Nothing shines like Pennsylvania during the holiday season! From spectacular light displays to winter wonderlands adorned in twinkling lights, holiday spirit is bright across the Keystone State.
1. Christmas Magic — A Festival of Lights
York
Santa’s elves have been hard at work transforming Rocky Ridge County Park in York into a holiday wonderland. With 600,000 twinkling lights and animated holiday scenes, the annual Christmas Magic – A Festival of Magic, Nov. 24-Dec. 30 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), promises to be bigger and better than ever! Hiking shoes are optional for the half-mile, ADA-compliant walking trail that meanders along a wooded hilltop. Purchase your tickets and reserve your spot online, because you won’t want to miss this wonder-filled holiday tradition!
2. Holiday Light Extravaganza
Jones Mill
Visit Living Treasures Animal Park for their fourth annual Holiday Light Extravaganza, select dates Nov. 18-Jan. 7. Stroll around and admire close to a million twinkling holiday lights and decorations and grab a front row seat to their light and sound show. There’s plenty of holiday fun for the whole family and there may even be a few animals to meet and feed!
3. Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill
Reading
Berks County invites you to enjoy the holiday season at the annual Holiday Lights at Gring's Mill with a walk through the illuminated park highlighting the park’s historic buildings and landscaping on Fridays through Sundays Dec. 1-17, then daily from Dec. 18-23 and for three nights after Christmas, with a “sensory friendly” night on Dec. 13. Gaze at the light displays and decorations while enjoying some tasty treats from local food trucks, visits from Santa on select nights, and live music in the heated outdoor pavilion each evening. New for 2023, enjoy a Holiday Craft Market and Kid’s Craft Workshop at the Heritage Center on Dec. 9.
4. Winter Wonderland at Asbury Woods
Erie
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Take a magical stroll along the Asbury Woods boardwalk during Winter Wonderland at Asbury Woods, Dec. 1-31. The boardwalk’s adjacent woods and wetlands are turned into a breathtaking winter wonderland, glowing with hundreds and hundreds of twinkling lights. Be sure to stop in the preserve’s Andrew J. Conner Nature Center where you’ll find unique holiday items for sale in their expanded gift shop featuring beautiful creations from local artisans.
5. Let There Be Light
Stevens
Be sure to reserve your spot for Let There Be Light at Refreshing Mountain Retreat where you’ll find a variety of fun ways to enjoy their holiday lights, Nov. 24-Jan. 7. Get your adrenaline-pumping ziplining through thousands of holiday lights, or opt for a more sedate experience viewing the twinkling scenes from their Observation Deck, Wildlife Center, and Christmas Light Walking Path. With more than 500,000 lights, their newly expanded walk-thru donation area features tens of thousands more lights than ever before, and where you can embrace the spirit of the season by donating (optional) to each weekend’s featured non-profit.
6. Holiday Garden Railway
Philadelphia
Visit the Morris Arboretum for a truly festive, fun-filled holiday experience at their Holiday Garden Railway, Nov. 24- Dec. 30. Their model garden railway literally sparkles this holiday season, decked out in thousands of glittering holiday lights. Watch as Santa’s magical holiday train rumbles through tunnels and over bridges in a winter wonderland of dazzling lights. While the trains run both day and night, the evening experience is even more dazzling and magical against the backdrop of winter’s darkness.
7. A Longwood Christmas
Kennett Square
Enjoy a A Very Retro Christmas this holiday season at Longwood Gardens, Nov. 17-Jan. 7. Showcasing botanical splendor with a retro vibe, their horticulture artists are bringing to life a bevy of bright, nostalgic moments with festive trees draped in throwback baubles, shimmering tinsel, and favorite childhood toys. You’re invited to take a step back in time to the mid-1950s and a festive holiday party scene with retro fun at every turn. The strolling Olde Towne Carolers will serenade you with holiday music as you cozy up to the inviting fire pits amid the thousands and thousands of Longwood’s twinkling lights. Purchase your tickets and reserve your spot online, because you won’t want to miss this wonder-filled holiday tradition!
8. Trail of Lights
Chambersburg
Make a new holiday memory at Country Creek Produce Farm’s Trail of Lights, select dates Nov.24-Dec. 31! Plan to dress accordingly because It’s a true walk-through holiday lights experience across farmland featuring more than 100 lighted displays. Visit on weekends and warm up beside the camp fires found along the trail. Stop in their Holiday Greenhouse to deck your halls with wreaths, fresh tipped greens, fresh greenery rope, winter berries, magnolia, white pine, and other beautiful holiday décor.
