The holiday season transforms Pennsylvania into a landscape of shimmering lights, glowing trails, and unforgettable roadside magic. This 2026 guide to PA’s top drive-through Christmas light shows makes it easy to plan your next festive outing, with highlights, dates, and nearby places to eat and explore in every region of the state. Whether you’re chasing twinkling tunnels or peaceful woodland displays, your next holiday trip starts here.
Philadelphia and Southeastern PA
Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show
Get ready to be dazzled by Shady Brook Farm’s Holiday Light Show, featuring more than 3 million lights in whimsical displays. See how many familiar characters you can spot from the comfort of your car, or enjoy the show with an open-air wagon ride as you sing along to your favorite holiday tunes under a beautiful winter night sky.
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Before venturing to the light show, enjoy a warm meal of American tavern fare “with a curiously modern accent,” a selection of craft beer, and the inviting atmosphere of The Continental Tavern, beautifully restored with the look and feel of its 1877 origins in the heart of Yardley’s Historic District.
Herr’s Holiday Lights Display
- Location: Nottingham
- Dates: Nov. 25, 2026 - Jan. 9, 2027
- Price: Free
- Nearby food: Nottingham Inn Kitchen and Creamery
Herr’s Snack Foods invites you to drive through their Holiday Lights Display anytime between dawn and dusk from November through January. The campus is resplendent and glowing with 600,000 dazzling lights in fanciful displays. Best yet, it’s free for all to enjoy! They just request you stay in your car so everyone can be safe this holiday season.
Stop by the Nottingham Inn Kitchen and Creamery to enjoy some tasty treats. Their creamery serves both traditional and soft-serve ice cream in a variety of flavors and served up in sugar, cake, and waffle cones. Splurge with one of their delicious sundaes, milkshakes, or a “Glacier Twist.” It is the season for splurging, after all!
Lights In The Parkway
- Location: Allentown
- Dates: Nov. 27, 2026 - Jan. 6, 2027 (closed Christmas Eve and Day, New Year's Eve and Day)
- Price: Advanced tickets are required and must be purchased online. Cars are $16 for the entire family (up to 8 passengers per vehicle), and $26 for commercial vans, limos, or minibuses under 14ft.
- Nearby food: Wert's Cafe
More than a mile of beautiful Lehigh Parkway is all aglow during the annual Lights in the Parkway, celebrating 30 years in 2026. The lighted trees, tunnels, characters, and animated displays, all set in a winter wonderland, are certain to wow and delight your family — all from the comfort of your own car.
Fortify yourself before you drive through the holiday lights with a delicious burger from Wert’s Café. Crowned the best burgers in the Lehigh Valley year after year, come taste for yourself why their signature burgers, scrumptious onion rings, delicious fries, and other tasty treats have been delighting diners for close to half a century.
Christmas Spirit Light Show
- Location: Lancaster
- Dates: Nov. 27 - Dec. 31, 2026
- Price: $25 per car with 8 passengers from Mon.-Sun., $35 per car with 9 or more passengers from Mon.-Sun., $75 unlimited pass for the whole family
- Nearby food: Decades - Lancaster
Lancaster’s Clipper Magazine Stadium is brimming with holiday cheer. The stadium is transformed into a light-filled winter wonderland that’s even bigger and brighter this year during the Christmas Spirit Light Show. Driving through this mile-long holiday light event, you will be immersed in the glow and surrounded by hundreds of thousands of dazzling, color-changing lights, animated and dancing in harmony with your favorite holiday tunes.
Before or after your holiday light extravaganza, be sure to explore downtown Lancaster, where you’ll find unique shopping experiences, delightful restaurants, family-friendly barcades like Decades, and streets decked out in their finest holiday decorations.
Northeastern Pennsylvania
Holiday Light Spectacular at Nay Aug Park
- Location: Scranton
- Dates: Nov. 2026 - Jan. 2027; Dates To-Be-Announced
- Price: Free, donations appreciated
- Nearby food: Lackawanna County Pizza Trail
Immerse yourself in an illuminated winter wonderland at the Holiday Light Spectacular at Nay Aug Park this November and December. Drive through the park and enjoy festive music and classic holiday scenes with more than 100 twinkling light displays, including the iconic Electric City sign and reindeer leaping over the Everhart Museum. Nearby, residents open their yards for scenic holiday walkthroughs and interactive displays at the Christmas Lights, Holiday House, and the Peckville Christmas House. For a fun holiday experience, you can also park your vehicle and enjoy the lights aboard a tractor-pulled hayride or horse-drawn carriage.
