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New Jersey's Dazzling Holiday Lights Drive-Thru and Walk-Through Christmas Light Shows

Have your car loaded and ready to experience the magic of Dasher's Lightshow. Photo courtesy of Dasher's Lightshow
Have your car loaded and ready to experience the magic of Dasher's Lightshow. Photo courtesy of Dasher's Lightshow
11/27/22 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best Christmas lights in New Jersey? Check out the stunning drive- and walk-through options we've roundup below. 

Are you ready for a holiday adventure that pairs family time with some twinkle and glow? Make the most magical time of the year even more special with a visit to one of NJ's spectacular holiday light displays. At some sights, you stay toasty in your car as you drive-thru stunning displays and journey through a sparkling course. At others, 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.

Find must-do holiday activities and more ways to be merry in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for NJ Families. You can also stay up to date with all the family-friendly fun in our Family Activity Calendar.

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The Magic of Lights spectacular is returning to Holmdel. Photo courtesy of Magic of Lights
The Magic of Lights spectacular is returning to Holmdel. Photo courtesy of Magic of Lights

Drive-Thru Christmas Light Displays in NJ

Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland

West Berlin
Select dates through Sunday, January 1, 2023
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

South Jersey Holiday Light Show

Swedesboro
Select dates through Saturday, December 31, 2022
Cruise through a mile-long route of dazzling, larger-than-life, holiday-themed displays. Visitors are welcome to bundle up in their car, pack a favorite snack or beverage, and tune their radio to enjoy the musically synced light performance. READ MORE

PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights

Holmdel
Daily through Friday, December 30, 2022
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

2022 Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village

Augusta
Select dates through Friday, December 30, 2022
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

Winter WonderLights Annual Holiday Light Drive-Thru

East Brunswick
Friday, November 25-Sunday, January 1, 2023
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

Dasher's Lightshow

Newark
Daily from Friday, November 25-Saturday, December 31, 2022
Stunning light tunnels and acres of twinkling lights await as Dasher's Light Show takes over the parking lot of Newark's Moonlight Cinema. Cruise through the course as holiday music pulses through your car's speakers.  READ MORE

Lilonsky Family Light Show

Marlboro–FREE
Daily from Friday, November 25-Monday, January 2, 2023
Drive by this fun family light display. Just sit in your car, tune your radio, and watch as the lights dance to the music. READ MORE

Night of Lights at Creamy Acres Farms

Mullica Hill
Select dates from Friday, November 25-Saturday, December 24, 2022
This dairy farm transforms into a 1-and-a-half-mile drive-thru Christmas Wonderland filled with brilliant light displays, including a musical dancing tree. The lights sync to holiday music played from your vehicle.  READ MORE

Fleetwood Lights–A Christmas Lights House Display

Rockaway–FREE
Daily from Thursday, December 1-Sunday, December 25, 2022
Fleetwood Lights, a Christmas lights house display, features almost 19,000 light pixels that are synchronized to music, creating a holiday display that you will not forget.  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 Holiday Light Experiences in NJ

The Village at Anne Ellen

Manalapan
Wednesdays through Sundays through Friday, December 30, 2022
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

Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular

Paramus
Daily through Sunday, January 15, 2023
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

Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights

West Orange–FREE
Select dates through Saturday, December 31, 2022
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

Christmas Fantasy With Lights at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township
Select dates through Friday, December 30, 2022
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

Orchard of Lights

Hillsdale
Select dates through Sunday, January 1, 2023
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

Winter Walk Snowflake Stroll in Taylor Park

Millburn–FREE
Daily through Sunday, January 15, 2023
Take a brilliant walk through Taylor Park's winter wonderland. The trees along the path are wrapped in lights, and the bridge is adorned with hundreds of lights reflecting into the stream that runs along the Main Street section of the park.  READ MORE

Holiday Light Show on Lake Meone

Smithville–FREE
Thursday, November 24-Friday, January 6, 2023
Watch in wonderment as more than 100 Christmas trees magically float on Historic Smithville Village's Lake Meone. Visit any day of the week between 5:30pm and 8:30pm to catch a choreographed light show synchronized to music. READ MORE

Six Flags Holiday in the Park

Jackson
Select dates from Friday, November 25- Sunday, January 1, 2023
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

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About the Author

Laurie R
Laurie Rein is thrilled to have made a career of digging up activities (especially free ones!) for her twin daughters. Prior to working with Mommy Poppins NJ, Laurie wore many hats in the television industry including gigs as an NBC page, NBC copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and research manager for CBS. She is currently the Events Editor for Mommy Poppins NJ and can be reached at njevents@mommypoppins.com
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