In our experience, there are two types of people: those who love Christmas lights, and those who lie about not loving Christmas lights.
That being the case, once again it’s time for our yearly holiday light tour of Joplin and the surrounding Quad-State area. If you’re in Southwestern Missouri and wondering where to see Christmas lights near you, you’ve come to the right place.
*This article is updated from our 2022 Edition*
Christmas Lights in Missouri
Holiday Tree Trail
Mercy Park | 3002 St. Johns Boulevard, Joplin, MO 64804
This event hosts a variety of trees decorated by members of the Joplin community. Guests are welcome to walk through beautiful Mercy Park and vote on their favorite. It begins on November 28th and voting runs until December 20th. There’s also a family fun night on Saturday, December 16th, where the kiddos can meet Santa while you cast your ballot.
As of this writing, the event is still looking for sponsors and participants. If you fancy yourself a pro-level tree decorator, all you need is $25 bucks and an artificial tree, and you’re in like Flynn.
Christmas on the Square
Sarcoxie Square | Intersection of Center Street & N 5th Street, Sarcoxie, MO 64862
The quaint village of Sarcoxie will be having their own lighting ceremony on December 2nd, but don’t worry if you can’t make it on the day, because it’ll remain lit through the New Year. If you do make it, you’ll be able to enjoy a rousing annual Christmas parade.
Way of Salvation Christmas Light Display
Our Lady of the Ozarks College | 1900 Grand Avenue, Carthage, MO 64836
For the 39th year running, the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer will be hosting one of the most dazzling Christmas light displays this side of the Mississippi. Wind your way through nearly a mile of campus trails and enjoy the ethereal ambiance. For the best access, enter on the southwest side of the campus.
Admission is free of charge, but donations are graciously accepted. The event goes from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.
Mount Moriah Lights
Mount Moriah United Methodist Church | 15506 Nutmeg Road, Carthage, MO 64836
This walk-through Christmas light show is fully computerized, with all sorts of dancing colors to behold. The church is located just ten minutes from downtown Carthage. Automated lights don’t work so well in the rain, so keep an eye on that weather forecast before you attend.
Hometown Holidays
Various Locations around Carthage, Missouri
There are tons of things to do in Carthage to kick off the Christmas season. This wide-ranging holiday extravaganza includes a movie night featuring The Grinch, a candy cane hunt with prizes, bounce houses, food trucks, yard games, and even a shopping crawl. It all culminates in the mayor’s tree lighting ceremony on Monday, December 4th at 6:30 p.m. Have a gander at the website for the official event schedule.
Sparkle in the Park
Central Park | 305 W Chestnut Street, Carthage, MO 64836
For the entirety of December, the other Central Park will be lit up from 5 p.m. to midnight. This is a great chance for a romantic nighttime stroll.
Festival of Lights
North Park | Intersection of W Highway 60 & State Highway 37, Monett, MO 65708
It may not be a very big town, but Monett has one of the biggest and brightest holiday light shows in the southern half of the state. Dozens of displays and thousands of lights make for one heck of a good time.
Let There Be Lights
Promised Land Zoo | 2751 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, Branson, MO 65616
This is one of Missouri’s best drive-through Christmas light displays, and if you’ve ever been, you already know why. The 74-acre park boasts over two full miles of attractions, and once you’re done with that, you can get out to stretch your legs in the Candyland Courtyard.
Lights of Joy
Near Shepherd of the Hills Expressway | 700 Expressway Lane, Branson, MO 65616
Oh look, another Christmas light drive-through in the Ozark Mountains. This one won the Best of Branson 2023 Award, so you know you just can’t skip it. Guests will also receive coupons and discounts for all sorts of other things to do around Branson.
Trail of Lights
The Shepherd of the Hills Observation Tower Entrance | 6021 W 76 Country Boulevard, Branson, MO 65616
Yet another one of the best drive-through holiday light shows, conveniently also located in Branson. It’s been a holiday staple for more than three decades, with millions of bulbs lighting the way. Admission is $25 per vehicle Sunday to Thursday and $30 on the weekends, so make sure you cram that family SUV full so you can get your money’s worth.
Christmas Lights in Arkansas
Bentonville Square Lights
Bentonville City Square | Intersection of E Central Avenue & N Main Street, Bentonville, AR 72712
The B-Ville Square was officially lit on November 18th, which makes this a perfect opportunity to bundle up and amble around their charming downtown area, which features all kinds of delicious places to eat, and of course, tons of Christmas cheer.
Lights of the Ozarks
Fayetteville Downtown Square and Gardens | 1 W Center Street, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Check it out, another adorable Arkansas town square, all lit up for the holidays and ready to receive guests. Much like neighboring Bentonville, this city has plenty of charm to spare, so make sure you wear comfy shoes because there’s a bunch to see. The lights here stay on until 1 a.m. every night of the week.
Riverside Festival of Lights
Riverside Entertainment | 17023 Chamber Springs Road, Siloam Springs, AR 72761
Come see acres of lights at this venue, which is usually a haunted house when they’re not celebrating the yuletide season. They also have horse-drawn wagon rides around a local spring, a life-sized nativity, and special tree displays to honor our armed forces.
Christmas Lights in Oklahoma
Twin Bridges Park of Lights
Twin Bridges Area at Grand Lake State Park | 14801 E Highway 137, Fairland, OK 74343
One of the best parks in Eastern Oklahoma is doing a drive-through Christmas show, with 40 different lighted displays and plenty of natural wonder to behold. This event draws more than 20,000 visitors every year.
Route 66 Christmas Parade
Downtown Miami | Intersection of S Main Street & U.S. Route 66, Miami, OK 74354
Come and get your kicks in this world-famous slice of Americana with over 100 parade entries, from live bands to illuminated floats. Downtown Miami is a very pleasant stretch of the iconic trans-continental highway, so there’s plenty of good food and shopping to indulge in. The parade takes place on December 2nd.
Rhema Lights
Rhema Campus | 1025 W Kenosha Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012
Since 1982, this captivating show has grown so much that it now draws in half a million visitors per year. The event takes place on a 110-acre campus and is free to attend. You may want to bring some money though, because you seriously don’t wanna miss out on the horse-drawn carriage ride. Concessions are available as well.
Christmas Lights in Kansas
Christmas on the Bricks
Various Locations around Fort Scott, Kansas
If you’re looking to get away for a few days, this holiday banger is going off the whole first weekend of December. It starts with a Christmas parade through the historic town on Thursday, November 30th, followed by the lighting of the local mayor’s tree. There are also tree decorating competitions, movie nights, karaoke, carriage rides, and parties to attend. We recommend booking a hotel ASAP so you don’t miss any of the fun.
The Christmas Shoppe Display
The Christmas Shoppe | 1608 W 4th Street, Pittsburg, KS 66762
This super cute locally owned store allows guests to explore the holiday display on their property from Tuesday to Saturday until 8 p.m. Once you’ve finished, make a quick detour into the downtown area of Pittsburg to see even more lights.
Where Will Your Christmas Light Tour of the Quad States Take You?
Are there any obvious ones that we missed? Do you know of any hidden gem holiday light displays near Joplin? Don’t be stingy, hit us up on our Facebook page and let us know!
If you’re looking for a stellar Christmas gift for Mom or Dad, might we suggest an award-winning certified pre-owned Honda CR-V? Give us a call at (417) 625-0800 to learn about our featured used vehicle specials today.
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