Ho ho ho! It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year. Tis the season to be jolly as we deck the halls with boughs of holly. And what better to channel the festive spirit than with the sparkle and shine of holiday lights.
Holiday lights embody everything beautiful about the festive season. Flickering colored lights have a way of brightening up moods and bringing some cheer to the dreary winter nights. And if you’re looking to enjoy a dazzling display of holiday cheer, there are plenty of sparkling spectacles for you to explore.
Here are the best places to see holiday lights around Charlottesville.
1. Boar’s Head Resort Winter Wander Trail of Lights
The Boar’s Head Resort gives a glowing tribute to the season with the Winter Wander Trail of Lights. Back for its second year, the family-friendly event presented by the University of Virginia is arguably one of the best holiday lights displays around Charlottesville.
Winder Wander features a twinkling path of pure magic that illuminates the rolling landscape around Heritage Lake. It’s a short walk but a memorable one.
When: November 18, 2022 – January 7, 2023 (Select Nights)
Where: 200 Ednam Drive, Charlottesville VA
More Details: https://www.boarsheadresort.com/wander
2. Tinsel Trail
Head over to the Lawn at Stonefield to experience the beauty of the festive season on the Tinsel Trail. It’s one of the best places to see holiday lights around Charlottesville for a couple of reasons:
- It’s a free event accessible to anyone in the Charlottesville area.
- There are around 100 illuminated trees that create a dazzling display of holiday magic.
- Proceeds from donations will be channeled to the Junior League of Charlottesville (JLC), which helps improve the community.
When: November 26, 2022 – January 2, 2023
Where: Lawn at Stonefield, 2100 Hydraulic Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22901
More Details: https://www.shopsatstonefield.com/event/tinsel-trail/
3. Veritas Illuminated
Put the pedal to the metal and get over to Veritas Vineyards and Winery in Afton for a festively lit display that is nothing short of enchantingly spectacular. If the elaborate holiday lights don’t warm your heart, you can cozy up in the tasting room by the fireplace as you enjoy delicious s’mores and hot chocolate.
When: November 17, 2022 – January 8, 2023 (Select Nights)
Where: 151 Veritas Lane, Afton, Virginia 22920
More Details: https://veritaswines.com/veritas-illuminated
4.Dominion GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Richmond
The Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens is a little over an hour’s drive from Charlottesville, but you surely won’t be disappointed! You’ll be jingling all the way back home after strolling the festive fairyland when it glows to life under the illumination of millions of holiday lights. Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights was actually named one of the top 10 botanical garden holiday lights shows by USA Today.
Still, there’s more to the glowing wonderland than its magical holiday lights. There are tons of family-friendly attractions to spread the holiday cheer—from a model train to botanical decorations.
When: November 21, 2022 – January 8, 2023 (Closed Dec. 24 & 25)
Where: 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23228
More Details: https://www.lewisginter.org/visit/events/dominion-gardenfest-of-lights/
5. Richmond Tacky Lights Tour
And while you’re still in Richmond after soaking in the magic of the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, consider charting a course around the city’s famous tacky lights tour.
Simply put, the folk in Richmond and the surrounding area have a penchant for over-the-top holiday lights. Taking a slow drive down some of the recommended routes is bound to leave you amazed and/or inspired to upgrade your next holiday light show.
Where: Richmond, VA
More Details: https://discoverrichmondtours.com/best-tacky-lights-tour-route-richmond-va/
6. Busch Gardens Williamsburg Christmas Town
Dubbed the “World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park,” Busch Gardens is a must-visit for residents of Virginia and beyond. It’s both Instagram-worthy and memorable for the whole family.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town is a chance to add some shine to your holiday traditions with one of North America’s largest holiday lights displays—with over ten million twinkling lights lighting up the Christmas Town. The annual event also boasts some thoroughly fun attractions, including the world’s fastest multi-launch coaster, Christmas stories by the big guy in the red suit, and ice skating.
When: November 11, 2022 – January 8, 2023 (Select Dates)
Where: 1 Busch Gardens Boulevard, Williamsburg, VA 23185
More Details: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/events/christmas-town/
7. The Illuminate Light Show at Doswell
According to the event organizers of The Illuminate Light Show, “We just like to see the kids’ smiles. Adults also. They love this stuff; they really do.” And with around two and a half miles of synchronized holiday lights (millions of them), it’s easy to see why.
You get to sync your car radios to Christmas music as you drive through the jolly light show. And if that doesn’t get you in the holiday spirit, rest assured, Santa’s Village will have you singing carols and making merry at the end of the light show. It features a mechanical reindeer, the jolly old elf himself, a petting zoo, and vendors to cheer you up.
When: Open through January 1
Where: Meadow Event Park, 13111 Dawn Blvd., Doswell, VA
More Details: https://www.illuminatelightshow.com/about
Lighting Up the Holidays
There you have it: A few of the best places to see holiday lights around Charlottesville. On top of wrapping your home in a warm glow with holiday lights, let your holiday spirit shine by visiting one of these venues/events.
Wishing you a bright and extra merry holiday season!
