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10Best Readers' Choice: Best Public Holiday Lights Display

This year’s installment of the Festival of Lights in Downtown Riverside, Calif.  takes place between Nov. 28 and Jan. 6 and will feature more than 3.5 million lights adorning the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, Mission Inn Avenue and several municipal buildings.
This year’s installment of the Festival of Lights in Downtown Riverside, Calif. takes place between Nov. 28 and Jan. 6 and will feature more than 3.5 million lights adorning the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, Mission Inn Avenue and several municipal buildings.
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Visitors to the Riverside Festival of Lights can visit Santa, skate at the Inland Empire’s first outdoor ice rink and gawk at the world’s largest man-made mistletoe, measuring 12 by 8 feet.
Visitors to the Riverside Festival of Lights can visit Santa, skate at the Inland Empire’s first outdoor ice rink and gawk at the world’s largest man-made mistletoe, measuring 12 by 8 feet.
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city, draws inspiration from its Spanish heritage during Night of Lights, taking place from Nov. 22 to Feb. 1.
St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city, draws inspiration from its Spanish heritage during Night of Lights, taking place from Nov. 22 to Feb. 1.
FloridasHistoricCoast.com
Where the Spanish once put white candles in the windows during the holiday season, St. Augustine’s 144-square-block historic district gets decked out in 2 million twinkling white lights.
Where the Spanish once put white candles in the windows during the holiday season, St. Augustine’s 144-square-block historic district gets decked out in 2 million twinkling white lights.
FloridasHistoricCoast.com
Charleston’s James Island County Park hosts its annual Holiday Festival of Lights from Nov. 14 to Jan. 1. The event features 700 displays using over 2 million bulbs.
Charleston’s James Island County Park hosts its annual Holiday Festival of Lights from Nov. 14 to Jan. 1. The event features 700 displays using over 2 million bulbs.
Piwakawaka Photo
While primarily a drive through event, the Holiday Festival of Lights also offers visitors a chance to hop out of the car and see lights on a holiday train, munch on seasonal treats and admire handmade gingerbread houses.
While primarily a drive through event, the Holiday Festival of Lights also offers visitors a chance to hop out of the car and see lights on a holiday train, munch on seasonal treats and admire handmade gingerbread houses.
Piwakawaka Photo
The Holiday Lights Show, America’s largest on-the-water lights display, takes place at the Coeur d’Alene Resort in Idaho from Nov. 28 to Jan. 4.
The Holiday Lights Show, America’s largest on-the-water lights display, takes place at the Coeur d’Alene Resort in Idaho from Nov. 28 to Jan. 4.
Coeur D’Alene CVB
At the Holiday Lights Show, guests board a 40-minute Journey to the North Pole lake cruise to visit Santa’s waterfront toy workshop and see one of the world’s tallest Christmas trees.
At the Holiday Lights Show, guests board a 40-minute Journey to the North Pole lake cruise to visit Santa’s waterfront toy workshop and see one of the world’s tallest Christmas trees.
Dustin Weed From Quicksilver Studios
It takes workers at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Ga. 3,900 man hours spread over six weeks to install the 8 million twinkling lights for the annual Fantasy in Lights event.
It takes workers at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Ga. 3,900 man hours spread over six weeks to install the 8 million twinkling lights for the annual Fantasy in Lights event.
Callaway Gardens
From Nov. 21 to Dec. 30, visitors to Callaway Gardens can witness 15 dazzling holiday scenes, take photos with Santa or do some holiday shopping in the on-site Christmas Village.
From Nov. 21 to Dec. 30, visitors to Callaway Gardens can witness 15 dazzling holiday scenes, take photos with Santa or do some holiday shopping in the on-site Christmas Village.
Callaway Gardens
During Magic Christmas in Lights (Nov. 38 to Jan. 3), Bellingrath Gardens near Mobile, Ala. is transformed into a holiday wonderland complete with 1000 displays using more than 3 million lights.
During Magic Christmas in Lights (Nov. 38 to Jan. 3), Bellingrath Gardens near Mobile, Ala. is transformed into a holiday wonderland complete with 1000 displays using more than 3 million lights.
Bellingrath Gardens
Magic Christmas in Lights also features live choral performances and cheerful decorations within the Bellingrath estate.
