Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Atlanta

Enjoy the sparkle of the season at the Glow Light Show in Lawrenceville. Photo courtesy of the event

Christmas light shows add another layer of beauty during the holiday season, and we've got our favorite dazzling holiday lights drive-thru events and Christmas light shows in Atlanta. This year families will find familiar favorites like Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden and IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta. Plus, back after a five-year hiatus, Magical Nights of Lights at Margaritaville Lanier Islands -- a six-mile, drive-thru of spectacular holiday lights. We also love a free light show, like Holiday Lights at Dunwoody's Brook Run Park. Whether you choose to walk or drive through these fabulous holiday and Christmas lights, make sure you open your eyes and hearts to this special time of year!

We have even more amazing holiday ideas in the Atlanta Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide, including information about Must-Do Christmas Events to Book Before They Sell Out, Polar Express Train Rides, Christmas Towns and Festive Hotels Near Atlanta, and more.

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows on Long Island 2025

LuminoCity returns to Long Island's Eisenhower Park this Christmas season. Photo courtesy LuminoCity

For a touch of holiday magic on Long Island, it's hard to beat the glow of a spectacular Christmas lights display or holiday lights drive-thru.

While we really enjoy the immersive walk-through displays across Long Island, sometimes we prefer to grab our hot cocoa and set out on the road. Driving through the Town of Islip Holiday Lights or Jones Beach Magic of Lights Show has become an annual tradition that even my older kids anticipate.

Meanwhile, Sayville Falls once again transforms into a magical walk-through experience with its Light Show and Winter Garden, and Clark Botanic Garden is bringing back its free Winter Wonderland Walk-Through.

Find all our top picks for holiday fun—including Long Island's best Christmas activities—in our Long Island Christmas Guide.

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows from NYC in 2025

The stunning Peace, Love, and Lights drive-thru at Bethel Woods returns for another season of bringing visitors joy.

If you're ready to add a little extra sparkle to the holiday season, take note: The tri-state area boasts some pretty spectacular Christmas lights and holiday lights drive-thrus where your crew can enjoy twinkling Christmas lights displays from the warmth and comfort of your car.

We've compiled a list of 14 must-see Christmas lights displays to drive through in New Jersey, Westchester, Long Island, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut that are guaranteed to bring smiles to your family's faces. So, pack some snacks, cue the Christmas music, and get ready to make some priceless holiday memories.

Find tons more ways to celebrate this season with those you love in our jam-packed Christmas Guide. Consider it our seasonal gift to you.

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2025 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do

Celebrate crossing the finish line of the Westchester Turkey Trot with a fresh Duck Donut! Photo courtesy of Tri-State Runs

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this Thanksgiving Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

Families are invited to get a pre-turkey workout at one of the many turkey trots held on Thanksgiving Day throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley, including the Westchester Turkey Trot in Valhalla, which also includes a kids' dash and free donuts at the finish line. 

Other awesome things to do this Thanksgiving weekend include the opening weekend of the Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular as well as local favorites like Frosty Day in Armonk and Rye's Mistletoe Magic.

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2025 on Long Island: Turkey Trots, Light Shows, and Santa

Trek to The End for the Montauk Lighthouse tree lighting this weekend. Photo courtesy of the Montauk Lighthouse

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this Thanksgiving weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

Work up an appetite for your Thanksgiving feast by participating in a family-friendly turkey trot on Thursday morning. Or, get some activity in by driving through the Jones Beach Magic of Lights. For a throwback feel, check out how Christmas was celebrated in 1863 at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

Find more seasonal fun in our Long Island Kids Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events!

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2025 in New Jersey: Light Shows, Tree Lightings, and Santa's Arrival

Spend the day at Van Saun Park and bask in seasonal fun like ice skating. Photo by Kaylen Chiarello Ebner

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this Thanksgiving Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

Thanksgiving has arrived, so gobble up all the fun and festivities this long weekend has to offer. Annual winter festivals kick off the weekend, including Bergen County Winter Wonderland, featuring ice skating, train rides, and bumper cars. Santa makes his grand arrival at tree-lighting celebrations in Red Bank and Point Pleasant Beach.

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2025 in NYC: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and More Things To Do

Santa rolls into town at the tail end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and starts taking gift requests at Santaland on Friday. Photo by Jody Mercier

Looking for the best things to do in New York City on Thanksgiving weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this Thanksgiving weekend.

We're grateful for so much this weekend, including two behind-the-scenes Thanksgiving Day Parade peeks: the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation and Marching Bands Practice at the Seaport Museum. Then, Thursday brings the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Macy's Santaland opens Friday, serving as the gateway to the sparkly NYC holiday season.

Plus, we're anticipating classic holiday fun, like the New York City Ballet's Nutcracker at Lincoln Center and setting sail with Santa on an activity-packed seasonal cruise. Read on for all our top picks for Thanksgiving Day weekend fun in NYC.

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