Posted in New York Seasonal October 09, 2021 by

The Christmas Lights Road Trip Through New York That’s Nothing Short Of Magical

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 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 lights in New York road trip for you that’s absolutely magical. This will put even the most Grinchy of Grinches into the Christmas spirit.

During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
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 - 5820 South Park Ave, Hamburg, NY, 14075
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 an incredible light display. 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. To find out more information about the festival, click here.
2. Canalside - 44 Prime St, Buffalo, NY, 14202
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. Check out the Buffalo Waterfront Canalside website for more information on this wonderful attraction.
3. Lights on the Lake - 6790 Onondaga Lake Pkwy, Liverpool, NY, 13088
6790 Onondaga Lake Pkwy, Liverpool, NY 13088, USA
OnondagaCountyParks/YouTube
Lights on the Lake is the best holiday attraction you'll find in the central state area! 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. Get more information or buy your passes on the Lights on the Lake website.
4. Capital Holiday Lights - 35 Willett St, Albany, NY, 12210
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. Tickets must be purchased online in advance in order to enter. To find out more information about this wonderful event, click here.
5. A Frosty Fest - 778 Broadway, Rte 9W, Ulster Park, NY, 12487
Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses, 778 Broadway, Rte 9W, Ulster Park, NY 12487, USA
A Frosty Fest/Facebook
To find out more information about the frosty event, click here.
6. Winter Wonderland - 1 Bronx River Pkwy, Valhalla, NY, 10595
1 Bronx River Pkwy, Bronx, NY 10462, USA
quita71/YouTube
The Westchester Winter Wonderland is a newer festival that has quickly won over our residents with its enchanting light displays. The 1.2-mile drive thru features thousands of lights and a 40-foot Christmas tree. To find out more information and buy your tickets online, click here.

Did we forget your favorite light display that you think should be added to this road trip of Christmas 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, read about how It’s Not Christmas In New York Until You Do These 12 Enchanting Things!

Address: Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses, 778 Broadway, Rte 9W, Ulster Park, NY 12487, USA
Address: Canalside, 44 Prime St, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
Address: 5280 South Park Ave, Hamburg, NY 14075, USA
Address: 6790 Onondaga Lake Pkwy, Liverpool, NY 13088, USA
Address: Washington Park, Albany, NY, USA
Address: 1 Bronx River Pkwy, Bronx, NY 10462, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Winter In New York

October 14, 2021
Lisa Sammons

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 of 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, 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 change.

 

Address: Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses, 778 Broadway, Rte 9W, Ulster Park, NY 12487, USA
Address: Canalside, 44 Prime St, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
Address: 5280 South Park Ave, Hamburg, NY 14075, USA
Address: 6790 Onondaga Lake Pkwy, Liverpool, NY 13088, USA
Address: Washington Park, Albany, NY, USA
Address: 1 Bronx River Pkwy, Bronx, NY 10462, USA