Holiday lights are the bright spot these days since it gets dark super early. Whether you want to drive through a magical winter land with millions of lights, or walk around some of the coolest displays, New Jersey has all the holiday lights you could ever want and then some! We’ve rounded up all the displays in NJ and nearby that you can visit this year to bring a little bit of that holiday magic to the whole family.
North Jersey
Christmas Light Show & Village at Skylands
94 Championship Pl., Augusta
Nov. 23 – Dec. 30
The Sussex County Miners baseball stadium gets transformed for the holiday with more than two million lights in their drive-thru show. Afterwards you can walk through their village, ice skate and make s’mores.
Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms
244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale
Nov. 23 – Jan. 9, 2023
Take a ride through shimmering lights at Demarest Farms. Their Orchard of Lights Drive-Thru traverses their 32-acre plot of land. Make sure to reserve tickets now, because some dates are already sold out.
Mission Holiday Lights
265 Mission Rd., Hackettstown
Mission Holiday Lights works each year to collect donations for the children at Saint Peter’s Orphanage in Denville. Soon they’ll be taking down their display for Halloween and putting up festive Christmas lights.
Holiday Lights Spectacular
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
This special event throughout the zoo includes an evening stroll outdoors through light displays and photo ops with friends and family, featuring some fun seasonal activities such as a s’mores station, Grinch weekend and photos with Santa.
DaSilva Christmas Light Display
6 Viking Ct., Randolph
Nov. 27 – Jan. 3, 2023
Each year this family partners up with St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. They boast over 100,000 lights and support an incredible cause.
Martorana Christmas House
396 Fairfield Rd., Wayne
This Christmas show does not just flash their lights, they’ve got giant inflatables too. They’re right in the middle of setting up all of their holiday fun, and they document the process on their Facebook page. Make sure to stop by early to check out the inflatables. The light show itself starts at 4 pm.
Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular
Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus
Select dates, through Jan. 15, 2023
More than 30 lanterns will be handcrafted in the shapes of your favorite zoo animals. While you’re there, take the train ride, too, which is also covered in beautifully lit lanterns.
Winter Walk
Taylor Park, 100 Main St., Millburn
Nightly, November 22 – January 15, 2023
The park is lit up nightly with a beautiful lights display.
Central Jersey
Six Flags Holiday in the Park
1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson
Nov. 25 – Jan. 1, 2023
The mega amusement park transforms into a massive winter wonderland. Enjoy all of the festivities with food, fire pits, hot cocoa and cool light displays.
The Winter Wonderlights Spectacular
655 Cranbury Rd., East Brunswick
Nov. 25 – Jan. 1, 2023
The Winter Wonderlights Spectacular is, well, spectacular. Though their trail is only half a mile long, they’ve crammed in 1.5 million lights. They’re open seven days a week, so there’s no excuse not to stop by.
Fanwood Famous Christmas House
83 Paterson Rd., Fanwood
Starts Nov. 1
This gorgeous Christmas House glows from miles away. They collect charitable donations for the NJ Institute for Disabilities. Make sure to stop by on Dec. 4 to take pictures with Santa Claus. Decorations start popping up on Nov. 1, the Grand Lighting is Nov. 25 and Santa makes a special visit on Dec. 3.
Iacoviello Wonderland
Sandpiper Drive, Manalapan
Dec. 10
Jingle, mingle & twinkle during this second annual holiday season winter wonderland on Dec. 10. Experience the lights and music, plus bring your letters for Santa because he’ll be making a special visit!
Santa Drive Stop & Drop
14 Route 33, Freehold
Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17
When you come for this amazing lights display at the Parze household, bring a non-perishable food item or unwrapped toy to assist those affected by domestic violence.
Magic of Lights
PNC Bank Arts Center (116 Garden State Parkway), Holmdel
Nov. 13 – Jan. 4, 2023
PNC is hosting one of 10 Magic of Lights shows across the United States. The drive-thru is 2.5 miles long and full of classic holiday scenes. You can also check out the Mega Tree Spectacular to see the tallest and brightest trees in NJ.
Christmas at the Nietzers
201 Hamilton Blvd., South Plainfield
This light show is not only merry and bright, the folks at Nietzers show you how they put it all together. Follow their Facebook page to see just how much it takes to put up a giant light show like this one.
Sisti Family Christmas Lights
322 Pitney Ave., Spring Lake
This family turns their front yard into a winter wonderland year after year. There’s not a single inch of their home that isn’t covered with holiday lights. Make sure to stop by to see what scenes they have up this year.
