Nothing shines like Pennsylvania during the holiday season! From spectacular light displays to winter wonderlands adorned in twinkling lights, tis the season to experience the best holiday spirit ever right here in PA with these 27 must-see Christmas light displays.
1. Bright Nights at WellSpan Park
York
Embrace the magic of the season as more than three million lights illuminate WellSpan Park for Bright Nights from Nov. 20-Dec. 28. This captivating holiday experience in York returns and will have you and the whole family enjoying a variety of holiday-themed entertainment and attractions, including a polar bear slide, walk-in snow globe, ornament making, and letters to Santa. On select nights, extra holiday cheer awaits with visits from Santa, his elves and reindeer, and beloved characters like Elsa and Anna from Frozen.
2. Hershey Sweet Lights
Hershey
Just outside Hersheypark, Hershey Sweet Lights offers a dazzling drive-through experience along two miles of illuminated, animated trails. From Nov. 14-Jan. 4, enjoy Hershey-themed displays featuring Wildcat's Revenge, Jolly Ranch Remix, and, brand-new to the display, Twizzlers Twisted Gravity, commemorating the opening of the World's Tallest Screamin' Swing earlier this year. Enhance the magic by cranking up the holiday tunes - guests can download the free iHeartRadio App and search for "Hershey Sweet Lights" to enjoy festive music to accompany your cruise through the enchanting light displays.
3. Stone Hedge Festival of Lights
Tunkhannock
Illuminate the holiday season at the Stone Hedge Festival of Lights from Nov. 22-Dec. 31. Experience the magic of this annual drive-through Christmas light display, featuring millions of dazzling lights that transform the Stone Hedge Golf Course into a winter wonderland. After taking in the dazzling light displays, warm up in the heated, wheel-chair accessible pavilion, where you can enjoy food, drinks, and browse a variety of vendors.
4. Enchanted Lights: A Magical Christmas Stroll
Freedom
Colorful, dazzling lights bring festive fun to Freedom, PA with this 45-minute outdoor, holiday walk-through experience Enchanted Lights: A Magical Christmas Stroll, on select dates from Nov. 28-Dec. 30. Cozy up around the campfire as the young one’s roast s’mores and drink hot chocolate while the adults enjoy seasonal beverages from one of the Pittsburgh Mobile Bars. Santa will be on location most nights and leashed dogs are also allowed to join in on the fun on certain nights. Travelers will discover a winter wonderland and marvel at the sights and sounds of the season at this ticketed event throughout the end of the year.
5. Holiday Light Extravaganza
Jones Mill
Visit Living Treasures Animal Park for their sixth annual Holiday Light Extravaganza, on select dates Nov. 21-Dec. 28. Stroll around and admire close to a million twinkling holiday lights and decorations and grab a front- row seat to their light and sound show. There’s plenty of holiday fun for the whole family and there may even be a few animals to meet and feed!
6. Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill
Reading
Berks County invites you to enjoy the holiday season at the annual Holiday Lights at Gring's Mill with a walk through the illuminated park highlighting the surrounding historic buildings and landscaping from Dec. 3-23. Gaze at the light displays and decorations while enjoying some tasty treats from local food trucks, visits from Santa on select nights, and live music in the heated outdoor pavilion each evening.
7. Winter Wonderland at Asbury Woods
Erie
Take a magical .3 mile stroll along the Asbury Woods boardwalk during the free Winter Wonderland at Asbury Wood event from Dec. 4-28, except Dec. 25. The boardwalk’s adjacent woods and wetlands are turned into a breathtaking winter wonderland, glowing with hundreds and hundreds of twinkling lights. This year the holiday magic extends on Fridays and Saturdays. Be sure to stop in the preserve’s picnic pavilion where you'll find an outdoor firepit, local live music, hot chocolate, snacks, and their brand-new Winter Wonderland craft room.
8. Christmas Light Experience
Stevens
Be sure to reserve your spot for the Christmas Light Experience at Refreshing Mountain Retreat where you’ll find a variety of fun ways to enjoy their holiday lights from Nov. 21 -Jan. 3. Get your adrenaline-pumping as you zipline through thousands of holiday lights or opt for a more sedate experience viewing the twinkling scenes from their Observation Deck, Wildlife Center, or Christmas Light Walking Path. With more than 500,000 lights, their expanded walk-through donation area features tens of thousands more lights than ever before, and where you can embrace the spirit of the season by donating (optional) to each weekend’s featured non-profit.
9. Holiday Garden Railway
Philadelphia
Visit the Morris Arboretum for a truly festive, fun-filled holiday experience that's included with admission at their Holiday Garden Railway, Nov. 22 - Dec. 30. Their model garden railway literally sparkles this holiday season, as it's decked out in thousands of glittering holiday lights. Watch as Santa’s magical holiday train rumbles through tunnels and over bridges in a winter wonderland of dazzling lights. While the trains run both day and night, the evening experience is even more dazzling and magical against the backdrop of winter’s darkness.
