Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in New Jersey

Donations to Fanwood's Famous Christmas House support charity. Photo courtesy of the family

Christmas lights shine brightly in New Jersey, and you can enjoy amazingly decked-out houses with stunning holiday displays throughout the state. There are many different ways to see Christmas lights—from walk-through spectacles at amusement parks to over-the-top drive-thru displays and private homes. There are even entire towns that go all out with holiday light installations!

These sparkling holiday spectacles—some of which feature more than 1 million lights—are sure to impress even the grinchiest member of your family. So bundle up the kids and head out to one of these illuminating local light shows before the sun sets on the Christmas season!

Check out our roundup of New Jersey Christmas towns that go all out for the holidays, and find tons more ways to be merry in our Holiday Fun Guide.

Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights on Long Island

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

Christmas lights aren't something Long Island holds back on. From almost the moment the Thanksgiving turkey is put away, Long Islanders begin the pivot from autumn's oranges and yellows to the reds, greens, blues, and silvers that symbolize the holidays.

Wherever you are on Long Island—from Port Washington to Port Jefferson—you'll find neighbors who go all out to show off their holiday decorations, including Christmas lights, nativity scenes, Santas, reindeer, misfit toys, and other beloved seasonal symbols.

So, pack some snacks and hit the road to catch these spectacular Christmas light displays. We've got plenty more seasonal fun for you to check out in our Holiday Guide, including some over-the-top professional drive-thru holiday light displays.

Spectacular Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Light Displays in the Hudson Valley

Peace, Love & Lights at the Bethel Woods Center features lots of groovy displays.

Christmas light displays are shining brightly in the area, and we’ve found some great ones for you to check out in the Lower Hudson Valley. The displays range from individually decorated houses—including one with more than a half million lights—to a drive-thru Christmas wonderland.

We've got plenty more holiday light displays for you to consider in our roundup of the brightest drive-thru installations in the tri-state area.

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

Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Chicago

There are many beautiful Christmas lights in Chicago neighborhoods. Photo courtesy of Lights on Easton

If you’re looking for the ultimate list of holiday and Christmas lights in Chicago neighborhoods, we’ve got you covered. From the city to the 'burbs, these houses, streets, and neighborhoods go all out with their impressive self-made holiday and Christmas lights displays. Some homes on this list are best viewed from the car, while others encourage you to get out and walk. Many homes and streets feature light-up tunnels, visits from Santa, and treats for the kids. We’ve also noted which shows on the list are synchronized to music and what radio stations to tune into. 

For more holiday light displays, check out this mega list, Where to See the Best Holiday and Christmas Lights in Chicago. More holiday fun at our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for Chicago Families.

Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Houston

Beautiful neighborhood Christmas lights are all around Houston. Photo courtesy of the Franck's Christmas Light Show

Looking for the best neighborhoods for Christmas lights in Houston? Here are some of our favorite Houston neighborhoods for holiday lights.

 

During the most magical time of the year, there are many ways to get your Christmas light fix, and one of the nicest is seeing Houston's neighborhood holiday lights from the comfort of your car. Houston has beautiful public lighting displays, but nothing beats driving the family around a neighborhood in your Christmas pajamas. For those evenings when you want to enjoy the beauty of the holiday season at your own pace, it's helpful to know which neighborhoods have the best holiday decorations and Christmas lights in Houston.

We've rounded up the neighborhoods with must-see lighting displays, so all you have to do is gather the family into the car, turn on some holiday tunes, and explore the Bayou City on your own time. However, many neighborhoods prefer visitors between 6–10 p.m. Lights are typically up from Thanksgiving through New Year. Also, for all things holiday in Houston—from free events to shows—check out our ultimate Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for families.

Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Orlando

Orlando isn't known for getting snow, but visitors to Cross Christmas can experience "snow" flurries every 30 minutes.

We’ve put together a list of stunning residential Christmas lights in Orlando. We at Mommy Poppins are always amazed at the creativity homeowners use when creating their displays! From mesmerizing, choreographed light shows to impressive walk-through displays with fun photo ops, these Orlando Christmas homes treat families to a grand show. Notably, two of the houses mentioned below have previously been showcased on The Great Christmas Light Fight television show.

This holiday season, make a plan to drive around and check out these bright and dazzling Orlando Christmas light homes. Most of these displays listed open Thanksgiving weekend and are open throughout the season (unless noted otherwise). Just remember, people live in these neighborhoods; be good visitors by arriving during posted times and don't block driveways, blast radios, or touch personal property. 

Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Atlanta

Lights of Joy in Kennesaw uses 60 miles of Christmas lights to create the ultimate holiday display.

Atlanta knows Christmas lights and how to show up, and show off, for the holidays! Neighborhood Christmas lights in Atlanta mean an all-out explosion of intricate designs, clever themes, and surging electricity bills. Some of these dizzying, dazzling homes can even be seen from overhead flights!

Residential holiday lights include houses that feature a walking tour through their front yards; other houses welcome families to drive by and tune specific radio frequencies to their synchronized Christmas lights; and some houses are a part of an entire neighborhood that creates a collective attraction! In fact, enjoy Christmas lights AND do charitable work —some of the homes mentioned below are part of Cobb EMC's Christmas lights map, where you can visit each home, vote for your favorite, and then the utility company awards the top three winners $500 each as donations to the charities of the winners' choosing. 

We’ve assembled the brightest, most elaborate holiday and Christmas lights in Atlanta to knock your seasonal socks off! 

Best Neighborhood Christmas Lights Displays and Holiday Lights in NYC

Enjoy the magic of Christmas in Dyker Heights as the neighborhood lights up for the festive season. Photo courtesy of Dyker Heights Lights

Every year it seems the Christmas light installations in New York City get more elaborate, making a visit to the top holiday lights displays a must-do seasonal activity.

We've rounded up the best holiday lights displays in NYC. Most of these attractions are in the far-flung stretches of the five boroughs, such as Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, the Rockaways and Howard Beach in Queens, and on Staten Island, but all of these holiday houses are worth the trip.

So, start your own holiday tradition this year by checking out these spectacular Christmas lights when dusk hits. To find more seasonal fun, visit our NYC Kids' Guide to Holiday Fun.

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