Nothing puts you into the Christmas spirit like Holiday Light Shows! We have tracked down all the best drive-thru, walk-through, and Christmas Festival light shows in Upstate New York. These festive displays are sure to put the holly jolly in your holiday season and make it merry and bright!
Lights on the Lake
This is one of the best drive-through light displays in the State. 2 miles and thousands upon thousands of dazzling lights in fun, and whimsical light displays that depict everyone’s favorite parts of the holiday season. Arrive between 3:30 – 4:30 pm every night to walk through the displays.
Open: November 18 – January 13, 2025 – 5 pm – 10 pm
Address: 6790 Onondaga Lake Pkwy, Liverpool
Wild Lights
Wander into the enchanting, illuminated, winter wonderland to explore the sights and sounds of Wild Lights, presented by Merrill L. Thomas Inc. Thousands of lights transforms the campus into a twinkling, family-friendly experience that is sure to become a holiday tradition for North Country families. Bask in the glow of thousands of lights as you experience Wild Walk after dark. Then, stroll through Forest Music to surround yourself with immersive music and lights—curated specifically for the looped trail.
Dates: November 29 to February 22, Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm to 8pm
Address: The Wild Center 45 Museum Drive, Tupper Lake, NY
Fairground Festival of Lights
The Fairground Festival of Lights is back and better than ever, with all your classic favorites and some new surprises!
Drive Thru Light Display – Fairgrounds Festival of Lights offers a new route encompassing 70 variations of light displays, arches and light tunnels.
Full Experience
Visit with Santa – Guests will be transported to the North Pole as they make their way through magical displays including a toy shop, elf village, and the arctic. The height of the experience comes when guests stand face to face with Santa’s house, where the Santa himself will meet guests on the front porch. Families are encouraged to bring their own cameras to capture a lasting memory of the holidays. At 10,000 square feet, it ranks as the largest Santa display in the region!
Whoville Express Train Ride – All aboard the Whoville Express! Hop on this merry train ride inspired by the spirit of the season! As the train chugs along, you’ll be whisked away to a world filled with twinkling lights and Whoville magic that even the Grinch can’t resist! What festive fun awaits around the bend?
Frosty’s Dance Party – Join Frosty under a canopy of lights on 42nd Street for a dance party!
Santa’s Barnyard – It wouldn’t be a trip to the Hamburg Fairgrounds without some farm animals! Come visit furry friends who help light up the holidays in Santa’s Barnyard!
Pixel Show – Prepare to be dazzled and delighted! You’ll want to sing and dance along to this enchanting Disney-inspired light show that will transport you to a pixelated dreamland, including castles, fireworks and characters synchronized to music. Runs continuously from 5-10pm.
Santa’s Magical Midway – Enjoy a carnival-style midway featuring all sorts of kiddie rides.
European Style Holiday Market – This is a great opportunity to tackle your holiday shopping list.
Full Experience Dates: November 29-30, December 1, 6-8,
& December 13-23
Drive-Thru Only Dates: December 5, 12, 26-30
Address: 5820 South Park Avenue, Hamburg
Northern Lights at Evans Mills Raceway Park
Northern Lights is a community supported holiday light display show where patrons can drive their vehicle through the experience. Make this holiday light experience your new family tradition.
Dates: November 24, 2024 – January 1, 2025 – Open Thursdays – Sundays ~ 5 pm- 9 pm
Address: 28412 Steinhilber Rd., Evans Mills, NY
Festival of Lights at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine
This beautiful holiday destination puts the reason back in the Season. Visitors can enjoy the sounds of Christmas music while walking the grounds or visit the inside of the Basilica itself. If you are up to the climb, head to the top of the Basilica for a bird’s eye view of the entire festival. This is a wonderful place to visit for the holidays and the best part; it is totally free.
Lights will be on from 5 pm to 9 pm according to the following Schedule:
Nov 23rd-24th: Saturday and Sunday 9 am-9 pm Lights on 5-9 pm
Closed for Thanksgiving, Light on only 5-9 pm
Nov 29th-Dec 22nd: Monday-Thursday 9 am-5 pm, NO Lights on during the week.
Friday-Sunday 9 am- 9 pm, Lights on 5-9 pm
Dec 23rd-Jan 5: Monday-Sunday 9 am-9 pm, Lights on 5-9 pm
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day 9 am-2 pm, Lights on only 5-9 pm
Closed for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, Lights on 5-9 pm
Address: 1023 Swann Rd, Youngstown
Broome County Festival of Lights
The annual Broome County Festival of Lights is even bigger this year, with almost 100 new lighted displays and holiday magic to brighten up the Season. Some nights include fireworks.
