When December arrives in the high desert, the landscape shifts from the rugged adventure playground of autumn into something softer and significantly brighter. We don’t typically get the heavy blanket of snow that covers the northern part of the state, but we trade the blizzards for crisp evenings and a community that is absolutely obsessed with illumination. For travelers and locals alike, the hunt for the best Christmas lights St. George, Utah, has to offer becomes the primary objective of the season. There is a distinct visual drama here that you won’t find elsewhere. Seeing vibrant LED displays wrapped around ancient red rock formations or draped over spiky desert flora creates a contrast that feels uniquely Southwestern. It is festive, but it still feels wild.
The challenge for visitors is often knowing where to find the high-impact displays versus the solitary strands of lights on a dark street. It is easy to waste an entire evening driving aimlessly around Washington County hoping to stumble on a spectacle, only to end up staring at a few inflatable reindeer in a quiet cul-de-sac. You want the coordinated shows. You want the tunnels of light that look good on camera and the immersive walking tours that actually feel like an event. This guide is designed to cut through the noise and give you a direct route to the most brilliant displays in the region. We are looking for the spots that justify bundling up the kids and pouring the hot chocolate.
Whether you are using Settlers Point Luxury RV Resort as your holiday basecamp or just passing through on a winter road trip, having a plan matters. The holiday season is short, and your time is valuable. We have curated a mix of massive public installations and hidden neighborhood gems to ensure your nights are filled with maximum voltage. We are going to break down where to walk, where to drive, and how to navigate the festive chaos of the season without losing your holiday spirit.
The Spectacle of Public Christmas Lights in St. George
If you are looking for free or low-cost things to do in December, St. George shines brightest in its public parks. The absolute must-see location is the Red Hills Desert Garden. Located just above the city on the Red Hills Parkway, this botanical garden is a stunner during the day, but it transforms into a completely different world after sunset. The city crews spend weeks wrapping thousands of lights around native desert plants. Seeing a massive saguaro or a sprawling yucca glowing with red and green lights against the black backdrop of the night sky is a surreal experience. It is a walking tour, so you will want to dress warmly, but the paved paths make it accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. The garden also features a slot canyon replica that is often illuminated with color-changing floods, adding a modern edge to the traditional holiday aesthetic.
Just down the hill from the garden lies Town Square Park, which serves as the beating heart of the downtown area. This is where the community gathers, and it feels like the center of all holiday events Southern Utah has on the calendar. The towering Christmas tree is the anchor, but the lights extend outward to wrap the pavilion, the carousel, and the surrounding trees. It is less of a hike than the Desert Garden and more of a leisurely promenade. You can grab a warm drink from a nearby truck and let the kids ride the carousel, which offers a swirling, elevated view of the entire plaza. The atmosphere here is communal and vibrant. It is where you go to feel connected to the town, surrounded by families and couples enjoying the cool air and the warm glow.
For a display that leans into the peaceful and reverent side of the season, the St. George Temple grounds are a perennial favorite. The sheer volume of lights used here is staggering, creating walls of luminosity that are visible from the freeway. The landscaping crews treat the trees and bushes with an artistic precision that turns the grounds into a radiant forest. The white lights against the stark white stone of the building create a “winter wonderland” vibe that feels pure and bright, even without snow on the ground. It is a quieter experience than the bustle of Town Square, making it an excellent spot for a decompression walk after a busy day of shopping or hiking. It connects you to the history of the area while delivering that overwhelming visual impact we all crave during the holidays.
Immersive Experiences and Family Christmas Activities in Utah
For those willing to buy a ticket for a grander production, the region offers several immersive events that go far beyond simple light strands. The biggest player in this space is undoubtedly Tuacahn Amphitheatre. Their “Christmas in the Canyon” event has become legendary in the Southwest. Nestled in a box canyon made of towering red rock, Tuacahn is dramatic enough on its own. When you add over 250,000 twinkling lights to the mix, it becomes one of the premier family Christmas activities Utah has to offer. The plaza is generally free to enter, allowing you to wander through light tunnels and shop at the gift gallery, but the real draw is the train ride. You can hop on a miniature train that winds through a dedicated light loop that walkers cannot access, giving you a front-row seat to displays that are hidden from the main plaza. They also host a live nativity performance in the outdoor amphitheatre that utilizes live animals and narration to tell the Christmas story.
