Holiday light displays are a big part of the holiday season, and everyone should see at least one before the holiday’s end. In a previous post mostly focused on house displays, the Longview Lake Park in Kansas City, The Finley River Park in Ozark, Downtown St. Charles, and the Delmar Loop in St. Louis were already mentioned. Here are ten more great light displays in the state that are worth a visit.
1. Country Club Plaza Lights, Kansas City
VIDEO From the Plaza Lights Ceremony, held on Thanksgiving through January 17th, the Country Club Plaza entertainment district becomes an amazing celebration of lights. The Plaza lights illuminate 15 city blocks and are on daily from 5pm to 3am. In addition, shops in the district offer extended hours during the holidays. For more information, visit
countryclubplaza.com .
2. An Old Time Christmas, Silver Dollar City, Branson
VIDEO An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City in Branson lasts from November 7th-December 30th. Enjoy an amazing 5 million plus lights, 1,000 decorated Christmas trees, two live shows and a parade. Enjoy amazing food, rides (when weather allows), and shops to round out the experience.
3. Candy Cane Lane in St. Louis.
VIDEO Candy Cane Lane, located on the 6500 block of Murdoch in South St. Louis, is a yearly tradition during which nearly every house in the entire neighborhood is lit up with colorful decorations, the trees are wrapped with lights and a display is placed high above the street. Christmas music plays as you drive slowly through the neighborhood. The block is located in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood between Ted Drewes and Francis Park.
4. Callao
VIDEO This hidden gem is in a tiny little town called Callao, but it can be seen from the highway. Thank you to Barbara Bruner for bringing this to our attention. Well worth seeing!
5. Springfield Festival of Lights
The Festival of Lights in Springfield is a beautiful display recurring daily beginning Nov 19 and lasting until Dec 31. It is an ongoing celebration of the season. Events include a tree lighting celebration, fireworks, free ice skating, shows, plays, music and more!
6. Santa's Magical Kingdom, Jellystone Park, Eureka
Santa’s Magical Kingdom, located in Jellystone Park in Eureka covers 35 acres with millions of lights and holiday scenes. It takes quite a while to see it all. Travel through the Candy Cane Village, see Santa’s flying reindeer, or visit the Waterfall of Lights. You can also take an old fashioned wagon ride through the display. For holiday shopping, visit Kringle’s General Store. Santa's Magical Kingdom is open from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Admission is $20 per car or $13 for wagon or train rides.
7. Winter Wonderland, Tilles Park, St. Louis County
VIDEO The St. Louis County Parks Department turns Tilles Park into a Winter Wonderland and they’ve been doing it for 30 years. You can drive through the display or even better you can see the lights riding in a horse-drawn carriage. Open daily from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., except for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, cars are welcome Sunday through Friday, but Saturdays are reserved for carriage rides. Admission is $10 per car. Tickets for carriage rides are available through MetroTix, and prices vary depending on the size of the carriage.
8. Wild Lights, St. Louis Zoo
From November 27th through January 3rd, the St. Louis Zoo comes alive from 5:30pm to 8:30 pm with more than 500,000 lights. Kids can hear holiday stories and adults can shop at the Holiday Zootique. Weekday tickets are $7 for Zoo members and $8 for non-members. Weekend tickets are $9 for Zoo members and $10 for non-members. Children under two get in free. There is also free parking at the Zoo's north and south lots.
9. Ozark Mountain Christmas Lights & Village, Branson
With a new location this year at 555 Buena Vista Road in Branson, this drive-through display is open every night from 5:30pm-11:00pm. The Village is open Thursday-Sunday 5:30pm-9:00pm from November 5th-December 27th.
10. The Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights, Branson
The Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights is a drive through light display located east of Silver Dollar City on Highway 76 between it and the famed "Branson Strip" on the 160-acre Shepherd of the Hills Homestead. It is two and a half miles with millions of Christmas lights, beautiful displays accompanied by music, and animated scenes. You can also ride up glass elevators at Inspiration Tower to get a unique view.
Where is your favorite place to see the holiday lights? Have you visited any of these places? Share in the comments below.
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