It’s time to start getting excited for Christmas in New York! Some of our more eager residents may already be planning where to put up their lights and decorations for the season, while others will follow through with the annual traditions of hanging up holiday cheer right after turkey day. If you’re wondering what Christmas lights in New York will be worth seeing this year, worry not! We’ve planned a Christmas road trip for you that’s absolutely magical. This will put even the most grinchy of Grinches into the Christmas spirit.

This trip will take you all the way across the Empire State to see the most magical Christmas lights in New York. Use Google Maps to see the route.
Google Maps
1. Fairground Festival of Lights
5280 South Park Ave, Hamburg, NY 14075, USA
Lee Ruk/Flickr
We'll start our winter in New York trip off at the Hamburg-Erie County Fairgrounds. Here, you'll take a one-mile drive through the best Christmas lights in NY. This one's open the whole month of December, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas day. It's Western New York's largest holiday festival. You can experience fun activities like a 10,000-square-foot walkthrough that leads visitors to the North Pole, and much, much more.
2. Canalside
Canalside, 44 Prime St, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
Canalside/Yelp
Visiting Buffalo's Canalside is a great way to spend the day outside any time of year. But during Christmas in New York, it's absolutely magical. The Connecting Terminal Grain Elevator is lit up each night, putting on a light display unlike any other in the Empire State. During the holidays, the light display is filled with Christmas cheer. The magical holiday-themed show is delightful no matter your age. If you want to keep yourself busy until nightfall, you can enjoy ice skating or check out shops in the area.
3. Lights on the Lake
6790 Onondaga Lake Pkwy, Liverpool, NY 13088, USA
OnondagaCountyParks/YouTube
Lights on the Lake is the best holiday attraction in New York! This one is one that's been around for over 30 years. The two-mile holiday drive-thru in New York will take you through all kinds of interesting areas, like the Larger-Than-Life Land of Oz and Twinkling Fantasy Forest. This is a great family-friendly Christmas activity. Please note that vehicle passes must be purchased in advance online.
4. Capital Holiday Lights
Washington Park, Albany, NY, USA
Wikimedia Commons
The Capital Holiday Lights display is a Capital Region favorite, right in Albany's Washington Park. You can drive through the entire park to take in the sight of over 100 light displays. Stop in at the Lake House to find refreshments, crafts, and other holiday activities. NY at Christmas has never been so sparkly.
5. A Frosty Fest
Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses, 778 Broadway, Rte 9W, Ulster Park, NY 12487, USA
A Frosty Fest/Facebook
This fun annual holiday event is perfect for the whole family. With a seemingly endless list of delights and fun to be had, this spectacular NY Christmas tradition is part of what makes the season merry and bright.
6. Winter Wonderland
1 Bronx River Pkwy, Bronx, NY 10462, USA
quita71/YouTube
The Westchester Winter Wonderland is a drive-thru Christmas lights display in New York that has quickly won over our residents with its enchanting light displays. The 1.2-mile drive-thru event features thousands of lights and a 40-foot Christmas tree.

Did we forget your favorite light display that you think should be added to this Christmas road trip of lights in New York? Share your suggestions in the comments: you never know, maybe you’ll see them in a future article. For more seasonal cheer, remember: it’s not Christmas in New York until you do these 12 enchanting things!

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More to Explore

Winter In New York

Lisa Sammons | October 14, 2021

What are some good activities for Christmas in New York?

Have you stopped by Skaneateles? This place turns into a magical Christmas village each year! You also shouldn't miss Hamburg's Festival of Lights. Small towns in New York like these will make even the most hardened of Grinches get into the holiday spirit.

What are some holiday events in New York?

Check out this fantastic guide to year-round seasonal activities in New York! We've got so many fun events leading from fall into winter. Pumpkin patches, apple cider, haunted houses, hay rides, and more fill up the autumn. After Thanksgiving, it feels like the entire state turns into a magical winter wonderland. We've got holiday drive-thru spectaculars galore, city Christmas tree lightings, and ice skating all over the state, there are tons of things to do in the winter.

What is winter in New York like?

Well, obviously, winter in New York can be pretty cold! You do not want to underestimate the power of Mother Nature. We have had some pretty horrific blizzards in New York. Each year, snowfall results in loss of property, and sometimes even loss of life. You'll want to make sure you are prepared for all possibilities before winter hits. Keep an eye on weather reports when storms are expected so that you can be aware of the situation as it can constantly changes.

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