Touring holiday light displays is a season staple in our family. It started when our boys were small: We’d cozy up in comfy sweats, swing by a drive-thru for peppermint mochas and cocoas, listen to festive tunes and marvel at the Griswold-like efforts of Christmas light aficionados.
Our sons grew up and moved away so now it’s a tour for two. And we’ve added a new annual tradition with visits to Gardens Aglow, a public display at the Mizumoto Japanese Garden. That’s not the only public light display you can see for free or nearly so. For the young and young at heart, a night of touring lights is a budget-friendly way to spend time with people you care about.
Plan your own fabulous light tour with some of our favorite Springfield metro holiday home stops, plus a roundup of walk- and drive-through displays that cost less than $8 — or nothing! — per person.
Click on the drop-downs below to expand each list for locations and details, depending on your interest. Every address links to a map and you’ll find a handy interactive map with this story.
Ready to be wowed? Grab your coffee or cocoa. Let’s go!
Walk-through and drive-through displays
For a festive outing with friends or family, visit one – or all! – of these six drive-through or walk-through holiday light displays. Five are in public parks; one is at a private home. All are low- or no-cost excursions. Some displays are limited events, so check the details for each before you head out.
Click here for the dropdown list
Gardens Aglow
Mode: Walk
Where: Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield
When: 5-8:30 p.m. Dec. 8-10, 15-17, 21-23, 26-31
Cost: $5 online, $7 at the gate for ages 13 and older; $3 online, $4 at the gate for ages 3-12; ages 2 and younger are free; small processing fee with online tickets
Online: Visit the Friends of the Garden website
Facebook: Gardens Aglow 2023 event
YouTube video: Gardens Aglow 2021
What started five years ago has grown to include more than 200,000 lights in festive displays all over the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at the Springfield Botanical Gardens. Gardens Aglow is a delight. As you wander the paths, free-standing displays (including selfie butterflies!) are accented by light-wrapped trees, a glowing tunnel, a lighted bridge and so much more. There’s something delightful everywhere you look. Plus, you’ll find firepits for colder nights and snack and hot drink vendors. This event has become a Springfield holiday must-do! (Learn more about it in this 2022 Daily Citizen story.)
Festival of Lights at Jordan Valley Park
Mode: Walk
Where: 635 E Trafficway St, Springfield
When: 5-9 p.m. daily through Jan. 1
Cost: Free
Online: sgffestivaloflights.com, parkboard.org
Take a stroll through Jordan Valley Park for a short, sweet outing filled with lighted displays and kid-friendly characters that blink in time to music. You’ll find penguins, snow people, animals, Santa and his reindeer, a small tunnel, lighted trees and lots of snowflakes. The Creamery Arts Center is one point of entry (with parking). You can also enter the park from the corner of Sherman Avenue and St. Louis Street or near Jordan Valley Ice Park. (Tip: The music is easier to hear around the plaza near the Ice Park.)
Bonus: Also drive around Park Central Square to see the new 49-foot Mayor’s Christmas Tree or park near the square to walk and view animated holiday windows at the History Museum on the Square. Visit Santa at the tree and ride the SGF Holiday Express train between 6-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 23.
B Highway Christmas Display
Mode: Walk
Where: 2874 State Highway B, Rogersville
When: Nightly through Christmas Eve (depending on wind/weather)
Cost: Free
Facebook: B Highway Christmas Display
This holiday blowup extravaganza appeals to kids and kids at heart. The spacious grounds of Kevin and Valinda Bradley’s country home in Rogersville, about 20 minutes east of I-65 and James River Freeway, features a walk-through display set to music with dozens of holiday blowups. The family also hosts several fun extras including a memorial tree to decorate on behalf of a loved one, Santa letter-writing and mailbox, holiday films and, perhaps most popular, a bake shop where visitors can purchase treats. Updated for 2023 are the additions of a photo booth and a portable toilet for guests. Do note: If the weather is bad or too windy, the display won’t be on. Check the family’s Facebook page, updated nightly between 5:30 and 6 p.m., before heading out. For more details, read this Facebook info page.
