One of the best things about Pennsylvania during the holiday season is how many great places there are to see Christmas lights. And while a large number of them are drive-through lights, there are also some really fantastic walk-through Christmas displays in PA.
Over my many years of traveling the state, I’ve had a chance to visit many fantastic spots during the holiday season where you and your family are sure to get some holiday cheer.
Here are a few of my favorite spots throughout the state to see walk-through Christmas light displays in Pennsylvania.
Koziar’s Christmas Village in Berks County
While this list isn’t in any order, there might be no spot on this list that I love more than Koziar’s Christmas Village in Berks County.
Koziar’s started in 1948, making it one of the, if not the, longest-running light displays in the state. Today, it’s still located on the same Koziar family dairy farm where it began, though it has grown to feature well over a million lights along a fun walking path.
When visiting, you can check out the many fun displays, indoor and outdoor model railroads, visit Santa, and much more.
In 2023, Koziar’s Christmas Village is open from November 4 through New Year’s Day 2024.
Winter Light Spectacular at the Lehigh Valley Zoo
The Winter Light Spectacular at the Lehigh Valley Zoo is another of my favorite walk-through light displays in PA. And, while nearly all of the zoo’s animals are off-exhibit during the event, the grounds are decorated with over a million lights, including some really whimsical and fun displays, so you will have plenty to enjoy.
The zoo’s half-mile loop offers the chance to walk past many of these fun and inventive light displays, see in-person Disney princesses and Santa Claus, and enjoy the multiple firepits and snack bars spread throughout the space.
The Winter Light Spectacular is open from 11/10/23 through 12/31/23.
Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh
Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh really comes to life during the holiday season when they present their Winter Flower Show.
While this display is a bit different than all of the other ones on this list, visiting after dark will give you the chance to not only see the flowers but also the incredible lights found throughout the space.
In addition to the beautiful indoor gardens, there is also a festive outdoor space which is more of a traditional walk-through light display.
The Winter Flower Show at the Phipps Conservatory is open from November 17, 2023, through January 7, 2024.
Tinseltown in Philly
Tinseltown in Philadelphia is one of the newest walk-through light displays in PA, but it’s also one of the most unique.
Held in South Philly’s FDR Park, this nine-acre show features millions of twinkling lights set up in a variety of both beautiful and photogenic displays. And don’t miss the giant Liberty Bell or Philly sports logos on display.
If that’s not enough, there are a lot of fun extra activities here including ice skating, visits with Santa, and a dance pad.
Tinseltown is open from November 17, 2023 through January 1, 2024.
Christmas Magic at Rocky Ridge Park in York County
Located in York’s Rocky Ridge Park, Christmas Magic is another must-visit walk-through light display in PA.
The lights here are set up along a half-mile path and there are more than 600,000 lights along the route. While that’s fewer than some displays, the great set-up and wooded setting really made the display feel very full, and there were lights everywhere that I looked.
Even better, while this is primarily a walk-through attraction, there were also lights along the road when coming in, so if you get stuck in some traffic, you can enjoy a light show even before you enter the main display area.
In addition to the lights, there is also a snack bar with great treats and a really well-done model train exhibit.
In 2023, Christmas Magic is open from November 24 through December 30.
Christmas on the Mountain Reading
Christmas on the Mountain can be found in Reading, PA on the eastern edge of town at the base of Mount Penn in the Hillside Playground.
This fabulous free display has been operating in Reading for more than three decades and features more than two million twinkling lights throughout the park, including some that are timed to the Christmas music playing over the speakers.
I especially enjoyed the free character pictures in the park, the inexpensive food, and the fun snow machine.
In 2023, Christmas on the Mountain is open nightly from November 24 through December 23.
LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival in Oaks
Lumino City Holiday Lights Festival first opened in PA in 2023, though it has been open in New York for several years. It offers a fun mix of holiday light displays and dinosaurs among its fantastic walk-through display near the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center and the American Treasure Tour.
At LuminoCity, you’ll see some really fantastic and quite large light displays that are very well done. While the mix of holiday lights and dinosaurs is a little different, everything on display here is very well done.
LuminoCity is open from November 17, 2023 through January 15, 2024.
Winter Wonderland at Asbury Woods in Erie
Every December, the beautiful Asbury Woods in Erie comes to life with their festive and totally free Winter Wonderland display.
Along the Boardwalk Trail through the woods, they set up some incredibly beautiful lights that help the forest feel both festive and magical. You can also go inside the nature center to see native wildlife, do some holiday shopping, and see a model train display.
In 2023, Winter Wonderland at Asbury Woods is open every evening in December except for Christmas Eve and Christmas day.
LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo
LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo isn’t entirely a Christmas light display, but since it’s open during the holiday season, and some of the displays highlight the season, it’s definitely worthy of inclusion here.
LumiNature first opened in 2019 and is a celebration of wildlife and nature, with a holiday season twist. There are hundreds of thousands of lights scattered through about a dozen different scenes spread throughout the zoo. Some of these are static while others are more like mini light shows.
While this is a neat display for everyone to visit, it’s especially good for those looking for something a bit different from the typical walk-through holiday light displays.
LumiNature is open to visitors from November 17, 2023, through January 6, 2024.
Peddler’s Village in Bucks County
Peddler’s Village is a neat shopping area in Bucks County that is also home to a fantastic light display. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that this is one of the two best free light displays I’ve seen in PA (the lights at Herr’s in Chester County being the other).
The light display here fills the grounds around the 60 shops in the village and comes on nightly during the season. While you won’t find unique themed displays here, they do a great job lighting up the trees and storefronts to provide one of the best displays in the region.