10. A Longwood Christmas
Kennett Square
Enjoy A Longwood Christmas this holiday season at Longwood Gardens, Nov. 21 -Jan. 11. A beloved holiday light display near Philadelphia, watch as the gardens transform into a glowing jewel box for the holidays, with sparkling displays inspired by sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. Inside, shimmering trees, crystal-laden rooms, and thousands of vibrant blooms bring a luxe, festive glow. Outdoors, more than half a million lights illuminate gem-like installations, the Wildlife Tree, and the whimsical Garden Railway. Stroll radiant paths, catch dazzling fountain shows set to holiday music, and soak in one of Pennsylvania’s most magical seasonal spectacles
11. Trail of Lights
Chambersburg
Make a new holiday memory at Country Creek Produce Farm’s Trail of Lights this November and December! Plan to dress accordingly because it’s a true outdoor walk-through holiday lights experience across farmland, featuring more than 100 lighted displays. Visit on weekends and warm up beside the campfires found along the trail. Stop in their Holiday Greenhouse to deck your halls with wreaths, fresh tipped greens, fresh greenery rope, winter berries, magnolia, white pine, and other beautiful holiday décor.
12. Dazzling Nights
Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is brimming with holiday cheer (and lights!) with a spectacular mile-long journey of awe-inspiring light experiences centered around its botanical wonders during Dazzling Nights, Nov. 28-Jan. 3. Experience all-new holiday magic with immersive displays, from a 50-foot shimmering tree and star-lit tunnel to towering light walls along the Luminary Trail. Enjoy the nighttime “Brilliance” spectacular, nightly snowfall, neon forest creatures, and a cozy walk under the mistletoe. Find calm in the candlelit Garden of Reflection or dance through the Disco Snowman maze. Capture festive photos with giant illuminated ornaments and explore the Welcome Center’s In Full Bloom exhibition.
13. Lights In Greenawalds
South Whitehall Township
Greenawalds Avenue in South Whitehall Township is all aglow this holiday season with their biggest light show yet during Lights In Greenawalds – Escape to Christmas, happening on select dates Nov. 15 -Dec. 21. Stroll along the avenue to admire dozens and dozens of whimsical holiday light displays, including a light-filled walkway that leads to Santa. Best yet, Lights in Greenawalds is a totally free event, from the parking to the lights, and even the concessions. They only request you respect people’s yards, park only where told, do not litter, and have fun!
14. The Macy’s Christmas Light Show
Philadelphia
The iconic Macy’s Christmas Light Show returns at Macy’s Center City, Nov. 28 -Dec. 24! Despite Macy's closing earlier this year in the historic Wanamaker building in Center City, Philadelphia, this must-visit holiday attraction is back and has been delighting generations of children and adults alike for close to seven decades. Featuring twinkling snowflakes, dancing snowmen, and 100,000 holiday lights fill Macy’s Grand Court with holiday cheer with close to 35,000 LED lights on the Macy’s Magic Christmas Tree alone! Be sure to stop by to listen to a variety of classic holiday melodies played on the famed Wannamaker Organ, the largest playing pipe organ in the world.
15. Winter Lights Spectacular
Schnecksville
The Lehigh Valley Zoo is transformed into a Winter Lights Spectacular, on select dates from Nov. 14 -Jan. 3. Featured in USA Today, this winter wonderland boasts 1.2 million lights and breathtaking holiday displays amid classic holiday scenes. There will be several fire pits to help keep you warm, performances by iconic princesses, Elsa, Cinderella, and Belle, tasty treats, and, of course, Santa will be making an appearance! On Dec. 10, they will be hosting a Sensory Friendly night that will bring the holiday magic with low contrast, less volume, and less blinking lights.
16. Overly’s Country Christmas
Greensburg
Overly’s Country Christmas offers a spectacular walk-through holiday lights display and so much more, select dates Nov. 20-Dec. 30 (closed on all major holidays), with their Christmas Village simply brimming with holiday cheer! Be enchanted by the Hartman Station model train display, then enjoy the entertaining Talking Christmas Tree and tasty treats from the Country Kitchen. Warm up by the Holiday Bonfire before climbing aboard for a tractor wagon ride or watch the little ones enjoy the Kids' Express train ride and Mr. Waterheater’s Fun-derland playground. Of course, be sure to visit Santa in his workshop to share your Christmas wishes!
