14 Festive Drive-Thru Christmas Lights in NY and NJ (Plus, a Few You Can See on Foot)

• Cost: $17/adult, $10/kid (under 13)
• Dates: opens October 25 (NJ), Thursday-Sunday 1 to 9 p.m.; November 17 (NY), Friday-Sunday 5 to 9 p.m.
• Address: 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy Queens, NY; 1 American Dream Way East Rutherford, NJ
• Distance from NYC: 50 minutes
• Why We Recommend It: cultural experience, affordable, close to NYC

The Winter Lantern Festival has returned for the holiday season with locations in Queens County Farm Museum, New York and the American Dream Mall, New Jersey. The walk-through experiences feature over 1,000 handmade Chinese lanterns, traditionally crafted from silk and steel wire. When you’re done admiring the master handiworks, you and your family can try your hand at activities such as making your own paper lantern, taking pictures with life-size dinosaurs and kiddie token rides. These winter lantern installations are available to enjoy until December 31, 2023. 

• Cost: $35/vehicle
• Dates: November 24 to December 31; Wednesday to Sunday, 4 to 10 p.m.
• Address: 1 Bronx River Parkway Rd. Valhalla, NY
• Distance from NYC: 1 hour
• Why We Recommend It: charming, family friendly, small-town atmosphere

Take a ride through 1.2 miles of Westchester’s Winter Wonderland where you’ll find popular holiday characters, a North Pole, a twirling tunnel, towering candy canes, glowing snowballs and a playground of elves. This year’s two most notable attractions are the Transporter Tunnel, a 175-foot string light tunnel and Rudolph’s Runway, your portal to the North Pole. The best part? There will be a live Santa to wave to from the comfort of your own car and then make a wish on the exhibition’s new 30-foot star. Tickets need to be purchased in advance and the event ends December 31, 2023.

• Cost: $25/vehicle
• Dates: November 17 to December 30; Sunday to Thursday 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday to Saturday 5 to 11p.m.
• Address: Jones Beach, NY
• Distance from NYC: 1 hour
• Why We Recommend It: affordable, charming, family friendly

One of Long Island’s most popular light displays is back at Jones Beach State Park with more than a mile of cheerful and sparkling holiday scenes. As you drive through Magic of Lights, you’ll come across hundreds of dazzling lights featuring favorite holiday characters. This year don’t miss (life-size) Holiday Barbie and the Bigfoot Monster Truck displays, plus dinosaurs for a prehistoric Christmas. Be sure to stop by the North Pole where kids (and adults too!) can drop off letters to Santa Claus by using a pre-made template. Afterwards, warm up at the North Pole Café, go ice skating and grab some s’mores before heading home.

• Cost: from $20
• Dates: select dates in November and December
• Address: 1151 S. White Horse Pike, Hammonton NJ
• Distance from NYC: 2 hours
• Why We Recommend It: plenty of things to do, holiday shopping, great weekend getaway

If the Polar Express is one of your favorite holiday movies, you’re going to want to visit DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express in Hammonton, New Jersey. Hop on a train and ride through millions of Christmas lights and meet good ol’ Saint Nick himself and his elves for a photo opportunity. Admission also includes story time and pictures with Mrs. Claus, a present from Santa, a holiday movie tent, a toy market and a walkthrough holiday village. Tickets sell out quickly but can be purchased online or at the door. The event runs until December 23.

• Cost: from $30/vehicle
• Dates: select dates in November and December; 5 to 10 p.m. (last entry 9 p.m.)
• Address: 200 Hurd Rd. Bethel, NY
• Distance from NYC: 2 hours
• Why We Recommend It: great weekend getaway, plenty of things to do, small-town atmosphere

With new areas and expanded displays, Peace, Love & Lights at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts has expanded its popular holiday attraction. The 1.7-mile drive-thru experience features themed areas such as Holidays Around the World, Candy Cane Lane, Snowflake Alley and Groovy Way (a nod to the Woodstock festival). Once your drive is over, head to one of the holiday pop-up markets where you and your family can indulge in comfort food, holiday drinks, s’mores by the fire and much more. The drive-thru takes about 35 minutes and is open on a partial schedule until December 31.

• Cost: from $42/adult, $27/kid (under 12), 2 and under free
• Dates: November 17 to January 7, 2024
• Address: 2300 Southern Blvd. Bronx, NY
• Distance from NYC: 50 minutes
• Why We Recommend It: easily accessible, educational, walkable

Grab your hot cocoa and winter coats and stop by the Bronx Zoo for a festive animal-themed light show. This walk-through experience features a new holiday tree show, colored tunnels and nearly 400 lanterns representing over 100 animal and plant species. There are six lantern trails so take your pick: Africa, Asia, Forest of Color, Latin America, North America and Oceans. Other activities include a holiday train, ice carving demonstrations, costumed stilt walkers, a wildlife theater and seasonal treats all at an additional cost.

