Top Spots for Christmas Lights in Lancaster PA & Nearby Areas

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, transforms into a magical winter wonderland during the holiday season, offering a variety of dazzling Christmas light displays that capture the festive spirit. From twinkling neighborhood homes to grand light shows in parks and attractions, there’s no shortage of places to experience the joy of holiday lights. 

If you’re looking for the full list of places to view Lancaster County Christmas lights in surrounding cities, we have you covered. 

Christmas Lights in Lancaster PA  

Christmas Spirit Light Show at Clipper Magazine Stadium 

The Christmas Spirits Light Show is an annual drive-thru light show that you can view from the comfort of your own vehicle. Journey through a mile-long track of color-changing lights, and animated lighting while you listen to Christmas classics. 

This lighting display also comes with a walking portion with over 100 decorated trees. You can even vote on your favorite decorated tree for 2 dollars. All proceeds from your votes go to non-profit organizations! This walking portion also includes visits from Santa, reindeer, and songs by carolers.  

• Exact Location: 650 N Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603  

• Admission: Drive-thru light show: $25-$30. Walking portion: FREE 

• Schedule: Runs from late November to the first week of January, nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  

• Pet Friendly: Yes! 

• Tickets: Can be booked online in advance. 

Dutch Winter Wonderland 

Dutch Wonderland’s family-friendly amusement park transforms into a magical winter wonderland with lights, festive entertainment, and select rides. Dutch Wonderland’s Christmas lights events (Dutch Winter Wonderland) include access to 10 activities and 20+ rides with stunning holiday lights! Entertainment experiences include puppet shows, a holiday sing-a-long, and live music. 

• Exact Location: 2249 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602  

• Admission: Paid. General admission starts around $25-$30 per person.  

• Schedule: Mid-November through December, mainly on weekends. Check their website for specific times.  

• Tickets: Can be booked online, and booking in advance is recommended due to limited capacity.  

Meter Buster Christmas Display 

Known for its high electricity usage due to the extensive number of lights and decorations, this private display is a local favorite with a charming atmosphere. With hundreds of holiday lights and Christmas surprises, the Meter Buster Christmas Display is a must-see if you’re in the area.  

• Exact Location: 49 Longfellow Dr, Lancaster, PA 

• Admission: Free  

• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets on leashes are welcome.  

• Tickets: No tickets required.  

Lights on Blossom Hill 

Lights on Blossom Hill is one of Lancaster’s most beloved neighborhood Christmas light displays, offering a charming and festive experience for all ages. Located in a quiet residential area, this holiday spectacle features a stunning array of twinkling lights, synchronized music, and beautifully decorated homes. 

• Exact Location: 61 Blossom Hill Dr, Lancaster, PA 

• Admission: Free  

• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets on leashes are welcome.  

• Tickets: No tickets required.  

Christmas Lights in Hershey PA  

Hershey Sweet Lights Trolley

Hershey Sweet Lights Trolley offers one of Pennsylvania’s most enchanting holiday light displays. This two-mile drive-through experience features more than 600 illuminated, animated displays that wind through wooded trails, creating a dazzling winter wonderland.   

• Location: 101 Chocolate World Way Hershey, PA 17033  

• Admission: Paid | Ranges from $22–$33 per person. 

• Schedule: Open daily from mid-November through early January, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM.  

• Pet-Friendly: Pets are not allowed.  

• Tickets: Available online in advance, strongly recommended for weekends.  

Hersheypark Christmas Lights

Looking for Christmas lights at Hershey Park? Hersheypark Christmas Candyland includes family rides & select coasters. Look at Christmas lights and sip a delicious hot chocolate while strolling through more than 5 million twinkling lights! Enjoy visits from Santa and his live reindeer on select nights. 

• Location: 100 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033  

• Admission: Paid; prices range from $44–$58 depending on the day and type of ticket.  

• Schedule: Runs from mid-November and December usually from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. (hours may vary by date).  

• Pet Friendly: No, pets are not allowed inside the park.  

• Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online, and advance purchase is recommended to secure entry.  

Christmas Lights in Bethlehem PA  

Christmas City Tree Lighting Ceremony  

Presented by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, while enjoying cookies, hot chocolate, and visits from Santa! This event features live music, dazzling lights, and the grand illumination of the city’s iconic Christmas tree. 

Known as the “Christmas City” the Bethlehem Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony isn’t one to miss. 

