JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Celebrate the holidays by planning trips to some of the best Christmas and holiday light displays in the greater Jacksonville area!
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best in our area. Take a look:
Glowing Gardens
Families are invited to experience Dazzling Nights at the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. It’s located at 1445 Millcoe Road, off Monument Road in Arlington. The holiday exhibits will run most nights from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. through Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. Tickets must be purchased for a specific time and date. Tickets are available at the door, but will be higher in price. Tickets range from $15-$22. Children 3 and under enter free.
St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights
Nights of Lights dazzles the Ancient City as more than three million lights adorn every corner of the historic district for two months. This award-winning holiday lights display runs from now through Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 in historic St. Augustine. Click here for more information about parking and Nights of Lights events.
Christmas lights at Blackhawk Bluff
The Blackhawk Bluff neighborhood off Girvin Road is considered one of the best places to see Christmas lights in Jacksonville. They’ve been lighting up the trees for more than 15 years and will run this year now through Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. The neighborhood is located off Girvin Road and Blackhawk Trail South.
See a 2018 video of the display below:
Jacksonville Beach Deck the Chairs
The annual lighted sculptural exhibit decorates the iconic lifeguard chairs at the Seawalk Pavilion and Latham Plaza now through Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. A light show also runs nightly from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. as part of the display. Deck the Chairs continues to expand, with performances by local student music and dance groups. Click here to see a full schedule of events.
PHOTOS: See pictures from the 2020 Deck the Chairs display
Holly Jolly Jekyll
With over two million total light bulbs, 500+ light displays, and 45,000+ lights on the Great Tree, Jekyll Island will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland. The Holly Jolly Light Tours are $25, and children 3 and under are free. Self-Guided Holly Jolly Light Tours are also available no cost, other than an entry fee to the island. For more information on how to celebrate Holly Jolly Jekyll and purchase tickets, visit jekyllisland.com/holiday.
Christmas on Crystal Springs
This award-winning display located on Crystal Springs Road is coming back for 2025. For more information, visit the Christmas on Crystal Springs Facebook page.
See a 2018 video of the display below:
Southcreek Lights
It’s a light show synchronized to Christmas music located at 1749 Southcreek Drive in St. Johns. Sixty-four channels, 30 songs, approximately 5,000 lights, and you can listen to the music on 103.1 FM. The show runs from 5:30 p.m. – midnight, 7 days a week through New Year’s Eve. You can find more info at SouthcreekLights.com.
See a 2018 video of the display below:
Colors of the Wild - ZOOLights Lantern Experience
Families can enjoy “one of the largest Asian lantern events in the country” at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ Colors of the Wild - ZOOLights Lantern Experience. The event will take place select nights from now through February. Meet Santa on the following dates: December 5-7 · 12-14 · 17-24. On these nights, make your own ornament to take home with you and enjoy live music, a DJ dance party and special holiday treats. Member tickets are discounted and admission is free for children ages 2 and under. Click here for more information on member and non-member ticket prices.
Viewer-submitted suggestions:
Gierlich Holiday Wonderland | A Gierlich Christmas Wonderland is a light display located in Interlachen. In addition to Christmas, Gierlich displays lights for Halloween and a small display for Easter. The displays all consist of lights, blow molds, and inflatables. The display is located at 1400 Fowler Street in Interlachen. To get details on when this year’s display will light up, visit their Facebook page.
Lights on Grand Parke | Taylor Mitchell said this light show is located at 776 Grand Parke Drive in St. Johns. The show is set to run nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. starting Monday, Dec. 1. Just tune your radio to 88.5 FM to hear the music that goes with the lights. The organizers are raising money for Mercyland Christian Mission in Haiti. For more information, visit the Facebook page.
Christmas Lights and Drive-Thru Living Nativity, Westside Baptist Church | The Living Nativity is a free, family-friendly drive-thru Experience designed to bring the Christmas story to life in an immersive and memorable trip. Adam from Westside Baptist Church said the 15-minute journey features some of the best Christmas lights in Jacksonville. The Nativity will be running Friday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 14, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The entry point for the Living Nativity will begin at Ed White High School at 1700 Old Middleburg Road. Organizers said depending on your arrival time, you should expect a one to two-hour wait. It is generally a one-hour wait from when you pull out of Ed White. For more information, please call the church office at (904) 781-0618 or visit the event page on Facebook.
Smith’s Lights on Rue | Located at 4930 Rue Street in Jacksonville, this is a walk-through display on a acre of land. This year’s display is free and open to the public.
Lights on 14th | This display, located at 15912 NE 14th Ave in Starke, uses thousands of WS28XX LED nodes controlled by a “sequence.” The organizers raise money that goes to Clay Humane. Tune to 91.5 FM to hear the music. Approach from NE 17th Ave only and exit through to State Road 230. NO show viewing is allowed from the northbound direction on NE 14th Ave. You can see the full schedule of light shows by visiting their website. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
If you see any locations we should add to the list, submit a photo or video below!
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