It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas—at least when it comes to twinkling holiday lights! All across the country, parks, neighborhoods and other public places are installing spectacular holiday light shows where you can stroll or drive through an illuminated winter wonderland.
Because they’re usually held outside and often include Christmas light drive-thru options, holiday light shows are a perfect seasonal treat to enjoy with your dog by your side. This memorably bright night with your furry companion might just become your new favorite holiday tradition.
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Before You Go
As you plan your trip to a holiday light show, keep your pet’s safety in mind. The Center for Pet Safety recommends buckling your pet into the car in a crash-tested safety harness, and avoiding long tethers or zipline-style products, which can cause injury if your pet gets tangled in them. It’s also a bad idea to let your pet hang their head out of an open window, the group advises, because of the risk of injury to your pet’s eyes from debris in the air. And be aware that for most of the Christmas light drive-thru events, you and your pet must remain in your car the entire time.
Read more about keeping your dog safe in the car.
If you plan to leave your car and walk through holiday lights at a pet-friendly area, remember to follow all the rules of the venue, including leash requirements. Keep in mind that many of these events are popular, so well-behaved pets who enjoy the company of other pets and people will be the happiest attending walk-through Christmas light shows. And of course, always follow the CDC’s COVID-19 safety guidelines.
The Best Dog-Friendly Holiday Light Shows
Alabama: Galaxy of Lights
Galaxy of Lights
Arizona: Winterhaven Festival of Lights
Winterhaven Festival of Lights
Colorado: Christmas in Color
Christmas in Color
Georgia: Enchanted Garden of Lights
Enchanted Garden of Lights
Wonder, joy and, of course, Santa Claus—they all await you and your pet at the award-winning Enchanted Garden of Lights. Leashed pets are welcome to take a stroll with you through this festive winter wonderland. You can watch the lights twinkle in the ice-themed Arctic Kingdom display, or take a jaunt down the lighted corridor of Yule Town. And don’t miss the chance to swing by the Magic Forest to walk beneath the 43-foot-tall tree of lights. You can enjoy the garden at your own pace, which means you have time to snap all the holiday pet pics, too.
Illinois: Let it Shine Light Show
Let it Shine Light Show
Prepare to be immersed in a symphony of sight and sound at the Let It Shine Light Show at Wintrust Field. Visitors (including furry ones!) are invited to cozy up in the car and experience the magic of lights at this drive-thru holiday light show, all synchronized to fun Christmas classics. You’ll cruise through dazzling tunnels and awe-inspiring displays of over 1 million LED lights.
Kentucky: Lights Under Louisville
Lights Under Louisville
South Dakota: Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland
For a nature-infused holiday light display, take a walk through the Falls Park Winter Wonderland. Every year the park is lit up by thousands of lights for a beautiful scene. The park’s namesake ice-encrusted waterfalls along the Big Sioux River, lit up by red and green lights, are their own unique display. The 128-acre park is made even more magical with the trees and walkways strung with lights and the colorful frozen waterfalls. You’ll surely be enchanted by this festive winter wonderland—and your pet will love an outing to stretch their legs and enjoy the crisp winter air.
Texas: Gift of Lights
Gift of Lights
Washington: Fantasy Lights
Pierce County Parks
Get ready to have your fuzzy Christmas socks knocked off at the largest holiday drive-thru display in the Northwest. Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park features nearly 300 elaborate displays and thousands of sparkling lights. The two-mile, pet-friendly drive winds along the shore of Spanaway Lake, which makes a beautiful backdrop to the festive atmosphere. Tune in your radio station to listen to a special selection of holiday music—feel free to carol along with your favorite tunes!
The Best Holiday Lights Near You
Wondering where to find dog-friendly holiday lights near you? We’ve compiled a list of the best options in each state. Check the event website for tickets and more information. Or plan your own route to find drive-thru Christmas lights near you with the Tacky Light Tour, a listing of the most elaborate (and, yes, some might say tacky) home decorations in cities around the country.