• Location: Payrow Plaza, 10 E. Church Street, Bethlehem, PA  

• Admission: Free  

• Schedule: Held in late November (check the official website for updated times).  

• Booking: No need to book in advance, just show up for the event.  

Bethlehem By Night Motorcoach Tour  

Deemed “the best way to see Bethlehem,” the Bethlehem By Night Motorcoach Tour tours the downtown and explains the history of this charming city. This tour includes a visit to the famous Bethlehem Star atop of South Mountain. 

• Location: Historic Hotel Bethlehem, 437 Main St, Bethlehem, PA 

• Admission: Paid, approximately $20-$25  

• Schedule: Evenings throughout the holiday season, with specific times available on the website.  

• Pet Friendly: No  

• Booking: Tickets can be booked online in advance.  

Christmas City Stroll  

This Christmas lights City Stroll goes through Bethlehem’s historic district. As you explore the beautifully preserved Victorian and colonial architecture, you’ll encounter National Historic Landmarks adorned in festive lights. The tour immerses visitors in the rich history of Bethlehem, also known as “Christmas City,” while highlighting the town’s unique holiday customs. 

• Location: 501 Main Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018 

• Admission: Paid, around $9-$20 per person. 

• Schedule: Various times throughout the end of November, December, and early January. 

• Pet Friendly: No  

• Booking: Advance booking is recommended through the Historic Bethlehem website.  

Bethlehem PA Christmas Star  

The “Star of Bethlehem” in Bethlehem, PA is a famous holiday symbol. This large illuminated star is located on South Mountain, visible from many parts of the Lehigh Valley, and has been a part of Bethlehem’s rich Christmas tradition since 1937. It represents the Star of Bethlehem, guiding people to the city during the Christmas season, much like the original Star guided the Wise Men.  

• Exact Location: South Mountain, Bethlehem, PA  

• Admission: Free to view.  

• Schedule: Lit nightly from Thanksgiving through early January. It typically turns on at dusk and stays illuminated until midnight.  

• Pet Friendly: If you’re viewing it from the surrounding parks or streets, pets are generally allowed.  

Christmas Lights in Philadelphia PA  

The Macy’s Christmas Light Show

The Macy’s Christmas Light Show in Philadelphia is a cherished holiday tradition that has dazzled visitors for over 60 years. Located in the historic Wanamaker Building, this spectacular show features over 100,000 LED lights that illuminate a four-story-high display accompanied by classic holiday music. 

• Exact Location: Macy’s Center City, 1300 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19107  

• Admission: Free  

• Schedule: Runs from late November through December 31, with shows typically running every 2 hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

• Pet Friendly: No, pets are not allowed inside Macy’s.  

• Tickets: No tickets required; it’s a walk-in event.  

Holiday Garden Railway

The Holiday Garden Railway at the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia is a whimsical and festive experience that delights visitors of all ages. Set amidst the stunning winter landscape of the arboretum, this unique display features a quarter-mile of model trains chugging along tracks through a miniature village. 

• Exact Location: Morris Arboretum, 100 E Northwestern Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118  

• Schedule: November 24 – Saturday, December 30 

• Pet Friendly: No, pets are not allowed in the arboretum.  

• Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online or on-site, but booking in advance is recommended for weekends and peak dates.  

Philadelphia Zoo Christmas Lights  

LumiNature transforms the Philadelphia Zoo into a dazzling winter wonderland with vibrant lights, oversized animal sculptures, and immersive displays. Fun for all ages! This immersive nighttime experience features over a million twinkling lights, large-scale illuminated animal sculptures, and themed displays that light up the zoo grounds. 

• Exact Location: Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104  

• Admission: Paid; adults $25–$30, children $20–$23 (prices vary based on date and membership status) with a $17 charge for parking. 

• Schedule: Runs November 21st to early January. 

• Pet Friendly: No, pets are not allowed inside the zoo during the event.  

• Tickets: Tickets must be purchased online in advance, as time slots sell out quickly on weekends and holidays.  

Christmas Lights in Elizabethtown PA & Other Surrounding Cities  

Christmas Light Drive-Thru at Stone Gables Estate (Elizabethtown, PA) 

This 3-mile-long drive-thru features stunning holiday light displays, including over 600,000 lights set to music. The Christmas Lights Drive-Thru at the Stone Gables Estate features storyboards from the 12 days of Christmas, a light motion train, and 18-foot tall trees. 

