‘Tis the season for holiday lights! Whether you’re looking for a drive-through experience with millions of lights or want to stroll through a spectacular display, New Jersey has all the holiday lights you could ever want – and then some! We’ve rounded up the best places to help you get into the spirit. Make sure you check for weather and event updates before heading out.
North Jersey
HOLIDAY LIGHTS SPECTACULAR
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange
Select dates, Nov. 21-Jan. 3
Take a stroll through outdoor light displays, get a photo with Santa, watch ice sculpting demos and, of course, see the animals.
LET IT GLOW
Bergen County Zoo, Paramus
Thurs.-Sun., Nov. 6-Jan. 11
As you walk through the zoo or ride on the train, you’ll see 30 larger-than-life scenes decorated with animal-themed lanterns.
ORCHARD OF LIGHTS
Demarest Farms, Hillsdale
Select dates, Nov. 22–Dec. 30
Take a ride through 32 acres of holiday lights and then warm up by the fire pit with hot cocoa. There’s a farm market, pictures with Santa, make your own s’mores, and Santa’s singing reindeer.
SKYLANDS STADIUM LIGHT SHOW & CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
Skylands Stadium, Augusta
Select dates, Nov. 22-Jan. 3
See more than 2 million lights in this drive-thru. In the Christmas Village, take a family photo and stop by the Hot Chocolate Bar and Winter Beer Garden.
TWINKLING TIDES
SEA LIFE, American Dream, East Rutherford
Select dates, Nov.-Jan.
Celebrate the holidays under the sea, as more than 10 interactive zones will be decked out in holiday décor. Spot Scuba Claus in the ocean tunnel on select dates.
Central Jersey
FANWOOD’S FAMOUS CHRISTMAS HOUSES
83 and 87 Paterson Rd., Fanwood
Nov. 28–Jan. 8
Every year, Gregory Roser creates a holiday display with 30,000 sparkling lights. Santa will make a special visit on Dec. 6. Monetary donations are accepted on site to support the New Jersey Institute for Disabilities.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS HAYRIDE
Norz Hill Farm, Hillsborough
Select dates, Nov.-Dec.
The festive holiday lights display is seen from the comforts of a tractor-drawn hayride. Check out the animals and pop by Santa’s cornfield office. When you get back to the farmhouse, warm up by the fire with cocoa and s’mores.
MAGIC OF LIGHTS
PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
Nov. 21–Jan. 3
This drive-thru has more than a mile of lights displays. About halfway through your drive, park at the Holiday Village, where you will see Santa, go ice skating, sit down for an outdoor holiday movie, and do arts and crafts.
MARLIN CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND
1326 Laurel Avenue in Sea Girt
December
This year’s over-the-top Christmas display uses projection mapping and a light show to feature scenes from various Christmas movies. Tune your radio to 88.9 FM to hear synchronized music to the lights.
MERRY MILE OF LIGHTS
A. Casola Farms, Holmdel
Wed.-Sun., Nov. 28-Dec. 28
The mile-long drive-through holiday trail has millions of dazzling lights and festive displays that you can see from your car. Any night, you can get a free hot chocolate from the Winter Wonderland Super Store. Plus, Friday to Sunday, trail riders also get free pictures with Santa. There will be free kid’s crafts, too.
OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM & WALK-THROUGH LIGHT SHOW
Allaire Community Farm, Wall Twp.
Fri. – Sun., Nov. 28 – Dec. 28
Stroll through the beautifully lit 25-acre farm, visit a festive 100-year-old barn-turned-Christmas market, watch classic holiday movies, marvel at the model train exhibit, and bring the kids to the new interactive game area. There are yuletide wagon rides and the return of the Polar Express Train, featuring dazzling light tunnels and a breathtaking 45-foot Santa.
TULIPS: WINTER WONDERLAND
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
Nov. 21-Jan. 4
This mega spring tulip and fall sunflower farm “plants” a walk-through of 50,000 illuminated tulips. There will be a winter market, food trucks, illuminated seesaws and swing sets, pony rides, Santa’s Workshop, and holiday treats. New this year will be Drone Show Nights, with shows at 6 pm and 8 pm on December 18, 19 and 20. There will be 200 drones synced to music, with festive animations and bright color changes.
THE VILLAGE AT ANNE ELLEN
Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm, Manalapan
Select dates, Nov. 8-Dec. 30
A hayride brings you to a village of 400,000 lights. Among the new attractions are an ice castle filled with penguins, and a Bear Workshop to make your own teddy bear. Old faves include the life-sized gingerbread house and a post office where you can send letters to Santa.
