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The Railroad Museum of Long Island has special open houses for the holidays. Photo courtesy of the museum
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LuminoCity comes to Eisenhower Park in East Meadow this year with an illuminating holiday show. Photo courtesy of LuminoCity
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Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Lights Shows on Long Island

LuminoCity returns to Long Island, this year at Eisenhower Park.Photo by Jaime Sumersille
LuminoCity returns to Long Island, this year at Eisenhower Park.Photo by Jaime Sumersille
11/24/23 - By Jaime Sumersille

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

We've rounded up several of our favorite holiday light shows and drive-thru Christmas lights displays on Long Island, as well as immersive, walk-through winter wonderlands you won't want to miss.

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

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus Across Long Island

Jones Beach Magic of Lights Drive-Thru Show

Wantagh
Friday, November 17-Saturday, December 30, 2023
The Magic of Lights drive-thru spectacular returns to Jones Beach and Nassau County's South Shore this holiday season. The display is stacked with new themed LED lighting displays and digital animations, plus plenty of returning favorites. READ MORE

Town of Islip Holiday Light Show

East Islip–FREE
Saturday, December 2 & Tuesdays and Thursdays, December 5-28, 2023
Bring the whole family to view the lights at Brookwood Hall Park as you drive through this festive holiday display. READ MORE

Riverhead Holiday Light Show

Riverhead
Friday, November 14-Sunday, December 31, 2023
Visitors enjoy an incredible drive-thru experience featuring a mile of holiday light displays at the Riverhead Holiday Light Show.  READ MORE

Luminous Drive-In Holiday Light Show

Riverhead
Thursday, December 21- Saturday, December 23, 2023
Luminious, Long Island's only drive-in laser light show, takes visitors on a one-hour journey through a world of stunning lights and music that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your car. READ MORE
Enter an unforgettable world of light, color, and photo ops at the Winter Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum. Photo courtesy of the farm
Enter an unforgettable world of light, color, and photo ops at the Winter Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum. Photo courtesy of the farm

Walk-Through Christmas Light Shows on Long Island

Southold Historical Museum Candlelight Tour & Tree Lighting

Southold–FREE
Friday, November 24, 2023
Visit Santa in the barn, tour decorated houses, watch demonstrations and learn traditional crafts a the Southold Historical Museum this holiday season. READ MORE

Girl Scouts Of Suffolk County Holiday Light Show

Shirley
Saturday, November 25-Saturday, December 30, 2023
See the lights up close as you walk through this 1/4-mile trail— which is four times larger than last year— and filled with displays, some that were designed by Girl Scouts.  READ MORE

Long Beach Boardwalk Lights

Long Beach–FREE
Friday, December 1-mid-January 2024
Boardwalk Lights is a free holiday nautical-themed lights display on the boardwalk.Families looking for a little sparkle during the holiday season are invited to stroll the boardwalk and then visit the great local restaurants and shops throughout the city.  READ MORE

Bayville Winter Wonderland

Bayville
Friday, December 1, 2023-Monday, December 31, 2023
Bayville Winter Wonderland, Long Island's winter holiday park, is back for another season. Enjoy a ton of over-the-top holiday fun, including Santa's Toy Factory Funhouse, a holiday train ride, an ice skating rink, rock climbing, character meet-and-greets, holiday stories, a build-a-bear experiences, axe throwing, and more.  READ MORE

Holiday Spectacular at the Holtsville Ecology Site

Holtsville
December 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 & 17, 2023
Marvel at festive lighted displays for the holidays and take your photo with Santa during this indoor walk-through show hosted by the Holtsville Ecology Site. READ MORE

Candlelight Evenings Holiday Show at Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Old Bethpage
December 21-23 and 26-29, 2023
Enjoy the holidays in a place where the clock is always turned back to the 19th century. The evening features a candlelight procession each night. See chestnuts roasting on an open fire, broom making, visit Santa, and more.  READ MORE

Holiday Illuminations at the Smithtown Historical Society

Smithtown
Friday, November 24-Sunday, December 31, 2023
Holiday lights, vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment headline the seasonal Holiday Illuminations event at the Smithtown Historical Society.  READ MORE

Huntington Holiday Spectacular

Huntington-FREE
Saturday, November 25-Monday, January 1, 2024
Stroll through the streets of downtown Huntington to enjoy a Winter Wonderland. The nightly festivities will include lights, ice carving, Santa, and other  surprises. READ MORE

NYC Winter Lantern Festival

Floral Park
Friday, November 17, 2023-Sunday, January 7, 2024
The NYC Winter Lantern Festival transforms the Queens County Farm Museum's grounds into an immersive river of light. Holiday lights and homemade lanterns take the shape of flowers, tractors, farm animals, and more, forming a dazzling seasonal display. READ MORE

LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival at Eisenhower Park

East Meadow
Through Sunday, January 7, 2024
LuminoCity returns to Long Island, this year at Eisenhower Park. The 2023 show, titled Wonder Journey, delivers a state-of-the-art production that brings art, light, and color to life through remarkable displays. READ MORE
Check out holiday-decorated boats at the annual Nautical Mile Holiday Boat Parade in Freeport. Photo courtesy of the event
Check out holiday-decorated boats at the annual Nautical Mile Holiday Boat Parade in Freeport. Photo courtesy of the event

More Holiday Lights to Enjoy on Long Island

Holiday Boat Parade in Freeport

Freeport–FREE
Saturday, December 2, 2023
This unique event showcases festively decorated boats along Freeport's Nautical Mile. Boat owners go all out decorating their vessels, and homeowners along the route adorn their yards with lights, too. READ MORE

Inlet Seafood Presents Holiday Party & Boat Parade

Montauk
Sunday, December 17, 2023
A benefit for the Montauk Food Pantry, this boat parade and party in Montauk features a band, drinks, food and more. READ MORE

Long Beach Electric Light Parade

Long Beach–FREE
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Marvel at antique cars, fire trucks, floats, and bicycles wrapped in Christmas lights at this festive holiday parade throughout the west end of Long Beach. READ MORE

Three Village Electric Holiday Parade

Setauket-FREE
Sunday, December 10, 2023
See a spectacular array of well-lit floats streaming down Setaucket's Main Street during the annual Electric Holiday Parade. Santa makes an appearance and there is hot chocolate and cookies for all at the end. READ MORE

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