The Best Christmas Lights in Traverse City, Michigan: From A Local Who Lives Here!

Looking to light up your holidays? Discover the best Christmas lights in Traverse City. Whether you are looking for a magical stroll through festive neighborhood streets, a drive-through light display that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your car, or a spectacular light show synced to music, the streets in and around Traverse City will surely add a sparkle to your holiday season!

As a long-time local, I’ve gathered the local favorites, hidden gems, and dazzling displays that always make the holidays feel unforgettable. And if you’re looking for more holiday fun, check out our guide to the Best Traverse City Holiday Events.

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Christmas Lights In Traverse City

In the month of December, the neighborhoods and streets of Traverse City undergo a magical transformation as the warm glow of Christmas lights captivate locals and visitors alike.

Our Christmas tour begins in the central neighborhoods of Traverse City, continues out the west side of town and then returns to the East side. At some point in your evening, be sure to head for the gorgeous lights in the downtown area. You’ll find plenty of great bars and restaurants to stop in and warm up at. And there are lots of charming shops if you still have some gift buying to do!

Don’t miss the towering downtown Christmas tree, which stands in the middle of Cass Street at the Front Street intersection.

Happy Touring!

Traverse City Central Neighborhoods

Festive Alleys

Begin your holiday tour at Christmas Alley: a Must-Do stop to get into the festive spirit. This collective community effort will definitely inspire your tidings of comfort and joy!

An iconic peace sign shines at the alley’s entrance. Lights are strung overhead and along rooftops. Reindeer prance in the yards, while Nutcrackers stand guard.

The Saturday evening before Christmas, the alley will be brimming with neighbors, families, and children anxious to see Santa Claus. Garages will be open and residents offer food, drinks, and friendly greetings. Follow the sound of a ringing bell to make a donation to the Salvation Army Red Kettle program.

Christmas Alley is located between10th and 11th Streets, bordered by Locust and Pine.

Additional light displays can be found in the alley between 8th and 9th Streets, bordered bordered by Oak and Maple.

Christmas Tree at Division and Eighth

As you turn onto Division, take a moment to marvel at the towering tree on the corner of Eighth Street. This may likely be a drive-by view, but pull over on Eighth Street if you decide you want a photo op.

Christmas Tree at The Grand Traverse Commons

After your stroll through Christmas Alley, head across Division Street to the 11th street entrance of Grand Traverse Commons. The magnificent Christmas tree in the center of the traffic circle casts a warm glow over the historic buildings of the old State Hospital.

There are a number of bars and restaurants on the grounds of the Commons and in the lower level of the Mercado. It’s a perfect spot to take a break if you’re ready for refreshments!

Spectacular 6th Street

Exit the Grand Traverse Commons by turning left on Elmwood. Turn right on 7th street in order to take advantage of the traffic light at 7th and Division. Turn left at the light, then make a quick right onto 6th Street.

Strolling along Sixth Street is a highlight of the Christmas season in Traverse City. Located between Union and Division Streets, you’ll find beautiful Victorian homes decked out in their Christmas finery.

With so many Sixth Street homes participating in decorating for the holidays, it’s definitely worth walking the neighborhood sidewalks during the day. And of course, make a return trip after dark to enjoy the twinkling lights.

When you’re ready to move on, circle back to 7th Street to once again take advantage of the traffic light. Make a right on Division and make your way to Spruce Street.

Sparkling Spruce Street

Spruce Street definitely will immerse you in a winter wonderland. The entire block comes alive with a magical glow. Over 33,000 lights are wrapped around the trees along the sidewalk!

Wayne Hill

As you make your way to the West side of town, take a drive up Wayne Hill. You’ll see Christmas lights along the way, but nothing beats the spectacular view from the top of the hill. It’s a thrill to see Traverse City all lit up with a panoramic view of Grand Traverse Bay as a backdrop.

Traverse City’s West Side

Heritage Estates Neighborhood

Back in 2020, the residents of the Heritage Estates subdivision held a “Light the Night” neighborhood decorating contest. People donated money in order to vote for their favorite displays with the proceeds given to the Cherryland Humane Society.

That year, a majority of the homes were lit up with an abundance of lights, decorations and inflatable lawn characters. The neighborhood’s festive spirit continues to thrive each December, making Heritage Estates a highlight of the Christmas light season.

The Heritage Estates subdivision is located off Zimmerman Road in Garfield township.

Moomers Ice Cream Shop

After cruising through Heritage Estates, it’s just a hop, skip and a jump over to Moomers Ice Cream Shop. While not actually a showcase of Christmas lights, Moomers definitely earns a spot on your Christmas tour.

Known for crafting more than 160 flavors in-house, they roll out limited-edition holiday favorites like Peppermint Stick, Eggnog, and Hot Cocoa in December.

For extra holiday fun, Moomers offers gingerbread decorating kits—choose from gingerbread houses, boys and girls, or the crowd-pleasing gingerbread sleigh with a cow. On-site decorating (with candy, icing, and a keepsake ornament included) runs from November 28 to December 21 and requires a reservation. Take-home kits are also available.

