Best Christmas Light Displays

If you want to see Christmas lights that would make Clark Griswold excitedly gaze with wonder without them turning on and off again, come to Southwest Michigan. Each November, these lights are painstakingly placed throughout our region. Some displays are set to music, others invite you to walk through them, and all are popular stops for visitors and locals alike. Do not miss out on the Christmas spirit. Visit the best Christmas light displays and make Southwest Michigan your home away from home for the holidays.

Lights at Fernwood

Each year, Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve brings back this popular ticketed event. Their grounds are filled with Christmas lights in a professionally designed show featuring two light tunnels, three fire pits, a winter craft station, nature-inspired light sculptures, festive music and more. The event runs from Nov. 28 through Jan. 3, 2026, and tickets sell out fast.

Light Up the Bluff

Getting into the holiday spirit is easy during Light Up the Bluff. Caroling sets the mood for the community tree lighting in downtown St. Joseph on Dec. 5, 2025, and when dusk arrives, a million lights glow along Lake Bluff Park. Walk under arches, past decorated trees, holiday characters and the illuminated Maids of the Mist fountain. Look out over the Silver Beach Carousel and the lights in Whirlpool Centennial Park. If you hear a train, head north toward the St. Joseph River to watch it cross the truss swing bridge. Driving slowly along Lake Boulevard is also an enjoyable way to see the display.

Downtown St. Joseph

State Street is especially pretty in the evening when the street lamps come on and the snow drifts through the air. Shop windows filled with holiday displays add a warm glow. Trees wrapped in lights and festive snowman and penguin figures by regional artists brighten every corner. A small house near the St. Joseph Today building at State and Pleasant Streets serves as a spot to visit Santa and, when he is unavailable, drop off a letter for him. If you continue walking south beyond the shops, you will pass several well-preserved historic homes decorated for the holidays.

Holiday Light Celebration, Benton Harbor

Downtown Benton Harbor brightens the season on December 5 with its annual Holiday Light Celebration. Join the community at Dwight P. Mitchell City Center Park as the lights switch on at 6:15 p.m. Before the lighting, the Public Library hosts a local celebrity story reading with children at 4:30 p.m. and the Benton Harbor Middle School Band performs indoors at 5 p.m. Return on December 12 for an Art Hop in the Benton Harbor Arts District from 5 to 8 p.m. Galleries and businesses open their doors for art and seasonal refreshments.

Eden Springs Lights and Train Rides

Come out to Eden Springs Park to ride miniature trains and take in the holiday lights. Train rides run on select weekends from 5-8 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person and children aged 3 and under ride for free. This event accepts cash only.

Jolly Trolley

The Jolly Trolley makes it easy to explore St. Joseph and Benton Harbor during the holiday season with free rides on December 12 and 13. It is an easy way to see Light Up the Bluff, browse shops, dine and visit nearby events. Friday features quick 30-minute loops to the Benton Harbor Arts District for the BHAA Winter Art Hop. Saturday offers longer 1-hour loops that include a stop at historic Eden Springs Park for holiday miniature train rides.

Light Up the Night, Watermark Brewing Co.

You will have no trouble finding Watermark Brewing Co. in Stevensville. The glow in the night sky will guide you. Starting Nov. 29, thousands of lights fill the beer garden and taproom. While here, raise a glass of their on-tap craft beer, wine, cider or seltzer. Food trucks, live music, festive games and the annual ugly sweater party add to the fun.

Smith Road Winter Wonderlawn

This display in Berrien Center runs seven evenings a week from Thanksgiving through early January. Check their Facebook page for updates on run times and final show dates. Lights are synchronized to songs such as "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," Charlie Brown Christmas favorites, "Blue Christmas" and "Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer." If you cannot visit in person, videos of the lights are shared on their Facebook page.

Carter’s Christmas Wonderland

This Benton Harbor light display is powered mainly by solar panels and includes free hot cocoa from a machine and candy canes, both in a range of flavors. The s’mores cocoa is a local favorite. On weekends, Santa and The Grinch may appear for photos and autographs. The Carter family shares updates in their Facebook group.

Lights on Bell Road

This Niles home features 60,000 musically synchronized lights. Songs include "Fantasmic," "Carol of the Bells," "Deck the Halls," "Emmanuel" and others. Three animated Christmas bulbs sing along with the music. All lights are controlled by a small computer. The Kuespert family has been creating this popular show for more than a decade. Additional information and a video of a previous show can be viewed on their website.

Lights on East Main Street

These Niles lights added new arches, another decorated tree and an LED sign that plays scenes from old Christmas movies. The display is synchronized to five different songs.

Plan Your Trip to Enjoy the Holiday Lights

Now is the time to plan your holiday visit. Southwest Michigan’s Christmas lights, decorated streets and winter events make every day here feel special. Book a stay in St. Joseph, Benton Harbor or Stevensville to be close to the displays and enjoy a festive getaway.