Holiday Light Display at J.R. Martin Park
Mode: Walk
Where: 300 E. Hines, Republic
When: Dusk to dawn nightly through Jan. 2 (the park closes at 11 p.m.)
Cost: Free
Online: Visit the Republic Parks and Recreation website
This 24-acre urban park in Republic makes a colorful stop and a fun place for taking photos with holiday lights. Plus, it’s a nice addition if you go see the Steinerts’ synchronized home show (see details in our dropdown). Turn into the parking lot next to the Republic Early Childhood building on Hines Street. You can’t miss the lights. Walk through a lighted tunnel and enjoy an animated light show set to music on loudspeakers, with dancing arches, a singing Santa head, light-wrapped trees and more. A little farther into the park, there’s a Christmas tree and more lights, including light-wrapped tree trunks.
Candy Cane Lane at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park
Mode: Drive through
Where: 3825 W Farm Road 146, Springfield
When: 5-8 p.m. Dec. 8-10, 15-17
Cost: $5 per vehicle
Facebook: RutledgeWilsonFarmPark
Online: Parkboard.org
The annual drive-through event is back at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park. With more than 100,000 lights, your kids will love the farm-themed displays and the excitement of discovering them as you roll through the park. As long as you’re in the area, check out nearby festive private home displays (click our drop-down list and look for the “West Springfield” group).
Christmas Lights of Ozark
Mode: Drive through
Where: Finley River Park, 891 N. Riverside Road, Ozark
When: 5-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday through Dec. 25
Cost: Free; donations accepted
Facebook: Christmas Lights of Ozark event
Online: ozarkmissouri.com
YouTube video: Christmas Lights of Ozark
Another annual tradition, the Finley River Park light display event is back in Ozark. The one-mile drive-through features kid-friendly characters, holiday themes, a lighted tunnel and much more. Best of all — it’s free! As long as you’re in the area, drive through the Ozark square, then visit the Waterford Christmas Cottage light show display.
Bonus: A special event, Ozark’s Night in the Lights, is Dec. 10 and features horse-drawn carriage rides through the light display at Finley Park. Cost: $10-$25/person or $40/couple. Any time: Drive through the historic Ozark downtown square before or after visiting Finley Park for more festive lights.
Festive home displays
The Griswold spirit is alive and well around the Ozarks, and we especially admire the skill of light lovers who make their holiday displays dance to music. Who doesn’t know about the famous Bagwell lights? They’ve got a growing body of competitors — but in this case, everybody wins! We love the holiday spirit at every house we visit, whether synchronized or not! To help you plan your own tour itinerary, homes are grouped by location.
Viewing tips: To be considerate when visiting home light displays, park close to the curb, and don’t block neighbors’ driveways. Some homeowners include an option to donate toward lights or a worthy cause; take a few dollars in cash if you want to participate. Also, if the weather is bad or too windy on a given night, some displays may not be running, especially if they feature blowups.
Click here for the dropdown list
Downtown Springfield
Tour tip: Stop by the house on Walnut Street — new to our tour list — before or after walking through the lighted Jordan Valley Park and taking a spin around Park Central Square, home of the new 49-foot-tall Mayor’s Christmas Tree.
1010 W. Walnut Street Show
Where: 1010 W. Walnut St., Springfield
Facebook: 1010 W. Walnut Holiday Show
Synchronized to music: Yes
This holiday list newcomer offers a little something different. It’s a holiday projection show! Set to music, the lights are actually projected onto the house with a show that lasts about seven minutes every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through the holidays. During the first two songs, the projection makes it snow and changes the house with a wide variety of decorated themes. The light show also includes a humorous Griswold scene from “Christmas Vacation” and a colorful artsy take on “Carol of the Bells.”
Shows start at 6 p.m. Tune your radio to 88.5 and park along the street to watch the whole thing. What a fun addition! (Tip: Can’t make it downtown? You can watch a video of the show on YouTube, but it doesn’t compare to the impact of seeing it in person.)
