Are you looking for the best places to see Christmas lights in Virginia? You have come to the right place because here you will find a list of the best places across the state. One of the best things about celebrating going to see Christmas lights in Virginia is that it never really gets too cold. A very popular thing to do is to pack the family up and go and pick and cut down your own Christmas tree.
From NOVA to Tidewater there are plenty of different types of drive-through Christmas lights in Virginia, walkabouts, and even a big battleship that is decked out with thousands of sparkling lights. Christmas in Virginia is an extra special time of the year when the communities come together to decorate and hang festive displays. You are going to want to add all of these special places to your list of the best places to see Christmas lights in Virginia.
15 Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Virginia
National Christmas Tree
The best place to see Christmas lights in Washington DC is the National Christmas Tree. Every year at the start of December there is a ceremony to light the famous National Christmas Tree. This tradition has been going strong since 1923, and the tree stays lit until the beginning of January. Hundreds of people meet in front of the tree before the ceremony to see it come to life every year.
You can find the tree in the city center near the White House. There is ice skating nearby and nightly live music, food stands, and mini Christmas markets. Surrounding the National Tree there 50 trees smaller trees. These trees represent the 50 states. This is fun for the whole family and is one of the best places to see Christmas lights in Washington DC.
Anderson’s North Pole
If you are looking for the best Christmas lights in Woodbridge you have to head over to Anderson’s North Pole. This is one of the best places to experience drive-through Christmas lights in Virginia. They are open every year from December 1 to the 25th and it is always free.
The Anderson’s North Pole is a family-run holiday light show and in the past, they have had visits from Santa and his helpers as well. You can drive past or get out and walk around to see some of the best Christmas lights in Virginia.
Holiday Tree Lighting in Leesburg
If you are looking to check out Christmas lights in Leesburg VA the Holiday Tree on the town green is the place to go. Every year they have an annual tree lighting party with live music, holiday characters, and community events. This year the tree will be lit on December 2nd and then the following days there will be an arts and crafts holiday show.
The holiday arts and crafts feature local handmade items for sale. Another way to see Christmas lights in Virginia would be at the Leesburg holiday parade. On the second Saturday of every December Santa comes to town and rides front and center down the street of historic Leesburg in the parade.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
One of the best places to see Christmas lights in Northern Virginia is the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. They open early starting November 11th and stay open until January 2nd. This is walk through light display that is about half a mile long. You will find festive twinkling lights wrapped around trees, walkways, and so much more.
It is best to buy tickets early and they go on sale in the middle of October. They are sold in timed increments so they can ensure that they will not be overcrowded. You are going to love seeing some of the best Christmas lights in Virginia.
Ice & Lights | Nova Parks
Head over to Ice and lights to see the best Christmas lights in Alexandria. Here you will find a wonderful winter wonderland at Cameron Run park. There is fun for the whole family here. Head over to the giant ice skating rink that opens in mid-November and stays open until the end of February. You must order your tickets online before you show up.
There are always food vendors serving up hot chocolates and plenty of sweets to enjoy. Photos ops are always plenty here with the sting lights or the 20-foot walk thru tree. It does not get much better than Ice and Lights for Virginia Christmas light displays.
Holidays at Virginia Beach’s Town Center
Head to the VB town center to see some of the best Virginia Beach Christmas lights. Every year there is a giant Christmas Tree in the town square that is lit with thousands of little lights. Enjoy Santa’s Snow Globe Workshop on the weekends. This is where you see life-size snow globes with twirling ballerinas, Santa’s helpers, musicians, and toy soldiers inside.
On the weekends you can also enjoy live music and so there are many places for holiday shopping. Most of the buildings in Town Center will be lit up and decorated for the season as well making it one of the best places to see Christmas lights in Virginia.
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Newport News Park Christmas Lights
Celebration in Lights is the best place to see Christmas lights in Newport News, VA. The Newport News Park is traditionally a park where people come to spend the day or even camp for a few days. It is one of the biggest parks on this side of the Mississippi and every year in December is transformed with over a million twinkling lights.
Pack up the whole family and go see the drive-through Christmas lights in Virginia at Newport News Park. They charge by car and if you order the ticket beforehand online you can save yourself a few dollars. They open in the middle of November and stay open until the New Year.
