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Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in New Jersey

The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes,
The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes,
11/24/24 - By Laurie Rein
Sesame Street Learn & Play

Sesame Street Learn & Play is now open! Come join Elmo, Big Bird, and the whole Sesame Street crew for playful learning and loads of laughter at American Dream. Take a trip to the friendliest street. LEARN MORE

Make the most magical time of the year even more special with a visit to one of New Jersey's spectacular Christmas light displays. Our picks include holiday lights drive-thrus, where you can stay toasty in your car and journey through a sparkling course. At other Christmas lights displays in New Jersey, you can stretch your legs as you wander past holiday lights and experience the magic up close.

Whichever you choose, pile the kids in the car with some snacks, crank up the holiday tunes, and journey out to see one of these impressive holiday light displays in New Jersey.

Find more must-do holiday activities and ways to be merry in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for NJ Families. 

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The Magic of Lights spectacular returns to Holmdel this holiday season. Photo courtesy of PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights
The Magic of Lights spectacular returns to Holmdel this holiday season. Photo courtesy of PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights

Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus in New Jersey

Glow at Washington Township

Washington Township – FREE
Daily from Thursday, November 28, 2024-Sunday, January 5, 2025
Take a magical drive through this synchronized light display in Washington Township, with the theme Glow to Bed: The Journey Through Time. Witness 8 million animated lights for a mile stretch. Reservations for timeslots can be made online. READ MORE

Winter WonderLights Annual Holiday Light Drive-Thru

East Brunswick
Daily from Friday, November 29-Tuesday, December 31, 2024
The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes, with 12 trees, a tunnel of lights, a tribute to first responders, and stunning, larger-than-life, holiday-themed displays synchronized to music playing in your car. READ MORE

Lilonsky Family Light Show

Marlboro – FREE
Daily from Friday, November 29-Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Drive by this fun, family-run light display. Just sit in your car, tune your radio, and watch as the lights dance to the music. READ MORE

Lighting Up Nature Drive-Thru

Beechwood – FREE
Friday, December 13-Monday, December 16, 2024
Take an evening drive through the Discovery Play Trail at Jakes Branch County Park, which is adorned with holiday lights.  READ MORE

Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village

Augusta
Select dates through Monday, December 30, 2024
Sussex County’s favorite stadium hosts this dazzling winter wonderland, showcasing a mile-long drive-thru course glittering with displays and an enchanting Christmas Village full of fun activities, delicious treats, memory-making photo-ops, and much more. READ MORE

PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights

Holmdel
Daily through Saturday, January 4, 2025
Take a drive through this spectacular holiday light experience, which uses LED technology and digital animation. Tune your radio into a holiday soundtrack and wind past themed displays like "Christmas Around the World," "Toyland," "Nativity," and more. READ MORE

Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland

West Berlin
Select dates through Sunday, January 12, 2025
Diggerland shines this holiday season with a 1-mile drive-thru course covered in hundreds of twinkling lights. America’s only construction theme park is illuminated with holiday displays, and visitors can enjoy tasty treats. Stream its radio station to fill your car with holiday spirit. READ MORE
Take in the glittering and festive decorations at the Village at Ann Ellen. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Take in the glittering and festive decorations at the Village at Ann Ellen. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

Walk-Through Christmas Light Displays in New Jersey

Historic Smithville Holiday Light Show

Smithville – FREE
Select dates from Thursday, November 28, 2024-Sunday, January 5, 2025
Watch in wonderment as over 100 Christmas trees magically float on Lake Meone and light up to the music around you. READ MORE

Orchard of Lights

Hillsdale
Select dates through Sunday, December 29, 2024
It's that magical time of year when Demarest Farms is adorned with holiday lights. Take your car on a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays. Then, visit Santa, warm up by the fire pit, and enjoy hot cocoa and treats in the retail farm market. READ MORE

The Village at Anne Ellen

Manalapan
Select dates through Monday, December 30, 2024
Take an interactive evening stroll through the Village's Christmas experience. A hayride brings guests through the Christmas tree fields to the walking paths, which feature unique and brilliant displays. Don't miss the life-sized gingerbread house and igloo.  READ MORE

Christmas Fantasy With Lights at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township
Select dates through Monday, December 30, 2024
Help welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to Storybook Land through the end of December. Each night at dusk, Santa appears at the chimney and waves his wand, magically lighting up the park. READ MORE

Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights

West Orange – FREE
Select dates through Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Take a nighttime stroll through the Turtle Back Zoo to see more than 50 illuminated winter scenes and animal characters. Santa stops by the fun on select days.  READ MORE

Six Flags Holiday in the Park

Jackson
Select dates through Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Six Flags Great Adventure transforms into a holiday wonderland with millions of glittering lights, dazzling holiday entertainment, delicious seasonal treats, and a little flurry of magic nightly. Visit the North Pole Village, and hop aboard many popular rides.  READ MORE

Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular

Paramus
Select dates through Sunday, January 12, 2025
The Bergen County Zoo is illuminated with holiday cheer in the evening all season long. Larger-than-life glowing lanterns have been installed, creating 30+ glowing scenes. See animals real and imagined laid out throughout the zoo. READ MORE

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