Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows on Long Island

Jaime Sumersille's picture Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on

LuminoCity returns to Long Island's Eisenhower Park. Photo courtesy LuminoCity

For a touch of holiday magic on Long Island, it's hard to beat the glow of a spectacular Christmas lights display or holiday lights drive-thru.

While we really enjoy the immersive walk-through displays across Long Island, such as the Smithtown Historical Society's Holiday Trail of Lights or LuminoCity at Eisenhower Park, sometimes we prefer to grab our hot cocoa and set out on the road. Driving through the Town of Islip Holiday Lights or Jones Beach Magic of Lights Show has become an annual tradition that even my older kids anticipate.

However, this year we also can't wait to catch some new holiday lights attractions. Sayville Falls has transformed into a magical walk-through experience with its Light Show and Winter Garden. Plus, we found out that Clark Botanic Garden is bringing back its FREE Winter Wonderland Walk-Through.

Find all our top picks for holiday fun—including Long Island's best Christmas activities—in our Long Island Christmas Guide.

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

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on

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 New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes,

Make the most magical time of the year even more special with a visit to one of New Jersey's spectacular Christmas light displays. Our picks include holiday lights drive-thrus, where you can stay toasty in your car and journey through a sparkling course. At other Christmas lights displays in New Jersey, you can stretch your legs as you wander past holiday lights and experience the magic up close.

Whichever you choose, pile the kids in the car with some snacks, crank up the holiday tunes, and journey out to see one of these impressive holiday light displays in New Jersey.

Find more must-do holiday activities and ways to be merry in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for NJ Families. 

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on

Enjoy snow every night at Winter City Lights. Photo by Kyle Lanzer courtesy of the Winter City Lights .event.

The DC area is always merry and bright with so many Christmas light shows, holiday lights drive-thrus, and other festive displays. I know I'm having trouble selecting the one (or three) my family will visit because they're all so good.

Light Yards is always a fun and quick stop, especially when you get to swing on the bells as they light up. For years, I've been wanting to check out the Holiday Boat Parade which is visible from both The Wharf and Alexandria. And then there are the tree and menorah lightings, neighborhood displays, and twinkles all over the area.

Below I've compiled 29 amazing Christmas light shows, holiday lights drive-thrus, and tree and menorah lightings around the DC area.

While you're in a festive mood, check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids. And remember, we are constantly updating our events calendar with more Christmas events and holiday activities all over the DC area. Whatever you celebrate, we're wishing you all the wonders of the season!

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

Submitted by Sandra Lee on

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

Submitted by Toby B on

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 Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Philly

Submitted by Cait Sumner on

Over a million lights illuminate the Philadelphia Zoo as it transforms into a sparkling winter wonderland, LumiNature. Photo by Georgi Anastov Photography

Get ready for our list of the best Christmas lights displays and holiday lights drive-thrus that have the Philly area all aglow.

Who doesn't love lights? So many amazing light displays can be found all over the Philadelphia area. You'll find everything from amusement parks with walk-thru decorations to drive-thru displays at farms where you can grab hot cocoa and enjoy the atmosphere. Kids and adults can enjoy these festive displays without breaking their budgets, as free outdoor light displays are available at many popular attractions. For an extra helping of holiday cheer, many venues offer kid-friendly entertainment as well, like ice skating, s'mores making, and visits with Santa.

Add these festive activities, attractions, and experiences to your holiday itinerary. For more ways to feel merry and bright all season long, browse our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events in Philly, featuring our list of 30 Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in Philadelphia for Kids.

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

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on

Create cherished holiday memories at the Hotel del Coronado. Photo courtesy of the hotel

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.