Long Islanders don't hold back during the holiday season, transforming their homes from the oranges and yellows of autumn to the reds, greens, blues, and silvers that symbolize the holidays as they mount stunning Christmas light displays.

Wherever you are on Long Island—from Port Washington to Port Jefferson—you'll find neighbors going all out to show off their holiday decorating skills. These nifty displays include lights, nativity scenes, Santas, reindeer, misfit toys, and other beloved seasonal symbols.

We’ve trekked from Nassau to Suffolk and the East End to see what’s shining on local lawns. So, pack some snacks and hit the road to catch these spectacular holiday houses.

We've got plenty more seasonal fun in our Holiday Guide, including some over-the-top professional drive-thru light displays.

Editor's note: While we are trying to promote safer activities that occur outdoors or with social distancing guidelines in place, please keep your family and others safe by always wearing a mask and maintaining an appropriate distance.

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Most homes turn on the lights each evening from about 5-11pm through New Year's Eve. Some owners even host special events or Santa evenings. As we remind you every year, these are all private homes. While owners expect sightseers, don't touch any displays or enter private property. Also, keep it down: Almost all of these homes are located on residential streets. Some homes collect money for charity, so chip in a few dollars if you can.

Be advised that while these houses traditionally have done elaborate displays, some may have decided not to participate this year.

Holiday lights and a toy drive at 140 Cedar Avenue in Rockville Centre reinforce the true meaning of Christmas. Photo by Ian Stark

Christmas Lights Displays in Nassau County

McQuillan Home — Rockville Centre

140 Cedar Avenue
Visitors are encouraged to bring new unwrapped toys to this display. Donated toys are distributed to needy children after the holidays. A nativity scene, lighted driveway arch, dripping icicles, reindeer, and more delight visitors.

Melendez Home — Massapequa

149 Connecticut Avenue
The Melendez family begins planning its elaborate display in July. Lights are turned on November 1 and remain lit through New Year's Day. New adornments are presented each year, but a popular one remains the fully lit teddy bear that sits on the front lawn.

Pappas Home — Oceanside

2621 Loftus Avenue
The rooftop Santa sleigh, complete with "flying" reindeer, sets the scene at this south Nassau home, located just south of Sunrise Highway. There's also a 10-foot-tall candy cane Merry Christmas arch across the driveway.

Walsh Home — Lynbrook

113 Wood Street
Lights remain on until 11:30pm at this central Nassau destination, whose owners use their property's natural landscaping to great effect. Fully lit reindeer, candy canes, and Santa delight visitors, but the nativity scene is not to be missed. The home is located just north of Sunrise Highway.

Winkler Home — Levittown

28 Serpentine Lane
Lights remain on until after New Year's Day at this home. The owners say they add a new wrinkle each year to keep things fresh.

The Elm Avenue Dancing Lights Show draws hundreds of sightseers each year to 65 Elm Avenue in Coram.

Christmas Lights Displays in Suffolk County

Elm Avenue Dancing Lights Show —​ Coram

65 Elm Avenue
We've been told this family moved and this house n olonger does the lights, but you can see a video of it here. 

Listen to Christmas music while watching the musical dancing light show at the Elwood House Dancing lights Show.

Elwood Road Dancing Lights Show —​ Centereach

14 Elwood Road
More than 10,000 glittering lights adorn this home that sits off Nicolls Road in central Suffolk. Visitors can sit in their cars and listen to holiday music from 107.3 FM. More lights and special effects are promised for this year.

Fifth Street in Ronkonkoma is aglow with Christmas lights during the holidays.

Fifth Street Christmas Lights—​ Ronkonkoma

8A Fifth Street
Unique to this display is the Star of Bethlehem that sits atop a utility pole outside the home. The star casts a wide eye over a display that includes glittering snowmen, lighted trees, Santa and other seasonal characters, and plenty more. Kids can write a letter to Santa and leave it in his North Pole mailbox. Charitable donations are accepted. The home is situated just off the LIE at Exit 60. A socially distant Santa visit is planned for Saturday, December 12.

Witness the glow of thousands of dancing Christmas lights at 5 Forest Lane in Coram.

Forest Lane Christmas Lights —​ Coram

5 Forest Lane
More than 60,000 lights adorn this home in central Suffolk, near the Elm Avenue Dancing Lights. Bundle up and visit both displays after 5pm. Tune into 107.3 FM for musical accompaniment. Donations are accepted for breast cancer research.

52 King Avenue in Selden delights with seasonal colors. Photo by James Stephen Smith

King Avenue Dancing Christmas Lights —​ Selden

52 King Avenue
A radio simulcast on 107.3 FM makes this dancing light show a special holiday treat. The light show is generated by a software program that allows the lights to be faded, twinkled, shimmered, or steady. Enjoy shooting stars, giant candy canes, Santa, and more. The house is east of Nicolls Road in Selden.

Christmas Lights Displays on the East End

Salzmann Home —​ Calverton

1 Robins Circle
Toy soldiers and lighted candles adorn this property in Riverhead. There's also a giant inflatable Snoopy Santa, an inflatable Frosty the Snowman, elves, and other seasonal characters. Robins Circle is located south of the Long Island Expressway at Exit 72, near Splish Splash.

More Ways to See Holiday Lights on Long Island

If you don't want to brave the Long Island Expressway traffic, why not make a day of it at one of these commercial installations?

• Suffolk County Farm Winter Wonderland in Yaphank on weekends through Sunday, December 13.
• Bright Nights at the Vanderbilt Museum in Centerpoint select dates through Sunday, December 20.
• Girl Scouts of Suffolk County Holiday Lights Show daily through Monday, December 30.
• Town of Riverhead Holiday Lights Show select dates through Wednesday, December 30.
• Magic of Lights at Jones Beach State Park daily through Saturday, January 2, 2021.

Unless noted, photos are courtesy of the families/houses.

This article was first published in December 2012 and has been updated for 2020.