Guide to the BEST Christmas Light Displays in Michigan [UPDATED 2021]

When the holidays near The Mitten lights up in celebration. Colorful holiday light displays in Michigan can be found everywhere from zoos to private residences, making for plenty of places to spend an evening in preparation for the holiday season. Pay a visit to some of Michigan’s brightest attractions this December with the best Christmas light displays in Michigan!

Know of an amazing holiday light display in Michigan that we missed? Let us know in the comments!

Best Christmas Light Displays in the Upper Peninsula

The Carters’ Christmas Lights Marquette

1313 N Vandenboom Ave
Marquette, Michigan 49855

Through December 31, this Upper Peninsula home is covered from top to bottom in holiday lights. From reindeer to Santa to the Grinch, the house and surrounding property glows for the holiday.

Best Christmas Light Displays in Northern Michigan

Christmas on Kimberly Lane

9601 Kimberly Lane
Traverse City, Michigan 49685

A home display synced to nearly an hour of music, turn the radio to 99.5FM, and watch the musical show daily from 6 PM to 10 PM throughout December.

Boss Family Christmas Display

9336 Pearl St
Charlevoix, MI 49720

This local Christmas display in Charlevoix has become a Northern Michigan Christmas tradition for many since 1978 and is open to the public. Adults and children alike enjoy the variety of displays and holiday lights.

Herman Holidays on Murray Ct

10780 E Murray Ct
Suttons Bay, MI 49682

Creating holiday enjoyment for all to enjoy, the Herman family opens their property in Northern Michigan to the public to walk around and view the various Christmas light displays. Watch their Facebook page for days and times.

Sparkle in the Park

Hopkins Dr
Bear Lake, MI 49614

Since 2004, Sparkle in the Park features more than 80,000 lights set up in nearly 50 holiday displays from Thanksgiving Weekend to New Year’s Eve (5:00pm-10:00pm). The lighted displays include angels, Christmas trees, Santa and his reindeer, a salute to troops, snowmen, various animals and several Christmas scenes, all arranged in Bear Lake’s lakeside Hopkins Park, US 31 corridor, and village homes. Sparkle in the Park is free, donation boxes are available near Toyland Bear Lake for those who wish to make a contribution which will help buy material for next year’s Sparkle in the Park.

Best Holiday Light Displays in West Michigan

Christmas Lite Show

4500 West River Dr NE
Comstock Park, MI 49321

The Christmas Lite Show drive-thru display just outside Grand Rapids is the largest drive-thru animated light display in Michigan. Over a mile long, the holiday tradition is celebrating its twentieth year. It runs nightly from 5:30 PM to 9:30/10 PM until January 2 for $25 per car.

The Colors of Christmas

7683 S Croton Hardy Dr
Newaygo, MI 49337

In Croton Township Campground in Newaygo, MI., The Colors of Christmas is a wonderland full of lights and displays that you can drive through or hike through. Opens the day after Thanksgiving and is open every day until January 1st.

Spring Lake Sparkle

Downtown
Spring Lake, MI 49456

Over 120,000 multi-colored lights will light up the trees lining Savidge Street between Division and Buchanan, as well as the buildings along Savidge. The lights will start shining the day after Thanksgiving and continue through January 2, 2021. So gather your loved ones and head down to the village to enjoy all the sights and start a new tradition with some Spring Lake Holiday “Sparkle”!

Best Christmas Light Displays in Mid-Michigan

Wonderland of Lights

Potter Park Zoo
1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
Lansing, MI 48912

For the past 27 years, the Potter Park Zoo has been decked out in holiday displays for the season, along with cookies and crafts.

This celebration runs from 5 PM to 8 PM through December 26, adults $9, kids 3-12 $5, kids under 3 free.

Best Holiday Light Displays in East Michigan

Bicentennial Park Drive Thru Lights Display

1505 E Grand Blanc Rd
Grand Blanc, MI 48439

This December Bicentennial Park will be filled with thousands of lights, sweeping lighted arches, and animated displays. Jump in your car with friends or family and drive through the winter wonderland. Stay warm and cozy in your car. They’ll supply the hot cocoa and cookies for your trip through the enchanting lights display.

Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic

Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad
6140 N Bray Rd
Flint, MI 48505

Make memories to last all year from the comfort of your own vehicle. Join family and friends for an evening drive, through historic Crossroads Village – magically lit by over one million twinkling lights. See displays of your favorite holiday scenes as Christmas music fills the air. Carry on your tradition or make new ones this year with Crossroads Village’s Holiday Magic.

Magic of Lights at DTE

DTE Energy Music Theatre
33 Bob Seger Dr
Independence Charter Township, MI 48348

From November 13th to January 2nd, Magic of Lights at DTE in Clarkston, MI,  is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of Clarkston’s favorite holiday tradition. One carload, one price – prices start at $25.

Sherman Woods Association

Sherman Woods Neighborhood
Port Huron, MI 48060
(East of Gratiot Ave south of Lakeside Beach)

Every year homes in the neighborhood decorate for Christmas, creating an extravagant multi-house display during the holidays.

Nicol’s Christmas Light Extravaganza

6250 Germania Rd
Cass City, MI 48726

The family sets their yard just south of Cass City ablaze with holiday lights each year (2021 will be their 40th year!) for the public to enjoy. It’s definitely worth the drive to enjoy their many Christmas lights and the coordinated holiday music playlist on 92.9FM. Be sure to add the Nicol’s Christmas Light Extravaganza to your holiday lights “must see” list this year!

Best Christmas Light Displays in Southwest Michigan

International Festival of Lights

77 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49017

Stroll through downtown Battle Creek until December 31, and enjoy the lights and holiday decorations. Special holiday events also take place, and check out the Battle Creek Festival website for dates, times, and locations of these events.

Best Holiday Light Displays in Southcentral Michigan

The Merry Mile

Calhoun County Fairgrounds
720 Fair St.
Marshall, MI 49068

Bring the whole family and enjoy driving through The Merry Mile in Marshall holiday lights display, then stop into one of the quaint shops in historic, downtown Marshall for a cup of hot cocoa or to finish your holiday shopping. Open nightly through December 27th.

Nite Lites

Michigan International Speedway
12626 US Hwy 12
Brooklyn, MI 49201

Nite Lites takes over Michigan International Speedway in Jackson November 25 through December 31 for a drive-thru Christmas lights display. Visit the attraction Sunday through Thursday from 5:30 PM to 9 PM, and Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 PM to 10 PM for $25 per car (Sunday-Thursday) – $30 (Friday-Saturday).

Join in Jackson’s Best Christmas Lights in Jackson County, MI

If you live in or near Jackson County, you won’t want to miss out on any of the best holiday light displays in Jackson MI that Join In Jackson has curated. They’ve even created a map to help you plot your path as you enjoy a Polar Express-type adventure in Jackson, Michigan!

Best Christmas Light Displays in Southeast Michigan

Wayne County Lightfest

7651 N Merriman Rd.
Westland, MI 48185

Over 47 animated holiday decorations line a stretch of Hines Park from Westland to Dearborn Heights. The display is open  Wednesday to Sunday from 6 PM to 10 PM. The price is $5 per vehicle.

The Big, Bright Light Show

431 S. Main Main Street
Rochester, Michigan 48307

You are invited to brighten your holidays in Downtown Rochester with The Big, Bright Light Show! The buildings in downtown Rochester will be covered with more than 1 million points of glimmering holiday light. The display will be lit every evening (5 pm – Midnight) through January 3, 2021.

Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo

8450 W. 10 Mile Road
Royal Oak, MI 48067

The Detroit Zoo will be aglow for 32 magical nights with more than five million LED lights illuminating trees, buildings, and over 280 sculptures throughout the front half of the Zoo. Experience the magic of the Detroit Zoo in winter as you take in the lights, sights, and sounds of the season for guests of all ages. Children younger than 2 are admitted free.

Where are your favorite places to see Christmas light displays in Michigan? Tell us in the comments!