By Amanda Danaher
Key Takeaways
- See downtown Fredericksburg’s holiday lights by trolley, carriage or Model A.
- Find free displays at Lights of Farrier Way and Ashland’s Light Up the Tracks.
- Choose drive-through shows in Doswell and Centreville or garden walks in Richmond and Vienna.
- Plan a longer outing to Charlottesville, Williamsburg or Virginia Beach.
- Check schedules, reserve tickets and dress for the weather before heading out.
This 2026 holiday season, bundle up for a walk through glowing gardens, hop on a trolley downtown or stay cozy in the car as you take in a holiday light show. There are plenty of ways for Fredericksburg-area families to enjoy the lights together, whether you want an evening close to home or an adventure worth the drive.
We’ve rounded up holiday tours and displays around Fredericksburg and beyond to help you plan your holiday season. Many shows and displays continue into January, so there’s still time for fun after the holiday.
Before you go: Displays are listed by opening date within each section, with undated displays last. Check each location’s website for the latest schedules, ticket information and weather updates before heading out.
Holiday Lights in Fredericksburg
Olde Towne Carriages Holiday Rides
When: Nov. 4–Jan. 2. Dates and times vary per ride.
Celebrate the season with a private horse-drawn carriage ride through historic Fredericksburg. Choose from several festive tours, including the White Lights of Lower Caroline, featuring beautifully decorated streets and twinkling holiday displays. Advance reservations required.
Where: Fredericksburg Visitor Center, 601 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg
Model A Holiday Light Rides
When: Nov. 27–Jan. 3. Thursdays to Sundays, 5–10 p.m.
Step back in time with a private holiday ride through downtown Fredericksburg in an original 1920s Model A. Bundle up and enjoy sparkling lights, festive storefronts and the charm of historic downtown from a vintage vehicle. Rides last 20–30 minutes. Reservations required.
Where: Downtown Fredericksburg, 706 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg
Holiday Lights Trolley Tour
When: Dec. 11–14, 16 and 18–23. 6:30 and 8 p.m.
Hop aboard a festive trolley for a ride through downtown Fredericksburg. Enjoy twinkling lights, decorated storefronts and historic streets decked out for the season while listening to holiday music. Reservations required.
Where: Fredericksburg Visitor Center, 601 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg
The Christmas Experience
When: Dec. 19–20. Saturday, 3–9 p.m.; Sunday, 3–8 p.m.
Explore a festive Christmas village at the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds with holiday lights, music, inflatables and snow play. Enjoy seasonal treats and add to the fun with ice skating, Santa photos or bumper cars. Admission required; some activities cost extra. Advance tickets recommended.
Where: Fredericksburg Fairgrounds, 2400 Airport Avenue, Fredericksburg
Lights of Farrier Way
When: Christmas dates to be announced. 6–10 p.m., nightly.
Enjoy a free neighborhood light show featuring more than 9,000 LED lights synchronized to music. Stay cozy in your car or walk up to watch, and tune to 98.5 FM or listen through the website’s audio player.
Where: 6200 Farrier Way, Fredericksburg
Keep the holiday fun moving! Lace up for turkey trots and kids’ fun runs around Fredericksburg.
Holiday Lights Around Richmond
Illuminate Light Show
When: Nov. 20–Jan. 2. 5:30–10 p.m., nightly.
Stay cozy in your car as you drive through more than 2.5 miles of dazzling holiday displays featuring over 3 million lights synchronized to festive music. Afterward, visit Santa’s Village for seasonal treats, photos with Santa and family-friendly activities.
Where: Meadow Event Park, 13111 Dawn Boulevard, Doswell
Light Up the Tracks
When: Nov. 21–Jan. 1. Nightly at dusk.
Walk, bike or drive through a mile of twinkling holiday lights in downtown Ashland’s historic trackside district. Enjoy glowing storefronts, decorated streets and small-town holiday charm. Make an evening of it with dinner, shopping or a warm drink at a local business. Free admission!
Where: Downtown Ashland Parking, 109 Hanover Avenue, Ashland
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights
When: Nov. 23–Jan. 3. 4–10 p.m., nightly.
Schedule exceptions: Closed Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and Dec. 25. Adults only Dec. 2, 3 and 30.
Explore millions of twinkling lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond. This year’s “Otherworldly” theme brings stories, legends and imagined worlds to life. Enjoy model trains, a handcrafted fairy village, festive treats and dazzling botanical displays. Advance tickets strongly encouraged.
Where: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond
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Holiday Lights in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights
When: Nov. 11–Jan. 3.
