Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows near NYC

The stunning Peace, Love, and Lights drive-thru at Bethel Woods returns for another season of bringing visitors joy.

If you're ready to add a little extra sparkle to the holiday season, take note: The tri-state area boasts some pretty spectacular Christmas lights and holiday lights drive-thrus where your crew can enjoy twinkling Christmas lights displays from the warmth, comfort, and safety of your car.

We've compiled a list of 14 must-see Christmas lights displays to drive through in New Jersey, Westchester, Long Island, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut that are guaranteed to bring smiles to your family's faces. So, pack some snacks, cue the Christmas music, and get ready to make some priceless holiday memories.

Find tons more ways to celebrate this season with those you love in our jam-packed Christmas Guide. Consider it our seasonal gift to you.

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Orlando

The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens transforms into the Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild at night! Photo courtesy of the zoo

For many Orlando families, local Christmas light shows are a treasured holiday tradition. These holiday lights are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit, and Orlando has no shortage of options. From dazzling Christmas light displays at the theme parks to lighted boat parades, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to see Christmas lights here in Central Florida.

Get an exclusive look at the magic of the holidays at Give Kids the World Village via a Holiday VIP Tour; enjoy one of the many lighted parades, by land and by sea, throughout Central Florida; and awe at the Christmas lights from the comfort of your own car during Magic of Lights. Read on for the very best holiday light displays around Orlando and Central Florida. For more dazzling light shows in local neighborhoods, check out our awesome list of Christmas Light Displays in Orlando Neighborhoods.

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Atlanta

Enjoy the sparkle of the season at the Glow Light Show in Lawrenceville. Photo courtesy of the event

Christmas light shows add another layer of beauty during the holiday season, and we've got our favorite dazzling holiday lights drive-thru events and Christmas light shows in Atlanta. This year families will find familiar favorites like Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden as well as new light shows like Noel Magic Light Show at Atlanta Motor Speedway. We also love a free light show, like Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park. Whether you chooose to walk or drive through these fabulous holiday and Christmas lights, make sure you open your eyes and hearts to the awe of this special time of year!

We have even more amazing holiday ideas in the Atlanta Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide, including information about the Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays, Nutcracker Ballets and Holiday Shows, and more.

13 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in San Francisco for Kids

Enchant Christmas at PayPal Park. Photo courtesy of the event.

There are so many Christmas events and holiday activities in San Francisco and the Bay Area, and my favorite ones are below to help you plan and take advantage of all the Bay Area has to offer during the most magical time of the year. 

Just like that, it's the holiday season! There's a reason one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time says, "It's the most wonderful time of the year." The twinkling lights, ice skating rinks, festive songs, and celebrations are nothing short of spectacular. This time of year also allows us to connect, be together, create traditions, and make memories as a family.

Discover the best Christmas events and holiday activities that should be on your list, including breakfast with Santa Claus, ice skating in San Francisco, fancy holiday teas, and so much more. 

For more Christmas events and holiday family outings, we have a whole post dedicated to the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in San Francisco, the best Polar Express train rides and Christmas trains, plus more festive holiday fun in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for San Francisco Bay Area Kids

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Los Angeles

Enchanted: Forest of Light. Photo by Kathryn Rapier, courtesy of the event.

Holiday lights twinkle extra brightly in a city known for Hollywood, glitz, and glamour. Holiday light shows and Christmas light displays are all over Los Angeles. These festive light shows dazzle and get you in the holiday spirit. Stroll through immersive light displays, wander through Christmas lights in gardens, zoos, and farms, climb aboard a holiday lights train, or enjoy a Christmas light show by the water. 

If that's not enough holiday lights in Los Angeles for you, festive SoCal neighborhoods go all out with their annual decorating traditions to treat Angelenos to some incredible neighborhood holiday light displays. For even more holiday fun, check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events in Los Angeles.  

Best Family Resorts That Will Sell Out for the Holidays - So, Book Now!

Experience Christmas with dazzling displays, tempting treats, holiday shows, and festive activities at Gaylord Palms in Orlando. Photo courtesy of Gaylord Palms

As the saying goes, there's no place like home for the holidays. But we say home is wherever your family is. And if your family is looking to get away this holiday season, book your trip now—some of the best family resorts are booking up quickly!

We've rounded up a dozen great family resorts to spend the holidays at with the whole gang. Some of these family resorts go above and beyond with holiday decorations and activities, making your family feel like they're in a Hallmark Christmas movie. Others are near destinations that do it up for the holidays, including Disneyland and Disney World.

Prefer to spend the holidays in paradise? We've also included some of our favorite all-inclusive resorts and other hotels in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii. These family resorts, along with others on our list of warm and sunny family vacation spots, provide a welcome respite from Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

See our Family Resorts and Hotels Guide for more great places to spend the holidays with your family.

Pages