Best Christmas Lights Display

See your kids' eyes glimmer with excitement as they enjoy the magic of the season at one of these Christmas light shows. Children will squeal with glee as they ride an open-air train, catch a photo with Santa or savor a favorite holiday treat. With host venues like art museums and botanical gardens, some of these light displays particularly appeal to an older crowd, offering wine, photo ops and last-minute shopping opportunities. Which is your favorite?

These 10 Christmas light displays were selected by our featured panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best.

1. Christmas at the Princess—Scottsdale, AZ

For Christmas at the Princess, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has transformed itself for 15 seasons into a winter wonderland decorated with more than 10 million LED lights. Watch the synchronized music and light show by the four-story holiday tree, and then meet Santa in his sleigh. You can also go ice skating, take a whirl on a fair ride and reserve private igloos with fire pits for a more personalized experience.

Photo Credit: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

2. Winterlights at Newfields—Indianapolis, IN

Winterlights descends on the Garden at Newfields each holiday season, providing a polished and cultivated experience. While a soundtrack fills the air with Christmas classics played by symphonies, you can meander down the Twinkling Trail or walk over the Snowflake Bridge to see the synchronized blanket of colors at the Landscape of Light. Make reservations early to avoid missing this iconic event.

3. Chickasha Festival of Light—Chickasha, OK

Get in the holiday mood when you walk or drive through the Chickasha Festival of Light, a dazzling occasion with a lit tunnel, Ferris wheel, toy soldiers and more. While you could spend your whole evening enjoying the lights and animated displays, there are also carriage rides, ice skating and food trucks.

4. Balboa Park December Nights—San Diego, CA

A Balboa Park tradition for 46 years, December Nights is a holiday legend for locals. This two-day free event features a live nativity scene and light displays like flying reindeer pulling Santa and his sleigh. Visitors will find live music, multicultural food options and a chance to take a photo with Santa. Many of the park's museums are also free.

5. Silver Dollar City's Old Time Christmas Festival—Branson, MO

The Old Time Christmas festival, held annually at Branson's 1880s-style theme park, is nationally recognized as one of the best holiday destinations. When you see the 6.5 million lights that fill nearly every vertical space, you may agree. Don't miss the ceremony for lighting the eight-story Christmas tree or Rudolph's Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade that starts soon after.

6. Prairie Lights—Grand Prairie, TX

Showcasing four million lights with new installations each year, Prairie Lights is a two-mile holiday extravaganza that you can drive the whole family through. Halfway along the path, park your car for a warm treat, a photo with Santa and free carnival rides. Pro tip: come early and plan to spend a couple of hours here to ensure you beat the crowds while hitting the highlights of this attraction.

7. Garden Lights, Holiday Nights—Atlanta, GA

Set in the beautiful Atlanta Botanical Garden, Garden Lights, Holiday Nights provides a more refined light show experience. With features like the shimmering curtain of light, illuminated sculptures of birds and the decorated Ice Goddess, the creators have designed this event to be an immersive encounter that blends seamlessly with the garden. It's no wonder that tickets sell out quickly as locals and tourists gush over their time here.

8. Big, Bright Light Show—Rochester, MI

Beginning in late November and lasting until mid-January, the Big, Bright Light Show transforms four blocks of downtown Rochester into a sparkling holiday display. Each year, crews work for eight weeks to set up over one million colorful lights on storefronts, many of which will stay open late during the event to allow for extra shopping. The lights turn on around 5 p.m. and remain on until midnight.

9. Nights of a Thousand Candles—Murrells Inlet, SC

Christmas at the beach glitters like nowhere else when you see the Nights of a Thousand Candles. Each evening, more than 2,700 real candles paired with millions of lights illuminate the Brookgreen Gardens for a serene setting. Upgrade your tour of the glowing grounds with their Sparkle & Fun Package, featuring a glass of wine or cider and a pair of holographic glasses that make the lights even more dazzling.

10. Christmas Wonderland—Alton, IL

Ideal for those who would rather see the displays from their seat instead of their feet, the drive-through Christmas Wonderland is glimmering with over four million lights. If your little ones are itching to get out of the car, though, there is a pedestrian path and a Santa's Village area, where you can grab a photo with the jolly old guy before heading home.

About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@newsweek.com.

Our Featured Panelists

Heather Raulerson is a freelance travel writer and photographer who left a traditional 9-5 job to explore the world. She spent a year backpacking through Europe and Asia, even living in Thailand for 4 months. A lover of SLOW travel and getting to know the local culture, Heather is always exploring with her camera. She has been featured in several publications. Follow her adventures at raulersongirlstravel.com.

Robin O'Neal Smith is a freelance writer covering food, travel, wine and lifestyle topics. A "foodie," she enjoys savoring the food and wine wherever her travels take her and finding the hidden gems in destinations to share with her readers. She resides in Pennsylvania, and her work has appeared in Potomac Lifestyle, Travel Awaits, She Buys Travel, Extended Weekend Getaways and many others. Robin has appeared on various podcasts as an expert on travel topics. She is a TravMedia member and serves on the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association board. Follow her adventures at robinonealsmith.com.

Susan Lanier-Graham is founder and publisher of Wander With Wonder, an award-winning online travel journalism magazine. She has authored more than 75 books and hundreds of magazine articles while traveling the world over the past three decades. Susan's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including various AAA publications, TravelandLeisure.com, Hotels.com, Modern Luxury, WHERE publications, Fairmont.com, Marriott.com and more. Susan is a member of Society of American Travel Writers, International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association, and North American Travel Journalists Association. She is also a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist.

Susan R. Pollack is an award-winning freelance travel writer and photographer with decades of experience. She worked 36 years at The Detroit News and has freelanced for publications including the Dallas News, Toronto Star, Delta Sky, Golf for Women, Midwest Living, Lakeland Boating, Jetsetter (HK), Michigan Blue, quirkycruise.com, WanderwithWonder.com, thewinebuzz.com and others. An avid golfer, foodie, museum buff and mahjong maven, she has visited six continents and all 50 states from her home base in Metro Detroit. Susan is also a copy editor for Jonglez Publishing's "Secret" guide series, including Singapore, Los Angeles, Boston and Kuala Lumpur. Follow her on Facebook.

Teresa Bergen is a Portland, Oregon-based travel writer who specializes in the outdoors, eco, vegan and sober travel. She's the author of Easy Portland Outdoors and the Sober Travel Handbook. Learn more about her at teresabergen.com.

Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.