South Springfield
Tour tip: These homes are south of Sunshine Street and east of Campbell Avenue. Plan your light night to include driving down Primrose Street past Ferrell-Duncan Clinic and CoxHealth Medical Center South, which are beautifully lighted for Christmas. Bass Pro Shops and Wonders of Wildlife at Campbell Avenue and Sunshine Street are also festive.
Bagwell Christmas Lights
Where: 2008 E. Cambridge St., Springfield
Facebook: Bagwell Lights
Synchronized to music: Yes
Easily the most visited extravagant light display set to music in the Springfield metro area, the Bagwell Christmas Lights have become an annual tradition for many. So much so, expect to wait in line if you go on or close to a weekend. Listen for a new song added in 2023. (Tip: Go Monday or Tuesday for fewer crowds. We barely had to wait.) Through Christmas, the display runs 5-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5-10:45 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Hours are 5-10 p.m. Dec. 26-31. Tune your radio to 105.5 FM for music.
Viewing tip: Given this home’s popularity, plan ahead. Turn east onto Cambridge Street from Stewart Avenue to drive on the house side of the road, or turn west onto Cambridge from Luster Avenue for the opposite side of the road (which moves a little faster). Either way, the Bagwells implore visitors to hug the curb so their very patient neighbors can drive down the middle and get into their homes. You can find more info on Facebook.
LaSalle Street Lights
Where: LaSalle Street and Jefferson Avenue, Springfield
Synchronized to music: No
This bright display is a favorite we visit every year. Located near Kickapoo High School, we love all the little lighted trees that blanket the lawn. Very festive!
Deerfield Street Lights
Where: West on Deerfield Street at Fremont Avenue, Springfield
Synchronized to music: No
Another longtime favorite, one house in particular (at 1324 as the street curves south) has lots of lighted characters and light-draped trees and shrubs. But neighbors are in the spirit, too, so it’s a festive street overall.
West Springfield
Tour tip: The location of these homes works nicely with a visit to Candy Cane Lane at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park.
Lights on La Siesta
Where: 4739 W. La Siesta St., Springfield
Facebook: Lights on La Siesta
Synchronized to music: Yes
A festive display, the Lights on La Siesta is a good place to start when touring this group of west Springfield homes. A reminder of the reason for the season covers the garage door and a host of lighted trees, candy canes, snowflakes, wreaths and more make the yard twinkle. Donations are collected to benefit Willard Care to Learn. A sign in the yard says, “Tune your car stereo to 88.9.” On your way to the next location, travel west on La Siesta to see another festive home a few houses down.
Phillips Family Lights
Where: 4261 W. Madison St., Springfield
Facebook: Phillips Family Lights
Synchronized to music: Yes
One of our recent favorites, this bright, cheerful display set to holiday tunes will surely bring a smile. A twinkling lighted tunnel, candy canes, a tall Christmas tree, a blue-wrapped yard tree and so much more make this stop a delight. Look closely to spot your favorite North Pole resident peeking out the front window — he must visit the Phillips family early! The display runs 6-10 p.m. nightly; tune into FM 94.1 for synchronized music.
Hoods Family Holiday Lights
Where: 4268 W. Madison St., Springfield
Facebook: Hoods Family Holiday Lights
Synchronized to music: Yes
We discovered this small but fun display by accident: It’s across the street from the Phillips Family Lights. It’s so close, at first we thought it was part of the Phillips’ display until we realized it was blinking to a different beat. With a tall blue light tree, lighted tunnel and Santa blowups (including one with a Tracker boat), you get a two-for on Madison! Tune into FM 105.5 for their synchronized music.
