Whether it’s the vision of falling snow and twinkling lights, the sound of familiar carols, or the smell of peppermint candy canes and hot cocoa, the holiday season delights the senses. It is no secret that Christmas is regarded as “the most wonderful time of the year.” Every year, thousands of people are captivated by light displays that capture the essence of the holiday. One of the greatest aspects of the Christmas season is that it is enjoyed by everyone of all ages, and these light displays are an amazing spectacle for everyone in your family. The Susquehanna Valley features numerous impressive light displays, with options that are drive-thru or walk-thru, and this holiday season the Susquehanna Style encourages you to visit one of these light displays to celebrate the magic of the season.
Sweet Lights
1183 Sand Beach Rd, Hershey, PA
The sweetest place on Earth gets a little sweeter during the holiday season. Sweet Lights in Hershey allows visitors to enjoy nearly 600 illuminated and animated light displays from the comfort of their own car while tuning into Christmas music to set the holiday mood. Sweet Lights is a 2-mile drive that will truly have visitors glued to the window, as these animated displays feature favorites like Rudolph and Santa as well as the 12 Days of Christmas. Sweet lights will also provide visitors with two pairs of Holospec glasses. The price range for a single car ranges from $23.95 to $35.95. Sweet Lights is now open nightly until January 1st, 2023, and hours may vary. Of course, a trip to Hershey always tempts your sweet tooth, so guests can also visit Chocolate World and see the giant Christmas house made from candy or experience the thrills at HersheyPark Candylane for an additional charge.
Stone Gables Estate
1 Hollinger Ln, Elizabethtown, PA
The Stone Gables Christmas Light Drive-Thru captures the essence of a Christmas in the country. Situated in Elizabethtown which lies right outside of Lancaster County, this 3-mile Christmas light drive-thru features 600,000+ brilliant LED lights. Back in 2021 they added multiple new storyboards, additions, and surprises to enhance their displays. The Stone Gables Estate also features the Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad which offers passengers a magical and narrated Christmas train excursion on board the “Santa Express.” The Christmas light drive-thru also boasts an oversized sleigh, deer, and more with Santa and the elves along with alpacas and miniature ponies seen every Friday and Saturday and a gift for the children. The Stone Gables Christmas Light Drive-Thru opens on November 25th, and the hours of operation are from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesdays through Thursdays, and 5:00-9:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Prices on Tuesday through Thursday are discounted to $25.00 per vehicle while on Friday and Saturdays the price is $30.00 per vehicle.
Christmas Spirit Light Show
650 N Prince St, Lancaster, PA
The Christmas Spirit Light Show transforms Clipper Magazine Stadium, the home of the Lancaster Barnstormers baseball team, into a winter wonderland bedazzled with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights that are guaranteed to brighten up your holiday. As visitors drive through a mile-long track, they are encouraged to tune into the local Christmas radio station as they can watch the lights dance to the music. Visitors can also take a stroll down Christmas Tree Lane, where they can marvel at 100 decorated trees that all support local non-profits. Christmas Tree Lane also allows visitors to listen to carols performed by local choirs, take photos with Santa presented by Lancaster County Motors Subaru, enjoy festive food and drinks and more! The Christmas Spirit Light Show is open from Sunday to Thursday from 5:30-9:30 p.m., and Friday to Saturday from 5:30-10:30 pm. The light show begins on November 25th and ends on December 31st. On Monday through Sunday the price ranges from $25.00 to $35.00.
Christmas Magic
3699 Deininger Rd, Hallam, PA
This holiday season York County Parks presents the 39th edition of Christmas Magic. The event is slated to run from November 25th to December 30th. Visitors stroll through a festive woodland half-mile trail that is fully decorated with interactive holiday lights. This trail is ADA accessible, and Christmas Magic requires reservations to be made online prior to attending the event. Returning to Christmas Magic this year is Friends of the Parks cookie and hot chocolate stand as well as Susquehanna Valley Garden Railway Society’s train display. Hours of Operation are 6-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5-9 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This breathtaking Christmas light show is very affordable, as youth tickets cost $5.00 and adult tickets cost $10.00.
The Linglestown Lights
5780 Stillwell Ct, Harrisburg, PA
This computerized dancing light show features over 50,000 lights all synchronized to 13 different holiday tunes. The light show takes place rain or shine, and visitors will enjoy the experience from the comfort of their own car. Visitors are encouraged to tune into 98.1 FM, so they can follow along to the dancing lights. Visitors are also asked to consider parking on nearby streets and walking to watch the lights. The list of traffic rules are noted on the website, and strict adherence to these rules are required. The Christmas show plans to start shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday, and the show will last till January 7th. Their hours of operation are from 5:00-9:00 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, and from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Friday to Saturday. The show is free for everyone, but donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation are encouraged.
