Holiday lights turn ordinary streets into bright displays that draw people out after dark. Across the country, 9 of the best destinations highlight how cities and towns celebrate with glowing decorations, themed events, and nighttime walks worth planning around. From large public displays to smaller local traditions, these places show how much effort goes into making the season feel special.
Seeing holiday lights is not only about decorations but also about creating shared moments during the shortest days of the year. With these destinations, it becomes easier to choose where to go, when to visit, and what kind of atmosphere to expect. Keep reading to find spots that fit different travel styles and start mapping out a festive winter trip.
New York City, New York
New York City becomes one of the brightest holiday destinations in the country as entire neighborhoods transform for the season. Travelers visit the Rockefeller Center tree, which towers over the crowds and fills the plaza with a strong festive atmosphere. Fifth Avenue turns into a long corridor of lights, animated storefront displays, and decorated buildings that draw visitors late into the night. Bryant Park, Central Park, and several plazas add even more installations, making it easy to plan an evening walk filled with color and music. The variety of displays across the city gives travelers the chance to experience holiday scenery in both large and small settings.
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth stands out as one of the most striking holiday towns because its Bavarian-style architecture becomes fully covered in lights for the season. Nearly every building glows, from small shops to large lodges, creating an atmosphere that feels festive from morning until night. The surrounding mountains add a scenic backdrop that enhances the town’s bright streets. Visitors stroll through the central square, attend seasonal events, and enjoy performances that bring extra charm to the setting. Families, couples, and groups often plan entire weekends around the light displays, which have become one of the town’s signature attractions.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville shines during the holiday season with large-scale displays at several well-known locations. Cheekwood Estate sets up extensive outdoor and indoor decorations that draw visitors from across the region. The Opryland resort becomes a major viewing spot with thousands of lights arranged throughout indoor gardens, walkways, and outdoor areas. City parks also take part, creating a variety of routes for travelers who enjoy scenic nighttime walks. The mix of music events, special shows, and bright displays strengthens Nashville’s seasonal atmosphere. Many visitors plan their evenings around different districts, each offering its own interpretation of holiday lighting.
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio’s River Walk becomes one of the most photogenic holiday destinations once millions of lights are hung along the riverbanks. The reflections on the water create a striking scene that draws visitors onto boats, bridges, and pathways that remain active throughout the evening. Restaurants and shops along the river participate in the season by decorating their fronts, adding more color to the already bright surroundings. Festivals, music events, and holiday markets appear throughout the area, giving travelers plenty to experience while exploring the illuminated walkways. The combination of light displays and riverside scenery makes San Antonio memorable during this time of year.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago lights up multiple neighborhoods and major attractions during the holiday season, creating several routes for travelers who enjoy bright nighttime scenery. The Magnificent Mile features trees wrapped in lights and storefronts decorated for the season, drawing crowds for evening walks. Lincoln Park Zoo hosts a large light event with themed tunnels, displays, and animal-shaped installations. Chicago Botanic Garden and Morton Arboretum also create scenic outdoor light shows that attract families and visitors seeking larger installations. Smaller neighborhoods add their own charm with decorated homes and local festivals. The city’s variety of displays gives travelers many ways to enjoy the season.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Want to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later when you're planning your trip!
Las Vegas becomes even brighter during the holiday season as resorts, outdoor plazas, and entertainment districts set up large displays that transform the city at night. Visitors walk through themed installations, interactive setups, and glowing pathways that appear across the Strip and Downtown. Many hotels design their own seasonal displays, adding massive trees, light tunnels, and decorative sculptures inside lobbies and courtyards. Outdoor attractions such as the LINQ Promenade and Downtown’s canopy display add more color and motion to the experience. Travelers often plan evenings around viewing several resorts in one trip, since each property creates its own interpretation of holiday lighting on an impressive scale.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston hosts one of the Southeast’s largest holiday light events, drawing travelers who enjoy scenic displays set across parks, marshlands, and waterfront areas. The city’s main festival includes large installations, moving lights, themed figures, and drive-through routes that create a full evening experience for families and visitors. Historic districts join in with decorated homes, streets, and public buildings that reflect the city’s architectural charm. Waterfront areas also set up bright displays that pair well with nighttime walks and seasonal events. The combination of coastal scenery and holiday lighting gives Charleston a strong seasonal presence that appeals to travelers looking for a relaxed but memorable outing.
Denver, Colorado
Denver lights up several parts of the city during the holiday season, creating multiple destinations for travelers who enjoy bright nighttime scenery. Downtown streets, plazas, and historic buildings are decorated with large displays that stay active throughout December. Denver Zoo and the city’s botanical gardens host major seasonal light shows with themed paths, lantern setups, and large outdoor designs. Neighborhoods across the city often participate, adding decorated homes and local events that create small clusters of festive streets. The steady winter weather and clear nights give travelers a good chance to enjoy these displays at a comfortable pace while exploring different parts of the city.
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine’s “Nights of Lights” is known as one of the country’s most striking holiday displays, covering the entire historic district in millions of white lights. Buildings, bridges, tree canopies, and waterfront areas glow throughout the season, creating a scenic backdrop for nightly walks. Visitors tour the town on foot, by trolley, or by boat to see different angles of the illuminated streets. The combination of old Spanish architecture and bright lights gives the city a distinct seasonal identity that draws travelers from across the country. Many visitors plan full evenings around strolling through plazas and taking photos along the waterfront.
A Season That Shines
Whether you prefer classic main streets or full-scale city displays, these destinations show how holiday lights can shape the feel of a place. Some lean into tradition with walkable neighborhoods and simple decorations, while others go bigger, using landmarks, parks, and public spaces to create nights that feel celebratory without being overwhelming. Traveling to see holiday lights is not just about the displays themselves, but about slowing down, walking a little longer than planned, and letting the season set the pace.
These spots make room for quiet moments, shared memories, and the kind of winter evenings that feel memorable long after the lights come down. If you are planning a seasonal trip, or just looking for a reason to get outside after dark, these destinations show how thoughtful lighting can turn an ordinary winter night into something worth remembering.
13 Cozy U.S. Cities to Spend the Holidays
The holidays are the perfect time to explore the charm of cozy cities across the U.S. From twinkling lights to festive traditions, these cities offer the ideal atmosphere for making unforgettable memories. Whether it’s ice skating in a city square or sipping hot cocoa by the fire, each destination has something special that’ll make the holiday season magical.
Read More Here: 13 Cozy U.S. Cities to Spend the Holidays
9 Charming Small Towns in the U.S. That Go All Out for the Holidays
The holiday season feels extra special in small towns across the United States, where traditions, community spirit, and festive cheer come together. These nine small towns go all out, turning into cozy winter wonderlands that bring the holidays to life.
Read More Here: 9 Charming Small Towns in the U.S. That Go All Out for the Holidays
