Whether you live on Long Island or call Northern New Jersey or Westchester County home, there is plenty to see and do in the tri-state area during the holiday season.
From drive-through light shows and festivals to themed activities and holiday markets, there is something for everyone in this family fun guide. We are sharing some unique ways of celebrating the holidays this year – grouped by geographic location.
New York Holiday Events
Long Island
Bayville Winter Wonderland
Bayville Adventure Park transforms each November, welcoming the holiday season in grand fashion. Bayville Winter Wonderland offers plenty of attractions for visitors to enjoy, including light displays, holiday characters, ice skating, train rides, and more. There’s even a Haunted Christmas section for those who want to include a little mischief with their merry-making.
The park is open on select dates in December. View their Facebook page for current hours and weather closures.
Opens: December 6, 2024
Address: 8 Bayville Avenue, Bayville, NY 11709
Entrance Fee: $26.75 adults & children 8 years and older, $22.75 children under 8 years old, children under 12 months are free, and an additional $17 per family (up to 6 people) for the Magical Santa Experience
Reservation Required: No, but online ticket purchases are encouraged so you don’t have to wait in the ticket line.
Additional Activities: Santa’s Axe Throwing, Bayville Haunted Christmas, Holiday Miniature Golf, Bradley Bay’s Rock Climbing Challenge, Professor Burton Bay’s Arcade of Amusements, S’mores Delight at Bayville’s Fire Pit, The Santa Bar, Holiday Cafe, Santa’s Ice Cream & Soda Shoppe, and Shipwreck Holiday Tavern
Magic of Lights at Jones Beach
A favorite for family fun in Nassau County, the Magic of Lights at Jones Beach is one of Long Island’s largest drive-thru light shows. Set to music, the show features a 200-foot light tunnel and more than 40 holiday-themed light displays. Visitors will spot the 12 Days of Christmas, Winter Wonderland, The Night Before Christmas, and more as they drive the 2.5-mile route.
The light show is open on select dates from November to December. View their website for tickets and pricing information.
Opens: November 22, 2024
Address: 895 Bay Parkway, Wantagh, NY 11793
Entrance Fee: $20/standard vehicle - advance weekdays, $25/standard vehicle - advance weekends, $30/standard vehicle - at the gate weekdays, $35/standard vehicle - at the gate weekends (see website for limo/party bus and bus ticket prices)
Reservation Required: No, but advance online ticket purchases are encouraged for discounted prices.
Additional Activities: Toyota Holiday Village features make-your-own s’mores, ice skating, holiday merchandise, Santa’s workshop, holiday movies, mega trees, a walk-through selfie tunnel, the North Pole Cafe, and special nightly activations
Riverhead Holiday Light Show
Mixing oversized holiday light scenes with hundreds of unique displays, the Riverhead Holiday Light Show is Suffolk County’s largest drive-through holiday light show. Located in Calverton, the light show is set to music – creating an immersive experience for visitors.
The light show is held on select dates from November through December. Visit their website for more information and to buy general admission or season pass tickets.
Opens: November 15, 2024
Address: Splish Splash Drive, Calverton, NY 11933
Entrance Fee: $25/carload on advance weekdays, $30/carload advance Fri-Sun, $35/carload + taxes & fees at the gate (additional flex, VIP, and season passes are available online)
Reservation Required: No, but advance online ticket purchases are encouraged for discounted prices.
Additional Activities: Photos with Santa
Girl Scouts of Suffolk County’s Holiday Light Show
The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County’s Holiday Light Show is brighter and larger each year. Located at Camp Edey in Bayport, this popular walk-through Enchanted Forest and Holiday Village features 20 displays designed by the Girl Scouts and a unique chill zone area where you can warm up by the fire and enjoy a hot beverage. Proceeds from the show benefit Girl Scout programs across Suffolk County.
The light show is open on select dates from November to December. Visit their website or Facebook page for further details and ticket information.