9. Dazzling Nights
Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is brimming with holiday cheer (and lights!) with a spectacular mile-long journey of awe-inspiring light experiences centered around its botanical wonders during Dazzling Nights, Nov. 24-Jan.1. Stroll through a field of 2,000 illuminated flowers dancing with light. Look above where dozens of hand-made Moroccan Lanterns hang from the treetops and look below where a walkway of interactive lights illuminate when stepped upon. Watch their awe-inspiring light show at the Lotus Pond and be enraptured strolling through their tunnel of stars. You’ll want to gather your friends and family around their stunning 30-foot tall stained glass tree, which is the perfect backdrop to snap a photo worthy of your holiday cards!
10. Lights In Greenawalds
South Whitehall Township
Greenawalds Avenue in South Whitehall Township is all aglow this holiday season with their biggest light show yet during Lights In Greenawalds – Escape to Christmas, select dates Nov. 12-Dec. 23. Stroll along the avenue to admire dozens and dozens and dozens! of whimsical holiday light displays, including a light-filled walkway that leads to Santa. Adding to the fun, there’s live music, trivia, and giveawys. Best yet, Lights in Greenawalds is a totally free event, from the parking to the lights, and even the concessions! They only request you respect people’s yards, park only where told, do not litter, and have fun!
11. The Macy’s Christmas Light Show
Philadelphia
The iconic Macy’s Christmas Light Show is back at Macy’s Center City, Nov. 24-Dec. 31! Delighting generations of children and adults alike for close to seven decades, twinkling snowflakes, dancing snowmen, and 100,000 holiday lights fill Macy’s Grand Court with holiday cheer with close to 35,000 LED lights on the Macy’s Magic Christmas Tree alone! Be sure to stop by to listen to a variety of classic holiday melodies played on the famed Wannamaker Organ, the largest playing pipe organ in the world.
12. Winter Lights Spectacular
Schnecksville
Celebrating its 10th anniversary of spreading holiday cheer, the Lehigh Valley Zoo is transformed into a Winter Lights Spectacular, select dates Nov. 17-Dec. 31. The winter wonderland boasts 1.2 million lights and breathtaking holiday displays amid classic holiday scenes. There will be several fire pits to help keep you warm, performances by those iconic princesses, Elsa, Cinderella, and Belle, tasty treats, and, of course, Santa will be making an appearance!
13. Overly’s Country Christmas
Greensburg
Overly’s Country Christmas offers a spectacular walk-through holiday lights display and so much more, select dates Nov. 16-Dec. 30 (closed on all major holidays), with their Christmas Village simply brimming with holiday cheer! Be enchanted by the Hartman Station model train display, then enjoy the entertaining Talking Christmas Tree and tasty treats from the Country Kitchen. Warm up by the Holiday Bonfire before climbing aboard for a tractor wagon ride or watch the little ones enjoy the Kids' Express train ride and Mr. Waterheater’s Fun-derland playground. Of course, be sure to visit Santa in his workshop to share your Christmas wishes!
14. GLOWLAND
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood is once again transformed into a twinkling wonderland during GLOWLAND Festival of Lights, Nov. 20-Jan. 2. Illuminating and decorating two square miles of Oakland’s civic and commercial district, GLOWLAND is sure to brighten and dazzle even the “grinchiest” among us this holiday season. The event is filled with dynamic and interactive installations with fun-filled art, music, play, and light events throughout the holiday season.
15. Koziar’s Christmas Village
Bernville
First you drive down a dark, curvy road. Then you hear the faint sounds of Christmas music drifting up from the valley below. Around that last turn, more than a million blazing holiday lights come into view and you’ll swear you’ve entered a Christmas fairyland at Koziar’s Christmas Village, Nov. 23-Jan. 1. Celebrating its 76th anniversary season and considered The Best Christmas Light Display in Pennsylvania in 2023 by Travel + Leisure, the , the village features both traditional and non-traditional holiday scenes, including an early 20th century schoolhouse, “kissing” bridge, and a whimsical Christmas Under The Sea, and, of course, a spectacular display of holiday lights.
16. Illuminaire Nights in Scenic Skippack Village
Skippack
The annual Illuminaire Nights in scenic Skippack Village takes an already picturesque main street and dusts it with extra holiday magic. Hundreds of candles line the pathways and retail spaces of this charming Montgomery County spot, where shoppers and carolers tap into the warmth and joy of the holidays. Enjoy this unique and beautiful holiday experience, Fridays Nov. 24-Dec. 22.
17. Shining Through the Darkness
Mifflin County
Now in its 16th year of bringing holiday joy, Kish Park glows with thousands of twinkling lights and holiday displays for you and your family to enjoy. Get into the holiday spirit as you surround yourself with free entertainment, food, and fun, Dec. 2- Jan. 5.
