Virginia’s Most Over-The-Top Holiday Decorations

If you’re looking to really immerse yourself in the spirit of the season, these festive destinations take decorating to the next level with millions of lights, unique seasonal themes, and enough holiday cheer to get you through the New Year. Head to one of these beautifully decorated seasonal sites(link is external) for a concentrated dose of holiday spirit in Virginia.
THE JEFFERSON HOTEL—RICHMOND

One of the most extravagant hotels in Virginia year round, the Jefferson Hotel(link is external) goes all out for the holidays. Hundreds of poinsettias, yards of garland and ribbon, thousands of twinkling lights and dozens of toy soldiers adorn the lobbies and dining areas of the hotel. The centerpiece of the holiday decorations is the beautifully decorated 31-foot Christmas tree located in the Rotunda lobby. Each year in the main lobby, the hotel displays a handcrafted gingerbread creation made from over 200 pounds of gingerbread, 250 pounds of royal icing, and more than 100 pounds of candy decorations.

OLD LUCKETTS STORE—LEESBURG

A 100-year-old Leesburg historical landmark, Old Lucketts Store(link is external) is home to over 30 dealers that showcase antique, vintage, and new finds from all over the East Coast. During the holidays, they deck out the 6,000+ square-foot store with creative displays that the staff spends all year long dreaming up. After filling the shop to the brim with imaginative decorations and decor, they have expanded to the property farmhouse, adorning the home’s eleven rooms with beautiful decorations, all of which are for sale. Spend the day getting some holiday shopping done at Old Lucketts Store, then take your holiday photos at one of their many Instagram-worthy seasonal scenes, including three hand-painted murals, decorated vintage vehicles, and an authentic London cab packed with holiday cheer.

ILLUMINIGHTS – ROANOKE

After a wildly popular debut in 2019, Illuminights(link is external) is returning to Explore Park in Roanoke for the 2020 holiday season. This “Winter Walk of Lights” is an outdoor walking tour on a half-mile wooded path through a dazzling display of more than 500,000 lights! Following your walk through the lights, check out artisan crafts at the Explore Park Christmas Market or grab a pint at the new Twin Creeks Brewpub.

DOMINION ENERGY GARDENFEST OF LIGHTS AT LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN—RICHMOND

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is blanketed by twinkling lights in all colors and designs for its annual GardenFest of Lights(link is external). Gaze at more than one million holiday lights as you stroll through the 50+ acres of public gardens, voted one of the top four in North America by USA Today readers.
THE OMNI HOMESTEAD RESORT—HOT SPRINGS

The Omni Homestead’s(link is external) sweeping estate is filled to the brim with holiday touches, from the five live Christmas trees inside the Homestead to the festively donned grounds, complete with over 1,575 feet of evergreen garland and over 100,000 lights strung on the trees and shrubs. Looking for holiday activities during your visit? Head to the Homestead’s ice-skating rink, heated outdoor pool, and Jacuzzi to get the most out of your holiday visit. The twinkling lights surrounding these areas add a magical backdrop to the winter wonderland, and each region of the grounds has a different festive theme. A walk down “Candy Cane Lane” surrounds you with oversized gingerbread figures, ten-foot candy canes, and six foot lollipops, while the “Victorian Village” features 19th-century skaters and carolers, and “Toyland” holds 10-foot animated model soldiers, an eight-foot jack-in-the-box, and full-size rocking horses.

DOMINION GARDEN OF LIGHTS AT NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN—NORFOLK

The Dominion Energy Garden of Lights(link is external) at the Norfolk Botanical Garden offers a drive-thru of more than a million twinkling lights within the garden. The two-miles of illuminated pathways transform into a drive-through light show, allowing you to take in the stunning holiday decorations from your cozy car. Reservations are not necessary; general admission is $30 per car, or $50 for limousine and multi-passenger van group tours.

DAK LIGHTS IN RANDOLPH PARK—DUBLIN  

A free event in Dublin, Virginia, DAK Lights(link is external) is an annual holiday light and music show held every night from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve in Randolph Park. Hundreds of people travel to the New River Valley each year for this spectacular holiday show, which lasts roughly 20 minutes and choreographs over 20,000 brightly colored lights to seasonal songs broadcasted on local radio channel 103.9FM, so visitors can enjoy the holiday tunes and flickering light displays from their cars.

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