Long Island Homes With Spectacular Christmas Light Displays
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.
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 holiday light displays.
For a detailed list of destinations across Long Island, see this handy Google map. As always, Sign up for our FREE newsletters to get posts like this delivered to your inbox.
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.
RELATED: Holiday Light Shows: Drive-thru and Drive-by Christmas Displays on Long Island in 2021
The holiday lights and a toy drive at 140 Cedar Avenue in Rockville Centre reinforces 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 annually 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, larger-than-life teddy bear sitting on the front lawn.
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
Spectacular lights flicker and gleam in this radiant display sent to music. Stop by on Saturday, December 4 to visit Santa, who arrives at 7pm. Community volunteers help put the event together, so there is no fee.
Listen to Christmas music while watching the musical dancing light show at the Elwood Road Lights Show.
Elwood Road 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.
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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, 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 11, from 5pm-8:30pm.
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. See shooting stars, giant candy canes, Santa, and more. Enjoy a Santa visit on Saturday, December 11. The house is east of Nicolls Road in Selden.
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 holiday light installations?
- Suffolk County Farm Winter Wonderland in Yaphank on weekends through Saturday, December 18.
- Town of Riverhead Holiday Lights Show select dates through Thursday, December 30.
- Magic of Lights at Jones Beach State Park daily through Sunday, January 2, 2022.
- Girl Scouts of Suffolk County Holiday Lights Show daily through Sunday, January 9, 2022.
- Shimmering Solstice at Old Westbury Gardens select dates through Sunday, January 9, 2022.
- A Bug's Night Drive-thru Adventure at the Nassau County Museum of Art select dates through Sunday, January 9, 2022.
Unless noted, photos are courtesy of the families/houses.
This article was first published in December 2012 and has been updated for 2021.