In addition to seeing the lights and shopping, you can also grab a bite to eat, get a drink, and check out the gingerbread house competition winners.
The lights at Peddler’s Village are on nightly from 11/17/23 through 1/14/24.
Overly’s Country Christmas in Westmoreland County
Overly’s Country Christmas can be found at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds near Greensburg, PA, and while there is also a drive-through display here, their walk-through Christmas Village is the main highlight.
While this light display is one of the smallest on this list, there are some neat things to see and do here, especially if you are visiting with kids. Highlights include visits with Santa, a miniature train, wagon rides, a bonfire, and a model train display.
Of course, there are also fun lights to see here and a large nativity set.
Overly’s Country Christmas is open from November 16 – December 30, 2023.
Lumino City in Oaks
Longwood Gardens in Chester County
Longwood Gardens is one of my favorite outdoor destinations in southeastern PA at any time of the year, but it’s especially beautiful during the holiday season.
Throughout the gardens, there are more than 500,000 lights set up, which are sure to dazzle any visitor. While not every space here is decorated, many different spaces have been set up with lovely lit gardens for visitors to enjoy.
A highlight is the four-acre indoor conservatory, which is fully decked out for the holiday season each year. While inside, you can also hear Christmas music playing on the garden’s organ, which is one of the largest in the world.
Longwood Gardens’ Christmas display is open from November 17, 2023, through January 7, 2024.
Wild Lights at Elmwood Park Zoo
Wild Lights is another great light display at a zoo; this time the Elmwood Park Zoo in Montgomery County, PA.
Wild Lights is not only a fantastic display, but many of the animals that live here are also on exhibit during the event, which makes this unique among holiday attractions at local zoos. Because of this, I actually recommend arriving a bit before dark so you can enjoy both the animals and the lights.
The lights here are incredibly well done, and there’s a lot of variety from wrapped trees to lights in enclosures and light tunnels.
In 2023, Wild Lights is open from November 17 through December 30.
Trail of Lights at Country Creek Farm in Chambersburg
Trail of Lights is located on Country Creek Farm near Chambersburg, PA.
While childless adults will find stuff to enjoy here, this is primarily an attraction that will be most enjoyed by kids and parents. That’s because the walk-through light display is only one of the attractions here.
In fact, most of the space is taken up by a large play area with a giant trampoline, slides, ziplines, and more, which kids are sure to love. There is also a small petting zoo, a large corn pit, and more to play in.
The light show, however, is well done and follows through the fields surrounding the farm and creates a nice walking path through the area with a large number of fun and unique displays.
Trail of Lights is open from November 24, 2023, through January 6, 2024.
Gring’s Mill Lights in Reading
Located a few miles outside of downtown Reading in the popular Grings Mill Recreation Area, Grings Mill Lights is a fun way to spend a holiday season evening.
While the display here isn’t as large as some, there are still a lot of great lights to see here, including some really fun displays in the park’s fields. You can also visit with Santa, enjoy the miniature railroad, and listen to live music.
Grings Mill Lights is open on select evenings in December.
Miracle on South 13th Street in Philly
The Miracle on South 13th Street is another fantastic and free light display, this time in a residential area of South Philly. Instead of being a fully organized light display, this is simply a block where nearly every house is completely decked out with Christmas lights.
This single block of South 13th Street draws thousands of visitors a night, and you can choose to walk or drive through the display. I like to walk however because not only do you avoid any traffic, but you can also take your time and fully enjoy the many fun and unique displays.
Even better, there are some interactive elements that you can only enjoy while on foot, including occasional visits by Santa.
The Miracle on South 13th Street is lit nightly in 2023 throughout the month of December.
Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular in Philadelphia
If you’re looking for even more holiday lights in South Philly, the Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular is another great one to check out.
While not as large as the Miracle on South 13th Street, this light display is a lot calmer and really gives you a chance to see the lights in a more relaxed environment. And, because of the layout of the street, there is even a large display in the middle of the street.
The Smedley Street Holiday Spectacular is lit nightly in December.
What is your favorite Christmas walk-through light display? Let us know in the comments below.
Looking for even more festive cheer? Check out my favorite Christmas lights in Pittsburgh and the best holiday season destinations in Philly. Or, head just a couple of miles across the border into New York and check out the walk-through lights at Animal Adventure Park near Binghamton.
"
Check out the Christmas House in Peckville Pa. Thousands of blow molds. Kids walk through and the molds are bigger than they are. It’s really cool to watch kids and adults alike.
Please check Candy Cane Lane in So. Williamsport, Pa. Just beautiful!!
You’ve gotta check out Kraynak’s lawn and garden center in Hermitage, PA. They do a beautiful christmas lane that you walk through and then you can visit the store too. Been going every year when i would visit my grandparents for as long as I can remember.
Kraynak’s is great, and I have a whole article on them! I almost added them to this list but decided to keep it more for the traditional outdoor displays.
Kozars is and will always be the best.Been there many times in the 63 years of my life.You all have a blessed holiday.
Unfortunately, Koziar’s seems to no longer offer a walk-through display. Just a drive-through one now.
Never been as we moved here recently but Oaks Penna has an all white display which we plan to bisit this week. Located next to Phila Expo Center. Its alk thru and looks lovely from the parkway.
I believe that one was new in 2021. It’s been on my list, but I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet.
You should really check out the Christmas display in tharptown, pa. (Coal township) it’s open to the public every night until the end of December. The Dunn family sees this display up every year .it’s free but donations are accepted