Pennsylvania is home to many incredible things to do at Christmastime, and, some of the best are the drive-through Christmas light displays scattered throughout the state.
These displays are great because you can see these lights from the comfort, safety, and warmth of your car while listening to festive Christmas music.
Here are some of the best drive-through Christmas displays in Pennsylvania to enjoy this holiday season.
(Note: These displays can get quite crowded, especially on weekends and close to Christmas. I recommend either visiting as soon as they open in the evening or visiting on a weeknight early in the season, if possible. Many are also open for a few days after Christmas.)
Hershey Sweet Lights in Hershey
Located in Hershey, PA, Hershey Sweet Lights is a festive drive-through Christmas display that you won’t want to miss.
Open to the public since 2003, Hershey Sweet Lights features a two-mile driving path behind the Hotel Hershey and is close to other holiday attractions in Hershey, including Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane. It is said that the display contains over two million lights, making it one of the largest Christmas light displays in Pennsylvania.
Hershey Sweet Lights will be open from November 10, 2023, through January 1, 2024.
Holiday Lights on the Lake in Altoona
Holiday Lights on the Lake in Altoona’s Lakemont Park has been delighting Central PA residents for more than two decades.
This 50-acre display features an incredible number of lights scattered around fields and on some of the park’s most popular rides. Here, you can see festive holiday scenes that are sure to delight the entire family.
Even better, nearly every bit of space is filled with lights, but it’s done in such a way that it isn’t overwhelming.
Holiday Lights on the Lake is open from November 17, 2023 through January 7, 2024.
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland in Butler
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland is located in Butler County in western Pennsylvania.
This light display is actually one of seven Shadrack displays in the United States. However, even though this isn’t a locally-owned Christmas attraction, it’s still a great display to visit if you are looking for drive-through Christmas lights near Pittsburgh.
Shadrack’s display is about a mile long, half of which is choreographed to music you can listen to through your radio. One highlight is the 300-foot light tunnel that you can drive through along the course.
Note that Shadrack’s is closed in 2023. I’m leaving this here hoping that this wonderful drive-through display reopens in 2024.
Joy Through the Grove at Knoebel’s
Knoebel’s Amusement Park has opened their park over the last few years for a drive-through attraction known as Joy Through the Grove.
While the park’s rides aren’t open, visitors can drive through the park and the adjacent campground to see more than 400 festive light displays.
In addition to the drive-through display, there will also be a Christmas Village where you can get out and visit Santa’s workshop, buy a Christmas tree, or try a selection of Knoebel’s famous food.
Joy Through the Grove is open from the day after Thanksgiving through December 31, 2023.
Overly’s Country Christmas in Greensburg
Overly’s Country Christmas at the Westmoreland County Fairgrounds near Greensburg, one of the most festive towns in Pennsylvania, has been a popular local attraction since the 1960s. And, while it’s primarily a walk-through Christmas attraction, a drive-through attraction was added a few years ago and you have the option of driving and walking through for 2023.
This display isn’t overly large, but visitors will enjoy some really neat light scenes, free visits with Santa, and some neat shopping opportunities. That makes this a neat spot to visit if you are looking for Christmas lights in the Laurel Highlands.
Overly’s Country Christmas is open on Thursdays through Sundays from November 16 through December 30 in 2023.
Shady Brook Farm’s Holiday Light Show in Yardley
Located in Bucks County, Shady Brook Farm’s Holiday Light Show is a popular Christmas attraction near Philadelphia.
Their light show features more than three million lights, making it among the largest light displays in the state. Visitors can either drive through the display or take a wagon ride through it.
In addition to the drive-through display, there is also a walk-through area, visits with Santa, campfires for smores, and more.
The Holiday Light Show is open from November 18, 2023 through late January.
Zoo Lights in Pittsburgh
Returning in 2023, Zoo Lights will be filling the Pittsburgh Zoo with a lot of festive cheer.
Visitors are led around the display with a self-guided audio tour, which you can listen to here if you want to get a taste of the experience before you go. While you are driving around, you won’t just see many beautiful lights, but you’ll also see special guests, like Daniel Tiger, and might even see some of the zoo’s real animals.
Zoo Lights is open from November 24-December 30, 2023.
Holiday Light Spectacular in Scranton
Every holiday season, Scranton’s Nay Aug Park comes to life with their Holiday Light Spectacular.
This is one of the few free-admission drive-through Christmas light shows in Pennsylvania (though donations are accepted).
In the park, there are more than 100 light displays and tens of thousands of lights set up to go along with Christmas music you can listen to on your radio. You can also drop off letters for Santa at his mailbox or visit with him on select nights.
In addition to the free light display, there are also a few paid activities including horse-drawn carriages, tractor-pulled hayrides, and concessions.
The Holiday Light Spectacular is open from November 18, 2023, through January 7, 2024.
The Miracle on South 13th Street in Philadelphia
Another great free holiday display is the Miracle on South 13th Street in Philadelphia.
While this display is the shortest drive-through display (it’s only a block long) there are tens of thousands of lights decorating nearly every house on the block. There are also interactive elements, window displays, and more.
Without a doubt, this is one of the best things to do at Christmastime in Philadelphia.
These lights here are typically on every evening in December.
Holiday at Burgess in Titusville
The largest park in the northwestern PA community of Titusville comes alive every year with the Holiday at Burgess display.
This drive-through display features many fun and whimsical displays including reindeer, toys, and more scattered throughout the park. Lights are placed around both the park’s pond and playground ensuring a lot of beauty for those in this corner of Pennsylvania.
In 2023, the Holiday at Burgess Lights will be open from November 24 through December 31.
Christmas Spirit Light Show in Lancaster
Located around Clipper Magazine Stadium near downtown Lancaster, the Christmas Spirit Light Show is one of the best things to do at Christmas in Lancaster.
