Best Places in Virginia to See Holiday Lights – Tis the Season to Sparkle

Holiday festivities are ramping up. If you listen closely enough, you can catch the merry sound of jingle bells fast approaching from the North—followed closely by the roaring flare of fireworks like a perfect symphony. There’s that familiar Christmastime whimsy, magic, and wistfulness floating in the chilly winter air.

Regardless of how you like to spend the festive season, there’s nothing quite like a stellar display of blinking red, green, and white bulbs to channel the holiday spirit. Glittering holiday lights have become a part of our identity and the epitome of holiday cheer.

7 Top Spots to See Christmas Light Displays in Virginia

Wondering where you can marvel in colorful seasonal holiday light displays in Virginia? We’ve rounded up some of the best options that offer thrilling experiences for the family.

Bundle up, take in the sounds of the seasons, and drive (or stroll) to some of these dreamy holiday wonderlands for a memorable experience.

1. Winter Wander at Boar’s Head Resort – Charlottesville

What do you get when you marry dazzling light displays and the immaculate beauty of nature? Whatever it is, it must come close to the experience at Boar’s Head Resort Winter Wander by UVA Health.

With a description like, “Experience the nature of our rolling landscape during this illuminated lakeside stroll as an extraordinary palette of colorful illuminations blanket the natural surroundings for a magical show of lights like no other,” you can rest assured that you’ll be getting nothing short of pure holiday magic.

With everything from a massive, awe-inspiring holiday tree, music, shopping, Santa, and a food truck, Winter Wander at Boar’s Head Resort is a bucket-list item for anyone in Charlottesville and beyond.

Website: https://www.boarsheadresort.com/wander

Select Nights: November 26 – January 30

2. GardenFest of Lights at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden – Richmond

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden gives the impression of a land where fairies dwell. The already glorious and tranquil landscape lights up in millions of fairy-dust-esque twinkling lights.

This breathtaking light display is part of an annual event featuring model trains, live music, and handcrafted botanical decorations. There’s even a fire pit to roast s’mores as you take in the thoroughly exciting family experience.

Website: https://www.lewisginter.org/

Select Nights: November 22 – January 9

3. Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens – Vienna

Winter Walk of Lights by the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is a family-friendly event that continues to impress—10 years and thousands of visitors later. You get to stroll a little over a half-mile down an asphalt trail lined with enchanting holiday lights that suck you in ever so gently as you get lost in the magical wonderland.

The self-guided experience includes Fountain Lights, animated Lakeside Lights, and the Holiday Nature Walk. You can also do some holiday shopping in case you’ve not stocked up for the festivities or some late Christmas gifting ideas. Plus, there’s an opportunity to roast marshmallows (how delightful is that?).

Website: https://www.novaparks.com/events/winter-walk-of-lights

Select Nights: November 11 – January 2

4. Celebration in Lights – Newport News

They say old is gold—and this rings true for the first drive-through holiday lights display in Virginia: Celebration in Lights in Newport News. With this being their 29th go at putting up a dazzling show, you might expect the event to be antiquated—but this is far from the reality.

The Newport News Park comes alive with millions of shimmering lights that could stretch for miles, hundreds of animated displays, and more arches than you can care to count.

Hint: Make sure you visit Santa’s Enchanted Kingdom area to experience the holiday spirit in full swing. And keep your eyes peeled for the Old Man in a red suit.

Website: https://www.nnva.gov/2414/Celebration-in-Lights

Select Nights: November 25 – January 1

5. Bull Run Festival of Lights – Centreville

Dubbed “the season’s best, brightest, and socially distant activity to enjoy with your family and friends,” the Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centerville definitely lives up to the hype. The annual event is a full-on holiday extravaganza lined with a host of activities to keep you hooked in wonder for hours.

From shimmering animated displays and Christmas decorations stretching for 2.5 miles to a Holiday Village complete with carnival rides, there are tons of Instagram-worthy spots to share your amazement with your online community. 

Website: https://www.novaparks.com/events/bull-run-festival-of-lights

Select Nights: November 11 – January 2

6. Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village at Meadow Event Park – Doswell

Head over to the Illuminate Light Show for outdoor displays that shine bright enough to beacon Santa all the way from the North Pole. For a snippet of the experience, there’s a 50-foot Christmas tree and an 80-foot tunnel of lights in this magnificent drive-through event. To sprinkle some holiday magic on top of all this, the millions of LED lights can be synchronized to your car’s radio.

And don’t forget to take a photo with the jolly main elf himself as you enjoy some delicious holiday treats in Santa’s Village.

Website: https://www.illuminatelightshow.com/

Select Nights: November 12 – January 2

7. Busch Gardens Christmas Celebration – Williamsburg

Busch Gardens in Williamsburg is ordinarily a charming bucket-list-worthy theme park in Virginia. But it adds some extra bedazzle during the holidays by wrapping the raw beauty with ten million twinkling lights to transform the park into a Christmas Town.

To spell it out: You don’t know how spell-bindingly beautiful Christmas lights are until you’ve made your way to Busch Gardens Christmas Celebration in Williamsburg. It’s actually one of the largest light displays in North America.

Aside from the magnificent Christmas light display, you can enjoy ice skating, holiday shows, thrilling rides, holiday shopping, and of course, festive treats.

Website: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/events/christmas-town/

Select Nights: November 12–January 2

Wishing You a Dazzling, Magical, and Happy Holiday Season!

If you’re up for some exploring this festive season, plan a visit to one of these magnificent events for enchanting holiday light displays.

Remember, the festive season is all about the experience. It’s about reliving the special memories from our childhood and creating new experiences with the familiar holiday tinge every year. It’s about family. It’s about gratitude for the year that has passed and renewal for new beginnings.

Happy Holidays from the Avenue Realty team!

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