Underwood Lights
Where: 349 S. Mahn Ave., Springfield
Facebook: Underwood Lights
Synchronized to music: Yes
Less than 10 minutes from Madison Street, the Underwood Lights display is a well-planned, colorful show synced to several songs. It features large light trees with changing hues, small characters including Snoopy, Santa and reindeer, small trees, dancing arches, a “Rejoice” sign and twinkle lights everywhere. Tune into 94.1 FM for music. The display runs 5:30-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
Josh Street Christmas Lights
Where: 5631 W. Josh St., Springfield
Facebook: Josh Street Lights
Synchronized to music: No
A wonderland of whimsey covers nearly every inch of yard at this festive corner house. Be sure to drive or walk around to see the side yard, too, or you’ll miss half the fun. Multicolor lights cover trees, roof and lawn where cartoon characters reside, including the Peanuts gang, Grinch, snowmen, Elf, Rudolf and friends — and, of course, Santa. According to their Facebook page, the family makes and paints its own cutouts, and has added a few more each year for the last 17 years. It shows!
Southwest Springfield
Tour tip: These homes are all west of Campbell Avenue and south of Republic Road. Start in the Quail Creek neighborhood and work your way west — or vice versa depending on your location. (Houses are listed heading east to west.)
Helicopter House in Quail Creek
Where: Buena Vista and Woodpointe streets, Springfield
Synchronized to music: No
This longtime favorite for many is back! Known for its lighted Santa-flying helicopter (it used to sit on the roof; now in the sideyard), this corner house in the Quail Creek neighborhood is brightly lit on two sides with blowups, lighted figures, a train and plenty of holiday cheer.
More Quail Creek Homes
Where: South Quail Creek Avenue, Springfield
Synchronized to music: No
As long as you’re going to the Helicopter House, drive slowly through the neighborhood for many more visit-worthy holiday homes. We especially like the houses along Quail Creek Avenue at the corners of Swallow Street and Woodhaven Street.
Michigan Street Lights
Where: Michigan Avenue, south of Farm Road 182, Springfield
Synchronized to music: No
This festive street was suggested and it didn’t disappoint. Several homes are lit up, with one corner abode in particular (5497) catching our eye with its explosion of lights and whimsy.
Cantebury Lights
Where: South Cox Avenue (FR 190) and West Cantebury Street, Springfield
Synchronized to music: No
You can’t miss this corner house near Wanda Gray Elementary — its huge yard explodes with twinkling lights and holiday displays in the front, side and back. An American flag display on one front shrub mirrors the flag on a tall pole. Plus, there are lighted homes nearby.
Gray Rock Lights
Where: 3217 W. Gray Rock Drive, Springfield
Synchronized to music: No
Already a popular stop for light-seekers, this joyful home sparkles in the night. Multicolor lights drape the house and roof, and line the lawn where lighted trees, candy canes and more add to the whimsy. Bonus: Another lovely lit home with a Nativity scene is right across the street. Plus, this house just around the corner from the Meadowlark home, listed below.
Meadowlark Lights
Where: 5733 S. Meadowlark Lane, Springfield
Synchronized to music: No
Another favorite display is so big, one photo can’t capture it all. There’s an old-fashioned Nativity scene, a wonderland of blowup characters, twinkling multicolor lights and trees and much more. Roll down your car windows: Music is playing, too. Best of all, paired with the Gray Rock lights just around the corner (listed above), you get a twofer — and more — in this southwest neighborhood.
Jaxon’s Lights
Where: 4938 S. Tujunga Dr., Springfield
Facebook: Jaxon's Lights
Synchronized to music: Yes
This dancing display just off Farm Road 178 has a heartwarming story. It started when Jaxon — now an older teen — was only 9, helping his mom with lights. As he aged, he took over the display, growing it each year. Today it includes a Nativity scene, Santa and his reindeer on the roof, blowups, stars, dancing arches and more fun blowups added this year. Turn your dial to 97.1 FM for the music.
Mesa Street Lights
Where: 4032 W. Mesa St., Battlefield
Synchronized to music: Yes
This kid-friendly light show includes funny holiday songs in its music playlist, illustrated by a variety of characters including a rock band, holiday singing heads with moving mouths and more. The large fun display is centered at one home (4032 ) but expands into two neighbors’ yards. Tune into 107.3 FM for music.
Nixa / Ozark
Tour tips: We visited a few Nixa homes that participated in a business-sponsored 2022 holiday lights contest. It would be easy to pair some of the Nixa homes with a drive into Ozark to see the Waterford Christmas Cottage light show and public lights at Finley River Park and the downtown Ozark square.
