Richmond Christmas Lights 2025

Discover 11 verified christmas lights in Richmond and nearby areas.

Welcome to your guide for Richmond Christmas lights and holiday displays, where the city lights up with festive cheer each winter. Richmond Christmas lights bring warmth and sparkle to neighborhoods and public spaces, inviting everyone to enjoy the season’s glow.

Among the beloved neighborhood favorites near Richmond, you’ll find the Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, featuring millions of lights across beautiful gardens. The Tacky Lights Tour is another local tradition showcasing creative and colorful light displays throughout the city.

This guide covers free neighborhood displays, ticketed events like GardenFest, drive-through lights, and walking trails. Explore these light displays and make the most of your holiday visit near Richmond.

All Christmas Lights Around Richmond

Richmond Tacky Lights Tours

$$

Guided bus tours of extravagant holiday light displays

Experience the dazzling and delightfully over-the-top holiday spirit of Richmond on a Tacky Lights Tour. Hop aboard a comfortable, climate-controlled bus with friends and family to explore the city's most extravagant and creatively decorated homes. This guided tour showcases the...

Holiday Light DisplaysFamily FriendlySeasonal Activities

CarMax Tacky Light Run

Midlothian, VA 12 mi from Richmond
$$

Run through a neighborhood famous for its over-the-top tacky holiday lights.

Step into a tacky wonderland at the CarMax Tacky Light Run! This unique event transforms Richmond's beloved holiday light tradition into an unforgettable experience. Participants can run or walk a festive 6k through the dazzling Walton Park neighborhood, surrounded by...

Holiday Light DisplaysFamily FriendlySeasonal Activities

Chester VA USA Tacky Light Tour

Chester, VA 13 mi from Richmond
$

Self-guided tour of diverse holiday light displays

Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Chester VA USA Tacky Light Tour. This self-guided driving tour showcases a dazzling array of creative and spectacular Christmas light displays across the region. From whimsical themes to synchronized light shows,...

Holiday Light DisplaysFamily FriendlySeasonal Activities

Light Up the Tracks

Ashland, VA 14 mi from Richmond
Free

Mile-long holiday light display in historic district

Experience the magic of the holiday season at Light Up the Tracks in Downtown Ashland. This spectacular event transforms the historic district into a twinkling wonderland with over ten thousand lights. Visitors can enjoy a mile-long display by car, foot,...

Holiday Light DisplaysCommunity CelebrationFamily Friendly

Light Up the Night

Hopewell, VA 18 mi from Richmond
$

Annual Christmas parade and grand illumination ceremony.

Hopewell's largest holiday celebration, 'Light Up the Night,' transforms the city into a winter wonderland. The event kicks off with a festive Christmas parade, culminating in a grand illumination ceremony at Ashford Civic Plaza. Following the parade, a downtown winter...

ParadesTree LightingSanta Visits

Hopewell Tour of Lights

Hopewell 18 mi from Richmond
Free

Community-wide holiday light displays

Experience the magic of the holiday season in Hopewell with the annual Tour of Lights. This free, self-guided event invites residents and visitors to drive through neighborhoods and marvel at the dazzling displays of festive lights and creative decorations. It's...

Holiday Light DisplaysCommunity CelebrationFree Event

Illuminate Light Show at Meadow Event Park

Doswell, VA 21 mi from Richmond
$$

Virginia's largest drive-thru synchronized light show

Embark on a magical holiday journey at Virginia's largest drive-thru synchronized light and music show. This spectacular event features over three million Christmas lights spread across a 2.5-mile route, all perfectly synchronized to festive music broadcast directly to your car's...

Holiday Light DisplaysDrive Through DisplaysSynchronized Lights

Norfolk Winter Wonderland at The Coleman Nursery Collection

Williamsburg, VA 42 mi from Richmond

Enchanting winter wonderland displays

Step into a enchanting winter wonderland at The Coleman Nursery Collection. This event transforms the space into a festive spectacle, perfect for soaking in the holiday cheer. Discover a curated collection of decorations and displays that capture the magic of...

Holiday Light DisplaysFestive DecorationsFamily Friendly

Busch Gardens Christmas Town

Williamsburg, VA 48 mi from Richmond

Virginia's largest Christmas event with over 10 million lights.

Busch Gardens Christmas Town transforms into a winter wonderland with over ten million twinkling lights, making it one of North America's largest holiday light displays. Visitors can enjoy festive shows, meet Santa Claus and his elves, and ride over 25...

Holiday Light DisplaysChristmas MarketSanta Visits

Christmastide at Stratford Hall

Stratford, VA 53 mi from Richmond
$$

Historic colonial Christmas celebration with interpreters and music.

Step back in time for a colonial Christmas at Stratford Hall. Wander through beautifully decorated historic buildings and grounds, enjoy authentic 18th-century music and traditions, and take a magical twilight tractor wagon ride. Children can craft their own holiday ornaments,...

Holiday TraditionColonial ChristmasLive Music

Celebration in Lights

Newport News, VA 55 mi from Richmond

Two miles of holiday scenes with over one million lights

Step into a winter wonderland at Virginia's longest-running holiday drive-through light show. This spectacular event features two miles of enchanting displays, brought to life with over a million lights. Journey through whimsical scenes, including light tunnels and simulated snowfall, all...

Holiday Light DisplaysDrive Through DisplaysFestive Decorations

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top Christmas light displays in and around Richmond?

Top displays include the Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, which features millions of lights across themed garden areas. The Tacky Lights Tour showcases creative neighborhood displays throughout Richmond, and the nearby Illuminate Light Show in Doswell offers a large drive-through experience with synchronized lights and music.

What is the difference between drive-through and walkable Christmas light options near Richmond?

Drive-through light displays, like the Illuminate Light Show in Doswell, allow visitors to enjoy synchronized lights from the comfort of their cars. Walkable options, such as the GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, offer immersive experiences where you can stroll through decorated trails and gardens at your own pace.

When do Richmond Christmas lights typically start each year?

Richmond Christmas lights generally start appearing in mid to late November, with major events like the GardenFest of Lights opening around mid-November and continuing through early January. Neighborhood displays often begin around Thanksgiving and run through December.

Are there free Christmas light displays available in Richmond?

Yes, many neighborhood displays throughout Richmond are free to enjoy, including various blocks known for their festive decorations. While some major events require tickets, exploring local streets and parks offers plenty of no-cost holiday lights to see.

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