NEWSLETTER
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: 10/22/2025.
LuminoCity Festival (Long Island)
Credit: @luminocityfestival on Instagram
When: November 7, 2025–January 1, 2026
LuminoCity Festival is transforming Long Island’s Eisenhower Park into a wonderland of lights this winter season. Go on a journey through shimmering lands as you explore this year’s theme, “Fantasy Winter Fairyland,” featuring glowing sculptures, magical lights, and immersive exhibits in a dazzling fairytale world of light and color. Enjoy festive treats and drinks, pop by the gift shop, and take part in specialty theme days and giveaways. East Meadow. Tickets are $29-$32 for adults; $22-$26 for children; children 3 and under are free.
Jungle Bells: Holiday Lights at Animal Adventure Park (Central New York)
Credit: @storkesque9 on Instagram
When: November 7, 2025–December 27, 2025
See spectacular holiday lights and get up close with animals at the same time at Jungle Bells: Holiday Lights at Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville. Marvel at more than 2 million lights on display throughout the park, complete with the tallest fully lit tree in the area and live reindeer! 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 17. Harpursville; Thursdays-Sundays; tickets range from $18.99-21.99 per person, plus tax.
Lights on the Lake (Finger Lakes)
Credit: @fingerlakeswelcomecenter on Instagram
When: November 17, 2025 - January 12, 2026
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 21, 2025 - January 3, 2026
Stop by Jones Beach State Park for a dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience. Pile the whole crew into the car and journey through more than a mile of spectacular multi-colored larger-than-life displays including a new North Pole scene, Bigfoot Monster Truck, and Barbie dollhouse. Even better, tickets are priced by the carload, making it the perfect family-friendly holiday experience. Jones Beach; $23-$28 per vehicle.
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (New York City)
Credit: Winter Cathedral by Mandylights. Copyright Sony Music. Courtesy of Brooklyn Botanic Garden
When: November 21, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Wander through an enchanting illuminated trail of over one million lights at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's after-dark spectacular! Along this mile-long trail, discover light installations by local and international artists, including the monumental Winter Cathedral Tunnel, Fire Garden, and more. 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. Brooklyn; ticket prices range from $15-$44.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights (New York City)
Credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS
When: November 21 , 2025–January 4, 2026
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, and new thrilling snow tube slides, an illuminated ice-themed throne, and virtual snowball throwing. Sensory friendly night is scheduled for December 42025. The Bronx; prices range from $26.95-$56.95.
Westchester’s Winter Wonderland (Hudson Valley)
Credit: @nyc.super.mom on Instagram
When: November 21, 2025–December 31, 2025
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 including your favorite elves Ned and Albert, glittering angels of peace, candy cane lane, dancing trees, and a 50-foot dove, meet the Ice Queen in the Ice House, travel through the glowing 175-foot Transporter Tunnel, cruise down Rudolph’s Runway into the North Pole, and marvel at the largest Christmas tree in Westchester! 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. Valhalla; tickets start at $35 per car.
Peace, Love & Lights (Catskills)
Credit: @shinybreathing on Instagram
When: November 28, 2025-December 28, 2025
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, from Candy Cane Lane and Groovy Way, to the Enchanted Forest and Holidays Around The World. Double up on the holiday fun by pairing your light show experience with a Jazz Band Creole Christmas show (December 4). Bethel; tickets start at $27 per car; one ticket per carload.
Poinsettias After Dark (Greater Niagara)
Credit: @highpeaks_ai on Instagram
When: November 28, 2025 - December 30, 2025
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. Make it a day of festivities by attending the Cozy Crafters Artisan Market and the Conifer Wreath Workshop, both before Poinsettas After Dark on December 6. Buffalo; ticket prices range from $10-$19.
Wild Center Wild Lights (Adirondacks)
Credit: @rickgodinproductions on Instagram
When: Beginning November 28, 2025
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. Tupper Lake; Wild Lights tickets are not included in regular admission and cost $12 for adults, $7 for youth, and free for children 4 and under.
Glimmer Nights (Central New York)
Photo courtesy of Fenimore Farm & Country Village
When: November 22, 2025 - December 28, 2025
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. Enjoy free carousel rides and themed evenings like Dickens Nights and Solstice Nights. Cooperstown; $15 for adults (18+), $10 for teens (13-17), $5 for juniors (7-12), free for children under 6.
Fatima Shrine Festival of Lights (Greater Niagara)
When: November 22, 2025 - January 4, 2026
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. Lewiston; Free.
The Wonderland of Lights (Hudson Valley)
When: November 28, 2025 - December 28, 2025
Celebrate the holidays at the 5th Annual Wonderland of Lights at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds! Drive through hundreds of sparkling displays, magical attractions, and festive cheer that will delight the entire family. Rhinebeck; $30 per carload.
Holiday Nights (Finger Lakes)
When: December 5, 2025 - December 20, 2025
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 wit hot chocolate and s'mores by the fire pits, enjoy live holiday music and a variety of entertainment. Syracuse; $8/person.
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