It’s the most wonderful (and sparkling) time of the year! Celebrate the holiday season by visiting one of the many spectacular holiday light shows in Pennsylvania. Buckle up and explore these spectacular drive-through light shows in the comfort of your own car — keeping you warm and toasty and guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit.
1. Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show
Morrisville
Get ready to be dazzled by Shady Brook Farm’s Holiday Light Show, Nov. 18-Jan. 8. Featuring more than 3 million lights in whimsical displays, see how many familiar characters you can spot from the comfort of your car or enjoy the show with an open-air wagon ride as you sing along to your favorite holiday tunes under a beautiful winter night sky.
Before venturing to the light show, enjoy a warm meal of American tavern fare “with a curiously modern accent,” a selection of craft beer, and the inviting atmosphere of The Continental Tavern, beautifully restored with the look and feel of its 1877 origins in the heart of Yardley’s Historic District.
2. Presque Isle Lights at Presque Isle State Park
Erie
Enjoy Presque Isle State Park's natural beauty in a whole new light at "Presque Isle Lights" Fridays-Sundays in December, starting Dec. 1. The park’s 13-mile loop trail will be aglow with holiday lights as iconic park buildings and recreation areas are adorned in seasonal lights with some new displays, all of which complement the natural beauty of Presque Isle after dark.
Beforehand, stop in at one of Erie’s unique boutiques for some holiday shopping. Afterwards, grab some tasty sustenance at The Colony Pub & Grille where you’ll find great food, live music, friendly service, and three fireplaces to warm up by after enjoying the Presque Isle lights.
3. Hershey Sweet Lights
Hershey
There’s no sweeter place to spend the holidays than Hershey when the town transforms into a winter wonderland. Enjoy nearly 600 illuminated, animated displays on a two-mile woodland drive at Hershey Sweet Lights, Nov. 10-Dec. 31.
Enjoy a delicious meal in the heart of Hershey’s downtown at The Chocolate Avenue Grill offering a wide selection of menu options, including a kids menu, and friendly small-town service!
4. Knoebels Amusement Resort’s Joy Through the Grove
Elysburg
Enjoy the splendor of Knoebels Amusement Resort’s Joy Through the Grove drive-through Christmas light display, Nov. 24-Dec. 31 (except Christmas Eve and Day). Their two miles of holiday cheer take you down a winding path dazzling with twinkling lights, 500 illuminated pieces, and several custom Knoebels-themed displays, including many new ones for 2023. This holiday experience will have you brimming with holiday joy!
Combine your Joy Through the Grove experience with some holiday shopping in nearby Danville’s quaint downtown, then relax with a festive holiday brew at Old Forge Brewing Company and some of their tasty pub fare.
5. Christmas Spirit Light Show
Lancaster
Lancaster’s Clipper Magazine Stadium is brimming with holiday cheer! The stadium is transformed into a light-filled winter wonderland that’s even bigger and brighter this year, during the Christmas Spirit Light Show, Nov. 24-Dec. 31. Driving-through this mile-long holiday light event, you will be immersed in the glow and surrounded by hundreds of thousands of dazzling, color-changing lights, animated and dancing in harmony with your favorite holiday tunes!
Before or after your holiday light extravaganza, be sure to explore downtown Lancaster where you’ll find unique shopping experiences, delightful restaurants, and streets decked out in their finest holiday decorations.
6. Christmas in the Park at Grove City Memorial Park
Grove City
Grove City’s holiday spirit is on full display with businesses, organizations, families, and individuals all getting in on the action and contributing lighted displays for the city’s annual Christmas in the Park at Grove City Memorial Park, Nov. 24-Jan. 2. Be sure to keep track of your favorites as you drive through the park, then cast your vote for the People’s Choice and Kid’s Choice awards.
Just a short drive from the park is the charming downtown of Grove City. Here, in Olde Town Grove City you’ll find a variety of unique boutiques, antique stores, and one-of-a-kind shops, as well as wonderful dining options and all in a delightful, walkable, art-filled atmosphere.