- Nov. 11–Dec. 3: 5:30–10 p.m.
- Dec. 4–Jan. 3: 5–10 p.m.
- Admission ends at 9:30 p.m.
Stroll along a half-mile garden trail surrounded by glowing trees, colorful flowers and nature-inspired light displays at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. Warm up afterward with a hot drink or s’mores.
The paved trail is stroller- and wheelchair-accessible. Advance online tickets are required Dec. 4–31.
Where: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna
Bull Run Festival of Lights
When: Nov. 14–Jan. 3.
- Mondays to Thursdays: 5:30–9:30 p.m.
- Fridays to Sundays and holidays: 5:30–10 p.m.
Drive through 2.5 miles of dazzling holiday lights at Bull Run Regional Park. Afterward, keep the fun going at the Holiday Village, where families can enjoy carnival rides, seasonal treats and camel rides. Additional fees apply for some activities.
Where: Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville
ZooLights
When: Nov. 20–Jan. 3. Mondays to Saturdays, 5–9 p.m.; Sundays, 5–8 p.m.
Special nights: Member nights Dec. 8–9; adults only Dec. 16.
See the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in a whole new light during its annual holiday celebration. Wander through glowing animal lanterns, colorful displays and festive pathways as the zoo transforms into a winter wonderland.
Check the event calendar for operating nights and ticket requirements before visiting.
Where: Smithsonian’s National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
When: Dec. 19–20. 5:30–8:30 p.m., nightly.
Experience holiday magic with a little history at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Explore illuminated grounds, shop an artisan winter market, meet Aladdin the Camel and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display over the Potomac River.
Fireworks begin around 8 p.m. Mansion tours require an additional ticket.
Where: George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon
Holiday Lights Worth a Road Trip
Winter Wander Trail of Lights
When: Nov. 13–Jan. 2. Select evenings; entry times vary.
Take a magical lakeside stroll through colorful holiday displays at Boar’s Head Resort in Charlottesville. Updated light tunnels and expanded displays bring new surprises this season.
Make the evening extra special with the Dec. 21 drone show or New Year’s Eve fireworks on Dec. 31. Advance reservations recommended.
Where: Boar’s Head Resort, 200 Ednam Drive, Charlottesville
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
When: Nov. 13–Jan. 3. Select dates; hours vary.
Experience one of Virginia’s biggest holiday celebrations as Busch Gardens Williamsburg transforms into Christmas Town. More than 10 million twinkling lights, festive shows, holiday entertainment and seasonal attractions bring the magic of Christmas to life.
Check the park calendar for operating dates and showtimes before visiting.
Where: Busch Gardens Williamsburg, 1 Busch Gardens Boulevard, Williamsburg
Holiday Trail of Lights at the Virginia Aquarium
When: Nov. 20–Jan. 3. 5–9 p.m., with timed entry at 5, 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Virginia Beach’s holiday lights have a new home this season! Instead of driving along the oceanfront boardwalk, families can explore a dazzling walking trail at the Virginia Aquarium.
Follow the 1.1-mile round-trip Nature Trail through colorful displays filled with light, sound and movement. Please purchase tickets online in advance.
Where: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Nature Trail, 717 General Booth Boulevard, Virginia Beach
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can we see holiday lights in Fredericksburg?
Local options include Lights of Farrier Way, downtown trolley tours, horse-drawn carriage rides and Model-A holiday rides. The Christmas Experience at Fredericksburg Fairgrounds also features holiday lights alongside family activities.
Are there free holiday light displays near Fredericksburg?
Yes! Lights of Farrier Way in Fredericksburg and Light Up the Tracks in downtown Ashland offer free admission.
Which holiday light shows can we enjoy from our car?
Illuminate Light Show at Meadow Event Park in Doswell and Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centreville are drive-through experiences. You can also watch Lights of Farrier Way from your car.
Do we need tickets or reservations?
Many attractions require admission tickets, and carriage, trolley and Model-A rides require reservations. Other displays use timed entry or require advance tickets on certain dates. Check each attraction’s website before making plans.
Can we visit holiday lights after Christmas?
Yes. Many displays in this guide continue into early January, giving families more opportunities to visit during winter break. Operating nights vary by location.
Which holiday light walks offer accessible trails?
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights has a paved trail that accommodates strollers and wheelchairs. Virginia Beach’s Holiday Trail of Lights describes its trail as flat and ADA accessible, with wheelchairs and mobility scooters permitted. Check each venue’s accessibility information before booking.
