The Best Places To See The Holiday Lights in North America

The holidays have arrived! Not only do we love this time of year, but we love seeing all of the gorgeous lights and decorations...

Kathy Toomey

December 4th, 2019

3 min read

The holidays have arrived!

Not only do we love this time of year, but we love seeing all of the gorgeous lights and decorations all over North America.

1. Hershey Sweetlights | Hershey Park, Pennsylvania

Experience the magic of nearly 600 illuminated displays from the comfort of your heated car! Hershey Sweetlights, is located inside of Hershey Park and is a part of Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, a seasonal festival held every year at the park that includes over 4 million lights, rides and roller coasters and more.

2. Winter Festival of Lights | Niagara Falls, Ontario

This spectacular celebration dates back to 1982 and is Canada's largest illumination festival. Over 1.8 million people flock to Niagara Falls every year to enjoy 15 Canadian Wildlife displays, over fifty trees wrapped in lights, the world’s largest Canadian-American Flag, a light show on the Toronto Power Generating Station, the two-storey tall Zimmerman Fountain, and a visitor favourite, Noah’s Ark!

3. Illumination at Morton Arboretum | Lisle, Illinois

This award-winning light show is a mile long walking tour through the 50 acre arboretum with stunning lights, music, and projections. You can even warm up by the crackling fire while roasting marshmallows!

4. Austin Trail of Lights | Austin, Texas

See Zilker Park transform into the walk-through Trail of Lights that attracts thousands of locals and tourists every year. The celebration includes two million lights, 90 holiday trees, over 70 displays, and nightly entertainment. This year marks the 55th annual celebration!

5. Busch Garden's Christmas Town | Williamsburg, Virginia

Busch Gardens goes all out for their holiday celebration, including over 10 million lights, a tree maze, rides and coasters, festive food and drinks, holiday shopping, and heart-warming shows. Even Rudolph stops to make an appearance at the celebration!

6. Denver Botanic Gardens | Denver, Colorado

Celebrate the holiday season at the Blossoms of Light at the Denver Botanic Gardens! This event has been a local favorite for over three decades and transforms York Street into a winter wonderland. You won't want to miss the spectacular 360-degree immersive light experience!

7. Disneyland | Anaheim, California

Who wouldn't want to celebrate one of the most magical times of the year at one of the most magical places in the world? As expected, Disneyland goes all out for their seasonal celebration with festive decor, classic park attractions turned into a winter wonderland, and the Season of Lights evening shows.

8. Festival of Lights | Vancouver, Canada

Hosted in the VanDusen Botanical Garden, the Festival of Lights is a yearly celebration that includes a carousel, mesmerizing dancing lights on Livingstone Lake, Santa's Lodge for free photos with Santa, and tons of selfie spots and photo opps for the whole family!

About the author

Kathy Toomey

828-817-0942

**Your Trusted Guide in Western NC & Upstate SC** Looking to buy or sell in the beautiful Western North Carolina or Upstate South Carolina region? You’re in good hands with Kathy Toomey. With over 19 years of real estate experience, Kathy brings not only deep market knowledge but also a calm, steady hand throughout the process. Her background in Finance and Human Resources gives her strong negotiation skills, a detail-oriented mindset, and the patience needed to help you reach your goals—on your timeline and within your budget. Kathy knows this area inside and out. Whether you're searching for a quiet mountain escape, a lively downtown scene, or something in between, she’ll guide you through each unique neighborhood and keep you informed on local trends, hidden gems, and what makes each community special. She’s also all about results. Sellers benefit from customized marketing strategies and expert staging advice to help homes sell quickly and for top dollar. Buyers gain a trusted advocate who listens first and navigates the market confidently to find the perfect fit. Outside of real estate, Kathy is an active community leader and proud local. She currently serves on the Hendersonville Board of Realtors and is a past president of both the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce and the Tryon/Polk County Board of Realtors. A long-time volunteer and past Treasurer of Foothills Humane Society, she’s also a proud pet foster and adopter. As the owner of New View Realty LLC, she’s a strong supporter of local events and nonprofits—because community matters. **Recent Honors:** * *Favorite Realtor in the Foothills*, Tryon Daily Bulletin, 2024 * *Tryon Citizens of the Year*, 2023 (with husband John) * *Volunteer of the Year*, Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce, 2013 **Professional Designations:** ABR, CRS, ePRO, GRI, PSA, SFR, SRS **Let’s Get Started:** Whether you're buying your first home, selling a longtime property, or dreaming of something new, Kathy would love to help. Reach out today for a friendly, no-pressure consultation—and discover the difference a dedicated, community-focused Realtor can make.