7. Holiday Light Spectacular at Nay Aug Park
Scranton
Immerse yourself in an illuminated winter wonderland at the Holiday Light Spectacular at Nay Aug Park, Nov. 18-Jan 7. Drive through the park and enjoy festive music and classic holiday scenes with more than 100 twinkling light displays, including the iconic Electric City sign and reindeer leaping over the Everhart Museum. Nearby, residents open their yards for scenic holiday walkthroughs and interactive displays at the Christmas Lights, Holiday House, and the Peckville Christmas House. For a fun holiday experience, you can also park your vehicle and enjoy the lights aboard a tractor-pulled hayride or horse-drawn carriage.
Before or after the Holiday Light Spectacular, visit one (or more!) of the 160+ pizzerias along the Lackawanna County Pizza Trail. The county is known for its phenomenal pizza, so don’t leave without tasting a slice or five!
8. Holiday Nights of Lights
Bedford
The greater Bedford community is overflowing with holiday spirit and good cheer as more than 100 businesses, organizations, schools, churches, and families have created sparkling displays for their annual Holiday Nights of Lights, select nights Nov 24-Dec. 26. Drive through the Bedford County Fairgrounds to enjoy the twinkling lights and fun displays in this grand celebration of the season.
Before seeing the lights, spend an enjoyable day seeking out unique finds in beautiful downtown Bedford where you’re sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Enjoy a wonderful farm-to-table meal at Horn O Plenty, a “Freshtaurant” nestled in a charming 1730's log and stone cabin and with a menu that revolves around freshly harvested ingredients from their farm and other local family farms.
9. Holiday Lights on the Lake at Lakemont Park
Altoona
Prepare to be mesmerized by holiday magic as you drive through a dazzling dispaly of more than a million lights at Holiday Lights on the Lake at Lakemont Park, Nov. 17-Jan. 7. For nearly three decades, the holiday lights have delighted generations of families with more than a million twinkling lights and animated displays. Be on the lookout for the reindeer, Dipper, on your journey through the lights! If you can spy all his favorite reindeer games and activities, you’ll be in the running to win $1,000!
10. Linesville Lighted Tractor Parade
Linesville
It’s a magical and mechanical night of holiday splendor at the Lighted Tractor Parade, Dec. 2. Everything from lawnmowers and compact tractors to antique tractors, farm tractors, and floats will be decked out, each in its best holiday attire of sparkling lights and decorations that showcase each participant’s creativity and imagination. While technically it’s not a “drive-through” light show, it’s such a unique and amazing event we just had to include it!
Complete your visit to Linesville by visiting Twin Pies for a taste of their traditional homemade pies crafted from old and new family recipes. The café features daily selections of sessional fruit and classic flavors, such as chocolate silk, lemon meringue, and key lime pie.
11. Lights In The Parkway
More than a mile of beautiful Lehigh Parkway is all aglow during the annual Lights in the Parkway, Nov. 24-Dec. 31 (closed Christmas Day). The lighted trees, tunnels, characters, and animated displays all set in a winter wonderland are certain to wow and delight your family. Be sure to purchase your ticket in advance because you won’t want to miss this spectacular holiday light show — all from the comfort of your own car.
Fortify yourself before your drive through the holiday lights with a delicious burger from Wert’s Café. Crowned the best burgers in the Lehigh Valley year after year, come taste for yourself why their signature burgers, scrumptious onion rings, delicious fries, and other tasty treats have been delighting diners for close to half a century.