Open: November 14th – January 5th, 2025
Sunday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Address: 1 Otsiningo Park, Binghamton, NY
ROC Lights at Victor Hills
With over 20-holiday light display installations along a mile-and-a-half path through the rolling hills of Victor Hills Golf Club in the northern Finger Lakes region, visiting this drive-thru display is destined to become your family’s new favorite holiday tradition. These trails have been transformed by the magic of scenic lights and displays into a festival of lights designed for your family’s entertainment. Set out on a journey among the dinosaurs, around elegant figure skaters, through a portal to Santa’s workshop, along the sweet treat of Candy Cane Lane, and much more! Unfortunately, this is the last year to enjoy this fantastic holiday light show!
November 29th & 30th (5PM – Last Reservation 8pm) *Early Bird Special 25% off
December 6th & 7th (5PM – Last Reservation 8pm) * Early Bird Special 25% off
December 12th THRU 15th (5PM – Last Reservation 8pm)
December 17th THRU 24th(5PM – Last Reservation 8:30pm or FRI/SAT 8:45pm)
December 26th, 27th, & 28th(5PM – Last Reservation 8pm)
Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Address: 1450 Brace Road, Victor, NY
Drive Thru Holiday of Lights – Santa’s Village
Enjoy the 6th Annual Otsego County Fair Drive Thru Holiday of Lights. This holiday light show is full of fun and whimsical light displays the entire family will enjoy.
Open: December 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, & 23rd ~ 6 pm -8 pm
Address: Otsego County Fair Grounds
Jungle Bells: Holiday Lights
Come to the Animal Adventure Park for the Holidays to see 1 million festival lights, live reindeer, and penguin displays, not to mention lots of feeding opportunities.
Open: November 8th – December 28th
Thursday – Sundays 4 pm – 8 pm
Also open 11/27 & 12/23
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas
100s of thousands of lights have been added to the 2024 display… Always Bigger & Always Brighter!
Enjoy one of the largest light displays in the area, hosted on the grounds of Animal Adventure, as a walk thru experience!
Drive-Thru Only Experience: (one night only)December 18th 5 pm – 8 pm – last car entry 7:30 pm
Address: 85 Martin Hill Rd, Harpursville
Twinkle Town at Bradley Farms
Visit Twinkle Town at Bradley Farms in Elmira, NY…A magical, musical holiday light show for the whole family!
Drive through Twinkle Town and view over 200 individually lighted scenes from the comfort of your vehicle as you drive through the one-mile, two-lane road while listening to the Holiday Channel on your radio. Rudolph and his friends will be waiting to help get you in the holiday spirit!
Open: November 22, 2024, through December 28th, 2024, Daily from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Address: 1543 Maple Avenue, Elmira
Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza
Westchester’s Winter Wonderland is a 1.2 mile drive-thru experience filled with thousands of lights! Attractions include favorite elves Ned and Albert, glittering angels of peace and 50-foot dove, dancing trees, glowing snowballs, candy cane lane, a spectacular 100-foot light tunnel, Westchester’s favorite 40-foot Christmas tree and so much more!
Open: November 23rd, 24th, 27th, 29th, and 30th, December 1st, 5th – 8th, 12th – 23rd, 26th- 31st
Address: 1 Bronx River Pkwy Rd, Valhalla, NY
Christmas Land
Immerse yourself in all that is great about the Christmas season at Christmasland. This destination brings back the nostalgia of an old fashion Christmas. Families will enjoy light displays, cookie decorating, visiting Santa, a Christmas train ride, horse-drawn carriage, and sleigh rides, Ornament decorating, and tons of fun kid’s activities.
Dates: November 30th – December 22nd
Address: 3068 Furbeck Rd., Altamont, NY
Peace, Love, and Lights
Just about 497,000 lights make up Peace, Love & Lights this year’s drive-thru holiday light show.
Nightly November 29 thru December 29, 2024 | 5 PM – 10 PM (Last entry 9 PM)
5:00-10:00 PM Last entry at 9:00 PM.
Address: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts – 200 Hurd Road, Bethel
The Wonderland of Lights Rhinebeck
Visitors will enjoy a plethora of festive pageantry as they journey through more than a mile of spectacular lights and holiday wonder. From tunnel displays to towering structures and whimsical designs, The Wonderland of Lights will create a memorable experience for the entire family.
NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 1,
DECEMBER 5-8, &
NIGHTLY DECEMBER 12-29
OPEN 5PM TO 9PM
5PM to 9:30PM | FRIDAY & SATURDAY
Address: Duchess County Fairground, 6636 US 9, Rhinebeck, NY
Holiday Show at Lamberton Conservatory
Get out of the cold and enjoy some colorful lights and lots of poinsettias. The Lamberton Conservatory has been carefully and lovingly decorated to reflect the joy of the Season.
