Take a thrilling final run down the water slide at Splish Splash in Calverton. Photo courtesy of the park
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Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.
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The beaches in Montauk are among the nation's best. Photo by Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr
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The Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo Memorial Spray Park thrills kids young and old. Photo by Jen Tomeo
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The complex at Centereach Pool offers lane swimming and a splash pad area for younger kids. Photo courtesy of Centereach Pool
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Ahoy, matey: Catch a pirate show at Montauk's Lighthouse Weekend. Photo courtesy of the lighthouse
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Chill out at Splish Splash Water Park when the mercury rises. Photo courtesy of Splish Splash
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Explore the playground before hitting the beach at Jones Beach State Park. Photo courtesy of Jones Beach
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Learn to surf at Montauk's SurfLuca or another surf school. Photo courtesy of the school.
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Alive After Five is a series of free street festivals on Thursdays in Patchogue. Photo courtesy of the event
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Meet the world’s tallest mammals at White Post Farms' giraffe experience. Photo courtesy of the farm
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Strut your stuff at Friday Night Promenades in Garden City. Photo courtesy of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce
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The Long Island Aquarium has a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, and a super-cute African penguin population. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
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The tranquility of Ocean Beach on Fire Island will win your family over. Photo by Tais Melillo via Flickr
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A day at Sunken Meadow State Park can feature playground games, a walk on the beach, and more. Photo by Kimberly Chacon
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Enjoy the tropical island atmosphere at Pop's Seafood Shack and Grill in Island Park.
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Westfield South Shore mall's family play space is an ideal pit stop when shopping with kids.
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Host an affordable birthday party at Whimsical Vine Party Hall. Photo by Chofit the Man to Call via Pexels
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Enjoy the engaging exhibits at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of LICM
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Keep the kids busy at Applebee's with games on a tableside tablet. Photo by Anne Caminiti - Momee Friends of Long Island www.momeefriendsli.com
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Find free fun for Long Island kids at the free play space at the Broadway Mall. Photo courtesy the mall
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The Vanderbilt is a great place to explore on a rainy day. Photo by Kristen Markel
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Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Lights Shows on Long Island

Winter Lantern Festival's drive-thru experience is happening at the Nassau County Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the festival
Winter Lantern Festival's drive-thru experience is happening at the Nassau County Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the festival
11/27/22 - By Jaime Sumersille

Looking for the best Christmas light displays on Long Island? Check out our roundup of festive drive- and walk-through installations. 

For a touch of holiday magic on Long Island, it's hard to beat the glow of a spectacular holiday light show or drive-thru Christmas display.

We've rounded up several of our favorite holiday light shows and drive-thru Christmas lights displays on Long Island and another few immersive, walk-through winter wonderlands you won't want to miss.

Find all our top picks for holiday fun–including Long Island's best Christmas activities–in our Long Island Christmas Guide. And check out our constantly updated Family Activity Calendar for even more fun things to do.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

The Magic of Lights drive-thru spectacular returns to Jones Beach this holiday season. Photo courtesy of Magic of Lights
The Magic of Lights drive-thru spectacular returns to Jones Beach this holiday season. Photo courtesy of Magic of Lights

Drive-Thru Christmas Displays Across Long Island

Girl Scouts Of Suffolk County Holiday Light Show

Shirley
Saturday, November 26 - Friday, December 30, 2022
See the dazzling lights, amazing vignettes, and holiday scenes at the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County's Smith Point Light Show. Traverse 1 1/2 miles of dazzling holiday displays, including a new Girl Scout Way.  READ MORE

Holiday Drive-Thru Experience at Babylon Town Hall

Babylon–FREE
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Check out the festive decorations at Babylon Town Hall and mail your letters to Santa Thursday, December 1 through Saturday, December 3. READ MORE

Jones Beach Magic of Lights Drive-Thru Show

Wantagh
Through Friday, December 30, 2022
The Magic of Lights drive-thru spectacular returns to Jones Beach and Nassau County's South Shore this holiday season. The display is stacked with new themed LED lighting displays and digital animations, plus plenty of returning favorites. READ MORE

Town of Islip Holiday Light Show

East Islip–FREE
Friday, December 2-Saturday, December 31, 2022
Bring the whole family to view the lights at Brookwood Hall Park from your own vehicle. READ MORE

Riverhead Holiday Light Show

Riverhead
Through Saturday, December 31, 2022
Visitors enjoy an incredible drive-thru experience featuring more than 1 ½ miles of holiday light displays at the Riverhead Holiday Light Show.  READ MORE

The New York Winter Lantern Festival–Nassau Drive-Thru Adventure

Roslyn
Through Sunday, January 15, 2023
The NYC Winter Lantern Festival returns for the 2022 holiday season with a spectacular drive-thru at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn. Driving through illuminated tunnels and Chinese lanterns inspired by outer space, visitors move between planets, rockets, astronauts, and more. READ MORE
Take in the Shimmering Solstice at Old Westbury Gardens. Photo courtesy of the gardens
Take in the Shimmering Solstice at Old Westbury Gardens. Photo courtesy of the gardens

Spectacular Immersive Holiday Displays on Long Island

Shimmering Solstice at Old Westbury Gardens

Old Westbury
Friday, November 25 - Sunday, January 1, 2023
Become captivated and charmed by the magical light displays set along Old Westbury Garden’s paths and grounds.  READ MORE

