As the days grow shorter with winter's approach, the night skies are getting brighter with holiday cheer across New York State! So put on your favorite sweater and have your hot chocolate at the ready, because you won’t want to miss these magical winter lights festivals, holiday light spectaculars, and dazzling drive-thru experiences. Photo credit: @rickgodinproductions on Instagram.

Originally published: 12/03/2021. Updated: 10/20/2026.

LuminoCity Festival (Long Island)

🗓️When: November 11, 2026–January 3, 2027
📍Where: East Meadow
💲Cost: $29-$33 for adults; $22-$26 for children; children 3 and under are free

Two people look at an elaborate light display at LuminoCity Festival on Long Island

Credit: @luminocityfestival on Instagram

LuminoCity Festival is transforming Long Island’s Eisenhower Park into a wonderland of lights this winter season. Journey through 14 acres of dazzling lights across four immersive worlds: Magical Wonderwood, Dino Safari, Holidayville, and Tundra Twilight. Wander among 100+ glowing and animatronic creatures, from prehistoric giants to wildlife from around the world, through brilliant landscapes and golden starlight.  Hop aboard the all-new Lumi Express, the first-ever holiday train ride in Eisenhower Park. Enjoy festive treats and drinks, pop by the gift shop, and take part in specialty theme days and giveaways.

Jungle Bells: Holiday Lights at Animal Adventure Park (Central New York)

🗓️When: November 7, 2026–December 27, 2026
📍Where: Harpursville
💲Cost: $19.03-$21.99 per person

A boy in winter clothing sitting in a verticle circle of white and yellow fairy lights

Credit: @storkesque9 on Instagram

See spectacular holiday lights and get up close with animalsat Jungle Bells: Holiday Lights at Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville. Marvel at more than 2 million lights on display throughout the park, complete an immersive "Under the Sea" area, dazzling "Butterfly Garden" area, giant caroling reindeer light ups, giraffe and camel barn feeding areas, and so much more! Stop in at Santa’s workshop for photos with the man in red every Friday and Saturday, encounter the Grinch, and book special animal encounters including painting with penguins and a capybara meet and greet. Jungle Bells: Holiday Lights is primarily a walk-through experience but a drive-thru only experience is offered on December 16, 5-8pm.

Festival of Lights (Adirondacks)

🗓️When: November 19, 2026–January 10, 2027
📍Where: Ausable Chasm
💲Cost: $19.95 for adults; $14.95 for children; ages 3 and under are free

Embark on the Ausable Chasm Festival of Lights self-guided tour! This half-mile outdoor winter experience celebrates nature and light, beginning at the Welcome Center and taking you across the Route 9 Bridge to the Gatehouse, where you'll discover four uniquely illuminated worlds nestled among the wooded trails. Each world features its own atmosphere and character, transforming the winter landscape into a magical display of light.

Lights on the Lake (Finger Lakes)

🗓️When: November 21, 2026–January 4, 2027
📍Where: Liverpool
💲Cost: $10/carload Monday–Thursday and $20/carload Friday-Sunday

Several larger-than-life-sized bright glowing neon-colored lanterns of flowers and an orange and red-spotted ladybug sitting on the Onondaga Lake

Credit: @fingerlakeswelcomecenter on Instagram

This fantasy winter wonderland along Onondaga Lake is an awe-inspiring display of twinkling lights, colorful section arches, animated displays, and holiday cheer that goes for miles. One of the few drive-thru holiday light shows, you can enjoy two miles of beautiful holiday lights, including the Land of Oz and a twinkling fantasy forest, from the warmth and comfort of your car. Liverpool; tickets are sold by the carload and must be purchased in advance, with pricing at $10 Monday–Thursday and $20 Friday-Sunday.

Magic of Lights (Long Island)

🗓️When: November 20, 2026–January 3, 2027
📍Where: Jones Beach State Park
💲Cost: $22-$29.98 per vehicle

Three Christmas trees made of green lights at Jones Beach

Stop by Jones Beach State Park for a dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience. Pile the whole crew into the car and drive through over two million twinkling lights, the 200-foot Enchanting Tunnel of Lights, the timeless 12 Days of Christmas, Reindeer Road, Winter Wonderland and more, all from the comfort of your car. Then hop out and explore the Toyota Holiday Village with all new activities, photo ops and festive food and drinks. Even better, tickets are priced by the carload, making it the perfect family-friendly holiday experience.

Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (New York City)

🗓️When: November 20, 2026–January 3, 2027
📍Where: Brooklyn
💲Cost: Ticket prices range from $15-$44

A group of people walking through an archway lined with thousands of yellow fairy lights

Credit: Winter Cathedral by Mandylights. Copyright Sony Music. Courtesy of Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Wander through an enchanting illuminated trail of over one million lights at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's after-dark spectacular! Lightscape returns this holiday season with a spectacular new trail. This year’s Lightscape is a love letter to the Garden, its four seasons of splendor, and its visitors. Step into a world brimming with beauty, where luminous installations meet light-kissed landscapes, right in the heart of Brooklyn. In the mood for hot chocolate, or perhaps some holiday snacks for your journey? The Gardens has you covered, with food concessions dotted throughout its dazzling glowing pathway. Sensory-friendly early entry dates will be held December 3 & 18.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights (New York City)

🗓️When: November 21 , 2026–January 3, 2027
📍Where: The Bronx
💲Cost: Ticket prices range from $22.95-$42.95

A light display of a yellow frog amid purple lily pads glows at the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
Credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

During the evenings, the Bronx Zoo shines bright with holiday cheer amid this walk-through experience full of immersive light displays, custom-designed animal lanterns, and animated light shows. This outdoor celebration includes festive entertainment, seasonal treats, a holiday train, ice carving demonstrations, classic holiday music, thrilling snow tube slides, an illuminated ice-themed throne, and virtual snowball throwing. New this year is the opening of the Children’s Zoo Farmyard for Holiday Lights. Enjoy festive moments with donkeys, sheep, goats, alpacas, and more in a picture-perfect backdrop! Sensory friendly night is scheduled for December 3 2026.

