Drive-Thru Holiday Light Displays to Get You in the Festive Spirit
Terri Marshall
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Make a drive-thru light display part of your holiday memories!
When I was a child my parents would take my brother and me on a drive to see all the Christmas lights in the neighborhood. When my children were young, I did the same thing. And now, I take the grandkids when I get the chance. But you don’t have to stalk your neighbors to get your festive light fix. Drive-thru holiday lights continue to pop up and 2020 helped move this along. Here’s a sample of some of the best around the country.
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Magic of Lights display. Photo: Magic of Lights
Magic of Lights Jones Beach, New York
Experience Magic of Lights in Jones Beach State Park on Long Island, New York. This dazzling drive-through holiday lights event showcases more than a mile of spectacular light displays. Expect to see your favorite holiday scenes and characters. This year, a larger-than-life sparkling Holiday Barbie™ display, a supersized Bigfoot® Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas join the usual holiday favorites. Load up the car for this budget-friendly holiday adventure with one price per car. Find the schedule, pricing and location here.
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Santaland light display. Photo: Santaland
Santaland in Tyler, Texas
In eastern Texas, visitors can Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season in the Rose Capital of America – Tyler, Texas. This small town transforms into a winter wonderland with the Azalea District Trail of Lights, the annual Christmas Parade and an array of shopping events, including the largest shopping extravaganza in the region – Mistletoe & Magic. And for those seeking holiday lights, Tyler’s annual Santaland delivers. Over two million lights twinkle around you as you cruise through a 24-acre park from the warmth of your car. It’s magic for everyone in the family! Get all the details here.
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Shine Light Show Photo: Shine Light Show
Shine Light Shows, Illinois and Georgia
Get your holly jolly holiday experience underway at a Shine Light Show. Returning to Chicago’s North Shore in Northbrook, IL for the third consecutive year, to Schaumburg, IL for the second year, and debuting in Lawrenceville, GA, this spectacular event is billed as the largest drive-thru world of lights. The display features one million LED lights synchronized to holiday classics. And if you’ve ever been to Illinois (or even Georgia!) in winter, you’ll appreciate viewing this seasonal spectacle from your cozy warm car! Get the details here.
The Lights of Christmas Photo: The Lights of Christmas
The Lights of Christmas, Stanwood, WA
Celebrating 25 years of Christmas magic, the Lights of Christmas in Stanwood, WA is a holiday tradition for families in the Pacific Northwest. Spectacular lights, dazzling displays, and costume characters create a fantastic Christmas experience for people of all ages. Plus, listen to Christmas music from the comfort of your car on The Lights of Christmas radio station 101.9 FM. Grab your keys, pack up the kids, and get out of the house. This Snohomish County experience infuses the Christmas spirit.
Be sure to meet, greet or wave to Santa before he leaves on December 23rd. After all, he needs to make it back to the North Pole in time to deliver Christmas Eve treasures. During your drive you’ll tune into The Lights of Christmas radio station, 101.9 FM, and enjoy Christmas music along with radio host, Bruce the Spruce. While there, be sure to sample the fresh-hot mini donuts available for purchase along with other snacks, hot beverages, and espresso as a drive-thru experience. Find all the details here.
Peppermint Parkway Photo: Circuit of The Americas
Trail of Lights, Austin, TX
From now through Dec. 31, more than two million twinkly lights will illuminate Austin’s iconic Zilker Park. No doubt this will spread holiday cheer throughout Texas’ bustling capital city for the 57th annual Trail of Lights event. This drive-thru event celebrates the unique spirit of Austin with a jubilant display of lights, almost 100 lighted holiday trees and more than 70 other holiday displays and lighted tunnels. As a bonus the Peppermint Parkway continues the delightful celebration! Details here.
Hershey Sweet Lights, Hershey, PA
No holiday lights story is complete without including the sweetest destination on earth, Hershey, PA. Just outside Hersheypark, Hershey Sweet Lights drive-thru attraction features two miles of fields and wooded trails decorated with nearly 600 illuminated, animated displays created from about 2 million LED lights. Enjoy the lights from the comfort of your car while listening to holiday music, with a custom music station provided through the iHeartRadio app. Many displays follow unique themes like The 12 Days of Christmas, Fairy Tales, a Victorian Village and Hersheypark rides. And, there’s chocolate nearby…of course! Get your intel here.
Hershey Sweet Lights Courtesy of Hershey