The holiday season is all about creating special family memories. A Christmas light tour is a magical way to spend time together. As a mom, I’m always looking for ways to make the holidays fun without too much stress. One of our favorite traditions is piling into the car to see Christmas lights. It’s a great way to slow down and enjoy the season. Everyone—from toddlers to teens—can look forward to this tradition.

Plan Your Christmas Light Route

Before heading out, spend a few minutes mapping out the best places to see lights. Many neighborhoods have extravagant displays, and some towns offer special drive-through light events. Doing some research helps ensure you don’t miss must-see spots. It also keeps the night organized and fun. Some areas even have online guides or apps that map festive homes. If you want to make it bigger, consider renting a van. That way, you can bring along more family or friends to enjoy the evening together.

Dress the Part for Fun and Festivity

To make your light tour party extra special, dress everyone in festive pajamas or sweaters. It adds a cozy, fun vibe to the night. Kids love getting into the holiday spirit this way. Adding light-up necklaces, hats, or holiday accessories brings even more fun to the evening. Plus, it makes the whole experience feel like a true holiday event. The photos you take will be extra memorable.

Pack Fun Snacks and Drinks for the Ride

No Christmas light tour is complete without festive snacks and drinks! Pack a thermos of hot chocolate to keep everyone warm. Marshmallows or whipped cream make it feel even more festive. Create a snack mix with pretzels, holiday-colored candies, and popcorn. This is easy for everyone to munch on while you take in the lights.

If you’re up for it, bake cookies earlier in the day. It adds an extra activity to the night. Or, pick up ready-made treats like candy canes, gingerbread cookies, or store bought mini holiday cupcakes. For larger groups, packing juice boxes or bottled water helps keep things tidy.

Add Some Fun Extras to Make the Night Special

Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained between stops? Try a Christmas lights scavenger hunt! You can make a simple checklist of things to find, like a house with Santa, reindeer, or a specific color of lights. This turns the drive into a fun game, and kids love the challenge of spotting everything on the list.

Another fun idea is to create a holiday playlist of everyone’s favorite Christmas songs to play while you drive around. Singing along to Christmas carols along the way adds another way to make memories throughout the evening.

Turning Your Christmas Light Tour into a Fun Tween and Teen Event

If you’ve got tweens and teens, a Christmas light tour party can be a great way to celebrate the season—especially with a few simple tweaks to make it feel like a celebration just for them. Instead of a quiet family night, invite some of their friends along to make it more of a group event. Renting a van or carpooling with neighbors can turn it into a mini holiday adventure, complete with music, snacks, and laughter.

Once you get home after the light tour, a cookie cake decorated with a holiday theme is an easy, festive treat that teens love. You can even set up a simple cookie decorating station with icing and festive so they can customize their own.

For games, try keeping it light and fun with holiday trivia, charades, or a game of Christmas Pictionary. You could also go for something more interactive, like a scavenger hunt around the house or a white elephant gift exchange. For older kids, set up a gingerbread house station where kids can decorate their own house. These small activities make the night more exciting and give them a chance to create their own holiday memories.

Ideas for Games and Activities:

• Holiday trivia
• Christmas Pictionary
• Charades with a holiday twist
• Gingerbread House station
• Cookie decorating
• White elephant gift exchange

Teens and tweens appreciate a bit of independence, so giving them space to hang out and enjoy themselves while still keeping it festive makes for a great evening. It’s a perfect mix of holiday tradition and age-appropriate fun, ensuring that even the older kids will have a blast.

End the Night with a Cozy Christmas Movie

Once you’ve toured all the lights, return home and settle in for a cozy Christmas movie night. Pop some popcorn, and set up a toppings bar with options like chocolate chips, caramel sauce, or holiday sprinkles—this is always a hit with the kids! Everyone can get comfy with blankets and settle in for a family favorite Christmas movie to round out the evening. It’s a great way to relax after the excitement of the night and spend more time together as a family.

Creating Memories That Last

What I love most about our Christmas light tour tradition is how much joy it brings to our family each year. It’s a simple way to slow down and spend quality time together during the busy holiday season. The kids look forward to it, and the memories we create are ones they’ll carry with them for years to come.

Whether you go all out with a van full of friends or keep it simple with just the family, this tradition is a fun and easy way to make the most of the holiday season. From festive attire and delicious snacks to the twinkling lights all around, a Christmas light party is the perfect way to celebrate the magic of Christmas together. Start your own family tradition this year, and watch how this night becomes a favorite part of your holiday festivities. I’ve linked some fun inspiration items Christmas light tour party below. Happy Holidays!