Sure, driving around the neighborhood with your kids in tow to see all spectacularly lit up homes a fun memory to cherish, but now, it's easier than ever to take your holiday lights viewing to the next level. Whether you're looking for light displays to enjoy without having to leave your cozy car, or prefer getting out and walking through a brilliant experience, there are plenty of ways to wow the kids this season. Make your holidays shine a little brighter at one of these light shows in and around Bergen County, NJ.
Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular Van Saun's Winter Wonderland isn't the only holiday excitement at the park. Explore the Bergen County Zoo's animal-inspired lanterns with their Let It Glow experience. Walk around the zoo as more than 30 animal lantern displays light up, then grab a s'mores kit and enjoy it by one of their fire pits.
(Open now through January 14, Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus)
Demarest Farms Orchard of Lights
Tune your car radio to the designated station and take a guided drive through this local Bergen farm, which set up twinkling light displays throughout its 32 acres of farmland. After the drive, enjoy hot cocoa and s’mores by the fire pit, pics with Santa, and holiday songs courtesy of Santa's singing reindeer.
(Open now through December 29, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale)
Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show & Village
This mile-long drive is filled with more than 2 million colorful lights to guide you through, and ends in a spacious Christmas Village and carnival filled with fun for the whole family. Ride on the Ferris Wheel, enjoy s’mores and ice cream, stop by the beer garden or take a skate around the ice rink.
(Open now through December 30, 94 Championship Place, Augusta)
Bronx Zoo Holiday LightsHave a wild time at the Bronx Zoo light display, which combines thousands of twinkling Christmas lights with more than 360 animalistic lit lantern safaris to walk through, plus lots of new additions for the year of New York's oceans and wetlands, including a new interactive display. Ice carving, treats by the fire, costumed characters, stilt walkers and tons more entertainment is available for the whole family.
(Open now through January 7, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx)
NYBG GLOWExperience the New York Botanical Gardens glowing way this winter. For the fourth year in a row, GLOW brings a colorful light experience that lights up this New York garden, with added displays, colorfully lit paths and new installations. Enjoy the thousands of lights surrounding the area, plus their holiday train show highlight NYC landmarks.
(Open now through January 13, train show open through January 15, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx)
Winter Wonder Lights Spectacular Christmas Drive Thru East Brunswick
Hop in the car for a drive through 10 acres and 1.5 million holiday lights, including three magical light tunnels and a tribute to our first responders and Armed Forces. Twinkling displays of reindeer, trucks, trains, a Hanukkah display, plus “dancing” lights set to music span a half-mile.
(Open now through December 31, Middlesex Country Fair Grounds, 655 Cranbury Rd., East Brunswick)
PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights
Get into the holiday spirit driving down a path of dazzling lights surrounding your car with animated holiday scenes and characters. This year the illuminating mega trees with lights set to music are back, plus new light additions to wow the fam. Be sure to stop by the petting zoo on select days to visit with the animals.
(Open now through December 30, 116 Garden State Pkwy., Holmdel)
Sesame Place A Very Furry Christmas Celebration
Looking for a day trip to pass the time? Little ones will love visiting their fave monsters plus all of the Christmas attractions Sesame Place has in store. Millions of twinkling lights and holiday decorations illuminate the park as well as a 30-foot pixel-based tree. The park is also hosting a Hanukkah Celebration and Kwanzaa Celebration during select days in December.
(Furry Christmas open until January 7, Hanukkah Celebration open December 8-10, Kwanzaa Celebration open December 26-January 1, 100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne)
Six Flags Holiday in the ParkHoliday happiness comes in the form of millions of lights at Six Flags Great Adventure. Make your way around the park to enjoy the festivities, including A Main Street Christmas, Gingerbread Junction, Holiday Craze mirror maze, live shows, the North Pole, and of course, lights, lights, and more lights.
(Open now through January 1, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson Township)
Diggerland Holidig Drive Thru Light Show
Construction by day, holiday lights by night. Tune your car to Diggerland radio where magical music will be playing, and drive through holiday displays and tunnels that cover its construction-theme park and water park.
(Open now through January 1, 100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin)
Westchester’s Winter Wonderland
Just over a mile-long, enjoy this light display set to favorite holiday tunes. Glowing snowballs, dancing trees, candy cane lane and a 100-foot light tunnel are just some of the fun to see along the drive. New to the light show this year: Snowball the elf, a 175-foot transporter tunnel, and Rudolph's runway that features colorful light tubes helping you along the way.
(Open now through December 31, Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Pkwy., Valhalla, NY)
Brookhollow’s Barnyard Christmas Drive Through Light Show
The super kid-friendly farm is back with a walkthrough-only holiday light show. See animal-themed light displays plus a 9-minute Christmas tree show. You may even get a glimpse at the live animals on the farm along the way, with feeding carrots available for purchase, along with daily train rides.
(Open Thursdays-Sundays through December 31, 301 Rockaway Valley Rd., Boonton)
A Frosty FestFrom the team that brought you Headless Horseman Hayrides for Halloween comes the holiday light show filled with plenty of magic. Drive through the enchanted forest as you explore the new Forgetful Elf theme, and enjoy a choreographed light show on Santa's Magical Mansion, a visit with Bubbles the Christmas Bear, a "meet and greet" with Dasher the Reindeer, a stroll through Candy Cane Lane, and so much more.
(Open now through December 23, 778 Broadway Route 9W, Ulster Park)
Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Light Spectacular Take a visit to one of NJ's best zoos for a walk-through display of lights and 50 animal characters. Enjoy s'mores on the weekends, Santa meet and greet on select days, ice sculpting demos, princess appearances and much more. Check the schedule for more winter fun happening throughout December, including the "Don't Be a Grinch Weekend" December 1-December 3.
(Open now through December 31, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange)
Astra Lumina Take a walk among the stars through this immersive light experience that landed in NY just in time for the holiday season. Discover a starry pathway with a sky full of stars, plus music and plenty of bright, colorful action. While not a traditional holiday light show, this Queens-based experience offers just as much magic.
(Open now through December 31, Queens Botanical Garden, 42-80 Crommelin St., Flushing)