• Location: 1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown, PA 17022  

• Admission: Paid; Price ranges from $30 per vehicle, depending on the night.  

• Schedule: Runs from late November to early January, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM.  

• Pet-Friendly: Pets are allowed but must remain in the vehicle.  

• Tickets: Can be purchased online in advance or on-site.  

Refreshing Mountain Christmas Lights (Stevens, PA)  

Refreshing Mountain offers a scenic Christmas light display featuring thousands of twinkling lights across the campgrounds. You can experience this event in two ways you can take in the sights of these Christmas lights: through a walking tour, or, by ZIP LINE! The Winter Walk Experience also includes access to Refreshing Mountain’s Wildlife Center. 

• Exact Location: 455 Camp Rd, Stevens, PA 17578  

• Admission: Paid; $14 for the walking experience and $49 – $69 for the zipline experience. 

• Schedule: Runs from late November through the first week of January with varying times based on the day and activities chosen.  

• Pet Friendly: Pets are allowed during the walk-through event but not in zip-lining or outdoor activity areas.  

• Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online, and booking in advance is recommended.  

Koziar’s Christmas Village (Bernville, PA)  

Koziar’s Christmas Village in Bernville, PA, is a dazzling holiday destination that has enchanted visitors for over 70 years. Nestled on a picturesque hillside, this magical village features over a million twinkling lights adorning charming buildings, trees, and displays that transport guests into a winter wonderland.  

• Location: 782 Christmas Village Road, Bernville, PA 19506  

• Admission: Paid | $11–$13.  

• Schedule: Open first Saturday in November to early January, 5:00 PM – 9PM.  

• Pet-Friendly: Pets are not allowed.  

• Tickets: No need to book in advance; tickets available on-site.  

Holiday Lights at Grings Mill (Reading, PA) 

Holiday Lights at Grings Mill in Reading, PA, is a captivating seasonal event that invites visitors to immerse themselves in a festive display of lights and holiday cheer.  

• Location: 2083 Tulpehocken Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610  

• Admission: Paid | $5 per person.  

• Schedule: Open from early December to early January, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM.  

Christmas Magic at Rocky Ridge (York, PA) 

Christmas Magic at Rocky Ridge in York, PA, is a delightful holiday event that transforms the beautiful Rocky Ridge County Park into a festive wonderland. This enchanting celebration features a captivating display of holiday lights that illuminate the park’s trails, creating a magical atmosphere for families and friends to enjoy. 

• Exact Location: 3699 Deininger Rd, York, PA 17406  

• Pet Friendly: No, pets are not allowed.  

• Tickets: Tickets must be purchased online in advance.  

The Herr’s Holiday Lights Display (Nottingham, PA)  

The Herr’s Holiday Lights Display in Nottingham, PA, is a dazzling seasonal attraction that captivates visitors with its stunning array of lights and festive decorations. Spanning over a mile, this enchanting drive-through experience features more than 600,000 twinkling lights synchronized to holiday music, creating a magical atmosphere for families and friends. 

Exact Location: 20 Herr Drive Nottingham, PA 19362  

• Admission: FREE!  

• Schedule: 5pm-7am November through January  

• Pet Friendly: Yes! This is a drive through experience.  

• Tickets: Not required.  

Guidelines for Visiting Public Light Displays  

For those visiting neighborhood light displays open to the public, please keep the following in mind: 

Respect the privacy rights of neighbors and stay off their property.  

• Don’t block or turn around in driveways.  

• Don’t block traffic.  

• Please don’t play loud music.  

• Please don’t touch the light displays themselves.  

Recommended Local Restaurants and Cafés to Visit for a Festive Meal in Lancaster, PA  

After enjoying the Christmas lights, consider visiting these local spots for a festive meal:  

• The Log Cabin Restaurant – Known for its cozy atmosphere and hearty American dishes.  

• Amish Country Cooking – Offers traditional Amish fare with a warm, welcoming setting.  

• The Greenfield Restaurant & Bar – A great place for a refined dining experience with seasonal specials.  

• Bird-in-Hand Bakery & Café – Perfect for a casual meal or a sweet treat to end your evening.  

• Lancaster Brewing Company – Enjoy craft beers and a relaxed environment with comfort food  

As the holiday season approaches, the charm of Christmas lights displays across Pennsylvania offers a wonderful way to celebrate with family and friends. So bundle up, grab a warm drink, and embark on a magical journey through Pennsylvania’s twinkling holiday landscapes—creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.