Outrageous Holiday Light Displays in the Lower Hudson Valley

Head to Lagrangeville for a world-famous holiday light celebration. Image courtesy of ERDJAT

It's time to check out all the awesome holiday light displays in the area, and we’ve got some great ones for you: Beyond decked-out houses in Westchester, the Lower Hudson Valley has its own share of festive holiday lights, from individually decorated houses—including one with more than a half-million lights—to a drive-thru Christmas wonderland, and even some brightly lit bugs. We've got plenty more holiday light drive-thru displays in our roundup of the brightest installations in the tri-state area.

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

Charlie Brown and his crew are part of the world-record ERDAJT holiday lights display
The ERDAJT display has been cited by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Holiday Light Displays in Dutchess County for 2021

ERDAJT Holiday Light Display — LaGrangeville

8 Patrick Drive
Nightly through Tuesday, December 28
You know you’ve got a good light display when the Guinness Book of World Records takes notice: In years past, this display—which this year has about 700,000 lights—has set a record for most lights. The display celebrates its 26th anniversary in 2021, and this year includes shooting star lights. If you want to hear a specific tune—ranging from traditional songs to modern favorites—check out the show schedule, which includes a song list and what time it will play. You’ll find snowmen, hearts, presents, Christmas trees, the lovable Peanuts gang, and much more. The show starts at 4:45pm every day.

Holiday Spirit Festival — Wappingers Falls

38 Sheafe Road
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Sunday, December 26
Head to the Enchanted Forest of Lights at this annual holiday extravaganza, where you can walk through the display and see what 1 million lights look like up close. Explore themed areas such as Legend of the Frost Fairies and Trolls, the Enchanted Forest of lights, and more. Enjoy a train ride or embark on a misfit-toy scavenger hunt.

Holiday Light Displays in Orange County for 2021

Bruschi Christmas — Walkill

5 Madre Decristo Road
Nightly through Saturday, January 1
The Bruschi family has been syncing its dazzling Christmas display to music since 2012, and it's 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 to 11pm.

Watt Christmas Wonderland — Goshen

310 Scotchtown Road
Nightly through Thursday, December 30
What began as a light display at owner John Watt's mother’s house has grown into a stand-alone, drive-thru Christmas village. See Santa, snowmen, and lots more holiday characters as you drive through this stunning display, which boasts close to a mile of lights that you can visit from 6 to 9pm (weather permitting). There’s a recommended donation of $5 per car, and vehicles can’t be taller than 8 feet. Pro tip: Consider making your trip on a weeknight when it’s considerably less busy.

See nature-themed holiday lights at Holiday Lights in Bloom
Holiday Lights in Bloom in Montgomery features a dazzling celebration of nature.

Holiday Lights in Bloom — Montgomery

41 Grove Street
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Sunday, December 26
The Lights in Bloom show at the Orange County Arboretum in Thomas Bull Park is a must-see for bug lovers. 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 is FREE!

VW Bug is adorned with lights at Bethel Woods' Peace, Love & Lights holiday lights display
Peace, Love & Lights at the Bethel Woods Center features a host of "groovy" displays.

More Hudson Valley Holiday Light Displays

Peace, Love & Lights — Bethel

200 Hurd Road
Nightly through Sunday, January 2, 2022
The Bethel Woods Center for the Arts hosts this drive-thru light display, now in its second year, which pays homage to the site's roots as the home of Woodstock. Enjoy themed areas like Groovy Way, an Enchanted Forest, Snowflake Alley, and the new Holidays Around the World. Special events are held some nights, including Grinch and the Who Carolers. Visit the website for full details.

Frosty Fest — Ulster Park

778 Broadway
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Sunday, December 19
There are lights of all sorts at this holiday festival. Lots of attractions await as well as countless characters are ready to pose for pictures. Meet Bubbles the Christmas bear, gawk at the larger-than-life Forest Snowman, and have a chat with Dasher, the talking reindeer. New for this year is a choreographed light show on Santa's Magical Mansion.

This post was originally published in 2015 and was updated in December 2021.

All photos courtesy of the houses / organizers.