If you prefer to stay in the warmth of your vehicle, the Staheli Family Farm in Washington offers a “Light the Holidays” drive-through experience that has become a staple for locals. This is a working farm, so the terrain is rustic, but the displays are whimsical and vast. You drive your own car along a designated path flanked by thousands of lights, animated characters, and farm-themed holiday scenes. It is synchronized to music that you play through your car radio, creating a private show for your vehicle. This is an excellent option for families with small children who might get too cold or tired walking around Red Hills. It captures the energy of an old-fashioned hayride but delivers it with modern light technology and the comfort of heated seats.
Another event that pairs lights with local commerce is the Christmas Village at Green Gate on Tabernacle Street. This venue creates a European-style market atmosphere where the lights serve as the backdrop for local vendors selling crafts, food, and gifts. It is smaller than Tuacahn but denser in its charm. The lights are strung overhead in intricate patterns, creating a ceiling of warmth while you shop for handmade ornaments or grab a fresh crepe. It hits that sweet spot of exploring local culture while still soaking in the festive atmosphere. The intimate scale makes it feel like a scene from a holiday movie, complete with the occasional visit from Santa.
Hunting for Neighborhood Gems and Hidden Displays
While the public displays are magnificent, there is a gritty authenticity to hunting down the best private home displays. This is where the locals separate themselves from the tourists. The secret weapon for this adventure is the Hedgehog Electric Christmas Light Map. Every year, this local company curates a digital map of the best-decorated homes in Washington County. They vet the entries to ensure you are not driving miles for a single strand of icicle lights. Using this map turns your evening drive into a structured treasure hunt. You can plan a route that hits the highest density of homes in Santa Clara, Bloomington Hills, or Little Valley without backtracking or getting lost in the suburbs.
One of the perennial stars of the neighborhood circuit is often found in the Bloomington Hills area. There are specific homes that have become local legends for their synchronized music shows. We are talking about displays where the lights dance with such precision that it looks like a professional concert rig. The homeowners here do not just hang lights; they build scenes. You will often see cars lined up along the curb, engines idling, as families watch the entire loop of the musical light show. It is interactive, loud, and incredibly fun. Another heavy hitter area is often found in the Little Valley neighborhoods, where the large lots allow for sprawling displays that cover acres of property. These homeowners invest thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours into these displays, and their only payment is seeing your brake lights as you slow down to watch.
When touring these neighborhoods to see the Christmas lights St. George residents have put up, there is an etiquette to follow. Always turn off your headlights when you pull up to a house so you do not blind the people viewing from the other direction. Keep your radio volume at a reasonable level inside your car, even if the house is broadcasting on an FM frequency. And strictly respect the driveways. These are residential streets, and the goodwill of the neighbors is the only thing keeping these displays running year after year. Exploring these pockets of creativity offers a glimpse into the community spirit of Southern Utah. You realize that these displays are labors of love, gifts given to the street by people who just really love the season.
Planning Your Holiday Evening Tour from Settlers Point
The key to enjoying the holiday season in the desert is pacing. You do not need to hit every single spot in one night. In fact, trying to do so is a recipe for burnout. A better approach is to pick one anchor experience, like the Red Hills Desert Garden or Tuacahn, and then hit two or three neighborhood spots on your drive back to Settlers Point. This keeps the energy high and the driving time manageable. The geography of St. George is spread out, so grouping your stops by neighborhood makes the most logistical sense. Do Santa Clara and Ivins one night, then tackle Washington and Downtown on another.
Before you head out, make sure you are prepared for the desert winter. The temperature drops rapidly once the sun goes behind the red rocks. What felt like a pleasant afternoon can easily become a freezing night. Bring layers, blankets for the car, and plenty of snacks. If you need a caffeine boost to keep the driver alert, local coffee shops like the ones we mentioned in our previous guide are usually open late and offer festive holiday menus that fit the theme perfectly. There is nothing quite like sipping a peppermint mocha while rolling slowly past a house covered in twinkling bulbs.
We hope this guide helps you illuminate your holiday vacation. St. George is a special place in December, balancing the quiet majesty of the desert with the joyful noise of the season. Whether you are walking through the slot canyons at Red Hills or singing along to the radio at the Staheli drive-thru, you are making memories that stick. If you need a basecamp for all your holiday adventures, look no further than Settlers Point Luxury RV Resort. We offer the perfect blend of luxury and location, putting you right in the middle of the action while giving you a quiet place to retreat when the lights go out. Book your holiday stay with us today and let us help you make this season the brightest one yet.