Spellman Family Light Show
Where: 733 E. Gallup Hill Road, Nixa
Facebook: Spellman Family Light Show
Synchronized to music: Yes
This polished synchronized light show is a bit different than some others we saw, with the way lights ebb and flow in rhythm to the music. It’s a nice mix, using the theme music from “Harry Potter,” “All I Want for Christmas,” “Let it Go” and “Mr. Grinch.”
This house took third in Nixa’s 2021 Tour of Lights competition. Tune your radio dial to 96.1 for music. Show hours are 5:30-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5:30 –11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Country Ridge Street Neighbors
Where: 850 and 852 E. Country Ridge St., Nixa
Synchronized to music: No
These two neighbors coordinated their display for a festive stop so big we couldn’t get it all in one photo. Every shrub and tree is covered with lights; there are lots of added light trees, a giant blowup snowman, a Christmas tree, candy canes and Santa sitting on candy cane arches. This is a fun stop.
Burky Family Lights
Where: 933 E. Ozark Jubilee Road, Nixa
Synchronized to music: No
The 2021 second-place winning home in a holiday lights contest features a whimsical display of lights, lollypops, snowmen, candy canes, reindeer and a lighted tunnel that visitors can walk under. This lighted home is in a neighborhood area east of Main Street with lots of other holiday homes. Drive around to discover them! We list a few standouts below.
Colley Family Lights
Where: 852 E. Weldon Dr., Nixa
Synchronized to music: No
The 2022 third-place winning home in a holiday lights contest features a classy display of tall lighted evergreens and colorful lights outlining the home. This lighted home is in a neighborhood area east of Main Street with lots of other holiday homes. Drive around to discover them! We list a few standouts below.
More East Nixa Lighted Homes
Where: In the neighborhood areas near Colley and Burky Family Lights, Nixa
Synchronized to music: No
While looking at light tour homes, we discovered a few more worth visiting while you are in the area. We list a few we particularly enjoyed below, but there are plenty in the area.
- North Tucker Bay Circle Cul De Sac off North Jerico Street — This home’s display isn’t elaborate, but we found it delightful and kids will love it. It features a family of snowpeople and penguins.
- Taylor Way and North Walleye Street — Another corner house that makes good use of its large yard, you’ll find a variety of characters, lighted trees and a nice glow all around.
- East Thorndale Dr. — This house clearly went with a red and white candy cane theme, glowing with lights all over the house and lawn.
Waterford Christmas Cottage
Where: 602 E. Falls Cir., Ozark
Facebook: ChristmasLightShow
Synchronized to music: Yes
This Ozark house makes many holiday-light lists for good reason. The whimsical animated show features a Whoville theme with more than 20,000 pixels synchronized to modern and classic holiday tunes. Tune your radio to 107.3 FM. Scheduled to run through Jan. 6, hours are 5:30-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5:30-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. The home is located in the Waterford subdivision on the north side of Ozark (about 1.5 miles east of Lambert’s Café).
Republic
Tour tip: These homes are less than 10 minutes from the J.R. Martin Park walk-through light display, listed above. Also, it’s less than a 20-minute drive from the West side Josh Street lights to the Steinert house in Republic. And if you have the time, continue on to some of the “outskirt” homes, listed below, that are west of Springfield.
Steinert Family Lights
Where: 752 W. Apache St., Republic
Facebook: SteinertFamilyLights
Synchronized to music: Yes
This festive house in Republic features a tall Christmas tree, lots of dancing stars and thousands of lights set to music. Less than 15 minutes from West Bypass and James River Freeway, it’s a pretty display we enjoy every year. In 2023, the Steinerts added a designated photo area on the right-hand side of their driveway — stop and take a family photo!
They ask visitors to stay between the green- and red-lighted path. The lights can be viewed 6-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 6-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Tune into 88.1 FM for synchronized music. Bonus: There are more lighted homes in the neighborhood, too.