Moomers’ staff joins the fun with a mid-December gingerbread decorating contest. Stop in to admire their creations and cast your vote for your favorite!

You’ll find Moomers at 7263 N Long Lake Rd. Check their website to see holiday events or to preorder your gingerbread kit.

East Side Traverse City

Woodmere and Carver

As your make your way from the central neighborhoods to Traverse City’s East side, it’s worth taking a small detour down Woodmere Street to the corner of Culver. No place shines brighter with holiday spirit!

This small house is completely immersed in Christmas lights. Not only that, the displays change from year to year.

(We’ve often wondered how such a small house can store so many decorations!)

Washington and Webster Streets

There are a number of beautiful homes around Washington and Webster Streets that light up the night during the Christmas season. The absolute best time to go is Christmas Eve, when home owners line the sidewalks with luminarias. We love to park our car and walk around for a few blocks to fully experience the Christmas Eve magic.

Railroad and State Streets

Next, head to the corner of Railroad Street and State Street. There you’ll discover a standout home with dancing lights that are synced to music. Tune your radio to 99.9 FM and enjoy the show!

Lights Gone Wild!

In 2023, Lights Gone Wild, was a holiday drive-through light show located in the Keith J Charters Traverse City State Park. The picnic tables and fire pits of summer were wondrously transformed into a shimmering tribute to the creatures who once resided in Traverse City’s Clinch Park Zoo.

Unfortunately, the State Park is currently under construction, so the Lights Gone wild display will not be taking place in 2025. Fingers crossed that this beloved show will return in 2026!

Four Mile And Oak Drive

This extravagant walk-through display will surely get you into the Christmas spirit and delight your kids. Located at on Oak Drive, just off of US 31 at the base of Four Mile Road, this incredible winter wonderland features all of the season’s favorite characters, including elves, snowmen, angels, and of course Santa and his reindeer.

In addition to hundreds of holiday lights, you may even encounter Santa and Mrs. Claus greeting visitors. Be sure to stop in at the shed at the back of the property, where you can help yourself to some free hot cocoa.

The display is open 7 evenings a week, starting at 6 pm.

Pro tip: we turned off of US 31 at Four Mile Road and parked in the strip mall on the corner on the right-hand side. The display owner’s parking area gets filled up quickly, and both sides of their street were lined were cars. It got a bit sketchy with the cars driving by and pulling in and out. For us, it was worth some extra steps to avoid the parking congestion.

Cherry Ridge Estates

Cherry Ridge is a quiet neighborhood along Three Mile Road, just past the Oleson’s shopping center and across from the entrance to East Middle School. As you cruise through the winding streets, you’ll be delighted by several stand-out homes with sparkling lights and creative displays.

Hammond And Five Mile Christmas Light Show

Next, head to the intersection of Hammond Road and Five Mile. As darkness falls, the façade of this house comes alive with a Christmas Light show that is synchronized to music. Twinkling candy canes dance in the yard beneath a shimmering tree.

Pull off onto the shoulder of the road, turn off your headlights and turn your radio on to 99.5 FM. Watch and enjoy from the warm comfort of your car!

The light show runs from 6:00pm to 10:00pm on weekdays and 6:00pm to 11:00pm Fridays and Saturdays. The fun begins on November 28th in 2025, and continues through December 25th.

Christmas Gnomes in Williamsburg

And just for fun, if you’re heading out towards Williamsburg in the daylight, it’s worth your time to cruise down Bates Road. In between Hawley and Yuba Roads, you’ll spot 4 ten-foot tall arborvitae trees all decked out in their Christmas finery!

SkyBridge Michigan: A Must-See Holiday Attraction

Okay – so SkyBridge Michigan is located at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, roughly an hour drive from Traverse City. But the Skybridge is one of Northern Michigan’s most breathtaking spots to experience holiday lights, and well worth the drive if you’re up for a road trip.

The Skybridge is the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge. It’s a thrill to stroll across the quarter-mile pedestrian bridge, suspended 118 feet above the ski slopes, in any season of the year. But it’s especially magical at Christmas time, when thousands of sparkling LEDs line the entire span of the bridge, creating a tunnel of colored lights.

To access SkyBridge, you’ll take a scenic chairlift ride to the summit of the ski hill. As you venture out over the bridge, you can look out over Boyne Mountain’s slopes and chalets, with skiers carving their way down the hill beneath you.

When you reach the far side, grab a pierogi or a hot chocolate from the SkyBridge Food Truck and warm up by the outdoor fire.

A short walking path loops back toward the chairlift and offers one of the best views of the illuminated bridge – perfect for photos. You can follow the loop all the way back, or turn around and enjoy the light-filled walk across SkyBridge one more time.

 After your adventure, head into The Eagle’s Nest restaurant with a burger, loaded chili or other winter comfort foods before riding the chairlift back down the mountain.

Hours and ticket prices vary depending on the date and demand, so be sure to check the Boyne Mountain website before you go.

The Wrap-Up

And there you have it: a magical journey through the best Christmas lights in Traverse City for you and your family to enjoy. I hope this guide helps you discover a few new favorites and revisit some familiar classics, and adds a little extra cheer to your wintery evenings. May your holidays be merry and bright!