Magic Christmas in Lights also features live choral performances and cheerful decorations within the Bellingrath estate.
Bellingrath Gardens
Christmas on Main Street.
Christmas on Main Street.
Silver Dollar City
For the first time in 2014, visitors to Christmas on Main Street can watch Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the iconic television special.
For the first time in 2014, visitors to Christmas on Main Street can watch Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the iconic television special.
Silver Dollar City
Beginning Thanksgiving night and continuing through December 31, the Norfolk Botanical Garden in Norfolk, Va. hosts it’s annual drive through event, the Dominion Garden of Lights.
Beginning Thanksgiving night and continuing through December 31, the Norfolk Botanical Garden in Norfolk, Va. hosts it’s annual drive through event, the Dominion Garden of Lights.
Norfolk Botanical Garden
DOminion
DOminion
Norfolk Botanical Garden
During Garden Lights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden (Nov. 5 to Jan. 3), visitors can meander through the 30-acre grounds, hot beverage in hand, admiring the one million lights scattered in displays throughout.
During Garden Lights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden (Nov. 5 to Jan. 3), visitors can meander through the 30-acre grounds, hot beverage in hand, admiring the one million lights scattered in displays throughout.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
A highlight of Garden Lights in Atlanta are the multicolored Orchestral Orbs, which glow in sync with festival holiday tunes.
A highlight of Garden Lights in Atlanta are the multicolored Orchestral Orbs, which glow in sync with festival holiday tunes.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Each night from Nov. 28 to Jan. 1, visitors to the Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio watch breathless as 4 million lights illuminate all at once.
Each night from Nov. 28 to Jan. 1, visitors to the Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio watch breathless as 4 million lights illuminate all at once.
Flickr/Tina Lawson
The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill also features a miniature outdoor village, toy collection from Christmas’ past, a Santa Claus Museum and Santa’s Workshop where visitors can peak in on Mr. Claus at work.
The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill also features a miniature outdoor village, toy collection from Christmas’ past, a Santa Claus Museum and Santa’s Workshop where visitors can peak in on Mr. Claus at work.
Anthony Satariano
The Austin Trail of Lights takes place in Zilker Park from Dec. 7-21, and 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the popular holiday event in the Texas capital.
The Austin Trail of Lights takes place in Zilker Park from Dec. 7-21, and 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the popular holiday event in the Texas capital.
Margaret Licarione
The Austin Trail of Lights features more than 1 million bulbs divided into 50 holiday displays along a 1.25-mile trail. Highlights include three light tunnels and the 155-foot Zilker Tree.
The Austin Trail of Lights features more than 1 million bulbs divided into 50 holiday displays along a 1.25-mile trail. Highlights include three light tunnels and the 155-foot Zilker Tree.
Margaret Licarione
Blossoms of Light
Blossoms of Light
Denver Botanic Gardens
Visitors to Blossoms of Light in Denver can purchase 3-D HoloSpex glasses that transform each point of light into a festive holiday shape.
Visitors to Blossoms of Light in Denver can purchase 3-D HoloSpex glasses that transform each point of light into a festive holiday shape.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Festival of Lights
Festival of Lights
Galveston Convention & Visitors Bureau
New in 2014, Moody Gardens will host Ice Land: Ice Sculptures with Spongebob Squarepants, an event featuring 900 tons of ice transformed into Spongebob-themed holiday scenes by a team of 31 professional ice carvers from Harbin, China.
New in 2014, Moody Gardens will host Ice Land: Ice Sculptures with Spongebob Squarepants, an event featuring 900 tons of ice transformed into Spongebob-themed holiday scenes by a team of 31 professional ice carvers from Harbin, China.
Moody Gardens
The city of Muskogee, Okla. hosts their big holiday bash at Honor Heights Park. From Nov. 27 to Jan. 1, the tree, bushes, waterfalls and flowers of the park are accented with more than a million lights.
The city of Muskogee, Okla. hosts their big holiday bash at Honor Heights Park. From Nov. 27 to Jan. 1, the tree, bushes, waterfalls and flowers of the park are accented with more than a million lights.
