Holiday lights have begun illuminating the nights in Columbia with displays all through the city.

Whether you’re looking for a walk-through experience, want to celebrate the season under a magic tree, or just planning a scenic drive, KOMU 8 has you covered with a list of holiday and Christmas lights near you.

Tap or click each location on the map for its address, and keep scrolling for more details on each location.

Walk- or drive-through lights displays

Veterans United

The mile-long holiday lights display returned Tuesday at Veterans United. The Bright Lights/Holiday Nights drive-through display runs through Dec. 22.

The tour is located at 550 Veterans United Drive and is open from 7-10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 6-10:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Vehicles can enter the display from the eastern-most Veterans United Drive campus entrance and continue through the display until the western-most Veterans United Drive exit. During event hours, the only way to access Veterans United Drive will be from State Farm Parkway, as traffic from South Providence Road will be restricted from turning east onto Veterans United Drive.

A map is available on the event’s Facebook page.

The event accommodates about 1,000 vehicles each night, and Veterans United recommends visiting later in the evening, as traffic flow was heaviest early in the evening last year.

Shelter Gardens

The Winter Wonderland Garden of Lights is located at 1820 W Ash St. The display is open every evening from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. until Dec. 14.

The display features thousands of lights shining on several different holiday scenes.

Visitors are able to walk through the light displays for free.

The Gingerbread House

Located at 5403 Dalcross Drive, Columbia, The Gingerbread House will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. every night until Jan. 5.

The display covers the front and backyard and includes interactive elements.

Vehicles can drive by the house to view the lights as well as walking through the display.

Fulton Festival of Lights

Fulton Parks and Recreation lit the Festival of Lights on Dec. 5 and will remain lit until early January.

The festival is located at 808 State St. The display is free for the public and vehicles can drive through the light show.

Magic trees

The Crossing’s Magic Tree

More than eight miles of LED lights were lit on the 85-foot Sycamore tree at The Crossing on Nov. 29.

Located at 3615 Southland Drive, viewers can enjoy the sights and sounds of the magic tree from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night.

Live music will be provided by Mason Ridge Bluegrass Band and Indie Artist Johnny Knox on Dec. 13 during their special Friday night experiences.

Cherry Hill’s Magic Tree

Cherry Hill lit its new Magic Tree on Dec. 5. Located at 4200 Merchant St., the tree will be lit every night from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. until Jan. 6.

Since 2010, five trees have held the honor of being adorned with the Christmas lights. A nine year old Crabtree is enjoying its debut this year. It was planted with the intent of being the next long-term Magic Tree.

Boone Electric Cooperative’s Magic Tree

The Magic tree at Boone Electric Cooperative is located at 1413 Rangeline St.

More holiday and Christmas lights in Columbia and mid-Missouri

Logboat Brewing Co.

Logboat Brewing Co. held their annual Candy Cane Crib lighting ceremony on Nov. 29.

The lights are available to view at 504 Fay St.

Boone County Courthouse

Located at 705 E Walnut St., the Boone County Courthouse lit holiday lights that surround the old courthouse columns and surrounding trees and bushes.

Alley A

Between Ninth Street and Tenth Street just south of East Broadway, Alley A decorated the path with a holiday lights display.

Drone photography by Dominick Lee, KOMU 8 Chief Photographer and FAA-Certified Drone Pilot

Story and design by Jacob Richey and Matthew Jacobi, KOMU 8 Digital Producers

Video editing by Camden Buehler, KOMU 8 Digital Producer

SEDALIA, Mo. (KCTV) – A man wanted out of Kansas for a fatality crash ahead of New Year’s Eve 2022 has been found and arrested at his Missouri home nearly 2 years later.

Pettis County, Missouri, Circuit Court records indicate that on Friday, Dec. 6, Timothy R. Smith, 37, of Sedalia, a man wanted in connection to a fatality crash out of Kansas, was found at his home and arrested.

A probable cause statement filed by the Sedalia Police Department revealed that Smith had been charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated endangering a child, driving under the influence, vehicle liability insurance, child safety restraint and failure to wear a seatbelt out of Leavenworth County.

In addition to the out-of-state warrant, law enforcement officials also booked Smith on an additional charge of fugitive from justice. He claimed he had been unaware of the warrant, which was filed in Kansas in February 2023.

A criminal complaint filed by the Leavenworth County, Kansas, Attorney’s Office revealed that on Dec. 30, 2022, Smith had been driving under the influence before he was involved in a collision that killed James H. Wilson. Meanwhile, a child under the age of 1 had been present inside the vehicle and was not properly restrained during the incident.

During a hearing on Monday, Dec. 9, court records noted that Smith refused extradition. The State is expected to seek a Governor’s warrant.

As of Wednesday, Dec. 11, Smith remains behind bars in Pettis County with no bond listed. A case review hearing has been set for 10 a.m. on Jan. 7, 2025. No further information has been released.

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.

WHAT WENT RIGHT …

WHAT WENT WRONG …

PARTING PREDICTION