Do you remember when you were a little kid growing up in a small town, seeing all those really cool Christmas tree lights, Christmas decorations, and holiday lights from house to house? Well imagine that but 10x more with all the local lights and displays that are kid-friendly and in a small town park in Mitchell county.

For over 22+ years, the community of Beloit KS has put together one of the largest outdoor Christmas light displays in Kansas, with over 280+ light displays, including 470 pieces. In 1998, the community of Beloit looked at the layout of Chautauqua Park and thought how stunning it would be if they had their own Christmas light display in the community.

As time went on, a committee was built and displays from businesses and individuals were acquired. By 1999 the Isle of Lights was established in Chautauqua Park in Beloit Kansas. The Chautauqua Isle of Lights is located on the south edge of town. The park is quite unique for the area and is interestingly shaped like a horseshoe surrounded by the Solomon river.

There are plenty of activities throughout the year from having a refreshing Water Park to a Disc Golf Course, RV camping, Tennis Courts, Horseshoe Pits, Walking Trails, and everything one would expect at a park for outdoor activities.

Family and friends who tag along with you on the ride will be able to view all the exquisite displays that encompass the Christmas Spirit. You won't just find Santa Claus in his red suit arriving in his sleigh, but you will also see him cruising on his motorcycle, hanging with the elves, taking pictures, watching TV and waving hello as you leave the park.

 This Winter wonderland park will be sectioned off into iconic and classic display areas such as

a nativity scene of 25 life size pieces, as well as a replica of the St. John's Catholic Church, a 10 piece Wizard of Oz complete with a swirling tornado, tin man, and the cowardly lion. There will also be a Toyland, Antique Vehicles, a Farm area including a 20 foot combine cutting wheat, candy canes, penguins, as well as having many other humorous and thought provoking  displays. You might also see some of your favorite characters from classic Christmas movies and much more.

When you arrive at the park, you will pass the tall gates with the nutcracker guards keeping watch as to who comes in and out. As you enter, you will be met by someone handing out a program guide featuring a map, names of the light displays and sponsors as well as community advertisements. After that, you will be asked to turn your headlights off and follow the road that is lit up with Christmas lights which will guide you along the magical path, where it will eventually lead you to more displays out side of the park.

On average there are more than 18,000 people from over 168 Kansas towns, 40 states and 11 foreign countries that come to visit Chautauqua Isle of Lights and the magical beauty it entails. What makes Chautauqua Isle of Lights so unique is that each and every light display was purchased by local businesses, individuals and organizations. Each display has a special meaning or represents someone or something in years past that made an impact on the surrounding communities. Many pieces memorialize family members or outstanding community leaders.

More locations of Holiday light displays

When you pull out of the park, the Christmas light show doesn't stop there. After 20+ years, the park is bulging at the seams and has expanded to other areas of the city. As you leave the park, turning North on Hersey street, it will take you past the Court House with its pristine 15 foot white Christmas tree and twinkling blue snowflakes. The city building as well as the small Theirolf Park are also decorated as you travel North.

The next big display is just past the football field as you make the curve heading North to the Beloit Junior Senior High School. This area includes a 12x12 matrix, numerous trees and candy canes etc. In the summer of 2021, Bryce Beisner a Junior at Beloit Junior-Senior High School developed a light display for Chautauqua Isle of Lights at the Little Red School House in Beloit KS. on Highway 24. Bryce didn't just create a light display, he created a display that synchronizes music with the lights for a dazzling show.

The lights used are called RGB pixels and are controlled by a software program called “Light O Rama”. This allows you to get super creative with lighting designs. The light display was funded by the Solomon Valley Community Foundation to help promote the Chautauqua Isle of Lights. Bryce submitted his entry amongst many other entries vying for the same opportunity to compete for this grant. Committee members choose their favorite entry and Bryce’s display was the unanimous choice.   

Community support

When mid-October arrives. The 7th and 8th-grade students help on a yearly basis to put up light displays in chautauqua park. The Junior-Senior High students also want to be involved in the program as well, and are working with Bryce Beisner to help with the light display project so the younger students can take over his project when he graduates in the next 2 years. We also have wanted to provide an opportunity for the students to reach their creative abilities to do more in the area of the program. 

The areas that the students will be working on are between the football field and the high school. This will be close enough that the students will be able to work on the project and be within walking distance of the high school. 

Our Isle of Lights board and other groups and organizations also play a large role in adopting areas of the park to decorate. Each night, different community groups and individual volunteers help to host and hand out programs, answer questions and direct traffic. This park is by donations only so everyone can be invited in the true Christmas Spirit of Joy.

Hours of  operation and donations