Gress House Holiday Light Spectacular
14 Johnson Ave, Union Beach
Not only is this house known for its lights, but their festive blow molds bring their scenes to life. Although there has been a social media hack, Brandon Gress still plans to decorate the home he’s shared with the public for for more than 15 years.
Ferone Family Christmas Light Spectacular
184 Yellowbank Rd., Toms River
This Christmas light show is a yearly fundraiser; the Halloween show is currently fundraising for the Popcorn Park Zoo. Then, they’ll start preparing for the Christmas season.
South Jersey
Historic Smithville & Village Green
E. Moss Mill Rd., Smithville
Nov. 24 – Jan. 6, 2023
This quaint South Jersey shopping town gets all decked out for the holidays with a talking Christmas tree and “dancing” trees on Lake Meone.
Allaire Christmas Light Spectacular
1923 Baileys Corner Rd., Wall Twp.
Nov. 10 – Dec. 23
Allaire Community Farm invites you to a tractor drawn hayride Christmas light show and poinsettia sale. Stop inside the market for hot chocolate and cider donuts.
The Cooks Christmas Lights
1 Carlson Ct., Jackson
More than 8,000 pixels are synched to music.
Night of Lights at Creamy Acres
448 Lincoln Mill Rd., Mullica Hill
Nov. 25 – Dec. 24
Hayrides aren’t just for Halloween anymore! The folks at Creamy Acres are going all out with their holiday light display this year. Bundle up and take a hayride through their display while you sing along to all of the Christmas classics.
DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express
1151 S. White Horse Pike, Hammonton
Nov. 5 – Dec. 30
You’ll have to get out of your car to hop in one of the trains, but then they’ll drive you through the light show themselves. Hop aboard their Magical Holiday Express train and gaze at the millions of lights around you.
South Jersey Holiday Light Show
Bridgeport Speedway (83 Flood Gate Rd.), Swedesboro
Nov. 18 – Dec. 31
As the only holiday light show in South Jersey, this light show is big, bold, and bright. This show boasts some of the tallest displays and most vibrant lights in NJ. You can even dial in your radio to listen to the tailored holiday playlist as you cruise through the show.
Christmas Fantasy with Lights
Storybook Land, 6415 E. Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Twp.
609-646-0103
Storybook Land will be covered by 1 million lights! Plus, you’ll get to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus on select nights.
Light Show Hayride at Johnson’s Corner Farm
133 Church Rd., Medford
Nov. 25 – Dec. 23
It’s not your typical drive-thru, but we still think that hayrides count. Take a leisurely ride through the farm. Even the barn and the tractors will be decorated. The ride is set to a jolly Christmas playlist to keep your holiday spirits high.
Holidig Light Show
100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin
Nov. 16 – Jan. 1, 2023
Diggerland USA is decked out in Christmas lights. Explore this one-mile drive-thru with your family. Construction vehicles will be lit up and animated holiday scenes will shine bright. Visit on weekends for Winterfest fun, with Santa pics, parades and more.
Holiday Lights Trolley Ride
526 Washington St., Cape May
Nov. 18 – Jan. 1, 2023
Hop onto one of Cape May’s festive trolleys. As you listen to holiday tunes, you’ll glide past the historical Victorian houses of South Jersey. This ride will blast you into the past. It’s an open-air trolley, so don’t forget to bring a blanket.
Sea of Lights
Jenkinson’s Aquarium, 300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach
Fridays – Saturdays, Dec. 9 – 16; plus Dec. 27 and 28)
Visit the sea creatures at the aquarium but stay for a dazzling holiday lights spectacular at night. On select dates you can meet Santa, or even watch him dive into a tank! There will be treats, games, crafts and holiday entertainment.
Burlington Lights
Corner of Steeplechase Blvd. and Tack Way, Burlington Twp.
This holiday light show works with the local Burlington Township Food Pantry to donate to those in need during the holiday season. When you stop by, make sure to bring canned goods to donate. The show itself has over 30,000 lights and individual playlists for each day of the week, so you can have a new experience each time you visit.
Lights on Poplar
15 Poplar Ave, Egg Harbor Twp
Although there won’t be a full-blown extravaganza this year, the toned down display will have more of a retro feel.
Holiday Light Show
Holly Beach Park, Wildwood
During Winter Wonderland on Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17, watch the dazzling lights and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and popcorn, as well as a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Claus! Lights and decorations will be on display nightly through Jan. 13, 2023.