Before or after the Holiday Light Spectacular, visit one (or more) of the more than 160 pizzerias along the Lackawanna County Pizza Trail. The county is known for its phenomenal pizza, so don’t leave without tasting a slice or five.
Central Pennsylvania
Holiday Lights on the Lake at Lakemont Park
- Location: Altoona
- Dates: Nov. 13, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
- Price: $18 for a standard car, $40 for a commercial van, $50 for a school bus or RV, $100 for a motorcoach, $75 for unlimited passes
- Nearby food: Knickerbocker Tavern
Prepare to be mesmerized by holiday magic as you drive through a dazzling display of more than a million lights at Holiday Lights on the Lake at Lakemont Park. Celebrating 30 years in 2026, the holiday lights have delighted generations of families with more than a million twinkling lights and animated displays. Be on the lookout for the reindeer, Loco, on your journey through the lights. If you can spy all his favorite reindeer games and activities, you’ll be in the running to win $1,000.
Just 6 minutes from the sparkle at Lakemont Park, make a tasty stop at Herman’s Restaurant in downtown Altoona. This family-friendly spot serves up American favorites—wings, handhelds, and more—plus a $7 kids’ menu that makes it an easy win for your holiday road-trip crew.
Holiday Nights of Lights
- Location: Bedford
- Dates: Nov. 27, 2026 - early Jan. 2027
- Price: $10 for cars
- Nearby food: Horn O Plenty
The greater Bedford community is overflowing with holiday spirit and good cheer as more than 100 businesses, organizations, schools, churches, and families have created sparkling displays for their annual Holiday Nights of Lights, running on select nights starting on Nov. 27. Drive through the Bedford County Fairgrounds to enjoy the twinkling lights and fun displays in this grand celebration of the season.
Before seeing the lights, spend an enjoyable day seeking out unique finds in beautiful downtown Bedford, where you’re sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Enjoy a wonderful farm-to-table meal at Horn O Plenty, a “Freshtaurant” nestled in a charming 1730s log and stone cabin, and with a menu that revolves around freshly harvested ingredients from their farm and other local family farms.
Festivals of Lights
- Location: Tunkhannock
- Dates: Nov. 27-Dec. 31, 2026 (closed Christmas Eve)
- Price: Tickets are available at gate; no online sales. $30 per vehicle Sunday-Thursday, $35 per vehicle Friday and Saturday.
- Nearby food: Twigs Cafe
There’s no shortage of holiday fun and cheer at the Stone Hedge Festival of Lights. Enjoy a 2.5-mile journey through a spectacular display of holiday lights strung in fanciful displays and an amazing tunnel of glowing lights. Then enjoy s’mores roasted over a fire pit and a visit to the vendor marketplace for some unique gifts.
Don’t leave town before stopping by the very quaint Twigs Café for a delicious meal and warm cup of one of their house-made soups.
Knoebels Amusement Resort’s Joy Through the Grove
- Location: Elysburg
- Dates: Nov. 27- Dec. 31, 2026 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
- Price: $30 for cars ($25 when purchased online), $50 for passenger vans ($45 when purchased online)
- Nearby food: Old Forge Brewing Company
Enjoy the splendor of Knoebels Amusement Resort’s Joy Through the Grove drive-through Christmas light display this holiday season. Their two miles of holiday cheer take you down a winding path dazzling with twinkling lights, 500 illuminated pieces, and several custom Knoebels-themed displays. Before or after your drive, stop by the Christmas Village at Knoebels Three Ponds Golf Course for more holiday magic at this award-winning amusement park.
Combine your Joy Through the Grove experience with some holiday shopping in nearby Danville’s quaint downtown, then relax with a festive holiday brew at Old Forge Brewing Company and some of their tasty pub fare.
Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania
Trees of Light
- Location: Conneaut Lake
- Dates: Nov. 20 - Dec. 6, 2026
- Price: Starting at $22.13
- Nearby food: Al's Melon's Farm Market and Greenhouse
The shores of Conneaut Lake are all aglow, spreading joy during the holiday season at the annual Conneaut Lake Trees of Light. Hundreds of “flagpole trees” surround the lake with colorful lights illuminating the night sky and reflecting off the lake. Hop aboard the Barbara J Cruise for the annual opportunity to take in the sights from the water.
Don’t forget to drop by Al's Melons Farm Market and Greenhouse with its great selection of produce as well as fresh-cut trees and wreaths for the holidays.