Primrose Lane Lights
Where: Corner of Primrose and Hampton Avenue, Republic
Synchronized to music: No
We discovered this delightful lighted home just five minutes from the Steinert house and an easy stop while heading to J.R. Martin Park. The drive between all three is under 10 minutes.
Rural Outskirts
Tour tip: The displays listed below are in rural areas and take a bit more of a drive.
Snook Family Lights
Where: 1949 N. Farm Road 97, Springfield
Synchronized to music: No
It takes a bit to get out there but the Snook Family Lights west of the Springfield-Branson National Airport is a fun new addition to our list. There are lots of little nuggets when you look and look again. The two Santa-hat-wearing skeletons next to a Christmas tree is a double-take delight, juxtaposed with Santa scenes, a nativity, snowflakes and even Ralphie in his bunny suit. This outskirt house isn’t far from another we visited, listed below.
Smith Farm Christmas Lights
Where: 2837 S. State Highway PP, Republic
Synchronized to music: Yes
Located on a rural highway, it’s not exactly easy to stop and watch the dancing lights at this farmhouse. But given the distance to get out here, it’s unlikely you’ll encounter company. We figured out you can pull onto a side drive (south of the house) to listen to music and watch the synced lights (tune your radio to 90.9). Tip: While this house is listed for Republic, it’s quite a bit northwest of that town near the Hoods Service Center truck stop.
Shine Bright Light Show
Where: 7094 N. FR 171, Springfield
Facebook: Shine Bright Light Show
There’s a reason for this display’s name: Lights really pop in the complete darkness of rural roads in north Springfield. The light show on a big yard made its debut in 2022; it’s back for 2023 with five songs.
Tips: Be aware this house is on a two-lane farm road without a curb to pull off (you have to stop in the road), but no other cars came while we were there. It’s a little way out — use your phone map to help you get there and back in the dark — but from the north edge of Springfield near Glenstone Avenue and I-44, it’s 12-15 minutes. From Park Central Square it’s 20-25 minutes. The show runs 6-10 p.m. nightly.
B Highway Christmas Display
Where: 2874 State Highway B, Rogersville
Facebook: B Highway Christmas Display
We are repeating this home with the private list — it’s also under “walk-through” displays. The spacious grounds of Kevin and Valinda Bradley’s country home in Rogersville, about 20 minutes east of I-65 and James River Freeway, features a walk-through display set to music with dozens of holiday blowups. The family also hosts several fun extras including a memorial tree to decorate on behalf of a loved one, Santa letter-writing and mailbox, holiday films, a photo booth and, perhaps most popular, a bake shop where visitors can purchase treats. Check the Facebook page, updated nightly between 5:30 and 6 p.m., to be sure the display isn’t down because of wind. For more details, read this Facebook info page.
Submitted home displays
Green Pine Lights
Where: 1082 W. Green Pine Road, Nixa
Facebook: Maple Grove Cemetery
It's a spooky Christmas in Nixa, where Vicki B. has a skeleton mall Santa Claus set up with a line of skelly children ready to tell him what they want for Christmas. Children are welcome to drop a letter to Santa in the mailbox and if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope for each child's letter, they just might get a reply and a little surprise.
The show isn't set to music, but tune your radio to 103.5 FM to hear classic Christmas stories and tunes. You can also grab a peppermint from the bucket (weather permitting). Make sure to check back with this house around Halloween!
South Kings Ave. Lights
Where: 1970 S. Kings Ave., Springfield
Not too far from Mercy Hospital is the home of Michael and Gissell Sommer. Their light display includes a manger scene, complete with a star, penguins riding an inflatable polar bear and a big blue cross. And don't miss Santa Claus peeking out of a window!
CnN Lights
Where: 2633 S. National Ave., Springfield
Facebook: CnN Lights
Located just south of Sunset Street, CnN Lights is synched to music on 93.1 FM. This stretch of National can be busy, so homeowner Nathan Dawes recommends the nearby Bible Baptist Church's parking lot as a viewing location.
Want to submit your home’s holiday lights for our list? Send a photo of your display, along with your address and a brief description to jkessinger@hauxeda.com.