Winter Wonderland Illuminated Walking Trail
Indian Acres Tree Farm, Medford
December 15 – 23
Your night begins with a stroll through the woods filled with fun snowmen and trees, illuminated boxes with miniature scenes, and a fairy garden box. Further down the trail, you might even pass a secret gnome village. The path flows out of the woods and into the live Christmas Tree fields. You’ll pass by a penguin igloo town, “fly by” BirdHouse Row, and watch out for a runaway toboggan! The trail is draped and decorated with tens of thousands of lights. After the trail, make sure to stop by the bonfires for some hot chocolate and s’mores!
New York
LuminoCity Festival
7 Community Dr. East, Manhasset, NY
Nov. 9 – Jan. 8, 2023
With the 2022 theme of “Pure Magic,” this spectacular light show has several acres of new light art installations and sculptures inspired by nature, history and magic.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Rockefeller Center
Nov. 30 – early January
The tree will be lit daily from 6 am-12 am. after the yearly beloved lighting celebration on Nov. 30. On Christmas Day, the tree is lit for 24 hours and on New Year’s Eve it is lit from 6 am to 9 pm.
Harlem Holiday Lights
125th St., Manhattan
Opens Nov. 15
Each holiday season, Harlem’s 125th Street is illuminated with more than 10,000 festive LED lights across nine blocks, from Broadway to Fifth Avenue. The iconic thoroughfare lights up with festive light and window displays, as well as a caravan of decorated floats traveling around Harlem to greet participating buildings and businesses.
Shine Bright at Hudson Yards
Hudson Yards, Manhattan
Holiday decor will illuminate the Public Square and Gardens, The Shops at Hudson Yards, Vessel and Edge with white lights set against evergreen trees and one-of-a-kind set pieces.
Holiday Lights at Bronx Zoo
2300 Southern Blvd., The Bronx
Nov. 18 – Jan. 8, 2023
During this festive celebration, visitors can enjoy five animal lantern safaris, as well as holiday-themed music, ice-carving demonstrations, costumed characters, stilt walkers, souvenirs, and seasonal treats like hot chocolate and s’mores.
Luminaries at Brookfield Place
230 Vesey St., Manhattan
Nov. 25 – Jan. 6, 2023
Lower Manhattan’s Brookfield Place will feature a canopy of colorful lights emanating from hundreds of lanterns suspended among the shopping center’s palm trees. Touchless, motion-activated stations allow visitors to make a wish and prompt a magical display of lights and colors.
NYC Winter Lantern Festival
Illuminate the Farm, through Jan. 1 at Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Queens, NY
Journey to the East, through Jan. 8 at SIUH Community Park, 75 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY
Suffolk Winter Lantern Festival, through Jan. 8 at Smithtown Historical Society, 239 E. Main St., Smithtown, NY
Nassau Drive-Thru Adventure, through Jan. 15 at Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn, NY
Choose which location you’d like to visit, as each has more than 10,000 LED Chinese-inspired lanterns created by more than 100 artists, along with live performances and on-site food vendors. Some of the LED lights can reach up to 30 feet high across a total of 60 acres!
GLOW at New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Blvd., The Bronx
Nov. 19 – Jan. 16, 2023
The New York Botanical Garden will present a gorgeous outdoor light show, illuminating its landmark gardens and the Haupt Conservatory on 14 select nights. As part of the experience, visitors will also be able to enjoy artistic ice sculptures, music, roving dancers and more outdoor fun.
Holiday Lights at Arthur Avenue
Arthur Ave., The Bronx
Beginning Nov. 26
Come walk the Bronx’s “Little Italy” and take in the bright lights strung along Arthur Avenue, as well as the area’s holiday windows. A neighborhood Christmas tree at Ciccarone Park will be festively lit, beginning Nov. 26.
Lighting of the Largest Menorah in Brooklyn
Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn
Dec. 18-25
The annual lighting of Brooklyn’s largest Menorah at Grand Army Plaza will take place each night of Chanukah, kicking off with a concert at 4 pm Dec. 18.
Pennsylvania
A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place
100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne, PA
The park is transformed into a one-of-a-kind Christmas wonderland with millions of twinkling lights and festive decorations all around. Get to Sesame Street for all the kids’ theme park fun.
Shadybrook Farm Holiday Light Show
931 Stony Hill Rd., Yardley, PA
Nov. 19 – Jan. 6, 2023
Grab timed tickets to see more than 3 million lights on display across this farm. You can ride in your own car or opt for an open-air wagon ride. After, snag holiday treats and make s’mores at the campfire.
A Longwood Christmas
1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square, PA
Nov. 18 – Jan. 8, 2023
This magical Christmas spot is a favorite, with a beautiful greenhouse filled with gorgeous holiday flowers and shining tunnel of lights, and don’t miss the amazing miniature trains of the Garden railway that travel around the greenhouse.