The Top 26 Places to See Dazzling Christmas Lights in NYC, Westchester, & Long Island

Whether it's Rockefeller Center or your next door neighbor's lawn, here's where you can see some of the best New York Christmas lights displays.

By Barbara Russo December 3, 2021

Whether you’re strolling through the Bronx Zoo’s holiday lights, seeing the Hudson Yards Christmas Lights, or driving through Westchester Winter Wonderland or the Jones Beach Christmas Lights show, there are plenty of places to see Christmas lights in NYC, Long Island, and Westchester.

One thing is for sure this winter: We’re all in need of a little Christmas magic—and New York’s Christmas lights are the perfect way to add a little dazzle into your holiday season. So, while you’re out attending Christmas events, driving out to cut down your own Christmas tree, or stopping by a holiday market to buy gifts for your loved ones, make sure you walk or drive by these spectacular Christmas lights in NYC, Long Island, and Westchester.

Click on your preferred region to jump to that section:

Manhattan
Bronx
Brooklyn
Queens
Long Island
Westchester

Christmas Lights in NYC

1. Rockefeller Center Tree

Rockefeller Plaza, between 48th and 51st streets, Rockefeller Center
212-588-8601
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The famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was lit on Wednesday, Dec. 1, and shines bright with more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights. The tree will be lit daily from 6am-12am for all to enjoy. This year's tree made headlines as the first Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree to come from Maryland!

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2. Shine Bright: Hudson Yards Christmas Lights

Between Tenth and Twelfth avenues, from 30th to 34th streets, Hudson Yards
646-954-3155
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Presented by Wells Fargo, Shine Bright features more than two million lights illuminating The Shops, Public Square and Gardens, Edge, and Vessel.

3. Brookfield Place Luminaries

230 Vesey St., Battery Park City
212-978-1673
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Luminaries, a mesmerizing display of colorful lanterns designed by the LAB at Rockwell Group, returns to Brookfield Place with a new experience called Maestro that allows visitors to conduct the canopy using a gesture-controlled instrument to display their own unique light shows in unison with holiday music. Maestro runs Dec. 4-7, 11-12, 16-19, from 10am-8pm. For added holiday fun, Luminaries features light shows set to holiday songs at the top of every hour, 8am-10pm through Jan. 2, 2022.

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4. The Shops at Columbus Circle

10 Columbus Circle, Midtown
212-823-6300
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The famous 14-foot stars light up in synchronization with holiday music at 4pm each evening. These will be illuminated through Jan. 3, 2022, daily, 5-11pm.

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5. Pulitzer Fountain

Grand Army Plaza, 59 Street and Fifth Avenue, Midtown

See an adorable and illuminated holiday light display featuring penguins and other cold-weather animals that are signature of the season.

6. Holiday Lights Extravaganza Walking Tour

977 Sixth Ave., Herald Square
844-407-1795
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As part of this walking tour, you’ll visit the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the famous department store window displays and many other holiday-decorated spots while learning about NYC’s festive traditions. The tour ranges 3-4 hours and includes a 45-minute shopping excursion. Tickets are $50. Various dates available in December. Check the website for more information.

7. New York Christmas Markets and Lights Walking Tour

10 Columbus Circle, Midtown
844-407-1795
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Get into the Christmas spirit on a 4-hour walking tour of four of New York’s most attractive holiday markets, and find unique gifts among the vast array of hand-crafted goods, local arts and crafts, and fashionable winter attire. Sample traditional foods and warm drinks as you take in Manhattan's holiday light displays and charming holiday decorations along the way. Tickets are $45; $36 for ages 5-11. Various dates available in December. Check the website for more information

Christmas Lights in The Bronx

1. Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights

2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx
718-220-5100
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See festive lights in the Bronx at this holiday event. During the evenings, the park comes to life with holiday cheer as immersive light displays, custom-designed animal lanterns, and animated light shows sparkle across the zoo. The outdoor celebration is complete with festive entertainment, seasonal treats and classic holiday music. (Registration required: $39.95; $34.95 seniors 65 and older; $24.95 ages 3-12)

2. NYBG GLOW

2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx
718-817-8700
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Discover the beauty of the NYBG landmark landscape and historic buildings after dark, breathtakingly illuminated with a newly expanded 1.5-mile colorful experience. See the website for the schedule this holiday season. (Registration recommended. $35; $20 children 2-12; children younger than 2 are free.)

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Brooklyn Christmas Lights

1. Lightscape

Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Ave., Crown Heights
718-623-7200
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See the garden after dark at the illuminated Lightscape spectacular. Through Jan. 9, 2022. See the website for the schedule. (Registration required. $34; $18 ages 3-12; free for children 2 and younger.)

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2. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

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Dyker Heights is home to some of the most over-the-top Christmas lights in New York. Displays spill over homes, roofs, and gardens each year. You can take a drive (or walk) through the neighborhood to feast your eyes on the displays, or even sign up for a guided walking tour or bus tour (which originates at Bryant Park Winter Village).

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Christmas Lights in Queens

1. NYC Winter Lantern Festival

Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Glen Oaks
718-347-3276
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The NYC Winter Lantern Festival comes to the Queens County Farm. Enjoy a dazzling display of festive holiday lights and handmade lanterns in the shape of flowers, tractors, your favorite farm animals and more. Through Jan. 9, 2022: Thursday-Sunday and daily Dec. 16-Jan.2, 4:30-9:30pm. Check the website for prices.

