‘Tis the season for checking out all the awesome holiday light displays in the area. And we’ve got some great ones for you: Along with a some decked-out houses in Westchester, the Lower Hudson Valley has its own share of festive light shows—including a house with more than half a million (!) lights, a drive-through Christmas Wonderland, and even some brightly lit bugs.   

For more holiday fun, be sure to check our Holiday Fun Guide and Event Calendar, and follow us on Facebook.

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Holiday Light Displays in Dutchess County

The ERDAJT display has made the Guinness Book of World Records for most lights!

ERDAJT Holiday Light Display – LaGrangeville
8 Patrick Drive
You know you’ve got a good light display when even the Guinness Book of World Records takes notice: in years past, this display—which this year has about 640,000—has won for most lights. This year, they’ve got tons of lights to dazzle crowds, along with hundreds of different songs that sync up with the display. (If you want to hear a specific favorite—ranging from traditional tunes like "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" to modern favorites like songs by Coldplay and Rihanna—check out the show schedule, which includes a song list and what time it’ll play.) You’ll find snowmen, hearts, presents, Christmas trees, and so, so much more. The show starts at 4:45pm every day through Sunday, December 29, 2019. Ending times vary, so be sure to check the calendar. 

Kevin McCurdy's Holiday Spirit Festival – Wappingers Falls
38 Sheafe Road
Head to the Enchanted Forest of Lights at this annual holiday extravaganza, where you can walk through the display and see what one million lights look like up close. There are tons of other cool things to do, too, like the new 2019 attraction, Legend of the Frost Fairies. The event is open on weekends through Saturday, December 28, 2019, and you can buy tickets online.

Holiday Light Displays in Orange County

RELATED: 25 Awesome Santa Activities for Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Bruschi Christmas – Walkill
5 Madre Decristo Road
The Bruschi family has been syncing their dazzling Christmas display to music since 2012, and they’re continuing the tradition this year. Tune in to 87.9 FM to hear and watch the show—which runs about 30 minutes—and enjoy the brightly-lit candy canes, Christmas trees, and the rest of the twinkling lights that make up the display. Lights are on from 5–11 pm until Tuesday, December 31.

Christmas on Colden Hill – Newburgh
125 Colden Hill
Lights, Santa, action! Turn to 102.5 FM and watch and listen to this fun, 26-minute light show that includes toy soldiers, reindeer and a huge Christmas tree. And if you’ve had this one on your list for a while make this the year you go: The homeowners are moving, so they’ve announced this year will be their last. The show runs from 5–11pm, seven days a week.

Watt Christmas Wonderland – Goshen 
310 Scotchtown Road
What began as a light display at owner John Watt's mother’s house has grown into a stand-alone, drive-through Christmas Village. See Santa, snowmen, and lots more holiday characters as you drive through this stunning holiday display, which boasts close to a mile of lights. Visit from 6–9pm now through Saturday, December 28 (weather permitting), and tune the radio to 107.9 FM to hear the show. There’s a recommended donation of $5 per car, and vehicles can’t be taller than eight feet. Pro tip: Consider making your trip on a weeknight when it’s considerably less busy.

RELATED: Must-Do Holiday Experiences for Westchester Kids

Holiday Lights in Bloom in Montgomery is a dazzling celebration of nature.  

Holiday Lights in Bloom – Montgomery
41 Grove Street
Have a bug lover in your house? Then the Lights in Bloom show in Thomas Bull Memorial Park at the Orange County Arboretum is a must-see. Along with decked-out trees, the show dazzles with brightly lit snails, bugs, birds, flowers, and lots more of your favorites from nature. The show runs from 5–8pm on weekends now through Sunday, December 29, 2019. The show is totally FREE—as is the hot chocolate!

Holiday Light Displays in Ulster County

Frosty Fest – Ulster Park
778 Broadway
There are lights of all sorts at this holiday festival—including “Frosty’s Tree” lighting, which happens every night. Along with checking out all the lights, you can also take part in a whole slew of activities, including Frosty’s Hayride, a Magical Mansion and, debuting this year, kids can meet Dasher and check out “Frosty’s Animated Musical Light Show.” The event runs on weekends through Sunday, December 22, 2019, and you can buy tickets online at a discount.

This post was originally published in 2015 and has been updated since. 

 All photos courtesy of the houses/organizers.