Famous Christmas Light Displays Around the US

Whether you’re driving through tunnels of lights or strolling along quaint village streets with a steaming hot chocolate in hand, one of the best parts of the holiday season is all of the decorations. Check out some of these decked out holiday displays and events happening near Thousand Trails campgrounds this month!

Trail of Lights, Zilker Park, Austin Texas

From now until December 23, Zilker Park in Austin, Texas is home to the Trail of Lights! This annual tradition has been going strong for the last 52 years and now features more than 40 displays, 2 million lights, and other holiday activities. At this unique holiday light extravaganza, you’ll walk through tunnels of colorful twinkling lights and take selfies in front of fantastic light displays in the famous Zilker Park. This tradition began in 1965 and was known as “Yule Fest.” It was put on by the Parks and Recreation Department for the citizens and visitors of Austin and has since become one of the largest events in the city. Tickets are $3 and you must buy parking passes in advance on austintrailoflights.org. Zilker Park is about an hour and a half drive from the Colorado River RV Campground.

Leavenworth, Washington

Every year, the town of Leavenworth, Washington embraces the winter and the holiday season by hosting a massive winter festival. Throughout the month of December, the town gleams with over half a million lights and is full of the sounds of caroling and bells ringing in the air. On Friday evenings there are live musical performances and the arrival of St. Nickolaus at the Front Street Gazebo. Visitors on Saturdays and Sundays will be able to catch performances of hand bell choirs, the Army National Guard Dixie Band, and “the best high school and professional choirs in the Pacific Northwest,” in the Front Street Gazebo. For more details on the festivities, visit leavenworth.org. Leavenworth is approximately 30 minutes drive from Leavenworth RV Campground.

Peacock Lane, Portland, Oregon

The residents of Peacock Lane in Portland, OR have been decorating their street to celebrate the holiday season for decades. These incredible animated light displays are often accompanied by holiday soundtracks and visited by thousands of visitors each year. The street will be closed to cars for “Pedestrian Only Nights” on December 15 – 17. The street is open to spectators from 6PM- 11PM every day until the 31st of December. Currently, Peacock Lane is seeking a National Historic Designation and you can help this effort by visiting their website: peacocklane.org. Peacock Lane is located in southeast Portland, OR, about a one hour drive from the Mt. Hood Village RV Resort.

Candy Cane Lane, Los Angeles, CA

Candy Cane Lane is described as “a group of homeowners at Lubao & Oxnard Streets in Woodland Hills who collectively decide each year to put on an amazing holiday display of lights and decorations.” Visitors typically drive slowly with headlights dimmed down so that everyone can enjoy this fantastic display of holiday lights! Lights are turned off after 10pm on weekdays and 11pm on weekends. Candy Cane Lane is located about an hour drive from the Soledad Canyon RV & Camping Resort.

Tell us about your favorite places to see Christmas light displays in the comments!