5 Must-See Christmas Light Displays to Visit This Holiday Season

The Christmas season is here! Nothing gets you into the Christmas spirit than venturing out with the family and looking at Christmas lights. Whether you cruise around the neighborhoods or choose to venture out of town for viewing lights, either way, it can be very pleasing.

Over the past few weeks, I have been telling you about several light displays that are worth the drive so I thought I would put together all these great places in one story to help plan your outing. In no particular order, here are the top Christmas Light Displays you must visit this holiday season.

Carmela's Magical Santa Land - Longview, Texas

Clark Griswold would be jealous of this huge display of lights, displays, and holiday-themed areas all showcasing the beauty of the Christmas season. A mind-blowing 4 million lights will be on display at Carmela's Magical Santa Land where it is absolutely FREE to Drive-thru this wonderland of lights nearly a mile long. However, donations are greatly appreciated because through your generosity they are able to keep this event up and running every year. Carmela's features dancing trees, Mickey Mouse, a nativity scene and so much more. Something new this year is a walking trail in the parking lot complete with food vendors and of course, Old St. Nick.

Texas Original Drive-Thru Park Santa Land Texas - Lindale, Texas

Santa Land Texas has become a family tradition for years near Tyler, Texas because it is one of the few parks that is actually open on the holidays. Expect your mind to be blown away with over 2.5 million lights transforming 24-acres in the piney woods of East Texas into a winter wonderland. With an array of vibrant displays, themed areas, and holiday music, Santa Land Texas has been delighting visitors young and old since 1995. The best part about this park is all the magical hand-crafted, animated, and mechanical displays you will see including the infamous "Tunnel of Lights" featuring 25,000 flashing, dancing lights, as you exit the 250-foot tunnel. Other features include driving through Christmas Lane, Elfland Carousel, Merry Mermaid and Friends, Cowboy Country, Great Fountain of Yule, and a special area of lighted religious displays dedicated to the true meaning of Christmas. Visitors can expect a few new surprises this year as well.

Wonderland of Lights - Marshall, Texas

Wonderland of Lights in beautiful, historic downtown Marshall where millions of white lights will adorn the historic 1911 Harrison County Courthouse. This popular event has been taking place since 1987 and has been delighting people of all ages for generations. From a beautifully restored vintage 1948 Herschel carousel in Santa's Village to a collection of tiny homes each featuring a fun holiday event.  Visitors can ride a horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown Marshall or enjoy the Wonderland of Sites featuring lighted historic homes, churches, patios, and museums. Make sure to shop the Christmas marketplace for some unique gifts and holiday decor.

Season of Lights - New Boston, Texas

This is another lighted drive-thru park and entertainment center that gets bigger every year and features tons of light displays, a walking trail. gift shop, photo ops, and concession stand. Kids will be able to take a picture with Santa every Friday and Saturday in a safe socially distanced kind of way. Season of Lights will be open until December 27 and located at I-30 and Exit 198 in New Boston.

Garvan Woodland Gardens Winter Festival - Hot Springs, Arkansas

Garvan Woodland Gardens will not be open during the night this year, this winter festival will strictly be a daytime event with the Evans Children's Adventure Garden, the Evans Tree House, the Hixon Nature Preserve, and the Perry Wildflower Overlook, all of which are normally closed during the evening hours. The Winter Garden Festival will feature dazzling displays of light and sound, a 50 ft. Rose Tree, Train Garden, kid-favorite James the Train, and the frozen light world. The Garvan Pavilion will be transformed into a life-sized Snow Globe and the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas has created light art installations designed by students that will coincide with dusk in the gardens. The Winter Garden Festival will take the place of their annual Holiday Lights.

So grab some hot chocolate and the family and enjoy the holiday season!

Remember, if you have decorated your home or business with lights this year you might want to enter our Light Up Texarkana Contest. Just snap a photo and send it our way using our Kicker mobile app or submitting your picture via this website and you just might win $500! The deadline to enter is this Sunday, December 13.