Westchester’s Winter Wonderland (Hudson Valley)

🗓️When: November 19, 2026–December 31, 2026
📍Where: Valhalla
💲Cost: Tickets start at $44/carload

A white four-wheel drive car driving through a tunnel of red, green and white fairy lights at the Westchester Winter Wonderland Festival
Credit: @nyc.super.mom on Instagram

Put on your favorite holiday playlist and get ready for a dazzling 1.2-mile drive-thru holiday light extravaganza in Valhalla! See classic displays and attractions perfect for all ages, including a 100-foot light tunnel, Candy Cane Lane, and Rudolph’s Runway. As you wind your way through the winter wonderland, you’ll encounter glittering angels of peace, dancing trees, glowing snowballs, and Westchester’s favorite 40-foot Christmas tree! For the grand finale, guests can make a New Year’s wish upon a 30-foot glistening star located at the end of the interactive show–all right from your car. 

Peace, Love & Lights (Catskills)

🗓️When: November 27, 2026–January 2, 2027
📍Where: Bethel
💲Cost: Tickets start at $27/carload

A yellow buggy vehicle completely covered in florescent pink fairy lights in front of multiple light arches in a snowy field

Credit: @shinybreathing on Instagram

Head on down to the site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival for a drive-thru holiday light show powered by Healey Brothers. Located at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in the scenic Sullivan Catskills, enjoy the holiday lights from the comfort of your car along a 1.7-mile route through new and returning themed areas, including a drone light show on select nights that complements the classic holiday lights with a signature Woodstock flair. The Holiday Hub adds to the experience with dinner, live music, and plenty of photo opportunities, while a full season of festive programming includes a Holiday Market, special walk-through nights, family singalongs, a menorah lighting, and dinner with Santa.

Poinsettias After Dark (Greater Niagara)

🗓️When: November 27, 2026–December 29, 2026
📍Where: Buffalo
💲Cost: Ticket prices range from $9-$20 

An aerial view of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens building and glowing multi-colored festival lights seen through the glass dome rooftops

Credit: @highpeaks_ai on Instagram

Surround yourself in stunning natural beauty and colorful lights in this mesmerizing after-dark experience housed within the historic Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens! Thousands of twinkling lights will guide you through the magically illuminated greenhouses unveiling textures, shapes, and shadows as the plant collections and brilliant poinsettia display are bathed in a whole new light. Returning this year, check out the festive G-scale train display in the Bonsai house!

Wild Center Wild Lights (Adirondacks)

🗓️When: November 27, 2026–February 20, 2027
📍Where: Tupper Lake
💲Cost: $15 for adults, $10 for youth, and free for children 4 and under

Glowing yellow lights decorate trees
Credit: @rickgodinproductions on Instagram

Brighten your winter nights with Wild Lights at the Wild Center. Wander through an enchanted and illuminated wonderland as the 115-acre campus is transformed with thousands of twinkling lights and a magical soundtrack. Bask in the glow of Wild Walk after dark and surround yourself with immersive music and lights as you stroll through Forest Music. A hot cocoa bar, s’mores by the fire, ice sculptures, and photo ops complete the experience.

Glimmer Nights (Central New York)

🗓️When: November 21, 2026–December 27, 2026
📍Where: Cooperstown
💲Cost: $15 for adults, $10 for teens (13-19), $5 for juniors (7-12), free for children under 6

A building decorated with glowing snowflakes surrounded by string lights formed into the shape of trees

Photo courtesy of Fenimore Farm & Country Village

Experience holiday magic as the Fenimore Farm & Country Village is transformed into a spectacular light show. Get the whole family together for a self-guided walking tour through the country village as it’s decked out in a wonderland of elaborate, multi-colored light displays. New this year is a 17-ft combine harvester that kids can climb,
with a photo platform at the top, a 12-ft snowman, and a herd of lit-up animals. Enjoy free carousel rides and themed evenings like Dickens Nights, Wassail Nights, Holiday Market Nights, and Solstice Nights.

Fatima Shrine Festival of Lights (Greater Niagara)

🗓️When: November 21, 2026–January 3, 2027
📍Where: Lewiston
💲Cost: Free

The quaint town of Lewiston glows during the holiday season for its Fatima Shrine Festival of Lights. Wander through a labyrinth of 75 carefully curated twinkling displays. Afterward, climb to the top of the Basilica, decorated with a life-size nativity scene and festooned in Christmas foliage, for an angel’s view of the expansive 15-acre festival. 

Holiday Nights (Finger Lakes)

🗓️When: December 4, 2026 - December 19, 2026
📍Where: Syracuse
💲Cost: $8/person

Pounce into a roaring good time after-hours at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo's Holiday Nights. Enjoy a festive, family-friendly stroll amid sparkling displays of holiday lights that transform the zoo into a winter wonderland. Warm up with hot chocolate and s'mores by the fire pits, enjoy live holiday music, visits with Santa, and this year will feature an indoor holiday market, crafts in the Amur leopard corridor, a Holiday Village in the amphitheater, and many special guests.

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