Drive through a holiday wonderland that’s a mile long, past many festive scenes, and through several tunnels. Even better, many of the lights are synchronized with the display’s music, which adds a lot of fun to the show.
The Christmas Spirit Light Show is open from November 24 through December 31, 2023.
Presque Isle Lights in Erie
Presque Isle State Park in Erie is one of Pennsylvania’s best parks, and in 2023, they are lighting up the park for a free drive-through Christmas light display for the third consecutive year.
Known as Presque Isle Lights, this event features light displays scattered all along the 13-mile road through this park in northwestern PA. Lights and scenes will be set up throughout much of the park so you are sure to enjoy many beautiful displays in a unique setting.
Also, keep an eye out for the beautiful nighttime skyline of downtown Erie while driving through the park after dark.
Presque Isle Lights opens to the public on December 1, 2023 and runs throughout the month.
Lights in the Parkway in Allentown
Now in its 27th year, Lights in the Parkway is a beautiful holiday light display in the Lehigh Valley.
During the Christmas season, Allentown’s Lehigh Parkway (which is a park, not a road) comes to life with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, festive displays, and beautiful music.
Don’t miss this great Lehigh Valley tradition.
This year, Lights on the Parkway is open from November 24 through New Year’s Eve.
Herr’s Christmas Light Display in Nottingham
Located in Chester County at the Herr’s snack food factory, you’ll find the Herr’s Christmas Light Display. This display has no admission cost, so is a great option for those looking to save a bit of money.
The lights at Herr’s are scattered around the corporate campus and feature many festive sights to enjoy. In fact, it is said that there are more than 600,000 lights on display here every year.
Herr’s Christmas Lights are on from dusk to dawn from November 22, 2023 through January 2, 2024.
Cascade of Lights in New Castle
Every holiday season for more than 20 years, Cascade Park in New Castle, PA has been transformed into Cascade of Lights.
While not as large as some displays in western PA, this light show is a great value at only $5 per car admission and offers the chance to see the park’s historic buildings illuminated in beautiful lights. Of course, there are also many great light displays scattered throughout the park as well.
Visit on a Saturday in December before Christmas for free visits with Santa.
Cascade of Lights runs every Thursday through Sunday night in December (Plus the Monday-Wednesday before Christmas).
Festival of Lights in Tunkhannock
Located at the Stone Hedge Golf Course a few miles east of Tunkhannock you’ll find the Festival of Lights.
Here, cars drive a 2.5-mile path through a beautiful light display along the golf course. Drive past many lit scenes ranging from the festive to the whimsical, all of which are sure to put you in the holiday spirit.
After your drive, you can get out and explore activities like s’mores, a marketplace, and food vendors.
The Festival of Lights is open from November 22 through December 31.
The Valley of Lights in Little Mexico
The Valley of Lights is a festive drive-through display at the Little Mexico Campground in Union County, PA.
This is one of the state’s newer shows, having opened up on this popular campground in 2020. Visitors can drive through the grounds and enjoy the festive displays spread throughout the grounds. There are additional activities including crafts and letters to Santa available for visitors on Saturday evenings.
In 2023, Valley of Lights is open nights from November 24 through December 31.
Christmas Light Up Celebration in Clinton
The Christmas Light Up Celebration is one of the lesser-known drive-through Christmas light displays near Pittsburgh. However, that makes it a great choice if you are looking to see something new or are looking to avoid the crowds at some other displays!
Christmas Light Up has been bringing festive cheer for nearly three decades and has a great one-mile driving path through a wooded setting.
As you drive through the display, you’ll see many festive scenes and figures, as well as many beautiful Christmas trees that have been decorated for the holidays.
Christmas Light Up Celebration is open from November 18 through January 7, 2024.
Christmas Boulevard in Berwick
Berwick Christmas Boulevard can be found in the heart of Berwick in Columbia County, PA.
Unlike many other light displays on this list with gates and a ticket window, this display is set up along a public road in town. It’s still a fantastic display, however, with tens of thousands of lights and dozens of holiday displays set up along the mile-long route.
And, near the end of the display, don’t miss your bag of local potato chips!
In 2023, Berwick Christmas Boulevard will run from December 2-29.
Parade of Lights in New Castle
The Parade of Lights is located in Pearson Park in New Castle, PA.
This is a relatively small show but is very well done with a lot of similar lights to those you’d find at expensive drive-through light displays in PA. However, this one is totally free to check out.
Along the route, you’ll pass a 40-foot light tree, several moving displays, and some other really nicely decorated areas.
In 2023, the display will likely be lit from Thanksgiving night through early January 2024.
Holiday Night of Lights in Bedford
Back for its fifth season, Holiday Night of Lights turns the Bedford County Fairgrounds into a festive drive-through holiday light display.
Over 100 local businesses and organizations sponsor displays every year, creating a really unique and varied drive-through light display. And not only is this a festive event, but it also helps to raise money for educational programs in the county.
Holiday Nights of Lights is open on select nights from the day after Thanksgiving through the day after Christmas.
Do you have a favorite drive-through Christmas light display in Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments below.
Want to see even more incredible spots during the holiday season? Check out Koziar’s Christmas Village, Kraynack’s Christmas display, and the best Christmas lights in Pittsburgh.
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Allentown has a display in their park.
Dorney Park in Allentown had a most beautiful drive through that was synchronized to lights with their music radio station. It has more than 1 million lights and is 1 mile long . The lights are constant with lots of characters moving their mouths to the music. The lights are intense . It is honestly the best I’ve seen any where in PA.
Rebecca Gross
Candy Cane Lane in Duboistown i would add to this list. Its a landmark thing in the area, even recognized by the commonwealth!