10 Spectacular Holiday Light Drive-Thru Displays in the NY Area
Holiday light drive-thru shows are a magical experience for any family. The various colors and different displays make it the perfect thing to do around the holidays and is great for children and adults of all ages. The holiday light drive-thru attractions are also easy to maneuver and save you from the brutal winter winds of Jack Frost. Ahead, we rounded up the best holiday light shows to get you in the Christmas spirit across New York and New Jersey.
Holiday Light Drive-Thru Attractions in New York City
Holiday Lights Tour with Santa & Elves – Manhattan
2 East 42nd Street, New York, NY
Take a holiday journey with Santa on the North Pole Express. Enjoy the sights of New York while sipping on a delicious cup of hot chocolate and munching on scrumptious cookies. Meet the Express Conductor, one of Santa’s elves, and, of course, Santa while enjoying the bright and beautiful lights of the city that never sleeps.
Tickets start at $124 for adults and $104 for children and the experience runs through January 5th, 2025.
Dyker Lights – Brooklyn
11th to 13th Avenues, 83rd to 86th Streets
If you don’t feel like paying to see holiday lights this year, check out Dyker Heights. This Brooklyn neighborhood goes all-out on their holiday decorations.
Here, you can expect to see life-size Santas, gorgeous light displays, and possibly even hear Christmas carols. These light displays are between 11th to 13th Avenue or 83rd Avenue to 86th St. The lights are free and open to the public.
Holiday Light Drive Thru Attractions on Long Island
Town of Islip Annual Lights Drive-Thru – East Islip
Brookwood Hall, 50 Irish Lane
Every year the town of Islip hosts its annual lights drive-thru show. It’s back for the 4th time, bringing an array of colorful and festive lights. Grab the family and watch in awe as you drive through the carefully curated display. The light show begins on Saturday, December 7th, and occurs every Monday & Thursday thereafter, from 5 pm to 8 pm.
The best part? Admission is free.
Magic of Lights – Wantagh
385 Bay Parkway
Have your family immerse themselves in the Magic of Lights as you drive through spectacular light displays. Colorful, twinkling, LED lights and holiday music help create extraordinary images and animations of classic holiday characters and scenes.
Cruise through this 2.5-mile light display which features the latest LED technology and digital animations. Families will get to drive through the 12 Days of Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Barbie Land, Candy Cane Alley, and more. And they all can be viewed from the safety and comfort of your own car!
Tickets start at $20 on weekdays if purchased online in advance, and $35 at the gate. The display opens on November 22nd and runs Sunday through Thursday from 5 pm to 11 pm, until January 4th, 2025.
Psst…Check Out 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in NYC – Sneak Peek at What Families Can Expect!
Riverhead Holiday Light Show – Calverton
2549 Splish Splash Drive
Experience the magic of the holidays with the largest holiday light show in Suffolk County.
The Riverhead Holiday Light Show has returned and offering more displays that will dazzle your little ones as you drive through 1.5 miles of flickering candles, winter landscapes, snowflake flurries, and even Santa’s workshop.
What’s really cool about this light show is that the lights are synchronized with the music on your radio.
Tickets can either be purchased at the gate or online through their website starting at $25 per car. The Riverhead Light Show attractions open at 5 and will run for select dates from November 15th to December 31st.
Holiday Light Drive-Thru Attractions in Upstate New York
Peace, Love & Lights – Bethel
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, 200 Hurd Road
Get in the Holiday Spirit with the Peace, Love, and Lights Drive-Thru.
Hosted by the Bethel Woods Center, this one-mile drive-thru features their iconic 120-foot Twinkle Tunnel and their themed areas, showing off the gorgeous scenery of the conservatory with the Enchanted Forest and Snowflake Alley displays.
This attraction is open from 5 pm to 10 pm, starting Black Friday (November 29th) through December 31st. Tickets start at $32 per car, and you can pay admission at the gate or buy tickets online through the Bethel Woods website.
Westchester’s Winter Wonderland – Valhalla
Kensico Dam Plaza
Check out the Westchester’s Winter Wonderland.
This whimsical, holiday light drive-thru features a 1.2 mile course that has spectacular sights, such as a warm, Fireside Forest, towering candy canes at Candy Cane Lane, the enchantment of the Magical Woods, and the Twirling Tunnel — it features over 100 feet of swirling colors and many more dazzling displays!
What’s unique about this holiday attraction is that there are also costumed characters wandering the park. You might even get a glimpse of Santa! Tune in to some holiday music, grab your favorite holiday treat, and enjoy the drive.
Tickets are available online on their website for $35. The park opens at 5 pm and runs for select dates through December 31st.
Holiday Light Drive-Thru Attractions in New Jersey
Holdidig Light Show – West Berlin
Diggerland USA
100 Pinedge Drive
Diggerland, the construction-themed theme park, is hosting its own light show. Grab your favorite holiday snacks and a warm drink from the concession stand and drive through their mile-long course of twinkling lights and holiday displays.
Fully immerse yourself in the holiday experience by tuning into the radio where the lights will synchronize themselves to the music.
While tickets can be purchased at the gate, tickets bought online will be given first priority. The admission fee is $37 per car and the park is open for select dates up until January 12th.
Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show and Village – Augusta
94 Championship Place
Celebrate the holidays at Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show and Village.
Set to holiday music, this spectacular drive-thru light show has over two million lights and shows off gorgeous holiday displays, featuring animated scenes, spirited reindeer, mischievous elves, Santa’s workshop, a winter wonderland, and so much more!
When you’re done with the drive-thru, check out the Christmas Village where you can munch on sweets, meet Santa, visit the nativity scene, and more. If your family wants to check out more holiday lights, there is even a walk-through light display.
Tickets are $29 per car and can be bought either online or at the gate. The Skyland’s Stadium Christmas Light Show and Village is open for select dates from November 22nd through December 30th.
PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights – Holmdel
PNC Bank Arts Center, 116 Garden State Pkwy
Have your family immerse themselves in the Magic of Lights as you drive through spectacular light displays. Colorful, twinkling, LED lights and holiday music help create extraordinary images and animations of classic holiday characters and scenes.
Cruise through this 2.5-mile light display which features the latest LED technology and digital animations. Families will get to drive through the Blizzard Tunnel, 12 Days of Christmas, Winter Wonderland, and more. And they all can be viewed from the safety and comfort of your own car!
Their hours of operation are 5 pm – 10 pm Sunday – Thursday and 5 pm – 11 pm Friday and Saturday. Open November 22nd through January 4th. Tickets start at $20.
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Here at New York Family, we could not love the holidays more and that’s why we’ve created A Very Merry New York Family Holiday Guide! We’ve got everything you need to make 2024 your family’s best holiday ever: Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa events, tree lightings, holiday light shows, gift guide, holiday shopping ideas, books, movies, elf ideas and so much more!