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Christmas Lights in Long Island

1. LuminoCity Festival

7 Community Drive E., Manhasset
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Set upon a world lit up with towering luminescent sculptures, The LuminoCity Festival, a holiday light show on Long Island, will take you to a dazzling new world with Lumi, the LuminoCity mascot, as your guide. The immersive outdoor event will be a festive, and timed entry experience for guests of all ages. Through Jan. 9, 2022. See the website for the schedule. Registration required. Tickets are $76 VIP; $38 general admission; $27 kids ages 3-12.

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2. Drive-In Holiday Experience

Marjorie R. Post Park, 451 Unqua Road, Massapequa
516-797-7925

See amazing holiday lights put on by the Town of Oyster Bay at this drive-in experience featuring The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol. There’s a fun walk-thru holiday village, too. (Note: The event is for Town of Oyster Bay residents only. Free. Dec. 8-12. Reserve a time slot on the website.)

3. Shimmering Solstice

Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
516-333-0048
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Bring the family to this Long Island walk-thru light display. See holiday lights set along Old Westbury Gardens’ paths that will lead you to the Walled Garden, Rose Garden, South Lawn, and Allee. After your adventure through the festive illuminated fun, enjoy seasonal food and drinks. Through Jan. 9, 2022: See the website for a schedule. $32.95; $17.95, ages 3-17. During off peak hours: $29.95; $16.95 ages 3-17.

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4. NYC Winter Lantern Festival

Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive in Roslyn
516-484-9338
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The NYC Winter Lantern Festival comes to the Nassau County Museum of Art. The 20-acre drive through adventure will explore the world from a bug's point of view. It runs through Jan. 9, 2022, Wednesday-Sunday, 5-10pm. Tickets start at $34.99.

5. Magic of Lights Jones Beach Christmas Lights

150 Bay Parkway, Jones Beach
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The Jones Beach Holiday Light Show returns through Jan. 2, 2022 and is open Sunday-Thursday, 5pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday, 5pm-11pm. You won’t even need to leave your car to see the amazing light displays lining the roads on the West End. Tickets start at $25.

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6. Riverhead Holiday Light Show

2549 Splish Splash Drive, Calverton
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The Riverhead Holiday Light Show runs on select dates through Dec. 30. It features dozens of dazzling displays that the whole family will love. Tickets start at $23.

7. Smith Point Light Show

Smith Point County Park Campgrounds, Shirley
631-543-6622
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Drive through a trail filled with dazzling lights at this Long Island holiday light display, running on select dates through Jan. 9. See the website for a full schedule. Tickets start at $22.

8. Suffolk County Farm Winter Wonderland

350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank
631-727-7850
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Experience the farm beautifully illuminated for the holidays. Say hello to farm animals, make your own lantern in the craft area, warm up with hot cocoa, and enjoy a tractor-drawn wagon ride through the farm. Saturdays, Dec. 11 and 18, 4-7pm. Tickets are $15 ages 3 and older. Children younger than 3 are free.

Westchester Christmas Lights

1. Keeler Christmas Light Display

16 Luigi Road, Putnam Valley
914-497-5565
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Visit this holiday light display in Westchester, which the Keeler family spends three months creating for the community to enjoy. Check the Facebook page for more information.

2. Westchester Winter Wonderland

Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla
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Westchester’s Winter Wonderland is a 1.2-mile drive-thru experience filled with thousands of lights. Festive holiday music gets pumped straight into your vehicle’s radio as you drive the trail enjoying attractions such as elves, glittering angels, dancing trees, and much more. Through Jan. 2, 2022: starting at 6pm Monday-Friday, 5pm Saturday-Sunday. Tickets start at $25.

3. Lights on Jenkins Court

12 Jenkins Court, Ossining
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Enjoy this sparkling holiday light show in Westchester while listening to holiday tunes on 90.5 FM on your car radio. Through Jan. 6, 2022: daily, 4:30-9pm.

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4. LUMAGICA at Harvest Moon

130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem
914-485-1210
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Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard has partnered with LUMAGICA, known for making light installations throughout Europe. Visitors will experience a walking tour through a forest full of animal structures and festive decorations, all illuminated by hundreds of thousands of LED lights. Tickets available Friday-Sunday through Dec. 12; then daily Dec. 17-23 and Dec. 26-30. Check the website for prices.

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5. Illuminations at American Christmas

30 Warren Place, Mount Vernon
914-997-6700
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American Christmas, creators of holiday light displays in New York City, brings you illuminations at its Mount Vernon showroom. Stay warm as you take selfies with 15-foot-tall reindeer and walk through a maze of beautiful lights and animatronics. A family-friendly indoor experience. Proceeds benefit the efforts of United Way of Westchester and Putnam. Through Dec. 23: See the website for a schedule. Tickets are $5.

6. Grand Illumination

945 North Broadway, Yonkers
914-613-4502
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Wander through the Walled Garden, which will be lit up by 100,000 lights. Enjoy multicultural seasonal music and warm up with free hot cocoa. Opening night is Friday, Dec. 10 at 5:30pm. Admission is free every night, Dec. 11-Jan. 2, 2022, 4:30-8pm.

Main image via Hudson Yards NYC Facebook