These 5 Mississippi Drive-Through Light Shows Let The Whole Family Enjoy Christmas Without Leaving The Warm Car
I only meant to grab a quick bite on a cold December night in Mississippi, but a glowing glow on the horizon pulled me off course. A few minutes later, I was rolling slowly past tunnels of color with the radio humming carols.
Drive-through light shows let whole families enjoy the season from warm seats, no matter the weather. Here are five Mississippi spots where the lights seem to go on forever.
1. Brandon Amphitheater, Brandon, MS
Concerts usually fill this outdoor venue with sound, but come winter, the stage shares the spotlight with something brighter. Brandon Amphitheater hosts Magic of Lights, a drive-through Christmas show that turns the grounds into a glowing road trip in central Mississippi.
What sets it apart is planning. The route is laid out in clear themed zones, each with its own personality, and the whole thing flows smoothly from one scene to the next.
Past themes have included a Winter Wonderland, the 12 Days of Christmas, Toyland, and a Prehistoric Christmas packed with lit-up dinosaurs.
Size is another big draw. Estimates put the show at around two million lights spread over more than two miles.
A 200-foot Tunnel of Lights wraps around your car like a sparkling hug, and oversized pieces like a giant waving Barbie keep younger passengers pointing out the window.
Families who want to stretch their legs may find a Jolly Holiday Village with extra activities on some nights. Restrooms are available on site, though there is no restaurant, so plan snacks ahead.
Parking options include free lots and street spaces. The display typically runs from November into early January, giving you plenty of nights to choose from.
2. Northern Lights Walnut, MS
Country roads in northern Mississippi get pretty dark after sunset, which makes the glow along County Road 118 feel even more magical. Northern Lights in Walnut is a family-run Christmas display, and you can tell right away that a lot of heart went into it.
How much work does it take to sync thousands of lights to music? Plenty, and the results here show it.
Songs and lights move together so smoothly that the whole display seems to dance as you roll past.
Many folks make a small road trip out of it, driving in from nearby towns after dinner. The rural setting adds to the charm.
Instead of city traffic and noise, you get open sky, quiet fields, and a homegrown show that feels personal.
Hours are generous for a family display. Lights shine from 6 to 10 p.m.
Sunday through Thursday and stay on until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. There is no food on site, so eat before you go or pack cocoa in a thermos.
Children love the bright colors, and the easy pace means even sleepy little ones can enjoy it from their car seats before the drive home.
3. Fredrick’s Drive thru lights, Hattiesburg, MS
Some of the best holiday shows do not come from big companies at all. Along J B Horne Road in Hattiesburg, a neighborhood display called Fredrick’s Drive thru lights proves that one dedicated household can rival a theme park.
The setup is built for cars. Visitors line up and creep along the route, taking in an elaborate spread of lights that covers far more ground than your average front yard.
It feels generous, like a holiday gift shared with the whole community.
Here is a fun thought: imagine the power bill for a display this size each December. Many guests leave so impressed that they wish they could chip in to help cover it.
That kind of reaction says a lot about the effort behind the bulbs.
Because this is a residential spot, keep things friendly. Drive slowly, dim your headlights when it makes sense, and keep noise down for the neighbors.
There are no food stands, so plan a dinner stop in town before or after.
Little ones will be glued to the windows, which makes this a sweet stop for families in southern Mississippi looking for a short, cozy outing.
4. Glydewell Christmas Lights, Carriere, MS
Tune your car radio to 103.9 FM, and suddenly the lights outside start moving to the beat. That is the magic of Glydewell Christmas Lights, a music-driven display tucked along Broadway Lane in Carriere, in the southern corner of Mississippi.
Unlike displays you simply drive past, this one rewards you for slowing down and listening. The light show is carefully coordinated with each song, so colors flash, chase, and fade in time with the music.
Stick around for a few tracks, and you will notice new patterns every round.
Getting there may take a short trip off the main roads. Still, the drive pays off once the first song kicks in and the yard bursts into motion.
Visitors of every age seem to enjoy it equally. Toddlers giggle at the blinking colors, while grown-ups tap along to familiar carols on the steering wheel.
Plan your visit for the evening. The lights run every night from 5:30 to 10 p.m., which makes an early stop easy for families with young children.
Bring a warm blanket, settle in, and let the music handle the holiday mood for you.
5. Central Park Southern Lights, Southaven, MS
Picture a park you know for swings and picnic tables suddenly glowing in red, green, and gold. Each holiday season, Southaven’s Central Park trades its daytime playground mood for a long, winding drive-through light show in northern Mississippi.
The route loops across the park’s wide grounds, so you get plenty of time behind the wheel to soak up the cheery displays. Music is part of the fun here.
Five different FM stations play songs synced to the lights, letting each car pick its own soundtrack.
Fair warning: signal strength can be spotty, so the music may come through better in some spots than others. Even without perfect sound, the lights alone make the slow crawl enjoyable.
In recent seasons, the show has run from 6 to 10 p.m., with a per-car fee of about $10.
Timing matters if you hate waiting in line. Sunday evenings draw the biggest crowds, while Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights tend to be calmer.
Dogs are welcome at the park, so your four-legged family member can ride along and press a nose to the window. Come back in daylight, and you will find the same spot is a fine place for a picnic.