Top Picks | Winter Solstice Light Festivals

Best Winter Solstice Celebrations

The Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and usual fall on December 21 or 22. This day is the point when the hours of daylight in the day start to lengthen, rather than shorten. Cultures throughout history have celebrated this day, and there are many historic ways that you can celebrate the solstice, and be thankful for the longer days ahead. If you would like to enjoy some fun winter celebrations, here are few good events from around the country.

Annual Lights of the Ozarks Festival, Fayetteville, AR

Held each year from Thanksgiving to New Year, Fayettville is lit up by hundreds of lights. The entire town square is decorated with lights. Visitors will also find horse drawn carriage rides and more to enjoy.

Winter Festival of Lights, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Each year in Niagara Falls, there is an amazing show of lights from November through January. The show lights up Niagara Falls and visitors will also find many amazing displays and more.

Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show, ID

Held in November and December, the Coeur d'Alene Resort is lit up with holiday lights. Visitors can enjoy the excellent resort as well as all of the holiday displays. There are even cruise boat rides on Lake Coeur d'Alene for visitors to get a better view of the amazing show of lights.

Winterfest of Lights, Ocean City, MD

Each year from November to January, the town of Ocean Side becomes a winter wonderland. There are thousands of lights and many fun displays for visitors to enjoy. The seaside resort also has a sand sculpture and many unique light arrangements.

Candlelight Stroll, Portsmouth, NH

This is a great winter event, held Saturdays and Sundays through December, visitors to Portsmouth can enjoy all of the historic celebrations in the city. The landscape is lit up with hundreds of candles. In addition, many historic homes in the town are decorated with historic decorations.

Festival of Light, Chickasha, OK

Within the acres of Shannon Springs Park in Chickasha, visitors can enjoy the displays of millions of lights from November through December. Visitors can also enjoy carriage rides, music and much more.

Spanish Fork Festival of Lights, Spanish Fork, UT

Starting on Thanksgiving and wrapping up on New Years, Spanish Fork has a great light festival each year. Canyon View Park is lit up with thousands of lights, including displays with moving parts, motion lights and more. In addition there are hayrides through the park.

Holiday Lights at the Beach, Virginia Beach, VA

One of the largest light displays on the east coast, this show is held each year in November and December. Visitors will enjoy the lights and holiday displays as they walk down the boardwalk on Virginia Beach.