Holidays are fast approaching, which means one thing: Christmas lights display tours! While some people crave bow-adorned gifts under a tree, we can’t get enough of the local holiday decorations.


Here are a few of the best Christmas lights to see around Joplin and Carthage. (Click here to view a Map of locations.)

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*List updated November, 2022*

Christmas Lights in Branson, MO 

Trail of Lights – Everyone's favorite drive-through Christmas light show in Branson has been going strong for over 3 decades, and it’s even better this year! Millions of holiday decorations, lights, and animated displays can be found throughout all 160-plus acres of Shepherd of the Hills Homestead. The Trail of Lights display will run through New Year's Day, and pricing starts at just $25 per carload. (In order to get your money’s worth, we recommend stuffing your Honda Odyssey or Pilot to the brim with family and friends!)

Let There Be Lights Drive Thru - Or is this everyone's favorite drive-through holiday light show in Branson? Hosted at the Promised Land Zoo, Let There Be Lights Drive Thru offers 45-minute guided tours that get you up close and personal with animals and Christmas decorations. You can meet Santa and take photos, purchase hot cocoa and popcorn, and buy "stocking stuffers" in the gift shop. 

Lights of Joy - Or maybe it's this one? Held at 700 Expressway Lane, this Branson drive-through Christmas light show features over one mile of holiday decorations and many more activities.

Christmas Lights in Broken Arrow, OK 

Rhema Christmas Lights Extravaganza – Since 1982, the Christmas light attraction in Broken Arrow has been one of the area’s biggest seasonal attractions. From 5:30 to 11:30 PM every evening, more than 2 million synchronized lights and decorations, such as a 50-figure nativity scene and gingerbread family, will be brightening up the Rhema Church campus. Carriage rides will be available on select dates, but the enormous 22-foot Christmas tree will stand tall until all the decorations come down on New Year’s Day.

Christmas Lights in Carthage, MO 

Mount Moriah Lights – Completely computerized, this Carthage Christmas lights display features over 150,000 lights, programmed to holiday tunes. Located at Mt Moriah United Methodists Church (15506 Nutmeg Rd), the nightly light show dazzle through the end of the year.

Workman Family Christmas Light Display – With over 20,000 Christmas lights and decorations (and counting!), this well-lit house is one of the finest and largest residential holiday displays in Carthage. If that weren’t enough, all the lights are programmed and synchronized to holiday music, as well!

Hometown Holidays - Want to celebrate the holidays with a little ice skating? Head to Carthage Square from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve! Just $5 gets you a pair of rental skates, and you'll also be able to see Santa and participate in several Christmas-themed activities. It'll be a blast. 

Sparkle in the Park - Crews have been hard at work setting up Central Park to be the North Pole. Sparkle in the Park, which opens after Thanksgiving, features spectacular holiday lights that cover virtually every inch of the Park. And because everything's set up by the Carthage Water & Electric Plant, you can bet the Christmas lights will dazzle those retinas of yours! 

Christmas at Precious Moments Chapel - Need a place to kick off your Christmas lights tour this Thanksgiving? Carthage's Precious Moments Chapel is calling your name. Operating until December 31, their holiday lights display features over 50,000 lights, all spread out around their beautiful replica European village. If you arrive at the right time (Friday and Saturday nights), you may also be able to listen to holiday music performed by local choirs, soloists and ensembles. 

Christmas Lights in Fairland, OK 

Twin Bridges Park of Lights – Each night through the end of the year, one of the best Christmas lighting displays in Fairland opens to the public. Santa and his better half also drops by the Twin Bridges Park lobby on select dates, so be sure to bring the kids and their wishlists.

Christmas Lights in Joplin, MO 

Spiva Park - Every December, Joplin's Spiva Park becomes a winter wonderland complete with a holiday light show around the fountain. The lights are typically set to holiday music, so bring a thermos of cocoa, kick back, and enjoy the show. 

Campbell Parkway - Walk Campbell Parkway's trails—both loops total 1.32 miles in length—and experience a Christmas (lights) miracle. The whole area is illuminated by thousands of holiday decorations and displays, so you can really spend an entire romantic evening enjoying the sights. 

Mercy Park - Each holiday season, Mercy Park opens up their Holiday Tree Trail, which features dozens of decorated trees and Christmas displays. They have a special Family Night event, as well, which includes refreshments, a Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt, a movie in the park, and visits with Santa. 

612 Seville Circle Drive – It takes the homeowners of this Joplin house six weeks to put up their Nativity scene, over 50,000 Christmas lights, and wooden Santa displays (yes, Rudolph and the elves are included). You’ll certainly get into the spirit of the season by walking past this glowing winter wonderland.

Ronald McDonald House - Visit the Ronald McDonald House, located on 34th and Jackson, to view their extraordinary holiday light display, Christmas tree, and all the festive decorations.

Christmas Lights in Monett, MO 

Festival of Lights – The best Christmas light show in Southwest Missouri may just be found in Monett. Running from Thanksgiving to December 31, this local holiday attraction features a million dollars’ worth of Christmas lights and festive decorations, with more being added each year. Best of all – it’s 100% free to the public!

Christmas Lights in Neosho, MO 

Mauller Family Farm – This beautiful home is lit up by over 40,000 lights and decorations. Donations are accepted, too, and they all go to local charities in need. 

Christmas Lights in Sarcoxie, MO 

Christmas On The Square - Visit Sarcoxie's historic square for their annual Christmas lighting, which will run through the entire month of December. If you show up on their actual lighting (December 3, 2022), you can watch the Christmas parade, which starts at the High School.

Christmas Lights in Webb City, MO 

King Jack Park – Each December, Webb City's King Jack Park adds more holiday decorations than the previous year. This festive Polar Bear Express event has become one of the area's largest and most popular places to see Christmas lights. Visits from Santa. Christmas carols. Holiday treats. A zillion lights. This Webb City winter extravaganza is truly exceptional. 

(For even more lights displays in other areas around Joplin, click here.) 

Happy Holidays from Everyone at Roper Honda 

In celebration of this holiday season, we’re offering extraordinary Honda deals for Christmas. Care to learn more? Contact Roper Honda at (417) 625-0800 or visit our Joplin car dealership at 902 N Rangeline Rd to speak with a salesperson. And enjoy your holiday!

Categories: Community Events