Greater Muskogee Area Chamber Of Commerce
Garden of Lights visitors can take in the holiday cheer on hay rides or by skating on the synthetic outdoor ice rink.
Garden of Lights visitors can take in the holiday cheer on hay rides or by skating on the synthetic outdoor ice rink.
Greater Muskogee Area Chamber Of Commerce
Illumination: Tree Lights at Chicago’s Morton Arboretum brings the classic holiday light display to an innovative and interactive level. From Nov. 21 to Jan. 3, visitors can stroll the mile-long path through light and projection displays.
Illumination: Tree Lights at Chicago’s Morton Arboretum brings the classic holiday light display to an innovative and interactive level. From Nov. 21 to Jan. 3, visitors can stroll the mile-long path through light and projection displays.
The Morton Arboretum
Highlights of Illumination: Tree Lights include lights synced to the sounds of the Chciago Symphony Orchestra in Symphony Woods and the touch-responsive juniper trees at Hug a Tree.
Highlights of Illumination: Tree Lights include lights synced to the sounds of the Chciago Symphony Orchestra in Symphony Woods and the touch-responsive juniper trees at Hug a Tree.
The Morton Arboretum
From Nov. 21 to Jan. 4, the Louisville MEGA Cavern hosts the world’s only fully underground holiday lights display, Lights Under Louisville.
From Nov. 21 to Jan. 4, the Louisville MEGA Cavern hosts the world’s only fully underground holiday lights display, Lights Under Louisville.
Louisville MEGA Cavern
During Lights Under Louisville, visitors hop in their own cars for a 30-minute drive through the tunnels of Louisville Mega Cavern, past 850 characters lit by more than 2 million points of light.
During Lights Under Louisville, visitors hop in their own cars for a 30-minute drive through the tunnels of Louisville Mega Cavern, past 850 characters lit by more than 2 million points of light.
Louisville MEGA Cavern
During Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo, from Nov. 19 to Jan. 4, zoo-goers enjoy displays with more than 2 million lights, in addition to nightly live entertainment.
During Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo, from Nov. 19 to Jan. 4, zoo-goers enjoy displays with more than 2 million lights, in addition to nightly live entertainment.
Dale Martin, Houston Zoo
Visitors to Houston’s Zoo Lights are greeted by Holly Berry, a 1958 Cadillac sporting custom decorations and a 21-channel computerized lighting and sound system especially for this event.
Visitors to Houston’s Zoo Lights are greeted by Holly Berry, a 1958 Cadillac sporting custom decorations and a 21-channel computerized lighting and sound system especially for this event.
Dale Martin, Houston Zoo
From Nov. 28 to Jan. 4, the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago lights up with more than 2 million bulbs during ZooLights.
From Nov. 28 to Jan. 4, the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago lights up with more than 2 million bulbs during ZooLights.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Besides festive lights displays, ZooLights offers visitors the chance to see Santa, decorate holiday cookies, ice skate, purchase holiday crafts or take holiday wagon rides through the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo.
Besides festive lights displays, ZooLights offers visitors the chance to see Santa, decorate holiday cookies, ice skate, purchase holiday crafts or take holiday wagon rides through the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo.
Lincoln Park Zoo
ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo in Portland takes place from Nov. 28 to Jan. 4 and features more than a million LED lights throughout the zoo.
ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo in Portland takes place from Nov. 28 to Jan. 4 and features more than a million LED lights throughout the zoo.
Oregon Zoo
The zoo train makes its first run during zoolights in a snowstorm at the Oregon Zoo. © Oregon Zoo / Photo by Carli Davidson
The zoo train makes its first run during zoolights in a snowstorm at the Oregon Zoo. © Oregon Zoo / Photo by Carli Davidson
Carli Davidson, Oregon Zoo
The annual holiday celebration known as ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo is set to feature 3.8 million lights across 700 holiday displays this year.
The annual holiday celebration known as ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo is set to feature 3.8 million lights across 700 holiday displays this year.
Phoenix Zoo
Visitors to ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo can also visit Santa, watch live ice sculpting, hear holiday tunes and take a carriage ride beneath the lights.
Visitors to ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo can also visit Santa, watch live ice sculpting, hear holiday tunes and take a carriage ride beneath the lights.
Phoenix Zoo
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