There are dozens of incredible holiday light displays in Pennsylvania, but many of them cost money to drive or walk through. However, there are some fabulous displays that are totally free to visit.
Having driven all over the state and checked out many festive shows, I thought it was about time I shared a few of my favorite free Christmas light displays in Pennsylvania. And while not all of these displays are huge, they are great spots to check out so you can save a bit of money to put toward other expenses.
You definitely don’t want to miss these great free holiday lights this season!
(Note that while all of these light displays are free, some do collect donations either to help cover their expenses or to donate to local nonprofit organizations. If you are able, consider donating a few dollars when you visit.)
Miracle on South 13th Street in Philly
There might be no more festive block in Pennsylvania than the 1600 block of South 13th Street in Philly.
Known as the Miracle on South 13th Street, nearly every house on this block is covered in lights, including some that stretch over the road, and some fun attractions at ground level. Because of this, make sure to both walk and drive through this fun and totally free Christmas light display.
The Miracle on South 13th Street is open nightly from the Saturday after Thanksgiving through the end of December.
Presque Isle Lights in Erie
Presque Isle in Erie is one of my favorite state parks in all of PA, and during the holiday season, it comes to life after dark with Presque Isle Lights.
Visitors can drive along the park’s 13 miles of roadways to see periodic displays throughout the park, including some really beautiful lights on Presque Isle Lighthouse. While there are some gaps without displays, this is still a really great attraction to check out.
In 2023, Presque Isle Lights is open every Friday through Sunday in December.
Holiday Light Spectacular in Scranton
Scranton’s Nay Aug Park comes alive each Christmas season for their annual Holiday Light Spectacular event.
With more than 100 displays, this is one of the largest free holiday light displays in Pennsylvania and is sure to delight. Keep an eye out for the recreation of the famous “Electric City Sign”, which was my personal favorite display when I visited.
The Holiday Light Spectacular is lit nightly from November 18, 2023, through January 7, 2024.
Herr’s Christmas Lights in Chester County
Surrounding the Herr’s Foods corporate office and factory in Chester County, you’ll find the Herr’s Christmas Lights.
These lights were the first of the free Christmas light displays in PA that I ever visited, and it still remains one of my favorites thanks to the many fun displays and the unique environment. Plus, it’s literally lit all night, so if you get a hankering for Christmas lights at 2 am, this is the spot to head.
In 2023, the Herr’s Christmas Lights will be on from November 22 through January 2, 2024.
Christmas on the Moutain in Reading
Christmas on the Moutain can be found on the edge of Reading, PA on the slopes of Mount Penn and is like the largest free holiday light display in Pennsylvania with an estimated five million lights.
These lights blanket nearly every surface of the display area, which creates quite a magical scene. Add in inexpensive visits with Santa, free photos with other holiday characters, light shows, and even fake snow, and you’ve got quite a fantastic light display.
Christmas on the Mountain is open from November 24 through December 23 in 2023.
Parade of Lights in New Castle
The Parade of Lights can be found in New Castle’s Pearson Park and is a really fun spot to check out.
This small local park is filled with some fantastic and unique holiday lights that are sure to delight you. It’s also one of the few free light displays to have its own music you can listen to over your radio.
Parade of Lights is lit from November 23, 2023, through early January.
(And, while it’s not free, the nearby Cascade of Lights in New Castle is a steal at only $5 per car if you want to see more lights.)
Berwick Christmas Boulevard in Columbia County
Without a doubt, Berwick Christmas Boulevard is one of the most unique light shows in PA.
That’s because this show is located along a public road in the heart of town and all of the displays are set up along the narrow median in the middle of the road. However, despite the set-up being a little unusual, this is actually a really great show with a lot of fun lights and even the chance to visit with Santa from your car on select nights.
In 2023, Berwick Christmas Boulevard is open nightly from December 2-29.
Winter Wonderland at Asbury Woods in Erie
Every holiday season, Asbury Woods in Erie sets up its festive Winter Wonderland Christmas Light Display.
While there are miles of hiking trails here that you can explore during the day, during this evening event, the boardwalk, as well as some of the other nearby trails in the woods are lit up with some fantastic light displays in the woods. You can even pop inside their nature center and see some of the fun animals on display.
Winter Wonderland is open every night in December (except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).
Peddler’s Village in Bucks County
A lot of shopping centers decorate for the holiday season, but I don’t think any do as much as Peddler’s Village in Bucks County.
Walking through this fun shopping center, you can experience tens of thousands of lights covering seemingly every surface from trees and shops to the gazebo and windmill. There’s also a gingerbread house contest, holiday music, and much more that you can check out while exploring the grounds, grabbing a bite to eat, and doing some shopping.
The lights at Peddler’s Village are lit from November 17, 2023, through January 14, 2024.
Christmas in the Park in Grove City
Christmas in the Park in Grove City is definitely the smallest display on this list. However, if you’re looking for free holiday lights in northwestern PA, it’s worth a quick stop.
This display is set up in Grove City’s Memorial Park and features dozens of fun and unique displays designed by local residents and businesses. That means that each display has its own character, which gives this show a ton of variety.
In 2023, Christmas in the Park is open nightly from November 24 through January 2.
Downtown Pittsburgh
While you won’t find a concentrated drive-through or walk-through display in downtown Pittsburgh, there are some really great lights in the downtown area, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention it for those looking for lights they can see for free.
Throughout the downtown area, you can visit multiple Christmas trees, including the Horne’s tree, a tree in Point State Park, and one at City Hall. There are also great displays and a festive atmosphere in Market Square and the square around PPG Place.
The lights in downtown Pittsburgh are lit from the Saturday before Thanksgiving (at a free event called Light Up Night), through the end of December.
Do you have a favorite free Christmas light display in PA? Let us know in the comments below.
Looking for even more festive fun? Check out my favorite things to do during Christmas in PA, the best walk-through holiday light displays in the state, and the most festive Christmas lights in Philly.
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Check out Stone Hedge Christmas Light exhibit in Tunkhannock, Pa.
That’s a great one. One of my favorite drive-through displays in PA, but it’s not free.