Holiday Light Shows 2025 Twinkling Trails, Dazzling Drives & Magical Moments
Oct 21, 2025 11:34AM ● By Laura Carter
Holiday Light Shows 2025
Twinkling Trails, Dazzling Drives & Magical Moments
The holiday season is about to shine brighter than ever! Whether you prefer a cozy carriage ride through Fredericksburg, a glittering garden stroll, or a spectacular drive-through light show, Virginia offers countless ways to experience the magic. Here’s your guide to the most enchanting holiday light shows of 2025 — from local favorites to dazzling displays worth the drive.
Lights Close to Home
Dominion Energy and GardenFest of Lights
A beloved Christmas tradition with millions of lights, botanical displays, model trains, festive treats, and more. Be sure to purchase tickets early.
When: November 24- January 4 (closed on Thanksgiving day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day)
Time: 5-10 pm
Where: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden- 11800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA 23228
Dominion GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Downtown Fredericksburg Holiday Light Trolley Tours
Enjoy a festive trolley ride through downtown Fredericksburg to see the holiday light displays while listening to Christmas music.
When: December 13-28
Time: 6:30 pm or 8 pm on select days
Where: Fredericksburg Visitor Center- 601 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Seasonal Tours – Trolley Tours of Fredericksburg
Holiday Lights Carriage Ride
Celebrate the season in Fredericksburg with a private holiday wagonette ride. Choose the white lights of lower Caroline Street, where towering trees glow with twinkling stars, or journey through vibrant neighborhoods filled with dazzling displays and festive cheer.
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
When: December 8-28th * dates and times may vary
Where: Olde Towne Carriage Tours- 706 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Model-A Holiday Lights Ride
From November 13 to January 4th step into a restored 1920s Ford Model-A for a cozy holiday ride through historic downtown Fredericksburg, with views of sparkling lights, festive homes, and the iconic Christmas tree. Enjoy blankets, holiday tunes, and a few picture perfect stops along the way.
RESERVATION RECOMMENDED
When: November 13, 2025- January 4, 2025
Time: 5-10 pm
Where: Courtyard Marriott- 620 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Illuminate Light Show
From November 21 until January 3 experience Virginia;s largest synchronized Christmas Light and Music show, featuring over two miles of holiday lights and 3 million synchronized displays that play festive music through your car speakers.
When: November 21 - January 3
Time: Weekdays, 5:30-9:30 pm. Weekends, 5:30-10 pm
Where: Meadow Event Park - 13191 Dawn Boulevard, Gate 1, Doswell, VA, 23047
The Patrick Family 2025 Light Display
Starting now and running all season long this light display features 147,000 LED lights, 11 laser systems, and a projection show with festive graphics, fun music, and holiday clops. You can tune your car to FM radio station 87.9 to listen along !! After 100+ hours of work there is over 1/2 an acre covered in lights including a 9.7 ft tall Bumble and some of his costars, an 8 ft santa, a reindeer, and a pond with an iceberg. There is so much to see you wont want to miss this.
Time: 5 - 11 pm, nightly
Where: Patrick Family Home - 11121 Blue Herron Circle, Spotsylvania, VA 22553
Lights Worth a Drive
2025 BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach
A dazzling drive along the oceanfront, featuring leaping fish, musical crabs, surfing Santa, and a 600 foot LED tunnel. Marvel at color-changing archways, tributes to the Armed Forces, and a 40 food dancing- light Christmas tree.
When: November 14 - December 31
When: Times vary
Where: Virginia Beach Oceanfront- Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach
Bull Run Festival of Lights
Experience 2.5 miles of holiday light displays from the comfort of your own car. Drive the route with your headlights off and enjoy the magical glow. Afterwards, stop by the holiday village and carnival for bonfires, s’mores, live camel rides, a petting zoo, and a variety of children's rides, games, and food.
When: November 14 - January 4
Time: Weekdays, 5:30-9:30 pm. Weekends, 5:30-10 pm
Where: Bull Run Regional Park - 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centerville, VA 20121
Bull Run Festival of Lights | NOVA Parks
Christmas Illumination at Mount Vernon
Kick off the holidays with sparkling lights and fireworks over the Potomac. Explore an 18th century winter encampment, chat with soldiers of the past, and meet a special guest, Aladdin the Camel.
When: December 20-21
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Where: George Washington’s Mount Vernon - 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon | George Washington's Mount Vernon
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Enjoy over 10 million Lights and festive shows like “Twas the night of Gloria! Experience holiday classics like Santa’s workshop, thrilling rides, festive treats, and Santa’s Fireside Feast.
When: November 15 - January 4
Time: Times vary
Where: Busch Gardens Williamsburg - 1 Busch Gardens Boulevard, Williamsburg. VA 23185
Christmas Town: Virginia Christmas Event - Busch Gardens
Light up the Tracks Celebration
Kick off the Holiday Season in Downtown Ashland with a festive tree lighting, an illuminated Costume Contest, prizes, and holiday entertainment. Stroll along the light displays by the railroad tracks and enjoy outdoor dining, sidewalk sales, vendors, carolers, and food trucks. With Dominion Energy as the presenting sponsor.
When: November 22 - January 1
Time: 5-8 pm, daily
Where: Ashland Town Hall- 121 Thompson Street, Ashland, VA 23005
Holiday Fun — Downtown Ashland, Virginia
Winter Walk of Lights
A Half-mile garden trail illuminated with sparkling lights, featuring nature,and winter and holiday displays. Enjoy a cozy hot beverage, roast marshmallows for s’mores and stroll the accessible paved path through the enchanted Gardens.
When: November 7- December 5
Time: 5-10 pm, daily
Where: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens - 9750 meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA 22812
Winter Walk of Lights | NOVA Parks
Winter Wonder Trail of Lights
A lakeside path aglow with colorful lights, where nature and whimsy create a magical winter stroll. Enjoy sparkling displays, rolling landscapes, and festive fun with family and friends.
When: November 14- Jan 3
Times: 5:30-10 pm
Where: Charlottesville Boar’s Head Resort- 9200 Ednam Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Winter Wander | Charlottesville Christmas Lights
ZooLights at the National Zoo
Stroll festive pathways, marvel at glowing animal lanterns, enjoy lice music, ride the Conservation Carousel and shop for unique gifts throughout the zoo
When: November 21- Jan 3, days vary
Times: Times vary
Where: Smithsonian’s National Zoo - 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008
ZooLights | Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology InstituteWhether you’re strolling through gardens, cruising by the beach, or cozied up in a carriage downtown, Virginia’s holiday light shows promise to brighten your season and fill your heart with cheer. Bundle up, grab some cocoa, and get ready to glow all season long!