Looking for a festive drive-thru Christmas lights display in Anderson, Indiana? Nights of Lights at Mounds State Park turns the campground into a glowing holiday drive each December, with dozens of decorated campsites you can enjoy from the comfort of your car.
2025 Nights of Lights at Mounds State Park
The campground at Mounds State Park has been transformed for the holiday season! Local Madison County citizens, organizations, and businesses decorate campsites with festive Christmas light displays. Together they create a magical drive-thru experience where families can soak in holiday lights, music and small-town charm.
Quick Info: Nights of Lights 2025
Event: Nights of Lights at Mounds State Park (Drive-Thru Christmas Lights)
Location: Mounds State Park, 4306 Mounds Rd, Anderson, IN 46017
Opening Night: Friday, November 28, 2025
Dates: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December 2025
Hours: 6–9 pm
Cost: $10 per vehicle (pay at the camp store; cash and credit cards accepted)
What Is Nights of Lights at Mounds State Park?
Nights of Lights is a family-friendly, drive-thru holiday lights event set in the campground at Mounds State Park. Each campsite is adopted and decorated by local families, groups, businesses, churches, and community organizations. The result is a winding route of bright, colorful and often funny displays that kids and adults love spotting from the car.
Because it’s a drive-thru Christmas lights display, you never have to leave your vehicle. It’s an easy option for families with young children, grandparents, or anyone who wants to enjoy holiday lights without a long walk in the cold.
What to Expect When You Visit
When you arrive at Mounds State Park Nights of Lights, you’ll follow the marked route through the campground. Plan to drive slowly so you can take in each themed campsite, from classic Christmas scenes to light tunnels, inflatables and creative displays put together by the decorators.
Many families like to:
- Bring hot cocoa or snacks to enjoy while driving through
- Play Christmas music in the car to match the lights
- Let kids pick their favorite displays and talk about them afterward
The entire route usually takes about 15–30 minutes, depending on traffic and how slowly you drive. It’s a great add-on to a holiday evening in Anderson or a fun destination all on its own.
Vote for Your Favorite Christmas Light Displays
One of the fun parts of Nights of Lights at Mounds State Park is that visitors get to help choose the winners. After you drive through, you can vote online for your top three favorite displays on the Friends of Mounds State Park website. Once the event wraps up, winners are announced by email and on the Friends of Mounds Facebook page.
This friendly competition encourages decorators to go all out, which means more unique and over-the-top light displays for families to enjoy.
Why Nights of Lights Is Worth the Trip
- Affordable holiday outing: One flat fee per vehicle makes this a budget-friendly Christmas lights experience.
- Great for all ages: Babies, toddlers, teens and grandparents can all enjoy the lights from the warmth of the car.
- Supports the park: Proceeds benefit the Friends of Mounds State Park and help fund future projects and improvements.
- Easy winter activity: No need to worry about weather or walking far; just drive, look and enjoy.
Plan Your Visit to Nights of Lights 2025
Nights of Lights runs opening night on November 28, 2025, and then every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December from 6–9 pm. Arrive early if you want to avoid the longest lines, especially closer to Christmas. Load up the car, cue up your favorite holiday playlist and enjoy a cozy, drive-thru Christmas lights tradition in Anderson, Indiana.
For the latest details on dates, hours, voting and event updates, visit the official event page: Friends of Mounds State Park – Nights of Lights.