Southold Historical Museum Candlelight Tour & Tree Lighting

Southold–FREE
Friday, November 25, 2022
Southold Historical Museum is participating in the Southold Town Winterfest. READ MORE

The New York Winter Lantern Festival - Suffolk Winter Lantern Festival

Smithtown
Through Sunday, January 8, 2023
The NYC Winter Lantern Festival takes place at the Smithtown Historical Society, transforming the grounds with spectacular lantern displays featuring flowers, animals, and more.  READ MORE

Bright Lights at the Vanderbilt Mansion

Centerport
Saturday, November 26-Sunday, December 1, 2022
Thousands of warm, white lights will create holiday magic inside and outside the Mansion and illuminate trees, wreaths, garlands, guest rooms, walkways, and the Vanderbilt Library. READ MORE

Girl Scouts Of Suffolk County Enchanted Forest Walk-Thru

Yaphank
Saturday, November 26 - Friday, December 30, 2022
The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County have added an Enchanted Forest walk-thru experience this year at Southaven County Park. READ MORE

Long Beach Boardwalk Lights

Long Beach–FREE
Friday, December 2-Saturday, January 14, 2022
Boardwalk Lights is a free holiday nautical-themed lights display on the boardwalk.Families looking for a little sparkle during the holiday season are invited to stroll the boardwalk and then visit the great local restaurants and shops throughout the city.  READ MORE

Bayville Winter Wonderland

Bayville
Friday, December 2 - Sunday, January 1, 2023
Long Island's winter holiday park is back for another year. Enjoy a ton of over-the-top holiday fun, including Santa's Toy Factory Funhouse, a holiday train ride, an ice skating rink, rock climbing, character meet-and-greets, holiday stories, build-a-bear experiences, ax throwing, and more.  READ MORE

Holiday Spectacular at the Holtsville Ecology Site

Holtsville
December 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, & 18
Marvel at festive lighted displays for the holidays and take your photo with Santa during this indoor walk-through show hosted by the Holtsville Ecology Site. READ MORE

Laser Holiday at the Vanderbilt Mansion

Centerport
Saturdays, December 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31
The Reichert Planetarium is offering different way to be festive during the holiday season with a festive holiday laser light show. This popular program features a mix of everyone’s favorite holiday music, from the classical to the modern, all set to fantastic laser lights. READ MORE

Huntington Holiday Spectacular

Huntington-FREE
Through January 5, 2023
Stroll through the streets of downtown Huntington to enjoy a Winter Wonderland. The nightly festivities will include lights, ice carving, Santa, and other  surprises. READ MORE

Christmas House Long Island

Lake Grove
Through Saturday, January 7, 2023
Christmas House Long Island is an indoor, one-of-a-kind, fully immersive Christmas experience. Take a wondrous walk through all things Christmas, followed by a glorious gift shop and sweets wonderland. READ MORE

LuminoCity Festival at Eisenhower Park

East Meadow
Through Sunday, January 8, 2023
LuminoCity returns to Long Island, this year at Eisenhower Park. The 2022 theme, Pure Magic, is inspired by the traditional art of Chinese lantern festivals, featuring light art displays.  READ MORE

ChristmasLand

Deer Park
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays through January 8, 2023
Explore the wonder of Christmas cheer and be transported to an imaginative, one-of-a-kind experience at ChristmasLand at the Tanger Outlets in Deer Park. READ MORE
Check out holiday-decorated boats at the annual Nautical Mile Holiday Boat Parade in Freeport. Photo courtesy of the event
Check out holiday-decorated boats at the annual Nautical Mile Holiday Boat Parade in Freeport. Photo courtesy of the event

More Holiday Lights to Enjoy on Long Island

Huntington Harbor of Lights Holiday Boat Parade

Huntington–FREE
Friday, November 25, 2022
The Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society hosts this time-honored tradition of a Holiday Boat Parade on November 25. READ MORE

Holiday Boat Parade in Freeport

Freeport–FREE
Saturday, December 3, 2022
This unique event showcases festively decorated boats along Freeport's Nautical Mile. Boat owners go all out decorating their vessels, and homeowners along the route adorn their yards with lights, too. READ MORE

Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting in Greenport

Greenport
Saturday, December 3, 2022
The Village of Greenport will host its annual Parade of Lights from the corner of Main and Center streets, continuing through the village to Mitchell Park. READ MORE

Inlet Seafood Presents Holiday Party & Boat Parade

Montauk
Saturday, December 10, 2022
A benefit for the Montauk Food Pantry, this boat parade and party in Montauk features a band, drinks, food and more. READ MORE

Long Beach Electric Light Parade

Long Beach–FREE
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Marvel at antique cars, fire trucks, floats, and bicycles wrapped in Christmas lights at this festive holiday parade throughout the west end of Long Beach. READ MORE

Three Village Electric Holiday Parade

Setauket-FREE
Sunday, December 11, 2022
See a spectacular array of well-lit floats streaming down Setaucket's main street during the annual Electric Holiday Parade. Santa makes an appearance and there is hot chocolate and cookies for all at the end. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Smithhaven Mall
Huntington Harbor
Inlet Seafood Restaurant
West Beech Street