• Cost: see website for more information
• Dates: see website for more information
• Address: 94 Championship Place Augusta, NJ
• Distance from NYC: 2 hours
• Why We Recommend It: family friendly, plenty of things to do, laid-back vibe

There’s no better place to help you get in on the holiday fun than Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show in Augusta, New Jersey. After driving through one mile of over two million lights (!), you can stop by the outdoor Christmas Village and enjoy ice skating, photos with Santa, carnival rides, a s’mores station and much more. There’s even a winter beer garden for those in need of some adult tipples. Side note: This is the perfect place to snap some family photos if you need one for your holiday cards.

• Cost: from $15/vehicle
• Dates: select dates in November and December; 5 to 11 p.m.
• Address: Splish Splash Waterpark Splish Splash Dr. Calverton, NY
• Distance from NYC: 2 hours
• Why We Recommend It: affordable, not too crowded, small-town atmosphere

Back for its sixth year, the Riverhead Holiday Light show is located on Long Island and is a can’t-miss drive thru experience. Pack a bag filled with your favorite holiday treats to enjoy while you wind through the mile-long route that features hundreds of dazzling holiday themed light displays. Be sure to tune your radio to listen and sing along to a synched playlist. The show starts at 5 p.m. each night and is open on select dates from November 18 until December 31. Check out their website for more even more locations in New York and New Jersey.

• Cost: $35/vehicle
• Dates: November 22 to December 29; 5 to 9 p.m.
• Address: 244 Wierimus Rd. Hillsdale, NJ
• Distance from NYC:  1 hour
• Why We Recommend It: holiday shopping, great for kids, small town atmosphere

During the holiday season, fall-favorite Demarest Farms in Hillsdale, New Jersey transforms into a fun and magical display of lights and joyful activities. The Orchard of Lights offers a guided drive-thru tour of 32 acres of light displays that takes about 30 minutes. After the tour, warm up by the fire pit with some s’mores and hot cocoa, take pictures with Santa and listen to his singing reindeer. Be sure to stop by their retail farm market for some seasonal and delicious treats.

• Cost: $30/vehicle
• Dates: November 24 to December 31; 5:30 to 10 p.m.
• Address: 655 Cranbury Rd. East Brunswick, NJ
• Distance from NYC: 1 hour
• Why We Recommend It: affordable, family-friendly, easily accessible

With over 1.5 million lights to see, WinterWonder Lights in East Brunswick, New Jersey brings a local family-owned business front and center with larger-than-life holiday themed displays. Hop in your car and drive through a half mile of festive animated lights celebrating Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Don’t forget to tune your radio to the event’s specific station to enhance your experience. Tickets can be purchased online, and the event is open from November 25 until January 1, 2024.

• Cost: from $34/adult, $24/kid (12 and under)
• Dates: select dates in November, December and January; 5 to 10 p.m.
• Address: 2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx, NY
• Distance from NYC: 30 minutes
• Why We Recommend It: easily accessible, walkable, educational

New York City’s largest outdoor holiday light experience is back for its third year at the New York Botanical Garden. NYBG Glow features light displays that span across 1.5 miles of the garden with dazzling LED lights, illuminated plant stories and whimsical installations. Guests can also add on an after-dark visit to the Holiday Train Show where model trains zip through New York landmarks or make a pit stop at the Bronx Night Market Holiday Pop-Up where you’ll find outdoor bars and the chance to indulge in some treats. The event runs at night on select dates from November 17 until January 13, 2024.

• Cost: from $24/adult, $17/kid (children under 12 go free)
• Dates: November 17 to January 1;
• Address: 990 Washington Ave. Brooklyn, NY
• Distance from NYC:  20 minutes
• Why We Recommend It: educational, for adults, walkable

Head to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for an illuminated trail of over a million lights and works of art by both local and international artists along with the Winter Cathedral and reimagined Fire Garden. The one-mile trail runs through the garden’s 52 acres with light installations and colorful light displays that highlight the landscape. Guests can enjoy a curated soundtrack that complements the artwork and lights while stopping along various concessions throughout the trail that serve mulled wine, hot cider, hot cocoa and other light bites. The event runs on select dates from November 17 until January 1, 2024.