17. Koziar’s Christmas Village
Bernville
First you drive down a dark, curvy road, then you hear the faint sounds of Christmas music drifting up from the valley below. Around that last turn, more than a million blazing holiday lights come into view, and you’ll swear you’ve entered a Christmas fairyland at Koziar’s Christmas Village, Nov. 1 -Jan. 3. Celebrating its 78th anniversary season and considered The Best Christmas Light Display in Pennsylvania in 2023 by Travel + Leisure, the village features both traditional and non-traditional holiday scenes, including an early 20th- century schoolhouse, “kissing bridge,” and a whimsical Christmas Under the Sea, and, of course, a spectacular display of holiday lights.
18. Illuminaire Nights in Scenic Skippack Village
Skippack
The annual Illuminaire Nights in scenic Skippack Village takes an already picturesque main street and dusts it with extra holiday magic. Hundreds of candles line the pathways and retail spaces of this charming Montgomery County spot, where shoppers and carolers tap into the warmth and joy of the holidays. Enjoy this unique and beautiful holiday experience every Friday starting on Nov. 28.
19. Shining Through the Darkness
Mifflin County
Now in its 18th year of bringing holiday joy, Kish Park glows with thousands of twinkling lights and holiday displays for you and your family to enjoy. Get into the holiday spirit as you surround yourself with free entertainment, food, and fun this December.
20. Rose Tree Park Festival of Lights & Holiday Village
Media
Rose Tree Park returns this year with its annual Festival of Light & Holiday Village. Stroll through the winter wonderland decorated with dozens of illuminated trees and lit displays. A treasured Delco tradition for more than four decades, the Festival of Lights provides the perfect opportunity to get in the holiday spirit with friends and family. The hugely popular Holiday Village returns this December with unique, local vendors featuring all sorts of wares.
21. Wild Illuminations: A Holiday Lantern Experience
Pittsburgh
Back again for another year, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium returns with Wild Illuminations, a fabulously frosty reimagination of the zoo's treasured Asian Lantern Festival and Zoo Lights, Nov. 22-Jan. 11. Enjoy a sparkling safari of holiday lights strolling at your leisure in the brisk winter air. There will be yuletide entertainment, photo opportunities, special holiday snacks, music, and an appearance by Santa Claus to listen to last-minute wishes. No need to panic if you still need a gift or two because you’ll find gifts available for purchase at various kiosks. And no worries if you still want to stay warm and toasty viewing the spectacle from the comfort of your car; the drive-through Wild Illuminations experience is filled with its traditional twinkle and shine.
22. Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show
Morrisville
Get ready to be dazzled by Shady Brook Farm ’s Holiday Light Show, starting on Nov. 22 and running through Jan. 4. 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.
23. Electrical Spectacle Light Show
Philadelphia
Franklin Square is the setting for the dazzling Electrical Spectacle Light Show, Nov. 20-Jan 4. The square is festooned with thousands upon thousands of glowing and glittering LED lights. Each night the square comes alive with a wonder-filled light show choreographed to several holiday music classics. One of the highlights (truly, no pun intended) is a glittering kite and key, paying homage to Benjamin Franklin’s experiments with lightning and electricity.
24. The Arboretum at Penn State
State College
The Arboretum at Penn State is transformed into a fairyland of twinkling lights and winter wonder during the holiday season. Stroll along the arboretum’s pathways to enjoy a peaceful journey through glittering, shimmering lights enhanced by nature’s beauty. Adorned in glittering, sparkling lights, the Children’s Garden is especially magical, while the greenhouse’s decorations are simply stunning.
25. Peckville Christmas House
Peckville
Join in the celebration and enjoy the spectacular lights at The Peckville Christmas House this holiday season. It’s a holiday light show you simply have to see for yourself! After all, this annual dazzling display of holiday and community spirit by the Harhut family earned them a spot on ABC’s hit holiday decorating competition, The Great Christmas Light Fight in season 5. Whether you choose to bundle up and walk the path or drive around the house in the warmth of your own car, grab your family and friends for a fun evening of holiday magic.
26. BYOB Holiday Lights Trolley Experiences
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia
Hop aboard with your favorite beverages for an immersive, festive trolley tour in various Pennsylvania cities. From Philadelphia's Original BYOB Holiday Lights Trolley to Pittsburgh's BYOB Holiday Lights Trolley, there are a variety of bring-you-own holiday trolley experiences to choose from to explore the cities you love decorated for the holiday season.
27. Christmas Magic — A Festival of Lights
York
Santa’s elves have been hard at work transforming Rocky Ridge County Park in York into a holiday wonderland. With 600,000 twinkling lights and animated holiday scenes, the annual Christmas Magic – A Festival of Magic, Nov. 28 -Dec. 30 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), promises to be bigger and better than ever! Hiking shoes are optional for the half-mile, ADA-compliant walking trail that meanders along a wooded hilltop. Purchase your tickets and reserve your spot online, because you won’t want to miss this wonder-filled holiday tradition!