It’s the most wonderful time of the year – for a road trip, of course! After all, Missouri’s all decked out in festive decorations and millions of holiday lights, making it the ideal time to hop in the car and explore some of the best holiday light displays in the state. Even better? Many of the displays run through the end of 2018.
Click here for the directions, which you can easily customize, for the holiday lights road trip in Missouri.
Plan your road trip!
Google Maps Sure, the holiday season is the most hectic time of the year. That’s also why it’s the perfect time to hit the highway on a road trip. Get out there; embrace the season; and enjoy some of the best holiday light displays in Missouri. Ready? Off we go!
- Missouri Botanical Garden – St. Louis
Facebook/Missouri Botanical Garden Let’s kick off our road trip at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. Bundle up for your magical stroll through Garden Glow, which boasts more than a million glittering lights. You’ll also find plenty of picture-perfect spots for photos - in front of the inflatable snow globe, with Anna and Elsa of “Frozen” fame, and, of course, with Santa himself. Warm up with a hot drink and delicious s’mores before heading indoors to explore the Gardenland Express Holiday Flower and Train Show. Garden Glow runs each evening from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. through January 1, 2019. The garden is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Christmas in the Park – Lee’s Summit
Facebook/Jackson County Parks and Rec Stay warm and toasty in your car at our next destination: Christmas in the Park in Lee’s Summit. The spectacular light show features more than 300,000 glistening lights and 175 animated figures. Drive through the park each evening starting at 5 p.m. through December 31, 2018.
- Silver Dollar City – Branson
Facebook/Silver Dollar City Next stop: Silver Dollar City, a magical destination awash in more than 6.5 million glittering lights. The highlights of the popular holiday destination include a sparkling parade starring everyone’s favorite reindeer, Rudolph, a massive five-story Christmas tree drenched in holiday lights, and plenty of live holiday entertainment. Of course, weather permitting, you can also climb aboard a selection of rides.
- Gift of Lights – Branson
Facebook/Branson’s Gift of Lights Since we’re already in Branson, let’s head to the annual Gift of Lights drive-thru light display. Start your holiday adventure with a leisurely drive through the holiday light display, created with “super LED lights,” that features such fun displays as the 12 Days of Christmas and floating butterflies. Afterward, stop by Santa’s House for a visit with Jolly Ole St. Nick and for a cup of hot cocoa.
- Celebration of Lights – O’Fallon
Facebook/Visit O’Fallon Who’s ready for an enchanting choice? You have several ways you can view the sensational Celebration of Lights in O’Fallon. By train, sleigh, or horse-drawn carriage, each of which requires a reservation. Or, of course, you can just drive through in your own cozy car. Feel the holiday spirit at Fort Zumwalt Park no matter how you decide to explore. (On December 11, the park closes to car traffic and features an Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll.) The Celebration of Lights, with times and days varying, runs through December 30, 2018.
- Wild Lights – St. Louis Zoo
Facebook/Saint Louis Zoo Let’s go back to where it all started: St. Louis. Our final stop is the Saint Louis Zoo, where you’ll stroll through a wonderland of glittering lights. And, snap photos of the whimsical light displays, such as Jungle Bell Rock, Winter Wildland, and Gingerbread Village. The holiday event also features carolers, costumed characters, live entertainment, and crafts and activities for the kiddos. Wild Lights runs from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on select days through December 30, 2018.
What’s your favorite holiday road trip in Missouri? Let us know in the comments! And, make your Christmas season even more magical with a visit to this enchanting Main Street. Click here to read more.
Google Maps
Sure, the holiday season is the most hectic time of the year. That’s also why it’s the perfect time to hit the highway on a road trip. Get out there; embrace the season; and enjoy some of the best holiday light displays in Missouri. Ready? Off we go!
Facebook/Missouri Botanical Garden
Let’s kick off our road trip at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. Bundle up for your magical stroll through Garden Glow, which boasts more than a million glittering lights. You’ll also find plenty of picture-perfect spots for photos - in front of the inflatable snow globe, with Anna and Elsa of “Frozen” fame, and, of course, with Santa himself. Warm up with a hot drink and delicious s’mores before heading indoors to explore the Gardenland Express Holiday Flower and Train Show. Garden Glow runs each evening from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. through January 1, 2019. The garden is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Facebook/Jackson County Parks and Rec
Stay warm and toasty in your car at our next destination: Christmas in the Park in Lee’s Summit. The spectacular light show features more than 300,000 glistening lights and 175 animated figures. Drive through the park each evening starting at 5 p.m. through December 31, 2018.
Facebook/Silver Dollar City
Next stop: Silver Dollar City, a magical destination awash in more than 6.5 million glittering lights. The highlights of the popular holiday destination include a sparkling parade starring everyone’s favorite reindeer, Rudolph, a massive five-story Christmas tree drenched in holiday lights, and plenty of live holiday entertainment. Of course, weather permitting, you can also climb aboard a selection of rides.
Facebook/Branson’s Gift of Lights
Since we’re already in Branson, let’s head to the annual Gift of Lights drive-thru light display. Start your holiday adventure with a leisurely drive through the holiday light display, created with “super LED lights,” that features such fun displays as the 12 Days of Christmas and floating butterflies. Afterward, stop by Santa’s House for a visit with Jolly Ole St. Nick and for a cup of hot cocoa.
Facebook/Visit O’Fallon
Who’s ready for an enchanting choice? You have several ways you can view the sensational Celebration of Lights in O’Fallon. By train, sleigh, or horse-drawn carriage, each of which requires a reservation. Or, of course, you can just drive through in your own cozy car. Feel the holiday spirit at Fort Zumwalt Park no matter how you decide to explore. (On December 11, the park closes to car traffic and features an Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll.) The Celebration of Lights, with times and days varying, runs through December 30, 2018.
Facebook/Saint Louis Zoo
Let’s go back to where it all started: St. Louis. Our final stop is the Saint Louis Zoo, where you’ll stroll through a wonderland of glittering lights. And, snap photos of the whimsical light displays, such as Jungle Bell Rock, Winter Wildland, and Gingerbread Village. The holiday event also features carolers, costumed characters, live entertainment, and crafts and activities for the kiddos. Wild Lights runs from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on select days through December 30, 2018.
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