Get ready for our list of the best Christmas lights displays and holiday lights drive-thrus that have the Philly area all aglow.
Who doesn't love lights? So many amazing light displays can be found all over the Philadelphia area. You'll find everything from amusement parks with walk-thru decorations to drive-thru displays at farms where you can grab hot cocoa and enjoy the atmosphere. Kids and adults can enjoy these festive displays without breaking their budgets, as free outdoor light displays are available at many popular attractions. For an extra helping of holiday cheer, many venues offer kid-friendly entertainment as well, like ice skating, s'mores making, and visits with Santa.
Add these festive activities, attractions, and experiences to your holiday itinerary. For more ways to feel merry and bright all season long, browse our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events in Philly, featuring our list of 30 Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in Philadelphia for Kids.
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Holiday and Christmas Lights in Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Morris Arboretum’s popular Garden Railway returns. Visitors can enjoy a quarter-mile of track featuring seven loops and tunnels with 15 rail lines, two cable cars, nine bridges, and bustling model trains, all set in a lovely winter garden. Read More
Philadelphia
Over a million lights illuminate the Philadelphia Zoo as it transforms into a sparkling winter wonderland. LumiNature takes guests on a magical journey featuring 200+ illuminated penguins, a 100 ft-long jungle tunnel, and special surprises each night. Kids can also enjoy s'mores over a campfire, watch strolling performers, and sip hot chocolate. Read More
Philadelphia
Inspired by Benjamin Franklin's experiments with electricity, the Electrical Spectacle makes Franklin Square sparkle with its musical light show, recurring every 30 minutes. Enjoy 200,000 lights dancing to five festive songs that fill the square. Read More
Philadelphia
Get outside and enjoy the chill with a visit to Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn, which returns to Dilworth Park. Guests to the garden will find whimsically crafted reindeer topiaries, seasonal plantings, twinkling lights, and outdoor seating. Read More
Manayunk
The 4th Annual Manayunk Gets LIT Decorating Competition is back, and you get to help decide who will win. Get ready to take in more than eighty thousand dazzling lights as Manayunk businesses decorate their storefronts, windows, roofs, and really anything that can be lit. Read More
Chestnut Hill
Ride in a horse-drawn carriage, listen to a brass quartet, admire twinkling lights, festive window displays, and possibly catch Santa handing out candy canes–all while checking off holiday shopping lists at Chestnut Hill's 200+ businesses. Read More
Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s beloved holiday tradition returns. The free, 15-minute family-friendly show, presented on The Comcast Experience video wall in the Comcast Center lobby, features holiday songs, performances by the Philadelphia Ballet, and a sleigh ride around the world and into Philadelphia. Read More
Philadelphia
A Philadelphia tradition, the Wanamaker Christmas Light Show is back. The department store's lineup of holiday events also includes Dickens Village–a 6,000 square-foot walk-thru experience, pictures with Santa, and its iconic holiday window displays. Read More
Philadelphia
American Heritage Credit Union welcomes visitors to its annual Grand Illumination celebration featuring the lighting of two 40-foot Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths, and over 400,000 lights. This month-long display always gets families into the spirit of the season. Read More

Holiday and Christmas Lights in the Philly Suburbs
Medford, NJ
Johnson’s Corner Farm has it all for the holidays–take a hayride to view thousands of lights, watch a light show on the lake, visit Santa, decorate Christmas cookies, roast marshmallows, and visit the Discovery Barn and Animal Farm. Read More
Norristown
Elmwood Park Zoo's Wild Lights is back with dazzling new displays covering the zoo's 16 acres. Santa will be in attendance for photos, and kids can make cards and crafts outside of his workshop. Enjoy holiday music while sipping hot chocolate and munching on seasonal treats as your family takes in live performances and animal encounters. Read More
Lancaster
This one-of-a-kind light show at Clipper Magazine Stadium can be enjoyed from the comfort of your very own car. Guests can expect a mile-long track of thousands of color-changing lights that dance along with Christmas music. Read More
Bernville
Experience the nationally renowned Winter Wonderland at Koziar's Christmas Village. Guests can expect to see displays including Santa's Post Office, a manger scene, an old-fashioned bakery, and the toymaker with his toys. Read More
West Berlin, NJ
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
Hershey
Experience Hershey Park during the Christmas season, when 5 million lights twinkle across the park. The choreographed light show NOEL dances to classic holiday tunes. Ride roller coasters, amusement rides, and visit Santa and his nine reindeer at Santa's Reindeer Stables. Read More
Langhorne
Sesame Place hosts A Very Furry Christmas celebration, featuring a Christmas wonderland with millions of twinkling lights, festive decorations, and whirling rides. See Santa, Rudolph, and the whole Sesame Street gang. Don't miss the 1-2-3 Christmas Tree Show featuring holiday music and lights. Read More
Lahaska
One million lights are poised to be awfully merry and extremely bright. Take an open-air stroll through the enchanted village while taking in the beauty and magic of the season. There are 65 specialty shops and boutiques to explore, spectacular gingerbread houses to view, and a 1920s carousel to ride. Special programming will be held throughout the season. Read More
Yardley
Experience the magic of more than 3 million bulbs illuminating acres of farmland at Shady Brook Farm's holiday light show. Drive through in the comfort of your car or enjoy the show on an open-air wagon ride. Then, set off on foot through Candy Cane Lane, where dancing lights are set to music. Visit Santa and tell him about your wishes before or after enjoying the Holiday Light Show. Read More
Kennett Square
Walk through the gardens to see the lights, flowers, and trees, and stop into the conservatory to view the seasonal poinsettias. Don't miss the fountain show set to music. Read More
Lancaster
Take a ride to Dutch Wonderland and experience a Winter Wonderland complete with rides, entertainment, and the Royal Light Show. Santa can be found in Merlin's Restaurant to hear wish lists. Read More
West Chester
If the name sounds familiar, that's because this West Chester family takes after Clark Griswold and company from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Trust us when we say this home does not disappoint, and this year's display features over 133,000 lights, 800 smart pixels, and a newly-added Cosmic Color Ribbon Tree set to music. Kids can also drop off letters for Santa at the home's special mailbox. Read More
Pottstown
Holiday lights, amusement rides, and games await families at the Carnival of Lights in Pottstown. This year's carnival will be held at the Norco Fire Department. Guests can expect more food, vendors, and visits with Santa. Read More
Philadelphia
For over 50 years, South Philly residents on the 2700 block of Smedley Street have been wowing spectators with an impressive community display of blow-up decorations, beautifully lit trees, and sparkling string lights. Read More
Media
Shortly after sunset each night, Rose Tree Park comes alive with a beautiful light display. Dozens of illuminated trees and lit displays draw visitors back every year to walk in the winter wonderland and linger in the festive atmosphere. Read More