The most wonderful time of year is upon us. The days are shorter. Trees are being delivered. Decorations are going up. If you’re looking for some oh-so-festive activities to celebrate, you’ve come to the right place. One attraction that’s gained a lot of attention as of late is the drive-thru light show. Picture spectacular displays, sparkling tunnels, digital animations and more. It just so happens that New Jersey has plenty of ‘em. Whether you want to travel by car, hayride or even trolley, here are 10 drive-thru holiday light shows in NJ that shouldn’t be missed.
1. Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru – Jackson Township, NJ
Once again, Six Flags Great Adventure is hosting its “Holiday in the Park” celebration. Now through Jan. 9, visitors can take in all of the park’s festive decor, albeit from the comfort of their cars. This exclusive drive-thru experience features 10 different themed areas complete with glittering lights, Christmas music and holiday characters.
Reservations are required and tickets should be purchased in advance. More information can be found here.
2. South Jersey Holiday Light Show – Swedesboro, NJ
Starting Nov. 19, Bridgeport Speedway will be outfitted with dozens of holiday-themed attractions. The drive-thru light show, which lasts 20-25 minutes, is the best way to ensure you’re seeing every display. Cars can travel down the one-mile route and passengers can sync the radio with the light performances.
General admission and/or VIP tickets can be purchased here.
3. Skylands Christmas Light Show – Augusta, NJ
A fan-favorite holiday display in NJ, the drive-thru light show at Skylands Stadium will boast over two million lights starting Nov. 24. The scenic, one-mile drive is set on the baseball field on is estimated to take about 30 minutes. Along the way, passengers will be able to check out spectacular set-ups, including Skylands’ Christmas Village.
Tickets for the light show must be purchased online, in advance, with a reserved time slot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ0pEvacw5s
4. Christmas “Light Show” Hayride – Medford, NJ
All the family fun will be on Nov. 26 at Johnson’s Corner Farm. This year’s holiday festivities will include visits with Santa, an old-fashioned hayride light show and even a light show on the lake. The farm will have thousands of twinkling lights and a special Christmas cafe on the weekends.
See here for additional information and pricing.
5. Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show – West Berlin, NJ
As America’s only construction-themed amusement park, you won’t want to miss what Diggerland has going on this season. Their second annual “Holidig” Drive-Thru currently features dazzling lights of every color, animated displays, tunnels and more. Don’t forget to sync your ride to the park’s radio station for holiday tunes.
It’s advised that tickets be purchased online, in advance, to guarantee entry. Ttickets are also available at the gate.
6. Orchard of Lights – Hillsdale, NJ
To make the most magical time of year even more special, stop by the Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms. The 32-acre guided tour will begin on Nov. 24 and features light displays of all shapes, sizes and colors. The whole ride takes 20-25 minutes. After, there are opportunities to take pictures with Santa or make s’mores.
Reservations are required and tickets are only available online.
7. Magic of Lights – Holmdel, NJ
If you’ve ever driven on the parkway during the holidays, then it’s likely you passed the famous Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center. The drive-through holiday lights experience features LED technology, digital animations and more. Now through Jan. 2, enjoy over 40 festive scenes spread out over a two-and-a-half-mile course.
Additional information and pricing can be found here.
8. The Night of Lights Country Christmas Light Show Extravaganza – Mullica Hill, NJ
Every year, this dairy farm transforms into a winter wonderland. (And in October, an amazing haunted attraction.) As part of their holiday drive-thru experience, Creamy Acres has set up larger-than-life displays, dancing trees and sparkling lights galore. The Night of Lights Country Christmas Light Show Extravaganza will begin on Nov. 26.
Tickets can be purchased here.
9. The Winter WonderLights Spectacular – East Brunswick, NJ
Billed as “NJ’s largest animated holiday light show drive-thru,” the Winter Wonderlights Spectacular will kick off at Middlesex County Fairgrounds on Nov. 26. Here, visitors can expect to see over one-and-half million lights, all synchronized to the music playing in the car. The course itself is a half-mile long and is open seven days a week.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate.
10. Holiday Lights Trolley Ride – Cape May, NJ
At this Cape May attraction, someone else will be doing the driving. The Holiday Lights Trolley Ride takes guests through the historic streets of Cape May in, you guessed it, an old-fashioned trolley. The streets themselves are lined with well-decorated Victorian inns and homes that scream Christmastime. During the ride, passengers will enjoy festive music and tales about some of our favorite traditions.
Plan on visiting an of these drive-thru light shows in NJ this holiday season? Let us know in the comments.
Main photo by Derek Thomson
Abby is The Digest's Managing Editor. She spends her time looking at dogs on Instagram and eating her way around Jersey City.