Opens: November 29, 2024
Address: 1500 Lakeview Avenue, Bayport, NY 11705
Entrance Fee: $15 per person (children 2 years old and under are free), $12.50 for Girl Scout members & family + a free event patch
Reservation Required: Yes
Additional Activities: Photos with Santa, Chill Zone hot chocolate and treats from the Food Truck Trolley
LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival
LuminoCity partners with Nassau County to offer a stunning, interactive light and art show. Drawing inspiration from the lantern festivals the show’s co-founder attended as a child in China, LuminoCity relies on a team of artisans and more than 10,000 LED light bulbs to bring their sculptures to life. Attendees will travel through Eisenhower Park in East Meadow for an unforgettable holiday experience.
The LuminoCity Festival is open on select dates from early November to January. Visit their website for a map and ticket information.
Opens: November 8, 2024
Address: 1899 Park Boulevard, East Meadow, NY 11554
Entrance Fee: Prices vary by day/time and range from $36.50 general admission and $28.43 children 4 to 12 years old to $38.30 general admission and $31.89 for children 4 to 12 years old (VIP packages also available - see website for details)
Reservation Required: No, but advance online ticket purchases are encouraged for discounted prices and to secure your spot.
Additional Activities: 50+ stunning attractions, theme nights, gift shop, and food trucks
New York City
Winter Village at Bryant Park
The Winter Village at Bryant Park has been a New York City holiday tradition for years. Featuring a European-style holiday market, the Winter Village is also home to the city’s only free ice skating rink. Cozy igloos are available near the rink for private parties to indulge in festive food and drinks.
Additionally, The Lodge is on-site and offers hungry shoppers (and skaters) a place to relax and enjoy a casual meal or hot drink.
The Winter Village is open from the end of October through early March. Hours and ticket prices vary — see their website for more information.
Opens: October 25, 2024
Address: 41st Street and 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10018
Entrance Fee: No
Reservation Required: No, but advance online ticket purchases are encouraged for ice skating, Cozy Igloos, and the Curling Cafe.
Additional Activities: Ice skating, holiday shops, The Lodge bar & food hall, Curling Cafe & bar, Cozy Igloo domes, and Bryant Park Shop
Lighting Largest Hanukkah Menorahs
See the Menorah light up at sundown each night of Hanukkah (December 25, 2024 - January 2, 2025) in the following locations:
- Hudson Yards Public Square and Gardens
- Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn
- Grand Army Plaza in Central Park
Lektrik: A Festival of Lights, NYC
Stroll along the illuminated trail of over 100 light sculptures crafted by 150 skilled artisans in the Queens Botanical Garden at Lektrik: A Festival of Lights, NYC. The lamp scenes, made using 120 tons of steel and 150,000 feet of silk, transform the venue into an immersive ancient cultural wonderland. Explore shimmering ice castles, snowy forests, frosty landscapes, and more.
Opens: November 20, 2024
Address: 42-80 Crommelin Street, Flushing, NY 11355
Entrance Fee: Prices vary by day/time and range from $33.90 (+ booking fee) adult 13+ admission and $23.90 (+ booking fee) for children 4 to 12 years old (Senior/student/military and family/group bundles are also available - see website for details)
Reservation Required: No, but advance online ticket purchases are encouraged for discounted prices and to secure your spot.
Additional Activities: Photo ops, acrobatic shows, food, craft cocktails, and live music
Putnam County
Keeler Christmas Light Display
Located in Putnam Valley, the Keeler Christmas Light Display uses one million lights for its incredible show. Hosted by the Keeler family, it takes three months – and many elves – to set up the display. Visitors will spy Santa on the roof, a holiday train, and lots of familiar holiday characters.
The light display is open daily — weather permitting — from the end of November to early January. Visit their Facebook page for a current schedule.
Opens: November 30, 2024
Address: 16 Luigi Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579
Entrance Fee: No, but donations are accepted for United for the Troops.
