Enchanted Village of Lights

For thirty years, the Enchanted Village of Lights has transformed a humble fairground in Laurie, Missouri, into Central Missouri’s most enchanting holiday tradition. What began as a modest community light display has evolved into a sprawling wonderland featuring hundreds of illuminated scenes that stretch across five miles of winding paths.

This isn’t your typical suburban Christmas light tour. The Enchanted Village operates as a true winter carnival, where horse-drawn carriage rides clip-clop through tunnels of twinkling LEDs on select evenings, and a new walk-through section beckons visitors to abandon their cars for steaming cups of hot chocolate and artisan holiday treats from local vendors.

The magic intensifies after dark, when the entire 54-acre fairgrounds pulse with synchronized light shows. Insider tip: arrive on weeknights for the most intimate experience, when you can actually hear the holiday music accompanying each display without the weekend crowds. The most photographed installation remains the massive LED archway tunnel—a quarter-mile stretch of rainbow illumination that locals call “the gateway to Christmas.”

What sets this celebration apart is its grassroots authenticity. Every display is volunteer-built and donation-funded, creating an atmosphere of genuine community pride rarely found at commercial attractions. The result feels less like a tourist destination and more like being invited into Missouri’s collective Christmas morning—complete with the warmth, wonder, and slight organized chaos that makes family traditions truly unforgettable.