Southern Byways

From white twinkle lights to lights that glow with holiday color, you can say that the South is cover (pun intended) when it comes to holiday lights and lighted displays. From the Burns Park Holiday Lights in North Little Rock, Ark., to Sportsman’s Wonderland in Cullman, Ala., to Garden of Lights at Brookside Garden in Wheaton, Md., the South offers up some of the best holiday light displays in the country.

Here are some others worth throughout the region worth visiting.

In Arkansas, you can enjoy the lights aboard the Holiday Express (December 8-23) at Creekmore Park in Fort Smith. Don’t miss out on the lights that decorate Garrison Avenue, either. The lights continue through January 1.

The 8th Annual Enchanted Forest & Holiday Trail of Lights in Sherwood is a 1.5 mile drive of holiday lights that last until December 30.

Candy canes light the way along Highway 67 in Pocahontas during the 24th Annual Candy Cane Lane. The candy canes lead to lights and other holiday events happening in the town.

It’s the largest display of Christmas lights in South Texas and it’s happening through December 31. Hidalgo’s Festival of Lights features numerous lighted displays including the “Gingerbread House,” “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” and more. You can drive along the trail, ride the trolley or take a horse-drawn carriage.

Decorated for the holiday season with lights, ornaments and more, Battleship TEXAS SHS Yuletide Texas is happening through December 31.

It’s two miles of three million lights at Prairie Lights Experience in Grand Prairie. There’s displays, light show and more. The event ends on December 31.

The Lights of the Blackland features nine communities participating through January 1. Not only are there lights, but also other events happening as well.

At the Starbright Village in Odessa, old and new lighted displays greet you for the holiday season. The event runs through December 24.

The Holiday Tour of Lights in Farmers Branch, Texas feature around 300,000 lights. This driving tour ends on December 31.

During the next two weekends in December, 2,500 luminaries are lit along San Antonio’s River Walk.

Austin, Texas’ Zilker Park’s 2008 Trail of Lights, December 14-23, is a 1.25 mile long trail that has around 41 lighted scenes and other holiday surprises. 

Celebrate the season in Louisiana with the Southwest Louisiana Christmas Lighting Festival has all kinds of holiday events happening throughout the area. From parades to entertainment, there is something for everyone.

The 21st Annual Christmas Under the Stars in Slidell, December 11-14, is a family event. Each night of this holiday extravaganza has a different theme with activities specific to it.

In Mississippi, Christmas in the Park features numerous lighted displays in Holmes Water Park. This drive-through event  lasts through December 31, and is a part of Holiday Homecoming 2008 in Tylertown.

In Alabama, you can experience a Winter Wonderland in Mentone. Through December 30, this mountain town is filled with lights and decorations.

Over in Oneonta, the drive-through Christmas Lights at Palisades Park features thousands of sparkling lights until December 31.

Don’t forget about Christmas in the Park in Arab, with around two million lights. This last through December 31.

It’s Christmas at the Falls (Noccalula Falls, that is, in Gadsden.) For those who aren’t familiar with this park, it’s highlight is the 90-foot waterfall with canyon. There’s also a pioneer village, botanical garden and more. During the holidays, with the help of over two million light, the Falls turns itself into a winter wonderland. In addition to the lights, there are different children’s holiday activities, such as letter writing to Santa, going on as well.

Birmingham Zoo hosts Zoolight Safari during the weekends in December, beginning on the 12th. In addition to over a half a million lights, there are a number of activities during the event.

In Montevallo, Christmas on the Creek Drive Thru, December 11-23, include lights, live entertainment (on certain nights) and Santa.

Montgomery Zoo is awashed in lights for the holiday season during the Christmas Lights Festival. Ride the train or walk to see all of the lights. There’s also live entertainment and the big man himself, Santa. The event is scheduled for December 11-14 and December 18-30 (Santa is at the Zoo until December 23.)

Travel to Tennessee for Lebanon’s Festival of Lights. This drive-through event happens on Thursday -Sunday through January 3.

Heading to Georgia, the Candlelight Nights at the Atlanta History Center on December 16 includes candlelit gardens, trails and homes.

In Florida, Light Up UCF in Orlando has lights, a holiday film festival and outdoor ice skating (fee). This event ends on January 2.

Drive or walk through the over 500,000 lights and other holiday decorations during the Venetian Gardens Light Up in Leesburg.

Consider reserving a spot for the 7th Annual Christmas Lights Extravaganza Tour offered by Florida Secrets (departing from Tale Chasers Grille in Tavares.) You have the opportunity to see up to 5 million lights and enjoy other holiday festivities. Tours are given through January 4, 2009.

Don’t miss Holiday at the Estates, December 12 – January 3, 2009, at Edison-Ford Winter Estate in Ft. Myers.

The Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek features three miles of animated holiday displays. The event continues through January 4, 2009.

There are over 400,000 lights at the Holiday Garden of Lights in the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo. The lights are on until January 4, 2009.

While in South Carolina, there’s the Anderson Lights of Hope. This light show features colored lights and displays. The event runs through December 25.

The 18th Annual Hollywild Holiday Lights Safari in Inman runs through January 3, 2009. This features light displays, pony rides and Santa.

In North Carolina, you’ll find Christmastown USA, or otherwise known as McAdenville after the holidays. The town is lit up in holiday splendor. You can walk or drive to see all of the decorations. The event ends on December 26.

The Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington is lit for the season. Enjoy seeing the lights from downtown Wilmington until January 6, 2009.

There are over 200,000 lights and various displays in Camp Bethel in Lights, Wise,Virginia. This drive-through event concludes on January 1.

In West Virginia, the Christmas Light Show, December 12-22, at the West Virginia State Farm Museum, located in Point Pleasant, has lights and of course, Santa.

In Maryland, celebrate the season at Annemarie Garden’s Garden in Lights, located in Dowell, December 12 – January 1, 2009. The walking tour allows you to see all of the lighted sculptures throughout the property.

And of course, don’t forget about the these lights and those lights. Also, there’s the Smoky Mountain Winterfest and ICE! at the Gaylord properties.

Photo credits: (top) Crystal jar of colored lights, flickr, creative commons by Song_sing; (middle left) Grand Prairie Lights, flickr, creative commons by twofivethreetwo; (middle right) Exit to the Trail of Lights (Zilker Park), flickr, creative commons by nonojoe; (bottom right) McAdenville Christmas Eve walk 2006, flickr, creative commons by corey pud

1 Comment