The Top 25 Places to See Dazzling Christmas Lights in NYC, Westchester, & Long Island
Whether it’s Rockefeller Center or your next door neighbor’s lawn, here’s where you can see some of the best New York Christmas lights displays.
Whether you’re strolling through the Bronx Zoo’s holiday lights, or driving through Westchester Winter Wonderland or the Jones Beach Christmas Lights show, there are plenty of places to see Christmas lights in NYC, Long Island, and Westchester.
One thing is for sure this winter: We’re all in need of a little Christmas magic—and New York’s Christmas lights are the perfect way to add a little dazzle into your holiday season. So, while you’re out attending Christmas events, driving out to cut down your own Christmas tree, or stopping by a holiday market to buy gifts for your loved ones, make sure you walk or drive by these spectacular Christmas lights in NYC, Long Island, and Westchester.
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Christmas Lights in NYC
1. Rockefeller Center Tree
Rockefeller Plaza, between 48th and 51st streets, Rockefeller Center
212-588-8601
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The famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was lit on Wednesday, Nov. 30, and shines bright with more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights. The tree will be lit daily from 6am-12am for all to enjoy. This year’s tree came from Queensbury, NY.
2. Shine Bright: Hudson Yards Christmas Lights
Between Tenth and Twelfth avenues, from 30th to 34th streets, Hudson Yards
646-954-3155
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Presented by Wells Fargo, Shine Bright features more than two million lights illuminating the neighborhood. A highlight of the brilliant display is a 32-foot hot-air balloon suspended inside The Shops.
3. Brookfield Place Luminaries
230 Vesey St., Battery Park City
212-978-1673
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Luminaries, a mesmerizing display of colorful lanterns designed by the LAB at Rockwell Group, returns to Brookfield Place. It features a glowing canopy that consists of 640 twinkling custom lanterns that change in color and intensity. Runs through Jan. 6.
4. The Shops at Columbus Circle
10 Columbus Circle, Midtown
212-823-6300
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Enjoy the Broadway Under the Stars holiday event. It’s a free concert series held on select Wednesday nights throughout November and December. The shows are set with the Great Room’s glittering illuminated stars as a backdrop. Check out the schedule here.
5. Pulitzer Fountain
Grand Army Plaza, 59 Street and Fifth Avenue, Midtown
See an adorable and illuminated holiday light display featuring penguins and other cold-weather animals that are signature of the season.
6. Holiday Lights Extravaganza Walking Tour
977 Sixth Ave., Herald Square
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As part of this walking tour, you’ll visit the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, the famous department store window displays and many other holiday-decorated spots while learning about NYC’s festive traditions. The tour ranges 3-4 hours and includes a 45-minute shopping excursion. Tickets are $42.50 Various dates available in December. Check the website for more information.
7. New York Holiday Markets and Christmas Lights Walking Tour
10 Columbus Circle, Midtown
Get into the Christmas spirit on this tour by visiting some of the city’s traditional holiday markets. $45; $36, ages 5-11. Check available dates on the website.
RELATED: See Holiday Lights on Staten Island and in New Jersey
Christmas Lights in The Bronx
1. Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx
718-220-5100
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See festive lights in the Bronx at this holiday event. The celebration is complete with festive entertainment, seasonal treats and more. (Registration required: $39.95; $34.95 seniors; $24.95 ages 3-12; free for children 2 and younger.)
2. NYBG GLOW
2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx
718-817-8700
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Enjoy thousands of dazzling, energy-efficient lights and whimsical installations that reflect the surrounding gardens and collections. Don’t forget to check out the NYBG’s Holiday Train Show, too! NYBG GLOW available on select dates. Combo tickets for both NYBG GLOW and the Holiday Train Show are $54; $39 for ages 2-12; free for ages younger than 2. Other tickets options are available.
Brooklyn Christmas Lights
1. Lightscape
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 990 Washington Ave., Crown Heights
718-623-7200
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See the garden after dark at the illuminated Lightscape spectacular. Through Jan. 8, 2023. See the website for the schedule. (Registration required. $40; $20 ages 3-12; free for children 2 and younger.)
2. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Dyker Heights is home to some of the most over-the-top Christmas lights in New York. Displays spill over homes, roofs, and gardens each year. You can take a drive (or walk) through the neighborhood to feast your eyes on the displays, or even sign up for a tour.
Christmas Lights in Queens
1. NYC Winter Lantern Festival
Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Glen Oaks
718-347-3276
The NYC Winter Lantern Festival comes to the Queens County Farm. Visitors will enjoy a luminescent display inspired by theme parks and Chinese myths and legends, along with illuminated tunnels, rideable swings and more. Through Jan. 8. Check the schedule online. $26.99 plus tax for adults and $17.99 plus tax for kids.
