Turn off or dim your headlights and weave and wind your way along Ocean Parkway while ooohing and ahhing at stacked LED-lit exhibits and digital animations. This dazzling display includes themed sections such as "Winter Wonderland" and "The Night Before Christmas." The showstopping "Blizzard Tunnel" also returns.

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Enjoy a drive through this illuminated holiday wonderland. Photo by the author

The Toyota Mega Tree Spectacular returns to the display in 2021, but unlike last year even this portion is a drive-thru. Your car snakes past the collection of LED-lit Christmas trees that span 240 feet in length. Once you reach the end of Candy Cane Lane, pop into the North Pole so that little ones can drop off their letters to Santa. Holiday refreshments are available for contactless ordering and pickup. 

The display opens Friday, November 19, and concludes Sunday, January 2. It is only closed on New Year's Eve, December 31. Visit the website for a complete schedule and to purchase tickets.

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Christmas trees, candy canes, and more seasonal sights light the night at Jones Beach. Photo courtesy Magic of Lights

Visitors can drive through from dusk until 10pm Sunday through Thursday nights and until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is $30 per vehicle Mondays through Thursdays and $35 Fridays through Sundays. Purchase tickets online and save $5 on weeknight admission through November 30. Make the night even more festive and purchase some merchandise in advance. 

Special limousine pricing is also available, and visitors who bring two canned food items during the week receive $3 off admission at the gate. Donations are shared with local food banks.

Pop-out for a photo opp at the end of the route. Photo by the author

How to Get to Magic of Lights at Jones Beach

From the north and west, including New York City:

• Take the Long Island Expressway or Grand Central Parkway east to the Northern State Parkway east to the Wantagh Parkway south.Take the Wantagh south to the Jones Beach State Park exit. Follow the signs to Bay Parkway West and the Magic of Lights signs will direct you to the light show.
• Alternatively, take the Belt Parkway/Southern State Parkway east to the Wantagh Parkway south and follow the directions above.

From the east of Long Island:

• Take the Northern State Parkway or the Southern State Parkway west to Wantagh Parkway south. Follow the signs to Bay Parkway West and the Magic of Lights signs will direct you to the light show.

This post, first published in 2017, has been updated for 2021.