The simplicity of twinkling white lights during the holidays may be enough to get some of us into the holiday mood. Then there’s the rainbow-hued, Noah’s Ark-size and over-the-top musical light performances from eager neighbors who secure spirit in the heartiest of Scrooges for an entire six weeks. Whatever you’re feeling, these holiday light displays will help to spread a little faith, hope and joy to you and your family this year.
Find a holiday light display near you in the list below or jump in the car for a festive road trip.
Holiday Light Displays in Connecticut
The Fantasy of Lights at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, a 25-year tradition, is a dazzling drive-through attraction with more than 100,000 lights and 60 animated displays. Rent a pair of 3D glasses for a next-level experience. Car/family van, $10.
The Stonington Lobster Trap Tree is a magical large-scale art installation by local artists using recycled materials. Nov. 23-Jan. 5. Free.
Or find the biggest Christmas tree in the state at Glow Hartford in the Connecticut Convention Center. This dazzling, indoor holiday light display features one million lights in an interactive light garden, illuminated structures, a trackless “Glow-comotive” train and a visit with Santa. Nov. 29-Dec. 29. Adults (16-64), $30; children (5-15), $20; senior, military, veteran, police, EMS, $15.
Holiday Light Displays in Massachusetts
When it comes to Christmas lights in Massachusetts, Springfield’s annual Bright Nights at Forest Park is a drive-through extravaganza you don’t want to miss, featuring a Seuss Land section, as well as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa displays. Nov. 27-Jan. 5. Car/family van, $23.
Dorchester’s Adams Street, in the Fields Corner neighborhood, is lit with a colorful spectacle of lights, including LED fireworks, blinking Christmas trees and flying angels, by the father-son team of Trong and Hoa Nguyen. Free.
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Download NowHoliday Light Displays in New Jersey
Park on Briarwood Drive West in Warren, with only your parking lights on, and tune into 92.7 FM for Christmas in Warren’s music and lights performance. Its 14-year legacy of dancing lights, which are energy-efficient LED bulbs, is a true spectacle. Nightly through December, 5-10 p.m. Free.
Hop aboard a train ride through millions of lights in DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express. Meet Santa and his elves in their workshop, share stories and chat with Mrs. Claus, and walk through a holiday village. Nov. 23, 24, 29, 30-Dec. 23. $19.95-$26.95.
Holiday Light Displays in New York
Nearly one million lights, plus illuminated Santas and snowmen, brighten the Keeler Christmas Light Display on Luigi Road in Putnam Valley, which was also a Season 11 contender in “Great Christmas Light Fight.” Kids can leave a letter for Santa as they walk through or buy a T-shirt with proceeds donated to local charities. Nov. 30 through Christmas, 6-10 p.m. Free.
The LuminoCity Festival transforms the 12-acre Eisenhower Park in East Meadow into a shimmering winter wonderland each holiday season. Now-Jan. 5. Adults, $38.80; kids (4-12) $31.89.
Holiday Light Displays in Rhode Island
The MacDonald family, on Ellery Road in Newport, has decorated their home for Halloween and Christmas for more than three decades. The walkable yard display features dozens of lit trees, dioramas featuring scenes from “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” and Santa’s workshop, as well as elves and Frosty the Snowman. Free.
Sparkling Lights at the Breakers has become an ongoing tradition at this Newport mansion, where thousands of lights, trees, a 50-foot lighted tunnel and even illuminated sailboats adorn the majestic mansion grounds. It’s one of the most magical light shows in New England. Adult, $40; child (6-17), $10, includes mansion entry. Reservations required.
Roger Williams Park Zoo, in Providence, has 3.5 million sparkly bulbs and nearly 100 structural elements in its Holiday Lights Spectacular. Starting in 2020 as a drive-through, the annual event has become a huge attraction that spans the zoo’s entire 40 acres. In the Wetlands Trail, visitors are completely immersed, with lights overhead and music playing. A surprising alien abduction of presents is new this year. “Every tree and bush in the rainforest area has lights on it,” said horticulture manager David Albaugh. “It’s so powerful to walk under the lights. They’re literally everywhere.” Nov. 29-Jan. 4. $12-$14.
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Did we forget your favorite holiday light display? Add it to the list in the comments below.
Featured image: Courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo
This article has been updated and republished from a previous version.
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This display no longer exists! Unfortunately we went and found nothing. You should delete it: On Concord Street in Wilmington, the Fiore family decorates their home with a custom-built town of sparkling lights so spectacular that it won the $50,000 first-place prize on ABC’s reality TV show “The Great Christmas Light Fight” in 2020. “The goal was to make an attraction for people to come make memories with their family,” said Charles Fiore. Free.
Hi Debra, I’m so sorry! Thanks so much for letting us know. We’ve removed it.
Where was the photo that introduced your article taken? That light display is lovely, but we’ve no idea where it is located. Please credit the photo or location. Thank you.
Hi Shari, thanks for your comment! The image is credited at the bottom of the story. It is at the Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens hosts GardensAglow in Boothbay, Maine. Reservations required. Amazing
The Farmers Museum in Cooperstown N.Y. Has a wonderful light display throughout the village.
Wilcox Park in Westerly RI is usually decorated for the holidays
You missed the wonderful light show in Heritage Gardens in Sandwich, Ma that also includes roasting marshmallows at no charge along with being able to see the vintage car museum and carousel.
Edaville Railroad in Carver, MA has a wonderful display- both walking and a train ride.
New Engand Botanic Garden at Tower Hill has a spectacular light show every year.
Beautiful light display in Berkshires at Naumkeag
Want to be sure everyone knows about Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza at Kensico Plaza. It costs $35 per carload and tickets are bought ahead of time online. This has been far and away one of the best events of any kind our family has experienced.
Riverhead Holiday Light Show is the biggest in Suffolk county NY (Long Island)
Rhode Island holiday light show is the biggest in eastern New England!!
Bradley Estate in Canton, MA and
Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce in CT
LaSalette Shrine in Attleboro, MA is not listed here???? Why???
One of the best in Mass. and for nearby R.I.
Lads
LaSalette Shrine, Attleboro, from Thanksgiving night through January 2nd, 5 pm to 10 pm. Free.