18. Rose Tree Park Festival of Lights & Holiday Village
Media
Rose Tree Park returns this year with its annual Festival of Light & Holiday Village. Stroll through the winter wonderland decorated with dozens of illuminated trees and lit displays. A treasured Delco tradition for more than four decades, the Festival of Lights provides the perfect opportunity to get in the holiday spirit with friends and family. The hugely popular Holiday Village returns with unique, local vendors featuring all sorts of wares, Dec. 1-Jan. 1.
19. Zoo Lights Walk-Thru at Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Pittsburgh
New this year, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is offering a walk-through Zoo Lights experience, Dec. 15-16, 22-23. Enjoy a sparkling safari of holiday lights strolling at your leisure in the brisk winter air. There will be yuletide entertainment, photo opportunities, special holiday snacks, music, and an appearance by Santa Claus to listen to last minute wishes. No need to panic if you still need a gift or two because you’ll find gifts available for purchase at various kiosks. And no worries if you still want to stay warm and toasty viewing the Zoo Lights from the comfort of your car; the drive-through Zoo Lights experience is filled with its traditional twinkle and shine.
20. Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show
Morrisville
Get ready to be dazzled by Shady Brook Farm’s Holiday Light Show, Nov. 18-Jan. 8. Featuring more than 3 million lights in whimsical displays, see how many familiar characters you can spot from the comfort of your car or enjoy the show with an open-air wagon ride as you sing along to your favorite holiday tunes under a beautiful winter night sky.
21. Lumino City Holiday Lights Festival
Phoenixville
Lumino City lights up the Greater Philadelphia Fairgrounds with a spectacular interactive display of holiday lights during the Holiday Lights Festival, Nov. 17-Jan. 15. This year’s theme, Golden Holiday, features a state-of-the-art production that brings together art, light, and color to create a magical holiday experience including a 50-foot-tall tree of lights!
22. Electrical Spectacle Light Show
Philadelphia
Franklin Square is the setting for the dazzling Electrical Spectacle Light Show, Nov. 16-Feb. 15. The square is festooned with thousands upon thousands of glowing and glittering LED lights. Each night the square comes alive with a wonder-filled light show choreographed to several holiday music classics. One of the highlights (truly, no pun intended) is a glittering kite and key, paying homage to Benjamin Franklin’s experiments with lightning and electricity.
23. The Arboretum at Penn State
State College
The Arboretum at Penn State is transformed into a fairyland of twinkling lights and winter wonder during the holiday season. Stroll along the arboretum’s pathways to enjoy a peaceful journey through glittering, shimmering lights enhanced by nature’s beauty. Adorned in glittering, sparkling lights, the Children’s Garden is especially magical, while the greenhouse’s decorations are simply stunning.
24. Peckville Christmas House
Peckville
Join in the celebration and enjoy the spectacular lights at The Peckville Christmas House this holiday season, Nov. 24-Jan. 7. It’s holiday light show you simply have to see for yourself! After all, this annual dazzling display of holiday and community spirit by the Harhut family earned them a spot on ABC’s hit holiday decorating competition, The Great Christmas Light Fight in season 5. Whether you choose to bundle up and walk the path or drive around the house in the warmth of your own car, grab your family and friends for a fun evening of holiday magic.
25. BYOB Holiday Lights Trolley
Pittsburgh
Hop aboard with your favorite beverages for an immersive, festive trolley tour through Pittsburgh. Find holiday cheer in Steel City with the adults-only BYOB Holiday Lights Trolley as you enjoy souvenir gifts, lively music, trivia, exciting prizes, and memory making along the way. Secure your seat and attend this joyful, four-hour ride, select dates Now-Dec. 30.
26. Enchanted Lights: A Magical Christmas Stroll
Freedom
Colorful, dazzling lights bring festive fun to Freedom with the outdoor, holiday walk-through experience Enchanted Lights: A Magical Christmas Stroll. Cozy up around the campfire as the young one’s roast s’mores and drink hot chocolate while the adults enjoy seasonal beverages from the Blair and Boyd Holiday Pop-Up Bar. Travelers will discover a winter wonderland and marvel at the sights and sounds of the season at this ticketed event every weekend until Jan. 6.
To learn about more holiday adventures in Pennsylvania, check out the VISIT PA website. Follow us on Facebook, X(Twitter), and Instagram to stay up-to-date on even more great ideas and places to visit around our state. Don’t forget to never miss an update and sign up for our monthly PA travel e-newsletter.