It is the most magical time of the year, and there is no better way to immerse yourself in the wonder of the holiday season than to discover the perfect place – or places – to enjoy the fantastic light displays that are popping up throughout the region.
There is nothing quite like standing in awe with your children as you take in the aura of a holiday light show or display. Always a crowd-pleaser, always inspiring you to pause to enjoy the moment. So, just for that moment, be a kid standing next to your own children and draw some inspiration from the list we have compiled just in time for the season.
Shady Brook Farm: Holiday Light Show, Yardley, PA
An annual favorite you will not want to miss! Once again Shady Brook Farm is bringing their fantastic Holiday Light Show to the masses for everyone to enjoy. Families can drive through the light display in the comfort of their own car or reserve space in an open air wagon to experience the over three million lights illuminating the surrounding farmland. An added delight is a whimsical stroll down Candy Cane Lane, included with any light show admission. Book early and book online for the best times..
Franklin Square Park: Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show, Philadelphia, PA
There is a special feeling when ambling through this historic park any time of the year, but add some holiday festivity, and Winter in Franklin Square Park takes this season to another level. One of Philadelphia’s five original squares, Franklin Square literally lights up and invites families to enjoy the luminous display for free. Weather permitting, the Holiday Light Show will be on display starting most days at 5:00 pm and vary by day. Iff your family wants some action before the lights go on, play a round at Chilly Philly Mini Golf, take a whirl on the Parx Liberty Carousel, or check out the street curling, new this year!
Yuletide at Devon: 23 Dorset Road, Devon, PA
A new Christmas tradition comes to the Main Line November 24th – December 31st on the Devon Horse Show and Country Fairgrounds Yuletide At Devon will feature an enchanted forest with 800 Christmas trees and more than 7 ½ miles of garland and lights, and spectacular decorations from the company that creates Rockefeller Center’s winter extravaganzas. In addition to a variety of live musical performances from nationally-known performers, the festival will offer holiday-themed food and drink experiences. Kids will love the ferris wheel, carousel and photos with Santa! Yuletide will also feature a curated collection of retail stores featuring small businesses and artisans.
Peddler’s Village: Routes 202 & 263, Lahaska, Bucks County, PA
This Bucks County mainstay is a perennial family favorite for so many reasons. The village-wide lights are switched on at Peddler’s Village Grand Illumination Celebration on November 17. After that, the holiday spirit continues all season long with many family-friendly events after another, including the Holly Jolly Weekend on December 2 & 3, when guests enjoy a Santa parade, photos with Santa, holiday tunes, and more. You won’t want to miss the beautiful gingerbread houses on display, photos with Santa, Holiday food trucks and more!
LumiNature at The Philadelphia Zoo: Philadelphia, PA
LumiNature returns to America’s First Zoo beginning November 17th for another season of sights, sounds, and surprises! See more than a million twinkling lights across 16 illuminated zones, including two NEW zones this year: Shimmer River & LumiNature Lane. Walk through a 100-foot-long jungle tunnel adorned with 4,000 lights, and explore a 20-foot-tall coral reef featuring a giant sea turtle, plus be wowed by the new sparkling light waterfall and a shimmering vine wall featuring 20,000 lights.
LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival: 100 Station Ave, Oaks, PA
This holiday season, LuminoCity brings you and your family a world of magical light installations that come to life! This year’s theme, “Golden Holiday” will deliver state-of-the-art production that brings art, light, and color to life through remarkable displays, featuring the giant 50 foot lighted Christmas tree, breathtaking large-scale light art displays,and the Holiday Market & Bar. This is the best place to create an unforgettable holiday experience with your friends and family. Kids under 3 are free. November 17th – January 15th.
Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular: At FDR Park, Philadelphia
This magical holiday attraction is back for 2023 and in a brand new location, bringing guests an immersive, one-of-a-kind event where they can stroll through a winter wonderland of lights, check off their holiday shopping list, dine on festive treats and beverages, meet Santa Claus, and much more. The Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular presented by Dietz & Watson has sensory-friendly times, a four-lane 160 foot ice slide, photos with Samta, Mistletoe Marketplace and special themed nights like Waggin’ Wednesdays when you can bring your dog, too! Tickets on sale now (with a limited amount of flex tickets available) through January 1st.
