15 Virginia holiday light displays you won’t see anywhere else
From illuminated garden trails to coastal spectaculars, here are some of Virginia’s most unique and memorable holiday light displays.
Virginia knows how to do the holiday season right by transforming into an illuminated winter wonderland. With synchronized music and light drive-throughs, glittering battleships, and enchanted gardens, here are the Virginia holiday light displays you won’t see anywhere else.
Central Virginia
Dominion Energy Gardenfest of Lights 2025-2026
Location: 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond, VA 23228
One million lights, botanical decorations, model trains, a fairy village, seasonal dinners, fires, hot chocolate, and s’mores all come together to make the Dominion Energy Gardenfest of Lights the “Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights Show” in the U.S., according to USA Today. This year’s theme is “the elements,” with fire, earth, air, water, and love being represented in the displays.
The fest runs through Jan. 4. Advanced tickets are encouraged as walk-ups are not guaranteed.
Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village
Location: 13111 Dawn Blvd., Doswell, VA 23047
Known as the commonwealth’s largest drive-through synchronized light and music show, Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village runs through Jan. 3 at Meadow Event Park. The 2.5-mile route showcases more than 3 million Christmas lights synced to holiday music that can be played through one’s vehicle speakers.
Santa’s Village features a wide selection of local vendors who are selling gifts and treats that make for unique presents. Children can also pose for pictures with Santa.
Tickets are $30 for a vehicle with up to nine people in it.
Winter Wander Trail of Lights
Location: 200 Ednam Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22903
This year marks the fifth consecutive year of the Winter Wander Trail of Lights at Boar’s Head Resort. The Glistening Grove, a glittering scene of more than 700 light poles that are synced to music, is a new feature this year. The Candy Cane Lane and Nutcracker in Lights live dance shows are also can’t-miss.
The event runs through Jan. 3. Ticket prices increase throughout the season.
Northern Virginia
Winter Walk of Lights
Location: 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA 22182
The Winter Walk of Lights transforms Meadowlark Botanical Gardens into a holiday light show that stretches along a half-mile paved garden trail. The trail features lighted trees and holiday displays that celebrate nature. While on the trail, you can enjoy a warm beverage and later roast some marshmallows for s’mores. Make sure you also get one of the limited-edition 2025 holiday ornaments to remember the experience.
Running through Jan. 4, general admission tickets start at $20.85 online and $24 at the door.
Bull Run Festival of Lights
Location: 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville, VA 20121
The Bull Run Festival of Lights is a holiday light display spanning 2.5 miles at Bull Run Regional Park. Attendees get to enjoy the lights from the warmth and comfort of their vehicles. The end of the route includes a carnival that features holiday shopping and a petting zoo.
Those hoping to avoid crowds are encouraged to enjoy the festival Monday through Thursday. Tickets are $30 online or $40 at the door. The final date of the festival is Jan. 4.
Holiday Walk of Lights
Location: 15125 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge, VA 22191
This year marks the 4th Annual Holiday Walk of Lights, a mile-long trail of hand-crafted lights that are meant to create memories at Neabsco Regional Park and Boardwalk. Holiday characters, including the Grinch and Frosty the Snowman, will be at the event on Dec. 4, 5, 9, 12, 19, and 28. Holiday carolers will delight attendees with well-known holiday melodies Dec. 4, 12, 19, and 21. The holiday market dates are Dec. 6, 12, 20, and 27.
Attendees of the free event are encouraged to wear winter clothing and comfortable shoes. The final day of the walk is Dec. 28 from 5-9 p.m.
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
Location: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Spend an evening at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home, for an unconventional holiday light display. Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon will feature a holiday fireworks display over the Potomac River. The setting is meant to give the feeling of an 18th-century winter encampment.
Visitors will meet Gen. Washington and Aladdin the Camel and tour the newly restored first and second floors of the plantation house. The winter market is a great place to pick up a unique 18th-century ware or craft to give as a gift.
