Most homes turn on their holiday lights each evening from about 5pm to 11pm through New Year's Eve. Some owners even host special events or Santa visits. These are all private homes. While owners expect large numbers of sightseers, don't touch any displays, don't enter private property, and try not to make too much noise in these residential areas. 

Be advised that while these houses traditionally have elaborate holiday light displays, some may have decided not to participate this year.

Christmas Light Displays in Nassau County

1. Franklin Square Christmas Display – Franklin Square

1051 Harrow Road
This Franklin Square home features an array of holiday decorations with lighted archways, toy soldiers, inflatables, blown plastic, and lots more. Some years the Grinch and Santa even stop by for pictures, so check the Facebook page for updates.

2. Walsh Home – Lynbrook

113 Wood Street
Lights remain on until 11:30pm at this central Nassau destination where the owners use their property's natural landscaping to great effect. Fully lit reindeer, candy canes, and a Santa delight visitors, but the nativity scene is not to be missed. The home is located just north of Sunrise Highway.

3. Winkler Home – Levittown

28 Serpentine Lane
Lights remain on until after New Year's Day at this home. There is a 20-minute projection with music. They add something new to the elaborate setup every year! 

4. Aquilina Home – Levittown

117 Schoolhouse Road
The holiday lights shine bright at Schoolhouse wonderland starting December 1, 2024, at this home decked out for the season. The homeowners host an annual Christmas block party, this year on December 14, 2024, with Santa, food trucks, raffles, and Christmas fun to support ALS. 

5. Froehlich Home – East Meadow

1439 Sherwood Drive
In addition to Halloween lights, the Froehlich Family home does a spectacular Christmas display set to music each year. The Christmas show this year should start on Friday, November 29, 2024 but check the Facebook page for updates.

RELATED: Holiday Light Shows: Drive-Thru and Drive-by Christmas Displays on Long Island

Listen to Christmas music while watching the dancing light show at the Elwood Road Lights Show.

Christmas Light Displays in Suffolk County

6. Elwood Road Lights Show – Centereach

14 Elwood Road
More than 10,000 glittering lights adorn this home that sits off Nicolls Road in central Suffolk. Visitors can sit in their cars and listen to holiday music from 107.3 FM. The family plans and creates new exciting holiday additions each year for the whole neighborhood to enjoy. 

7. East Quogue Christmas House – East Quogue

10 Oakland Lane
If you are out shopping for a tree, make a stop in East Quogue to view one of the East End's best displays on Oakland Lane, which features lighted Santas, snow scenes, and more Christmas cheer.

8. Fifth Street Christmas Lights – Ronkonkoma

8A Fifth Street
Unique to this display is the Star of Bethlehem, which sits atop a utility pole outside the home. The star casts a wide eye over a display that includes glittering snowmen, lighted trees, Santa, seasonal characters, and plenty more. Kids can write a letter to Santa and leave it in his North Pole mailbox. The home is situated just off the LIE at Exit 60.

9. Fabris Family Christmas Wonderland – Centereach

3 Malibu Lane
The Christmas elves have been busy decorating this family home. Be prepared to be amazed by the dozens of candy canes along the front fence at this home, which is also synchronized to holiday music. Delight in the inflatable Santas, Mr. Grinch, reindeer, and more.   

RELATED: 25 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities on Long Island

The Arlington Avenue display in St. James features a Dickens Village. Photo by the author

10. Arlington Avenue – St. James

10 Arlington Avenue
This home won ABC's The Great Christmas Light Fight in 2022. Among the standout features are lights on the roof that spell out "Kringle" and a Dickens Village. My family had the opportunity to see this house in person one year and it did not disappoint. The kids loved being able to explore the Dickens village made of playhouses. You'll want to park down the block and get out for this one. 

11. WI Christmas House – West Islip

40 Pace Drive S.
This is one of the South Shore's most illuminated and longest-running light displays. The homeowners have been decorating their house every year since 1987, raising thousands for the Long Island chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Opening night for this home is scheduled for Friday, November 29 this year. 

12. Wichard's Winter Wonderland – Commack

18 Wichard Boulevard
Teenager Joseph Barragato and his family welcome you to this holiday display that raises money for St. Jude Children's Hospital. More than 75,000 lights adorn the property, which is just east of Sunken Meadow State Parkway.  

More Ways to See Holiday Lights on Long Island

After visiting some fun residential Christmas light displays, consider a visit to one of these commercial holiday light installations:

• Bonac Festival of Lights, East Hampton, Fridays and Saturdys, November 29 through December 21, 2024.
• Town of Riverhead Holiday Lights Show, select dates through Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
• Winter Wonderland at Clark Botanic Garden, daily December 14 through 24, 2024.
• Holiday Trail of Lights at the Smithtown Historical Society, December 20-22, 2024.
• Magic of Lights at Jones Beach State Park, daily through Saturday, January 4, 2025.
• Girl Scouts of Suffolk County Holiday Lights Show Fridays and Saturdays through December 21, 2024.
• LI Lights Map and Holiday Houses on Long Island are Facebook groups that map houses with holiday light displays!

Unless noted, photos are courtesy of the families/houses.

This article was first published in December 2012 and has been updated for 2023. Writer Jennifer Voit contributed to the 2024 update.