Drive-thru lighting displays bring Christmas joy to all ages

Branson is aglow with holiday lights this time of year, and none shine brighter than those found in the town's three drive-thru lighting displays: Lights of Joy, Let There Be Lights, and Trail of Lights.

Lights of Joy is a drive-thru lighting display located off of Shepherd of the Hills Expressway. The one-mile extravaganza features more than 250 unique and amazing displays, and thousands of twinkling lights. The drive-thru features many new displays this year, as well as some traditional favorites such as the beautiful Nativity exhibit and the 12 Days of Christmas.

Santa makes an appearance each weekend, and is available for photos. Be sure to pay a visit to the Santa Claus Gift Shop, as well, for some unique finds.

Lights of Joy also serves as a fundraiser for Branson's KLife and a collection site for nonperishable food items, to be donated to Christian Action Ministries.  

Lights of Joy, located at 700 Expressway Lane, is open 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. nightly, through January 5. For more information, visit LightsOfJoyDriveThru.com.

The Promised Land Zoo is home to Let There Be Lights, a fun and festive Christmas experience for the entire family.  

Let There Be Lights is a two-mile drive-through lighting experience featuring animated LED lights and animal sightings, too. The lighting displays featured are located at the Zoo. Admission also includes a visit to Candyland Courthouse and the venue's exotic petting zoo.

Food trucks are onsite, and Santa is available for photos, as well, each night.  

Let There Be Lights is located at 2751 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, and is open nightly, 5 to 11 p.m., through December 31. Visit plzoo.comfor more information.

On the west end of 76 Country Boulevard is The Trail of Lights, a drive-thru lighting display that winds through the grounds of The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theatre.

The Trail of Lights is a unique combination of lighted displays and vintage scenes, side-by-side, much to the delight of visitors. A Christmas tradition since 1989, The Trail of Lights has been named one of the most dazzling Christmas spots in America by The Travel Channel.  

To find the beloved Trail of Lights, head west from Branson and look for the iconic, beautifully lit, Inspiration Tower. It is there that you will find the entrance to the Shepherd of the Hills’ Trail of Lights.

Trail of Lights is open daily, dusk until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and dusk until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visit TheShepherdoftheHills.com for more information.

There is no better way to get into the holiday spirit than to enjoy the sights of Christmas at one or more of the area's Christmas drive-thru lighting displays.