Adult tickets cost $58 ($46.40 for members), while youth tickets cost $36 for the general public ($28.80 for members), and those five and under are free.
Coastal Virginia
Bayport Credit Union Lights at the Beach
Location: 2nd Street and Broadway, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Bayport Credit Union Lights at the Beach offers an eclectic assortment of holiday splendor with brightly illuminated jumping fish, musical crabs, lively elves, and dancing penguins. The Atlantic Ocean serves as the perfect backdrop to the show. The event is rounded out with a surfing Santa, color-changing archways, a 40-foot dancing-light Christmas tree, and the largest and longest curved LED light tunnel in the world.
The event runs through Dec. 31. Advanced tickets are encouraged, as an additional $10 fee will apply to drive-up purchases.
Garden of Lights
Location: 6700 Azalea Garden Rd., Norfolk, VA 23518
More than 1.5 million lights come together to make the Norfolk Botanical Garden sparkle during the Garden of Lights event. A variety of festive food vendors will be on-site.
Member tickets are $15 for children ages 2-12 and $24 for adults on value nights (premium night tickets and non-member tickets cost extra). The final day of the event is Jan. 4.
Nauticus’ Winterfest
Location: 1 Waterside Dr., Norfolk, VA 23510
Nauticus’ Winterfest features more than two million lights on the historic Battleship Wisconsin. The event also includes live entertainment, festive food and drinks, and holiday shopping. The associated Kingdom of the Snow Queen is a 30,000-square-foot indoor wonderland full of snow and magical characters.
Tickets are $16 for children ages 3-12 and $18 for adults on value nights. The fest runs through Dec. 31.
For a cheaper alternative, consider going to the Winterfest Riverwalk, a free holiday display along Downtown Norfolk’s riverfront.
Celebration of Lights
Location: 13560 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, VA 23603
The long-running Celebration of Lights is returning to Newport News Park for its 33rd season this year. Billed as the commonwealth’s first holiday drive-through light show, the 2-mile celebration features holiday scenes that have been constructed from more than a million lights. Spectators can look forward to seeing light tunnels, snow, penguins, polar bears, and snowmen.
The event runs through Jan. 1 with admission starting at $12.
Deck the Hall at Chesapeake City Hall
Location: 306 Cedar Rd., Chesapeake, VA 23322
Deck the Hall at Chesapeake City Hall is a great way to celebrate the holidays with your whole family. Load them into the car and take them through the free drive-through light display. It runs through New Year’s Day.
Fa La La Land, an interactive outdoor wonderland, will add to the fun of the event on Dec. 13 from 5-8 p.m. It will feature baby goats in Christmas sweaters, carolers, face painting, ballerina performances, and holiday-themed food trucks.
Southwest Virginia
Illuminights
Location: 56 Roanoke River Parkway Rd., Roanoke, VA 24014
Illuminights is a half-mile wooded trail at Explore Park that is illuminated with more than 650,000 lights. The festive event also includes an artisan market, marshmallow roasting around a campfire, and Santa Claus.
Tickets are $8 for children ages 3-15 and $18 for those 16 and above. Dogs are allowed, so feel free to bring your four-legged friend along for a walk on the Walk of Lights Trail. Illuminights ends on Jan. 4.
High Country Lights
Location: 601 S. Main St., Galax, VA 24333
Known as Southwest Virginia’s largest holiday attraction, High Country Lights is visited by 65,000-70,000 people each year. The musical light show features 250,000 Christmas lights synced to classic holiday tunes. Carriage rides, food trucks, and Santa round out the event to make it a can’t-miss holiday event.
Held at Felts Park, the event is free.
First Bank Tinsel Trail
Location: 1 Main St., Fincastle, VA 24090
The historic downtown area of Fincastle is turned into a winter wonderland during the First Bank Tinsel Trail. The free event brings local businesses together to decorate trees for the community to enjoy through self-guided tours. Various holiday activities occur throughout December in conjunction with the trail.
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