specialty cocktails.
Event: Wildlights
Dates: 11/25/25 – 12/30/25 (select days)
Open: 6-9 pm
Location: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260
The 63rd Annual Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade returns on Saturday, December 13, 2025, with the theme A Nightmare Before Christmas. Boats will dazzle with lights and festive decorations, while participants perform in costumes, sing, dance, and play live music. The evening kicks off with a spectacular light show, and local businesses, along with Cedar Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital, support the festivities. Spectators and boaters alike enjoy a lively celebration of holiday cheer on the water.
Event: Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
Dates: 12/13/25
Open: 5:45-6 pm (Lightshow), 6-8 pm (Boar parade)
Location: 2 viewing locations (1) Burton Chance Park, 13650 Mindanao Way; (2) Fisherman’s Village, 13755 Fiji Way
Lightscape returns to the 37-acre San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas from November 14 through January 4, 2025. Guests can stroll a one-mile illuminated trail featuring tunnels of lights, new artistic installations, and returning favorites. Highlights include illuminated California poppies, a field of fireflies, a laser garden, and interactive displays. Visitors can enjoy festive music, seasonal bites, and holiday cocktails. Two 21+ nights are scheduled for November 20 and December 4, and the event is open on Christmas Eve. Tickets start at $28 for adults and $18 for children, with discounts for members.
Event: Lightscape
Dates: 11/27/25 – 1/4/26
Open: 5-9 pm, last entry 8:45
Location: San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024
Luminaria Nights returns to California Botanic Garden this winter, offering a serene walk among thousands of glowing luminarias, live music at three illuminated venues, and food and drinks. New for 2025, the Luminaria Night Market on December 5–6 features plants and local artisans. Members at the Acorn or Family Plus level can attend the VIP reception on December 12 with signature cocktails, snacks, and hot drinks. Tickets are $21 for adults and $16 for students, seniors and children, with $5 off for members.
Event: Luminaria Nights
Dates: 12/13, 12/14, 12/20, 12/21; members only preview night on 12/12/24
Open: 6-9 pm
Location: California Botanic Garden, 1500 N College Avenue, Claremont CA