2024 Holiday Show Runs from the first weekend in December through the second weekend in January
Open: 7 days a week, 10:00 am until 4:00 pm, except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. During the Holiday Show it is open until 9 pm on Fridays and Sundays.
Address: 180 Reservoir Ave, Rochester
Frosty Fest
Holiday lights, character meet and greets, and animated musical Christmas light shows. This festival put the happy back into the holidays. This is sure to be a family favorite and might just become your annual Christmas tradition.
Open: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays November 29th – December 22nd
Address: 778 Broadway, Route 9W, Ulster Park
Oneonta Festival of Lights
begins at sunset on Saturday, December 14, and all are invited to enjoy the first lighting, hot cocoa, popcorn, Cosmic Karma Fire performers, and visitors from the North Pole, including Santa Claus! The festival will run every night through January 1, 2025. Admission is free, and all are welcome to drive through Neahwa Park to enjoy dozens of light displays from area organizations and businesses.
Open: December 14, 2024, through January 1, 2025
Address: Neahwa Park – 15 James Georgeson Ave, Oneonta, NY
Washington County Holiday Lighted Nights
Holiday Lighted Nights is a new drive-thru Holiday Light Experience debuting at the Washington County Fairgrounds. While you’re there stop and grab some delicious holiday treats at their snack stands.
Open: November 29th-December 30th 4:00 pm -9:00 pm
Address: 392 Old Schuylerville Rd., Greenwich
Glimmer Nights at the Farmers’ Museum
Glimmer Nights, a six-week holiday light show extravaganza, will take place on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from November 24 – December 30. At Glimmer Nights, visitors of all ages will experience the museum as never before on a self-guided walking tour through a wonderland of elaborate, multi-colored light displays. The path winds through the museum’s Country Village and other areas, each creatively illuminated with a unique theme.
Open: November 29th – December 29th 5pm-8pm (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays)
Address: 5775 State Highway 80 (Lake Road), Cooperstown
Winter Festival of Lights
Although there are several light festivals this year, this one is in a category of its own. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride through a field full of festive light displays. There are days when visitors can walk the field instead of taking the wagon ride.
Horsedrawn Wagon & Tractor Rides-Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays December 6th – December 29th – As well as December 23rd, 24th, & 31st – 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Walking Wednesdays – 5:30-7:30 pm
Address: 2445 W Walworth Rd, Macedon
The Wild Winter Wonderland of Lights
Enjoy a walk-through holiday light show at the Wild Animal Park. Kids will love meeting Santa and the petting zoo and bounce houses, which will all be open and available during the event.
Open: November 15nd – January 1st, 2025 ~ 5 pm – 9 pm
Address: 7621 Lakeport Rd., Chittenango
Holiday Nights at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Visit the Zoo and see it transformed into a winter wonderland. Sing along with holiday carolers, visit Santa, gather around and warm up by glowing fire pits with family and friends, enjoy festive lighting, ice sculpture carving, animals, and much more!
Open: Fridays & Saturdays December 7th, 13th, 20th & 21st – 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Address: 1 Conservation Pl, Syracuse
Tioga Downs Casino Winterfest
Winterfest returns to Tioga Downs this November featuring Horse Drawn Wagon Rides to view the lights, a Craft Fair, and much more. Admission is FREE, and there are plenty of fun holiday activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
Fridays and Saturdays
November 29-December 21
5PM-8:30PM
Winterfest Craft Fair
November 30, 1pm-9pm
December 1, 12pm-7pm
Address: Tioga Downs: Gaming Casino – 2384 W. River Road, Nichols, NY
Poinsettias After Dark
Experience the magic of the holidays this month during Poinsettias After Dark! Thousands of twinkling lights will guide you through our magically illuminated greenhouses. See textures, shapes, and shadows that you’ve never noticed before as different colors bathe our plant collections in a whole new light. Escape Buffalo’s cold winter nights and enjoy a charming and calming evening at the Botanical Gardens.
Dates: November 29th & 30th, December 6th, 7th, 14th, 19th -21st, 26th, 28th-30th 5pm-9pm
Address: Buffalo Botanical Gardens – 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo
Magic of Light
Magic of Lights® debuts at the Altamont Fairgrounds for the first time this holiday season! Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of Altamont’s new holiday tradition. One carload, one price.
Date: November 22nd through January 4th – Monday – Thursday 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm and Friday – Sunday 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Address: Altamont Fairgrounds-Arlington at Rt 146, Altamont
Do you know another light show that should be added to my list? Send me an email! Wishing everyone a joyful and bright Christmas and Holiday Season!