WINTER WONDERLIGHTS
Middlesex County Fairgrounds, East Brunswick
Nov. 21-Dec. 28
Drive through 1.5 million animated lights that are synchronized to music from a local radio station. There are sparkling tunnels, 20-foot Christmas trees, towering 30-foot trees; winter wonderland scenes depicting Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Diwali; and a tribute to first responders and military heroes.
South Jersey
CHRISTMAS FANTASY WITH LIGHTS
Storybook Land, Egg Harbor Twp.
Select dates, Nov. 15-Dec. 31
Every night at dusk, Santa will wave his magic wand and light up the theme park. You can meet him after, or take Santa’s Fantasy Flight.
DiDONATO’S MAGICAL HOLIDAY EXPRESS
DiDonato Family Fun Center, Hammonton
Select dates, Nov. 15–Dec. 23
Kids can take a train ride through millions of Christmas lights. You’ll stroll through a holiday village, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and visit the toy market. Bowling is included with your ticket.
FROSTLAND VILLAGE
23 Euclid Ave., Pitman
Nov. 28-Jan.
The winner of an episode of 2024’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight” was chosen for its yard full of restored and hand-painted animatronics, a 35-foot high tree made entirely of blow molds, a full bakery scene, and a hand-built treehouse scene.
GLOW! LIGHT SHOW
217 Berlin-Cross Keys Rd., Washington Twp.
Nov. 28-Jan. 4
The drive-thru experience has 2 million lights over the course of one mile. The displays are synched to music that you broadcast through your car radio. This year’s theme is Tinsel Turnpike, paying homage to all things Jersey.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS TROLLEY RIDES
526 Washington St., Cape May
Select dates, Nov. 22-Dec. 31
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.
HOLIDAYS AT JOHNSON’S CORNER FARM
Johnson’s Corner Farm, Medford
Nov. 21-Dec. 23
Hop on the Christmas Light Show Hayride, which takes you past The Light Show on the Lake, where thousands of lights are synced to music. Pop by the animal farm, decorate Christmas cookies and roast s’mores by the campfire.
HOLIDIG DRIVE-THRU holiday LIGHT SHOW
Diggerland, West Berlin
Select dates, Nov. 14-Jan. 11
Marvel at the lights, holiday displays and tunnels as you drive along 1.25 miles inside America’s only construction-based theme and water parks.
LIGHT SHOW ON THE LAKE
Historic Smithville, Galloway
Nov. 27-Jan. 5
More than 120 Christmas trees decorated with over 50,000 Christmas lights magically float when darkness falls: a show of lights and music is played across Lake Meone.
NIGHT OF LIGHTS LIGHT SHOW EXTRAVAGANZA
Creamy Acres Farm, Mullica Hill
Select dates, Nov.-Dec.
The 100-acre dairy farm becomes a Christmas wonderland with sparkling light displays and musical dancing tree light shows that you view from inside your car. After the 1.5-mile drive, stroll through the indoor walk-thru where you’ll see a life-sized snowglobe, narrated Nativity scene and a singing Christmas tree before posing with Santa.
WILDWOOD’S WINTER WONDERLAND
Holly Beach Park, Wildwood
December 12-13, 19-20; then continuing through mid-January
The light show will run every half hour from 5-9 pm, along with free hot chocolate, popcorn, a letters to Santa station, and a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Claus. The light show and decorations will be on display nightly from 6:30–7 pm through mid-January.
WINTER WONDERLAND ILLUMINATED WALKING TRAIL
Indian Acres Tree Farm, Medford
Select dates, Nov. 21-Dec. 30
Stroll through the woods and pass by snowmen and trees made with upcycled materials from the farm. You’ll see a fairy garden and a secret gnome village. Waddle past Penguin Igloo Town or fly by Birdhouse Row. There will be a tunnel of lights that snows down on you.
New York
BRONX ZOO HOLIDAY LIGHTS
Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY
Select dates, Nov. 18-Jan. 4
Millions of lights twinkle and hundreds of illuminated animals sparkle as you walk through six lantern trails. The Holiday Train and Enchanted Sea return, while new this year are snow tube slides, an ice throne and virtual snowball throwing.
DISNEY TIM BURTON’S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS LIGHT TRAIL
New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY
Select dates, through Nov. 30
The immersive outdoor experience inspired by the 1993 film takes you to Halloween Town and Christmas Town using music and video projections.
DYKER HEIGHTS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, NY
Select dates, Nov. 28-Jan. 3
dykerheightschristmaslights.com
This impressive neighborhood is lit up with millions of lights, inflatables, displays and activations. Walk along or take a bus tour through the neighborhood.
HARLEM HOLIDAY LIGHTS
125th St., Manhattan
Starting Nov. 18
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.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT ARTHUR AVENUE
Arthur Ave., The Bronx
Nov.-Dec.