Illuminate Light Show Richmond VA
You are going to love going to the largest drive-through Christmas lights in Virginia. It is located right outside Richmond in Meadow Event Park in Caroline County, Va. They are open every night at 5:30 starting in mid-November and it lasts until the New Year. Pack up the whole family tight because they charge by car.
You will tune your radio station to a special channel that plays along with the lights. There is also Santa’s workshop where you can meet Santa, shop around, and enjoy snacks from the concession stand. Pets are always welcome to join you for the ride and they can even get their picture taken with Old Saint Nick.
Virginia Beach Boardwalk Christmas Lights
One of the most popular places to see Christmas lights in Virginia Beach is down at the boardwalk. This light show starts at 5th street and stretches the entire way down the boardwalk. This is the only time of the year that you can drive on the boardwalk and it is so much fun. The theme is always nautical and they are always adding new displays.
The lights are tuned to blink and illuminate the local radio station. You will see Santa fishing from the pier, dolphins swimming down the boardwalk, and dancing crabs with Santa hats on. Grab snacks and hot chocolate and head down to the beach to see some of the best holiday lights in Virginia.
Explore Park’s Winter Walk of Lights
If you are searching for the best Roanoke Christmas lights you need to head out to Park Winter Walk of Lights. Here you will find a half-mile wooden trail that has come to life with over 600,000 lights. The Winter Walk of Lights opens at the start of November and lasts all season long.
There is also an artisan shop on site with 50 local vendors, food trucks, and visits from Santa and his helpers. It is best to purchase your tickets online for the date you are trying to attend to make sure you see some of the best Christmas lights in Virginia.
Norfolk Botanical Gardens
The best place to see Norfolk Christmas lights is at the Botanical Gardens. This is a Christmas light show in Virginia where you get out and walk through the gardens. You will have a mile-long trail to explore plus it is wheelchair and strollers accessible so everyone can join.
They are open every night starting November 11th. If you wanted to save yourself some cash during the holiday season, order online then go on a weeknight they have discounted prices. There is also a special rate for military families. Enjoy a drink or snack at the cafe on-site while celebrating Christmas in Virginia with your loved ones.
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Tinsel VA
Tinsel is one of the newest places to see Christmas lights in Northern Virginia. It is located in NOVA and is put on by the Washington Capitals Hockey Team. There is always something fun going on like live music, girls’ nights out, and visits from Santa. If you visit during the right days you may even run into the mascot of the team.
Every day there is a “sweet spot scavenger hunt” for free and plenty of beautiful light displays to see. Most people spend about two hours here walking around and there are food trucks almost every night so nobody goes hungry. You will love checking out Tinsel because it is one of the best places to see Christmas lights in Virginia.
USS Wisconsin Christmas Lights
The USS Wisconsin Christmas Lights is the most unique place to see Christmas lights in VA. If you did not already know Norfolk Naval Base is the largest Navy base in the world and the USS Wisconsin is open year around for tours. But starting in early November they transform the battleship into what is known as WinterFest.
You can hang with Santa, listen to live music, and of course tour the giant ship. This would be something so fun to do with kids and they would never forget hanging with Santa on the USS Wisconsin. You can purchase tickets online and it is open Wednesday to Sunday starting October 3rd to see the coolest Christmas lights in Virginia.
Bull Run Festival of Lights
At the Bull Run Festival of Lights, you can explore through 2.5 miles of lights. This is another one of the coolest places to see drive-through Christmas lights in Virginia. Purchasing your ticket online will give you the best price and allows you to pick the day and time you want to go.
After you follow the magical glow of the lights you should stop at the Holiday Village where you will find many more festive things to do. Including bonfires, s’mores roasting, and even carnival rides. There is so much to do that they open in early November and stay open until early January you are not going to want to miss one of the best Christmas lights in Northern Virginia.
Christmas On Wendhurst
You are going to want to stop by and see Christmas on Wendhurst if you are in Richmond looking for Christmas lights in Virginia. This beautiful home has thousands of lights and all the displays are original and handmade. They have been in the news so many times since originally starting back in 2009. At Christmas, on Wendhurst they started this wonderful tradition because they wanted to share their love of Christmas in Virginia with their neighbors.
There have fun experiences like a mailbox to the north pole, a kissing station with mistletoe, fun Christmas riddles, hundreds of decorations, thousands of lights, candy canes for everyone and they even thought of your furry friends and festive treats for the pups. This is one of the best Christmas light displays in Virginia.
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