Virginia really enjoys celebrating holidays, and one way it shows its festive spirit is by lighting up the night with beautiful Christmas lights.
From gardens and parks to historic sites and small towns, there are many places in Virginia where you can experience the magic of the season. Here are some towns in Virginia with fantastic Christmas light displays.
Williamsburg
When it comes to Christmas, one Virginia community goes all out.With a total of 10 million lights, Busch Gardens has the largest Christmas light show in North America.
The Jamestown settlement is another option; it provides tours that show visitors how the colonists observed the holidays.Additionally, you may take a tour around Williamsburg’s famous Colonial district, where you can see how the streets and buildings are decked out with lanterns, candles, and wreaths.
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Richmond
There are several places to view Christmas lights in Virginia’s capital city.Over half a million shimmering lights cascade over natural elements, including a 20-foot Christmas tree, at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s GardenFest of Lights, which is one of the most popular events.
The Richmond Tacky Lights Tour is an additional attraction that features the homes of locals who go all out for their Christmas décor, producing a visual extravaganza of hues, patterns, and themes.
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Norfolk
Norfolk is a city by the coast, and they have a special way to enjoy Christmas lights – on a boat! The Garden of Lights at Norfolk Botanical Garden has over a million lights spread across 60 acres.
You can either drive through to see the lights or choose a boat tour to cruise through the garden’s waterways, catching the reflections of lights on the water. Another cool option is Winterfest on The Wisconsin, where the historic battleship is decorated with lights. You can also enjoy live entertainment, food, and drinks there.
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Galax
Galax is a little town in Southwest Virginia that has the High Country Lights, a fantastic light show with more than 100,000 lights that move with the music. The show happens every night between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
You can listen to the music on a nearby radio station as you drive or walk through the display. The show doesn’t cost anything to see, but they welcome donations to help the local park where it takes place.
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Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge is a town known for its amazing natural feature—a 215-foot tall limestone arch over a creek. The town celebrates Christmas with two events highlighting this landmark.
One is Luminary Nights at Natural Bridge State Park, where you can stroll along a lit trail adorned with thousands of candles and lanterns, creating a peaceful and romantic setting.
The other event is the Christmas Lighting of The Tunnel at Natural Tunnel State Park. Here, you can witness the 850-foot long tunnel illuminated with colorful lights and decorations.
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Final Words
Virginia celebrates Christmas in various ways, blending tradition with quirky and natural with artificial. Whether you seek a romantic escape, a family outing, or a historical journey, you’ll discover a Virginia town with a Christmas light display to match your preferences.
Don’t pass up the opportunity to explore these Virginia towns and witness their festive nighttime glow—you might discover your own perfect holiday haven amid the dazzling lights.