Reservation Required: No
Additional Activities: Mail and receive letters from Santa, online T-shirt orders available
Westchester County
Westchester’s Winter Wonderland
Westchester’s Winter Wonderland is a drive-thru holiday light extravaganza held in Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. Visitors enjoy over one mile of lights and attractions, including dancing trees, glowing snowballs, a candy cane lane, light tunnels, and more.
The show begins at the end of November and runs through early January. Purchase tickets and see current hours on their website.
Opens: November 23, 2024
Address: 1 Bronx River Parkway Road, Valhalla, NY 10595
Entrance Fee: Vary by day/time, but starts at $35 general admission per car plus booking fee and optional add-ons are available for a fee (light-up wands, friendship bracelets, moose plushies, and glow necklaces)
Reservation Required: No, but online advance tickets are strongly encouraged to ensure availability and to avoid a $20 surcharge.
Additional Activities: Interactive Ice Queen visits, wave to Santa, special events (11/27 Taylor Swift Night and 12/5 Princess Night)
New Jersey
Light Show and Christmas Village
Located at Skylands Stadium in Sussex County, New Jersey, the Light Show and Christmas Village offers a variety of holiday-themed activities. Starting with a scenic one-mile drive-thru light show with over two million lights, visitors enter the Outdoor Village. There, they can shop at holiday vendors, pose for a photo with Santa, or roast s’mores and sip hot cocoa. Other refreshments, including ice cream and holiday treats, are also available.
The Light Show and Christmas Village are open in November and December on select dates. Visit their website for additional details and to purchase tickets.
Opens: November 22, 2024
Address: 94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822
Entrance Fee: $29/carload for standard tickets and $79/carload for VIP tickets (VIP ticket includes express lane access, choice of any time slot, and two holiday novelty toys)
Reservation Required: Yes, time-slot tickets must be purchased online, in advance, before entering. However, you may enter the Christmas Village for free (food, Santa photos, and more are available at an additional cost).
Additional Activities: Photos with Santa, live music, s’mores station, local artisan shops, seasonal food and drinks, and Winter Beer Garden
PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights
From the creators of the Magic of Lights at Jones Beach, the PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights in Holmdel, New Jersey, also has a drive-thru light tunnel. There are over 40 scenes using holiday lights, including illuminated mega trees, which use over 240 feet of lights!
The light show is open on select dates in November and December. Visit their website or Facebook page for more information.
Opens: November 22, 2024
Address: 116 Garden State Parkway, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Entrance Fee: $30/standard vehicle - advance weekdays, $35/standard vehicle - advance weekends, $35/standard vehicle - at the gate weekdays, $40/standard vehicle - at the gate weekends (see website for limo/party bus and bus ticket prices)
Reservation Required: No, but advance online ticket purchases are encouraged for discounted prices.
Additional Activities: Toyota Holiday Village features make-your-own s’mores, ice skating, Santa’s workshop, and mega trees
Winter Wonderlights
Winter Wonderlights has been a favorite of East Brunswick locals for over two decades. The Middlesex County Fairgrounds venue offers ample space for over 1.5 million lights animated to your favorite holiday tunes. The magical experience embraces the rich diversity of the community by honoring Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, and Kwanzaa with vibrant, unique displays. There are also 30 ft. Christmas trees, magical tunnels, and larger-than-life holiday-themed exhibits.
Winter Wonderlights is open daily from the end of November through December. View their website or Facebook page for more details and to buy tickets.
Opens: November 29, 2024
Address: 655 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Entrance Fee: $30/car Sunday through Thursday and $35/car on Friday and Saturday, $40/car December 20-28, 2024 (unlimited season passes are $75/car)
Reservation Required: Yes
Additional Activities: Dave’s Delicious Fries food truck
Your Guide to Events in the NYC Tri-State Area
Looking for more family-friendly activities to enjoy in the area? We’ve created a variety of guides to help you enjoy every season.
This blog was originally published in December 2020. It was updated in November 2024.