12. Zoo Lights Drive-Thru
Pittsburgh
Twinkle, shimmer, and shine your way through the season during Zoo Lights Drive-Thru at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, select nights Nov. 24-Dec. 30. Thousands of lights transform the park into an unforgettable winter wonderland, with more than 150 animal lights and new displays, festive music, and holiday treats. New this year is a walk-thru Zoo Lights experience featuring yuletide entertainment, photo opportunities, special holiday snacks, music, and, of course, Santa Claus! Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance because you won’t want to miss this spectacular holiday light show
Stop in Primanti Bros. for an authentic taste of Pittsburgh before your Zoo experience at its original location in the Strip District. Guaranteed you won’t leave hungry after experiencing one of their delicious, handcrafted sandwiches piled high with house-made coleslaw and perfectly seasoned fresh-cut fries.
13. Festival of Lights at Stone Hedge Golf Club
Tunkhannock
There’s no shortage of holiday fun and cheer at the Stone Hedge Festival of Lights, Nov. 22-Dec. 31 (closed Dec. 24). Enjoy a 2.5-mile journey through a spectacular display of holiday lights strung in fanciful displays and an amazing tunnel of glowing lights. Then enjoy s’mores roasted over a fire pit and a visit to the vendor marketplace for some unique gifts.
Don’t leave town before stopping by the very quaint Twigs Café for a delicious meal and warm cup of one of their house-made soups.
14. Herr’s Holiday Lights Display
Nottingham
Herr’s Snack Foods invites you to drive through their Holiday Lights Display anytime between dawn and dusk, Nov. 22-Jan. 2. The campus is resplendent and glowing with 600,00 dazzling lights in fanciful displays. Best yet, it’s free for all to enjoy! They just request you stay in your car so everyone can be safe this holiday season.
Stop by the Nottingham Inn Kitchen and Creamery to enjoy some tasty treats. Their creamery serves both traditional and soft serve ice cream in a variety of flavors and served up in sugar, cake, and waffle cones. Splurge with one of their delicious sundaes, milkshakes, or a “Glacier Twist.” It is the season for splurging, after all!
15. Conneaut Lake Trees of Light
Conneaut Lake
The shores of Conneaut Lake are all aglow spreading joy during the holiday season at the annual Conneaut Lake Trees of Light, with Light Up Night on Thanksgiving Day. Hundreds of “flagpole trees” surround the lake with their colorful lights illuminating the night sky and reflecting off the lake. Hop aboard the Barbara J Cruise to take in the sights from the water, Fridays-Sundays Nov. 24-Dec. 10.
Don’t forget to drop by Al's Melons Farm Market and Greenhouse, the light show’s official sponsor, with its great selection of produce as well as fresh cut trees and wreaths for the holidays.
16. Pocono Lights
Bushkill
Enjoy over a mile of holiday cheer with the Pocono Lights drive-through holiday extravaganza, Thursdays-Sundays Nov. 23-Dec. 31. Add to the fun by enjoying Cookies with Mrs. Claus, Dec. 9 and Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 16.
Before or after the light show, enjoy some amazing pizza from Marluca’s. Along with traditional pizza favorites, their menu includes some creative options including chicken parm, baked ziti, and Sicilian Drunken pizzas. You can also opt for their cauliflower crust gluten free pie.
17. Christmas Light-Up
Findlay Township
Santa’s elves have been hard at work transforming Clinton Park in Findlay Township into a holiday wonderland. With 60 beautifully decorated trees and thousands of twinkling lights, the annual Christmas Light-Up, Nov. 18-Jan. 7, promises to be bigger and better than ever, although may be hard to top last year’s marriage proposal that was on a sign nestled among one of the light displays! At just $10 per car with the proceeds going to various charitable organizations in the community, this is one of the most affordable drive-through light displays you’ll find.
Before or afterwards, visit Stella's restaurant in Clinton for some down-home and delicious comfort food.
To learn about more holiday festivities in Pennsylvania, check out the visitPA website. Follow us on Facebook, X(formerly Twitter), and Instagram to stay up-to-date on even more great ideas and places to visit around our state. Don’t forget to never miss an update and sign up for our monthly Happy Thoughts e-newsletter.
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