The Best US Holiday Light Shows to Drive Through This Year

For many Americans, the holiday season is going to look a lot different this year. The majority will be staying home and celebrating with close family and friends, and all of those fun holiday events we’ve come to love, like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, won’t draw thousands to celebrate in the street. But events like drive-through holiday light shows mean you don’t let that dampen your holiday cheer!

For decades, holiday light shows have captured the imagination of those driving through their displays, and we don’t expect that to change, even in 2020. If you’re looking for something different to do this year, check out our top 2020 holiday light shows to pay a visit to this season. 

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Christmas Town USA holiday light shows (McAdenville, NC) 

I’m from North Carolina, and that means I have to start off this list with a nod to my favorite holiday light show. Christmas Town is exactly that – an entire town decked to the halls with extravagant Christmas cheer. While it’s always fun to walk around Main Street and up and down each row of individual houses, I’ll happily settle for a drive through this year.

Dates: December 1st through December 26th

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights (Brooklyn, NY)

If you’re in the Big Apple, you have plenty of great holiday light shows to experience, but if you’re looking for something a little more quaint, why not visit Dyker Heights in Brooklyn? For decades, the residents have painstakingly created dazzling light shows and displays for people to stroll or drive through. 

Dates: Varies

Candy Cane Lane holiday light shows (Woodland Hills, CA)

Every year, residents in this Los Angeles neighborhood go above and beyond to deck out their 8-block stretch of “Candy Cane Lane” for visitors from near and far. 

Dates: December 12 through December 31

Trail of Lights (Austin, TX)

While this event is normally open for walkers, this year’s Trail of Lights will be open to drivers only. Thankfully the trail’s displays will be just as exuberant and over-the-top as ever. 

Dates: November 29th through January 3rd

The Lights of Christmas (Stanwood, WA)

Over 1 million lights make up the dozens of displays in Stanwood, Washington. From an infinity light tunnel to larger-than-life portrayals of Santa and his reindeer, there’s something for everybody to enjoy at The Lights of Christmas. 

Dates: November 27th through December 30th

Fantasy of Lights (Upper Sandusky, OH)

If you’re from the Midwest, you’ll have a lot of great holiday light shows to choose from. But one of our favorites is the Fantasy of Lights in Ohio. Drive through over 30 acres of park lit up with gorgeous lights and holiday displays. 

Dates: December 1st through December 30th

Fantasy of Lights holiday light shows (Los Gatos, CA)

Not to be confused with the drive-through event in Ohio, California’s version of the Fantasy of Lights offers up 1.5 miles of extravagant lights for holiday travelers to revel in. Plus, displays are set to specific music, which you can tune into via your car’s radio. 

Dates: December 4th through December 20th 

Just remember to stay safe this holiday season! And if you’re still looking for gifts and stocking stuffers for the car lover in your life, take a look through our 2020 gift guide.