Top 10 Christmas Gardens Around the World

Here at Happy Gardens, we’re crazy about two things: gardens and gifts. One of our favorite things to do (when we’re not hand-picking exception gifts for our customers) is visit breathtaking Christmas gardens whenever we get the chance.

Here’s a list of 10 outstanding, festive holiday displays in already over-the-top gardens:

1. Busch Gardens Christmas Town
2. Longwood Christmas Gardens
3. Callaway Gardens Christmas
4. Bellingrath Christmas Gardens
5. Oregon Christmas Gardens
6. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Christmas
7. Garvan Gardens Christmas
8. Moody Gardens Christmas
9. Descanso Gardens Christmas
10. Butchart Gardens Christmas

1. Busch Gardens Christmas Town

Source: Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens plays host to Christmas Town every year. The theme park and its gardens are one of the largest displays of Christmas lights in the continent... with over ten million lights, to be exact! And while it’s not a “traditional” garden, it’s one of the most popular destinations for families seeking a little best of festivity. Plus, the Virginia-located Busch Gardens Williamsburg Christmas Town goes all out, offering on-theme food, drink, shopping and shows to guests.

Busch Gardens Christmas Town Tickets are available on the park’s website. There is no extra charge for those who have regular memberships. The event runs from mid-November to early January.

Nowhere near Virginia? Christmas Town Busch Gardens also takes place at the park’s Tampa Bay, Florida location, which is less than a 90 minute drive from Walt Disney World in Orlando.

2. Longwood Christmas Gardens

If a theme park isn’t your family’s thing, consider a winter visit to Longwood Gardens, a beloved botanical garden in Kennett Township, Pennsylvania—a suburb of Philadelphia. A Longwood Christmas runs from late November to early January. Visitors from near and far come to see the Longwood Garden Christmas lights and orbs, which are perfectly placed within diverse landscapes.

Longwood Gardens enhances its famed light display with festive food and drink, organ concerts and a modern, interactive map that can be accessed via smartphone.

For Longwood Gardens Christmas Tickets, click here. And reserve early: the garden warns a sell out is likely!  

3. Callaway Gardens Christmas 

Fantasy in Lights, Callaway Garden’s holiday tradition, runs from mid-November to early January. Replete with a Callaway Gardens Christmas Village, loads of holiday characters and an illuminated forrest, this is a must-hit destination for many families with young children. Plus, the whole event takes place on the property of Callaway Resort & Gardens, which means an overnight stay (or two!) in this southern winter wonderland is a real possibility.

Callaway Resort & Gardens is located just about an hour away from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. For tickets to see the Callaway Gardens Christmas lights and to learn more about the resort’s packages and prices, click here.

4. Bellingrath Christmas Gardens

Bellingrath Gardens and Home is a 65-acre public garden settled on the Fowl River and located quite close to Mobile, Alabama. The property’s original owners, Walter and Bessie Bellingrath, were early bottlers of Coca-Cola and used their immense wealth to build the breathtaking estate—which is even more delightful come Christmas time!

People from all over the southeastern United States travel to see the Bellingrath Gardens Christmas lights, which is now in its 23rd year. The display features 1,100 set pieces, 3 million lights and 15 distinct holiday scenes. Plus, the estate’s mansion is all decked out for the holidays!

The event is open from late November through New Year's Eve.

5. Oregon Christmas Gardens

For those of you who are spending the winter in the Pacific Northwest, make sure to check out the Oregon Garden Christmas lights. The garden is just over an hour from Portland. The European-inspired outdoor event features ice skating, snowless tubing, a real Christmas market and live music. There’s even a biergarten with live music for guests over 21.

Like at Callaway’s, an overnight stay is possible at the Oregon Garden Resort.

6. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Christmas

If you’re in Virginia for the holiday season, here’s another great Christmas garden for your list: the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Located in Richmond, the annual Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights features handcrafted botanical decorations, model trains and nightly activities great for families.

Many Americans from the mid-Atlantic take some time to see the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Christmas lights, which is open from late November to early January.

7. Garvan Gardens Christmas

If you’re in Arkansas this winter, consider seeing the Garvan Gardens Christmas lights at the University of Arkansas. This year will be the 16th season of festivities, which run through mid-November until New Year's Eve. Walk through the bright displays and light-wrapped trees while enjoying complimentary hot chocolate.

8. Moody Gardens Christmas

If you’re in the Southwest, check out Moody Gardens on Galveston Island, which opens in mid-November. Plus, while you’re admiring the Moody Gardens Christmas lights, you’ll also have a chance to enjoy ice skating, an arctic slide, train rides and holiday films.

There are also Moody Gardens Christmas Packages available for overnight holiday stays.

9. Descanso Gardens Christmas

Many holiday travelers flock to Southern California in the winter for temperate weather and loads of sunshine. For those looking for a festive way to spend an evening, consider heading to Los Angeles to see the Descanso Gardens Christmas lights. Descanso’s holiday event, Enchanted: Forest of Light, is moody, festive and a family favorite every year. The festivities begin in mid-November and end in early January.

For an extra treat, make a reservation at the garden’s beloved, modern lodge-like restaurant, Maple.

10. Butchart Gardens Christmas

Finally, for those of you in Canada, a trip to the Butchart Gardens might be in order this winter. From early December to early January, the garden is filled with carollers and bundled-up ice skaters enjoying a cheery and bright winter. Plus, the garden has a colorful display that depicts the classic Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Butchart Gardens is located in near Victoria, British Columbia. 

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