Christmas Lights in Long Island
1. LuminoCity Festival
Nassau County’s Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, New York
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This year’s theme for the event is Pure Magic. Art, light and color will come to life through eight glowing displays across 17 acres of land. Through Jan. 8. Check the schedule online. $32; $19 for children ages 3-12. Free for ages 2 and younger.
2. Drive-In Holiday Experience
Marjorie R. Post Park, 451 Unqua Road, Massapequa
516-797-7925
See festive holiday lights put on by the Town of Oyster Bay at this drive-in experience. There’s a fun walk-thru holiday village, too. (Note: The event is for Town of Oyster Bay residents only. Free. Dec. 9-12. Reserve a time slot on the website.)
3. Shimmering Solstice
Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
516-333-0048
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Bring the family to this Long Island walk-thru light display. It features magical light displays and brings visitors through beautiful paths in Old Westbury Gardens’ Walled Garden, Rose Garden, South Lawn and Allée. The festive event is designed for visitors to enjoy at their own pace. Through Jan. 1, 2023: See the website for a schedule. $34.95; $19.95, children ages 2-13. Seniors pay $26.95 on Sundays.
4. NYC Winter Lantern Festival
Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive in Roslyn
239 East Main St. in Smithtown
Each location will have its own colorful and brilliant theme and lanterns:
- Nassau Drive-Thru Adventure: This drive-through adventure at the Nassau County Museum of Art located at 1 Museum Drive in Roslyn will feature illuminated tunnels and Chinese lanterns inspired by outer space. Visitors will move between planets, rockets, astronauts and more. From See hours online. $50 plus tax per vehicle.
- Suffolk Winter Lantern Festival: Located at the Smithtown Historical Society, 239 East Main St. in Smithtown, this is the first show in the county by the NYC Winter Lantern Festival. It will transform Smithtown into a magical light display featuring flowers, animals and so much more. From Nov. 4 to Jan. 8, hours are Friday to Sunday, 5:30-9:30pm. $22 plus tax for adults and $12 plus tax for kids.
5. Magic of Lights Jones Beach Christmas Lights
This drive-through holiday lights experience returns through Dec. 30. Check hours online. Tickets start at $25 per vehicle.
6. Riverhead Holiday Light Show
2549 Splish Splash Drive, Calverton
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The Riverhead Holiday Light Show runs on select dates in December. It’s a drive-through experience that features dozens of dazzling displays that the whole family will love. Tickets start at $25 per car.
7. Girl Scouts of Suffolk County’s Holiday Light Show
Smith Point County Park
631-543-6622
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Drive through a trail filled with dazzling lights at this Long Island holiday light display, running on select dates through Dec. 30. See the website for a full schedule. There’s also an Enchanted Forest walk-through experience at Southaven County Park. Check ticket options online.
Westchester Christmas Lights
1. Keeler Christmas Light Display
16 Luigi Road, Putnam Valley
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Visit this holiday light display in Westchester, which the Keeler family spends three months creating for the community to enjoy. Check the Facebook page for more information.
2. Westchester Winter Wonderland
1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla
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Westchester’s Winter Wonderland is a 1.2-mile drive-thru experience filled with thousands of lights. Festive holiday music gets pumped straight into your vehicle’s radio as you drive the trail enjoying attractions such as elves, glittering angels, dancing trees, and much more. Select nights through Jan. 1. Check the schedule online. Tickets start at $25.
3. Lights on Jenkins Court
12 Jenkins Court, Ossining
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Enjoy this sparkling holiday light show in Westchester while listening to holiday tunes on 90.5 FM on your car radio. Through Jan. 6, 2023: daily, 4:30-9pm. Follow the Facebook page for updates and notices.
4. LUMAGICA at Harvest Moon
130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem
914-485-1210
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Visitors will experience a walking tour through filled with over 750,000 lights, whimsical creatures and lots of surprises. Through Dec. 30. Check the website for hours and prices.
5. American Christmas in Mount Vernon
30 Warren Place, Mount Vernon
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Visitors of all ages will delight in seeing how so many popular decorations found throughout NYC are made. Walk through a winter wonderland of world-famous décor, thousands of twinkling lights and so much more. Through Dec. 23. Tickets are not needed to visit the pop-up outlet and Christmas in America Shop. Prices for Santa’s Village are $10 per ticket for a 15-minute time slot during the week and $15 per ticket on weekends. Free parking is available in the front of the building.
6. Grand Illumination presented by Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
945 North Broadway, Yonkers
914-613-4502
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Wander through the Walled Garden, which will be lit up by 100,000 lights and listen to holiday music from many traditions. Free 4:30-8pm every night, Dec. 10-Jan. 1.
