Nothing glitters as much as NYC in the winter. Vibrant colors and Christmas light displays mark the arrival of the holiday season, and some places really pull out all the stops. Take to the streets of NYC to see our favorite twinkling lights.
LessThis popular animal-themed light and lantern display returns to the zoo starting Nov. 18. See 360 lanterns representing almost 90 animal and plant species from around the globe. This year, 70 new lanterns representing 30 new animal species will make their debut at the zoo. Also new this year is an enhanced light show for dazzling photo-ops, a holiday tree show that features synchronized musical lights, and a walk through an animal-themed Light Tunnel for more light shows.
Back and bigger for the 2022 holiday season, Glow is billed as “an outdoor color and light experience,” with an expanded space to encompass even more of the NY Botanical Garden’s grounds. Expect washes of brilliant color, thousands of dazzling LEDs, illuminated plant stories, ice-carving demonstrations, and whimsical, picture-perfect installations that reflect the surrounding gardens and collections. Make it a double feature and check out the popular New York Botanic Garden Holiday Train Show.
You don’t even need to get out of your car for this one! Magic of Lights is a drive-through exhibit with over a mile of light displays featuring beloved characters and holiday scenes at Jones Beach State Park. Highlights include a huge sparkling Barbie, a Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized light-up dinosaurs all decked out to celebrate Prehistoric Christmas.
Magic of Lights, New Jersey: Jones Beach not convenient? You can also catch the Magic of Lights in New Jersey at the PNC Bank Arts Center.
The Riverhead Holiday Light Show is a drive-through light show over a mile long in Suffolk County, with dozens of dazzling displays, including plenty of new additions for 2022. Turn your car radio to a special frequency and watch the lights “dance” in time with festive holiday music. To bring the festive cheer into the car, you can also purchase a Santa hat, light-up necklace, candy cane, and special glasses that make viewing the lights even more spectacular.
The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County have one spectacular light show for you, located at the Smith Point County Park campground! Drive through one and a half miles of lights and light sculptures, featuring over 100 holiday displays (including five new ones), designed by the Girl Scouts themselves. This year, refreshments will be available to purchase at the show. Proceeds benefit programs for girls and families across Suffolk County, so you can enjoy the show and give back to the community.
Relive the magic of Woodstock with Peace, Love & Lights, a beautiful drive-through light show located on the grounds of the famous festival. Drive through over a mile of light displays, including a 120-foot “Twinkle Tunnel,” the fun 70’s-themed Groovy Way, an Enchanted Forest, Santa’s Workshop, and more.
Celebrate the Sesame way with A Very Furry Christmas Celebration at Sesame Place. At this festive, family-friendly celebration with everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends, the park is transformed into a one-of-a-kind Christmas wonderland with millions of twinkling lights and festive decorations all around. The park's 1-2-3 Christmas Tree show features a 30-foot, fully-illuminated pixel-based tree, that projects festive animated images to the sound of a festive holiday soundtrack.
Create your own light show with Luminaries, the annual interactive light show at Brookfield Place. Designed and created in collaboration with the LAB at Rockwell Group, the display features colorful lanterns suspended in the enclosed Winter Garden public courtyard. View a special light show at the top of every hour, set to the holiday songs “Winter Wonderland” by Michael Bublé, “Silver Bells” by Tony Bennett, “Carol of the Bells” by The Bird and The Bee, and “Let It Snow” by Pentatonix.
The holiday windows at Macy’s feature a little blue reindeer named Tiptoe, who needs a little help learning to fly. Follow the journey of discovery and triumph as this very special reindeer takes to the sky to help Santa Claus bring joy to millions of children.This year, Macy’s is also celebrating the return of Toys”R”Us to select Macys. The windows will feature scenes of how we celebrate the holidays with our loved ones, as well as toys magically brought to life through animated displays.