Alabama
Huntsville
November 11, 2022 - January 1, 2023 | Dog Walking Nights: November 14, 15, 21, 22, and December 19, 20, 26, 27 (Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day)
Alabama
Rocket City
November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Arizona
Glendale
November 23, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Arizona
Tempe
November 16, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Arkansas
Pine Bluff
November 16, 2022 - December 31, 2022
California
San Dimas
November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
California
San Jose
November 26, 2022 - January 1, 2023
California
Dana Point
December 6, 7, 13, & 14, 2022 | Santa Paws event December 7, 2022
California
Watsonville
November 25, 2022 - December 25, 2022
California
Morrison
November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023 (Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Colorado
Federal Heights
November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023 (Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Colorado
Denver
November 17, 2022 - December 24, 2022
Connecticut
Meriden
November 23, 2022 – December 31, 2023
Connecticut
East Hartford
November 23, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Delaware
Lewes
December 3, 2022 - December 31, 2023
Delaware
Odessa
November 15, 2022 - December 31, 2023
Florida
St. Augustine
November 19, 2022 - January 31, 2023
Florida
Daytona Beach
November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Florida
Homestead
November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Florida
Melbourne
November 25, 2022 - January 2, 2023 | Stroll Among the Lights, December 9, 10, 11, 30, 31, 2022 and January 1, 2023
Florida
Coconut Creek
November 23, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Georgia
Lookout Mountain
November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Georgia
Pine Mountain
November 18, 2022 - January 2, 2023
Georgia
Marietta
November 16, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Idaho
Garden City
November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Idaho
Coeur d’Alene
November 25, 2022- January 2, 2023
Illinois
East Peoria
November 24, 2022 - January 2, 2023
Illinois
Northbrook
November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Illinois
Schaumburg
November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Indiana
Indianapolis
November 11, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Indiana
Santa Claus
December 10, 2022 - December 11, 2022
Iowa
Mt. Pleasant
November 23-30, 2022 & December 1-31, 2023
Iowa
Altoona
Drive-Thru November 25, 2022 - January 1, 2023 | (Closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve)
Kentucky
Lexington
November 25, 2022 - December 31, 2023 (Closed Christmas Day)
Louisiana
New Orleans
November 24, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Maine
Boothbay
November 19, 2022 – December 31, 2023 (Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
Maryland
Annapolis
Drive-Thru November 20, 2022 - January 1, 2023, Lights & Leashes special dog walking night, November 17 & 18, 2022
Maryland
Gaithersburg
Drive-Thru November 25, 2022 - December 31, 2022 (Closed on Christmas Day), Leashes & Lights special dog walk under the lights, November 21, 2022
Maryland
Upper Marlboro
November 25, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Massachusetts
Springfield
November 23, 2022 - January 1, 2023 (Closed November 28 and 29)
Massachusetts
Foxborough
November 18, 2022 - December 31, 2022 (Closed November 20-21, December 1-2 and 24-25)
Michigan
Clarkston
November 18, 2022 – December 31, 2022
Michigan
Rochester
November 21, 2022 - January 15, 2023
Minnesota
Shakopee
November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Mississippi
Tylertown
November 24, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Missouri
Fairmont City
November 11, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Nebraska
Minden
November 25, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Nevada
Las Vegas
November 10, 2022 - January 8, 2023
New Hampshire
Loudon
November 24, 2022 - January 1, 2023
New Jersey
Holmdel
November 18, 2022 - December 30, 2022
New York
Jones Beach
November 18, 2022 - December 30, 2022
New York
Lockport
November 18, 2022 - December 31, 2022
North Carolina
Raleigh
November 18, 2022 - December 30, 2022
North Carolina
McAdenville
December 1, 2022 - December 26, 2022
North Carolina
Clemmons
November 11, 2022 - January 1, 2023
North Dakota
Williston
November 27, 2022 - December 31, 2022
North Dakota
West Fargo
November 25, 2022 - December 31, 2022 (Closed on Christmas Day)
Ohio
Middleburg Heights
November 23, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Oregon
Portland
November 25, 2022 – December 31, 2022
Pennslyvania
Allentown
November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023 (Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Pennslyvania
Pittsburgh
November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Rhode Island
Hope
November 18, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Rhode Island
Newport
December 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
South Carolina
Charleston
November 11, 2022 - December 31, 2022
South Carolina
North Myrtle Beach
November 21, 2022 - December 30, 2022 (Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day)
South Dakota
Sioux Falls
November 27, 2022 – January 1, 2023
South Dakota
Rapid City
November 27, 2022 - January 1, 2022
Tennessee
Lebanon
November 11, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Tennessee
Sevierville
November 4, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Tennessee
Johnson City
November 23, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Texas
Little Elm
November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Texas
San Antonio
November 25, 2022 - January 9, 2023
Texas
Athens
November 10, 2022 - January 3, 2023
Wisconsin
Milwaukee
November 17, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Utah
South Jordan
November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023 (Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Utah
Spanish Fork
November 24, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Virginia
Newport News
November 24, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Virginia
Richmond
November 18, 2022 - December 31, 2023
Washington
Stanwood
November 25-27, 2022 and December 1-4, 8-11, 14-23 and 26-31, 2022
West Virginia
Fairmont
November 25, 2022 - December 30, 2022
The holidays are one of the most wonderful times of the year, and you can make the season even more festive with a pet-friendly holiday light show. Even if you don’t have a Christmas light display close to home, just remember you can always grab a leash and take your pet on a stroll out your front door to enjoy your neighbors’ decorations. Or consider putting up your own holiday décor! Either way, you can make the holidays a bit more merry and bright, both for you and your pet.
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