One of the best parts of the holiday season is spending time with family and friends (after all the delicious food, of course). And while we’re all about classic traditions like gift exchanges, Christmas movies and party games, this year we suggest starting a new holiday ritual by visiting one of these festive drive-thru Christmas light events in the New York and New Jersey area. No car? No problem. We’ve included a couple of holiday lights experiences in the NYC area that don’t require wheels. So, go ahead and grab your loved ones, a tin of holiday cookies and get ready to experience a breathtaking and memorable display of festive cheer. ‘Tis the season!
14 Festive Drive-Thru Christmas Lights in NY and NJ (Plus, a Few You Can See on Foot)
From the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to East Brunswick, New Jersey
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Published Oct 20, 2023
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Courtesy of Kaleido Arts & Entertainment Group
1. NYC Winter Lantern Festival (Roslyn, NY and East Rutherford, NJ)
- 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.
Courtesy of Westchester Parks Foundation
2. Westchester’s Winter Wonderland (Valhalla, NY)
- 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.
Courtesy of Magic of Lights
3. Magic of Lights (Jones Beach, NY)
- 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.
Courtesy of DiDonate Family Fun Center
4. DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express (Hammonton, NJ)
- 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.
Courtesy of Bethel Woods Center
5. Peace, Love & Lights (Bethel, NY)
- 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.
Julie Larsen Maher
6. Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights (Bronx, NY)
- 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.
Courtesy of Skylands Stadiums
7. Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show (Augusta, NJ)
- 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.
Courtesy of Holiday Light Show
8. Riverhead Holiday Light Show (Calverton, NY)
- 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.
Courtesy of Demarest Farms
9. Orchard of Lights (Hillsdale, NJ)
- 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.
Courtesy of Winter Wonder Lights
10. Winter WonderLights (East Brunswick, NJ)
- 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.
NYBG Photo
11. New York Botanical Garden Glow (Bronx, NY)
- 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.
12. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights (Brooklyn, NY)
- Cost: free; guided walking tours from $35/person (5 and under free)
- Dates: select dates in November, December and January
- Address: 86th St. and 12th Ave. Dyker Heights, Brooklyn
- Distance from NYC: 30 minutes
- Why We Recommend It: family friendly, walkable, laid-back vibe
When it comes to holiday cheer, no neighborhood does Christmas like Dyker Heights in Brooklyn. If you have access to a car, head to this Brooklyn locale for one of the best holiday lights displays in the whole country. (And if not, they offer bus pickup from the New York Public Library at Bryant Park.) Houses go completely over the top, decorating their lawns in thousands of glistening lights, life-sized snowmen, sleighs, reindeer and Santas galore. It’s a can’t-miss event for the holiday season and the perfect field trip for entertaining kids or just getting into the holiday spirit. Psst: If you’re touring by yourself, be sure to bring a few $5 notes with you—many of the homes collect money for charity.
13. A Very Furry Christmas Celebration at Sesame Place (Langhorne, PA)
- Cost: from $45/person (under 2 free)
- Dates: select dates in November, December and January
- Address: 100 Sesame Rd. Langhorne, PA 19047
- Distance from NYC: 90 minutes
- Why We Recommend It: weekend getaway, great for kids, holiday shopping
OK, so this one isn’t technically in New York or New Jersey, but it’s definitely worth the trip. A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place is a 90-minute drive from NYC where you can celebrate the holidays with your favorite characters. The park transforms into a Christmas wonderland with a 30-foot illuminated tree, Christmas shows, a parade and a meet and greet with Santa. The event is open from November 17 until January 7, 2024.
Courtesy of Brooklyn Botanical Garden
14. Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (Brooklyn, NY)
- 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.