Christmas Light-Up
- Location: Findlay Township
- Dates: Nov. 21, 2026 - Jan. 2, 2027
- Price: $10 per car
- Nearby food: Stella's
Santa’s elves have been hard at work transforming Clinton Park in Findlay Township into a holiday wonderland. With beautifully decorated trees and thousands of twinkling lights, the annual Christmas Light-Up is open daily, including holidays, from November to January. This family-friendly, drive-through light show near Pittsburgh promises to be bigger and better than ever. At just $10 per car and cash only, this is one of the most affordable drive-through light displays you’ll find.
Before or afterward, visit Stella’s restaurant in Clinton for some down-home and delicious comfort food.
Zoo Lights Drive-Thru
- Location: Pittsburgh
- Dates: Nov. 27, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
- Price: $40 per Member vehicle, $45 per non-member vehicle, $65 Flex Tickets
- Nearby food: Primanti Bros.
Twinkle and glow your way through the season at Zoo Lights Drive‑Thru at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, where the park transforms into a sparkling holiday safari. From the warmth of your car, you’ll take in thousands of eco‑friendly lights, illuminated animals, shimmering Pittsburgh icons, and a heart‑warming display celebrating the Zoo’s newest baby animals. A new hospitality station in the entrance plaza serves up festive food, drinks, and plenty of seasonal cheer to keep the magic going. It’s a dazzling drive‑through adventure that turns an ordinary winter night into a memory‑making holiday trip.
Stop in Primanti Bros. for an authentic taste of Pittsburgh before your Zoo experience at its original location in the Strip District. Guaranteed you won’t leave hungry after experiencing one of their delicious, handcrafted sandwiches piled high with house-made coleslaw and perfectly seasoned fresh-cut fries.
Presque Isle Lights at Presque Isle State Park
- Location: Erie
- Dates: Nov. 27 - Dec. 27, 2026
- Price: Free
- Nearby food: Colony Pub & Grille
Enjoy Presque Isle State Park’s natural beauty in a whole new light at “Presque Isle Lights” Fridays through Sundays starting right after Thanksgiving. The park’s “front side” of the Peninsula’s 13-mile loop trail will be aglow with holiday lights as iconic park buildings and recreation areas are adorned in seasonal lights with some new displays, all of which complement the natural beauty of Presque Isle after dark.
Beforehand, stop in at one of Erie’s unique boutiques for some holiday shopping. Afterward, grab some tasty sustenance at the Colony Pub & Grille, where you’ll find great food, live music, friendly service, and three fireplaces to warm up by after enjoying the Presque Isle lights.
Christmas in the Park at Grove City Memorial Park
- Location: Grove City
- Dates: Nov. 27, 2026 - Jan. 2, 2027
- Price: Free
- Nearby food: Broad Street Grille
Grove City’s holiday spirit is on full display with businesses, organizations, families, and individuals all getting in on the action and contributing lighted displays for the city’s annual Christmas in the Park at Grove City Memorial Park. Be sure to keep track of your favorites as you drive through the park, then cast your vote for the People’s Choice and Kid’s Choice awards.
Just a short drive from the park is the charming downtown of Grove City. Here in Olde Town Grove City, you’ll find a variety of unique boutiques, antique stores, and one-of-a-kind shops, as well as wonderful dining options, like Broad Street Grille along the river, all in a delightful, walkable, art-filled atmosphere.
Linesville Lighted Tractor Parade
- Location: Linesville
- Dates: Dec. 5, 2026
- Price: Check their website for the latest ticket news
- Nearby food: Twin Pies
It’s a magical and mechanical night of holiday splendor at the Lighted Tractor Parade on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. Everything from lawnmowers and compact tractors to antique tractors, farm tractors, and floats will be decked out, each in its best holiday attire of sparkling lights and decorations that showcase each participant’s creativity and imagination. While technically it’s not a “drive-through” light show, it’s such a unique and amazing event we just had to include it.
Complete your visit to Linesville by visiting Twin Pies for a taste of their traditional homemade pies crafted from old and new family recipes. The café features daily selections of seasonal fruit and classic flavors, such as chocolate silk, lemon meringue, and key lime pie.
Plan your perfect night
Turn your drive-through Christmas light show into part of a magical evening filled with holiday cheer. Pair the glow of twinkling lights with other Christmas light displays, seasonal celebrations, or a visit to holiday Hallmark movie-esque locations in Pennsylvania.
Whether you’re cruising through tunnels of lights or singing along to festive tunes, these sparkling moments can turn into unforgettable holiday family memories. So plan ahead and book early for 2026.
What to know before you glow (FAQs)
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