Guide to the BEST Christmas Light Displays in Michigan [UPDATED 2020]
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
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
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
Bear Lake, MI
In its 16th year, Sparkle in the Park features more than 80,000 lights set up in nearly 50 holiday displays from November 28, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (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
According to the Christmas Lite Show website, this 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
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 on Friday, November 27 and continue through January 3rd, 2020. 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 25 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 31, adults $9, kids 3-12 $5, kids under 3 free.
Best Holiday Light Displays in East Michigan
Bicentennial Park Drive Thru Lights
1505 E Grand Blanc Rd
Grand Blanc, MI
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 Drive Thru
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 Drive Thru. Just $10 per carload now through December 30.
Magic of Lights at DTE
DTE Energy Music Theatre
33 Bob Seger Dr
Clarkston, MI 48348
From November to January 2, the 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
(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 (2020 will be their 39th 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 through December 31, for a drive-thru Christmas lights display with the Winter Wonderland and visits from Santa on December 2-4, 9-11, and 16-23. 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 Merriman Rd.
Westland, MI 48185
Over 47 animated holiday decorations line a stretch of Hines Park from Westland to Dearborn Heights. At the end of the drive-thru attraction, children can visit Santa. The display is open Wednesday to Sunday from 6/7 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!