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. The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is December 6 in Ciccarone Park.
HOLIDAY UNDER THE STARS
Shops at Columbus Circle, New York, NY
Nov. 10-Jan. 4
theshopsatcolumbuscircle.com/stories/holiday-under-the-stars-2025
This year’s installation will have 300,000 twinkling lights and 44 illuminated stars that create a kaleidoscope of colors. The light show takes place every 30 minutes from 5 pm to midnight.
LIGHTSCAPE
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY
Nov. 21-Jan. 4
bbg.org/lightscape
For this year’s fifth installation, the glittering winter trail will take you to an enchanted forest filled with art, music and special attractions.
THE ROCKEFELLER CENTER CHRISTMAS TREE
Rockefeller Center
Dec. 3-January
The magnificent tree will be lit daily from 6 am to midnight after the yearly beloved lighting celebration on December 3. 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.
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW
Saks Fifth Avenue, 5th Avenue, NYC
Late Nov. – Dec.
The iconic window displays and light show are back after last year’s hiatus, offering a synchronized music and light show that illuminates the entire façade of the building. Walk down the block to see the magnificent Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, which will be lit for the season starting December 3.
SHINE BRIGHT AT HUDSON YARDS PRESENTED BY WELLS FARGO
Hudson Yards, New York City
Nov. 25-Jan. 5
More than 2 million twinkling lights (that’s 115 miles!) and 725 evergreen trees set the stage for ice skating, photos with Santa, holiday shopping – and even Santa’s Secret Speakeasy for adults, plus a special menorah lighting.
HOLIDAY UNDER THE STARS
Shops at Columbus Circle, New York, NY
Nov. 10-Jan. 4
This year’s installation will have 300,000 twinkling lights and 44 illuminated stars that create a kaleidoscope of colors. The light show takes place every 30 minutes from 5 pm to midnight.
Pennsylvania
ASTRA LUMINA: AN ENCHANTED NIGHT WALK AMONGST THE STARS
Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
Select dates, Nov. 13-Dec. 31
The hour-long, outdoor experience uses nature and technology to tell the story of visiting stars descending to Earth before rising again to the night sky; it’s a one-mile pathway of cosmic light and sound.
HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW
Shady Brook Farm, Yardley, PA
Nov. 23-Jan. 5
The farm will be outfitted with 4 million dazzling lights, which you’ll see as you drive through the pathways or aboard the open-air wagon. Plan some time to see Santa’s Village, where there’s a Candy Cane Lane lights walk-thru, fire pits, and a gift shop.
ILLUMINATION
Coca-Cola Park, Allentown, PA
Select dates, Nov. 14-Jan. 3
Lehigh Valley shines bright with 1.5 million lights synchronized to music. But that’s not all: there are curling lanes, Santa’s Polar Express, hayrides with Mrs. Claus, a carousel, Nutcracker Suites that include a holiday buffet, and igloos.
KOZIAR’S CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
Koziar’s Farm, Bernville, PA
Select dates, Nov. 1-Jan. 3
There are more than a million lights that illuminate the property, lining everything from the lake to the barns to the walkways. Walk around at your own pace to see the international Christmas displays, train sets and festive gift shops.
A LONGWOOD CHRISTMAS
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Nov. 21-Jan. 11
Stroll through floating floral designs, marvel at festive trees and step into an extravagant floral shop. Outside, take in stunning light displays and treehouses. There are a half-million lights across hundreds of acres, plus fountain shows.
LUMINATURE
Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, PA
Select dates, Nov. 20-Jan. 3
There will be light tunnels, sculptures, Christmas trees and nature-themed displays throughout the zoo. You can meet Santa and watch performances.
THE MIRACLE ON SOUTH 13TH STREET HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAY
1600 Block of S. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA
Dec. 1-Jan. 1
Every holiday season, a group of neighbors go all-out with their Christmas decorations, offering a massive lights display that you can view while walking through the neighborhood.
PEDDLER’S VILLAGE HOLIDAY SEASON
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Select dates, Nov. 7-Jan. 17
November 14 kicks off the season with the Grand Illumination Celebration, which has Santa and Mrs. Claus lighting the entire grounds, including the landscaping, buildings and giant Christmas trees. The property will be lit through January.
WINTER LIGHT SPECTACULAR
Lehigh Valley Zoo, Schnecksville, PA
Select dates, Nov. 14-Jan. 3
This event has 1.2 million sparkling lights and displays placed throughout the zoo. Visitors will find classic holiday scenes, multiple fire pits, hot chocolate and s’mores, performances by different princesses, and photos with Santa.
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