Commercial holiday displays are no longer just seasonal decor, they’ve become economic drivers, tourism assets, and community-building tools for cities across the country. From small towns to growing municipalities, professionally designed holiday lighting programs are delivering measurable results: increased foot traffic, stronger local business performance, and higher resident engagement.
Across the Midwest and South, communities like Blue Springs, MO; Boerne, TX; Buda, TX; Lafayette, LA; Shawnee, KS; and Carthage, MO demonstrate how strategic holiday displays can positively impact a town far beyond December.
Holiday Displays Drive Downtown Foot Traffic & Local Spending
One of the most immediate benefits of a holiday lighting program is increased downtown activity.
Buda, TX: Attendance + Business Participation
Buda’s annual holiday light trail attracted approximately 11,000 visitors, with 47 local businesses participating. This level of engagement shows how holiday displays encourage residents and visitors to stay longer, shop locally, and explore downtown areas they may not normally visit.
Why it matters:
- Increased walkability during evening hours
- Higher exposure for small businesses
- Built-in opportunities for sponsorships and partnerships
Holiday Lighting Creates Tourism-Worthy Experiences
Holiday displays that go beyond simple street decor become regional attractions, drawing visitors from surrounding communities.
Boerne, TX: Tens of Thousands of Visitors
Boerne’s Dickens on Main holiday event has reportedly attracted up to 57,000 visitors over a single weekend. When lighting, theming, entertainment, and shopping are combined, towns create experiences that rival much larger cities, without losing their small-town charm.
Tourism impact includes:
- Increased hotel stays
- Restaurant and retail overflow
- Regional media coverage
Lafayette, LA: Lights with a Mission
Lafayette’s Noël Acadien au Village features hundreds of thousands of lights and operates as a multi-night attraction supporting a local nonprofit. The event blends holiday lighting with music, food, and shopping, encouraging repeat visits while directly benefiting the community.
Strengthening Community Identity & Civic Pride
Holiday displays don’t just attract visitors, they bring residents together.
Blue Springs, MO: A Free, Accessible Holiday Tradition
Blue Springs’ North Pole Trail of Lights offers a free, nightly walk-through experience, making it accessible to families of all income levels. By keeping the display open throughout the season, the city creates a shared tradition that residents return to year after year.
Carthage, MO: Activating Historic Downtown Spaces
Carthage centers its holiday lighting around the Historic Square, pairing a mayoral tree lighting with a Christmas parade. These traditions reinforce downtown as the heart of the community, a place people associate with celebration, memory-making, and local pride.
Why Cities Are Investing in Professional Holiday Displays
Municipal holiday lighting is increasingly viewed as a strategic investment, not an expense.
Key Benefits for Cities & Municipalities
- Economic development: increased spending, vendor participation, and tourism
- Community engagement: family-friendly events that strengthen civic pride
- Placemaking: transforming public spaces into seasonal destinations
- Longevity: reusable, commercial-grade decor that reduces long-term costs
Cities that plan and invest early often see greater ROI, stronger sponsorship opportunities, and smoother installation timelines.
Turning Holiday Displays into Long-Term Assets
The most successful communities treat holiday lighting as part of a larger seasonal strategy, not a one-off project. By combining:
- Professional design
- Commercial-grade materials
- Scalable displays
- Event programming
cities can build holiday traditions that grow year after year, just like the examples above.
Final Takeaway: Real Results, Real Communities
From 11,000-person light trails to 57,000-visitor holiday festivals, real towns are proving that holiday displays create real impact. They support local businesses, elevate downtown districts, and give residents something to look forward to every winter.
Holiday lighting, when done right, doesn’t just decorate a town, it defines the season.