Hersheypark: Christmas Candylane, Hershey, PA
The Sweetest Place on Earth just gets sweeter at this time of year! The annual Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is already open for families to enjoy now through January 1. You will not want to miss the opportunity to witness the over 5 million lights adorning the park, 250,000 of which twinkle in a dazzling light show set to holiday music. It is also the perfect time to visit all nine of Santa’s reindeer and taste some delicious Hershey’s hot chocolate. An added attraction to take in while in Hershey is Hershey Sweet Lights, an animated illuminated display which you can enjoy from the comfort of your car. The kids will be dazzled throughout the two miles of wooded trails. Book your tickets ahead of time online.
Longwood Gardens: A Longwood Christmas, Kennett Square, PA
A perennial favorite, everything magical takes place on these hallowed grounds complete with frolicking Outdoor Christmas Musicians, the Garden Railway for children of all ages, and the Open Air Theater Fountain Show. Did we mention the lights? Yes, there are plenty of lights to celebrate A Longwood Christmas and this year’s theme is A Very Retro Christmas. Your family can leisurely stroll the acres of Longwood Gardens under the majestic lights now (November 17th) through January 7th, but book your tickets early because this year visiting the gardens is more popular than ever. Timed admission tickets required. Don’t miss the beautiful palette of colors inside the Conservatory showcasing the glorious poinsettias.
Sesame Place: A Very Furry Christmas Celebration at Sesame Place, Langhorne, PA
Oh, what fun it is to celebrate the holidays with the gang from Sesame Place! Young children will be thrilled to be part of A Very Furry Christmas Celebration (now (Nov 17th) through January 7th) where they can celebrate and sing along with Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird as they rock around a 30-foot illuminated Christmas tree. Kids will love Santa’s Furry Workshop, Holiday Photos with Sesame Street Friends, Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland, Christmas Storytime and special shows including Elmo’s Christmas Wish, Sesame Street Christmas Parade and Furry Friends Christmas Dance Party. Don’t miss the Hannukah Celebration December 8th-10th. Remember to book your visit ahead of time online.
Elmwood Park Zoo: Wild Lights at the Elmwood Park Zoo, Norristown, PA
Even the animals like to celebrate with Wild Lights at the Elmwood Park Zoo! A wonderful tradition, this year the zoo has amped up the lights and the animals on display during this evening only event. From 5-9 pm on November 17th – December 30th, visitors will be entertained with holiday music and performances, be engaged with unique animal encounters, seasonal treats, carousel rides, live entertainment and have a chance to see Santa. Take time to saunter through a glistening forest or visit the big cats on the Trail of the Jaguar. It is a family event which will quickly become an annual tradition. Visit their website to purchase tickets.
Johnson’s Corner Farm: Light Show on the Lake, Medford, NJ
Some merry mischief-making is about to take place! Make the trip to Johnson’s Corner Farm to partake in enjoyable holiday activities including a hayride to view their spectacular Light Show on the Lake. You will not want to miss thousands of twinkling lights reflecting off the water, Musical Light Show Hayride, walk through “Fire and Lights”, or making s’mores by a fire pit with your family. Kids can even decorate cookies while you pick out a fresh cut tree for your home. Check their website for advanced ticket purchases and packages. November 24- December 23rd.
Rose Tree Park: Festival of Lights, Media, PA
This delightful park nestled in Delaware County literally lights up at this time of year! From December 1 – December 31, Rose Tree Park will be shimmering from 5-10 pm each evening with the annual Festival of Lights. Visitors return each year to view the spectacular light display which includes classic figures such as Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang, and, of course, Santa and his Reindeer. Make time to visit with little advance planning; parking and admission are free.
Herr’s Factory: Holiday Lights Display, Nottingham, PA
From dusk to dawn, visitors can enjoy a Holiday Lights Display at the Herr’s corporate facility. Families will enjoy viewing the 600,000 lights presented on their campus from the comfort of their cars any time November 22nd through January 2. Pack some snacks, bundle up with blankets and cruise leisurely through this complimentary lights extravaganza.
The West Chester Griswolds, West Chester, PA
This whimsical display is completely designed and implemented by one family since 1998. They have taken their show on the road through several moves within the area, finally landing in West Chester and displaying 85,000 plus lights since 2016. The West Chester Griswolds’ breathtaking display can be viewed in the evenings beginning on Thanksgiving evening and running through January 1.
All that is left to do is pick the perfect evening for your family to enjoy some holiday magic this season by selecting one of these eye-catching venues. The rest is simple…sit back, breath deeply, and become enchanted under the twinkling lights. It is that easy…and that magical.
If you are interested in a little Pennsylvania road trip to see holiday lights, check out the itinerary by PA Bucket List here.
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Photo Courtesy of Peddler’s Village.