Prepare to be dazzled: 13 best Christmas light displays in Upstate NY

Looking to spark some Christmas cheer?
Dazzle away those near-winter blues with a visit to a holiday light show in Upstate New York.
From a greenhouse full of illuminated poinsettias to a drive-thru show punctuated by fireworks, Upstate boasts a sparkling slate of unforgettable holiday light displays. Some of the shows even keep their lights on as late as February, giving New Yorkers some much-needed extra light in the darkest time of the year.
Where: The Wild Center, 45 Museum Drive, Tupper Lake
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from Nov. 29 to Feb. 22; nightly Dec. 26 to Dec. 31 and Feb. 14 to Feb. 22
Admission: $7 for adult members; $2 for youth members ages 5 to 17; $12 for non-member adults; $7 for non-member youths; free for children 4 and under
Thousands of lights transform The Wild Center‘s already-stunning Adirondacks campus into a winter wonderland for Wild Lights. Stroll the illuminated Wild Walk before walking through Forest Music, where a curated soundtrack awaits.
Where: Otsiningo Park, 1 Ostiningo Park, Binghamton
When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays now through Jan. 5
Admission: $25 per car; free for veterans
Binghamton’s famous light show is a drive-thru event. Enjoy an extra-special night on Black Friday and New Year’s Eve, when fireworks will light up the sky above the Festival of Lights, or on select evenings in November and December, when Santa himself will stop by the park.
Where: Fenimore Farm, 5775 State Route 80, Cooperstown
When: 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, Nov. 29 to Dec. 29
Admission: $15 for adults 18 and up; $10 for teens ages 13 to 17; $5 for children ages 7 to 12; $12.50 for adult members ages 18 and up; $5 for young members ages 7 to 17; free for children 6 and under
Experience Cooperstown’s Fenimore Farm, formerly known as The Farmers‘ Museum, dressed up in its holiday best — with walkable light displays ranging from an “enormous Mega-Chicken” to an illuminated garden. Warm up with hot chocolate at the farm’s Crossroads Café and enjoy free carousel rides.
Where: Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted Houses, 778 Broadway, Route 9W, Ulster Park
When: Select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in November and December starting Nov. 29
Admission: $32.29 for adults, $29.05 for children under 12
When spooky season ends, Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted Houses tucks away its monsters and turns up the cheer with the largest holiday lights event in the Hudson Valley. Enjoy the drive-thru show from your car before parking and paying a visit to Santa, Frosty and more friends.
Where: Onondaga Lake Park, 6751 Onondaga Lake Parkway, Liverpool
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily now through Jan. 13
Admission: Buy tickets in advance on Lights on the Lake’s website. Prices vary.
Lights on the Lake, one of the best-rated holiday light shows in the nation, can be enjoyed from the heated comfort of your car. The 2-mile-long display features over 600,000 lights, including the Land of Oz and a fantasy forest. Tune into Sunny 102.1 to get into the holiday spirit during your drive.
Where: Animal Adventure Park, 85 Martin Hill Road, Harpursville
When: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, now through Dec. 28
Admission: Entry is included in general admission which is free for children 2 and under; $16.99 for children ages 3 to 11; $19.99 for people ages 12 to 64; and $18.99 for people ages 65 and older
Visiting the Animal Adventure Park’s animals — from giraffes and reindeer to tigers and monkeys — becomes even more magical beneath the lights of Jungle Bells. After visiting the cute critters, warm up in Santa’s workshop and keep watch for the prank-happy Grinch.
Where: Victor Hills Golf Club, 1450 Brace Road, Victor
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 29 and Nov. 30, Dec. 6 and Dec. 7, Dec. 12 to Dec. 15 and Dec. 26 to Dec. 28; 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 17 to Christmas Eve
Admission: $40 per vehicle
Catch it while you can: 2024 will be the final year of Roc Lights at Victor Hills Golf Club. Cuddle beneath a blanket in your car as you drive through the 1 1/2-mile light show at the golf course.
Where: The Wild Animal Park, 7621 Lakeport Road, Chittenango
When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on select days in November and December; view a full calendar on the Wild Animal Park’s website
Admission: Tickets vary by age
The Wild Animal Park and its winged, clawed and furry residents get into the holiday spirit during the delightfully illuminated Winter Wonderland of Lights. Fuel up with a festive snack at the park’s snack shack and book an “encounter” with a sloth.
Where: The Fairgrounds, 5600 McKinley Parkway, Hamburg
When: Varies based on experience; visit the festival’s website for details
Admission: $22.60 per car for drive-thru nights; $33.90 per carload for the full festival experience; $20 per car for the one-day anniversary special on Dec. 1
The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights is more than just Western New York’s biggest holiday light show. In its 20th season, the festival features drive-thru and walkable shows — including dance parties with Frosty and appearances by Santa. During your visit, make time to stop by the European Market — inspired by Europe’s old-world Christmas markets.
Where: Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 S. Park Ave., West Seneca
When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on select nights in November and December; view the botanical gardens’ website to see a full list of dates
Admission: Prices vary by age and membership status
Poinsettias After Dark is easily one of the most unique holiday light shows in Upstate New York. Housed inside the stunning Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens’ tropical conservatory, the event offers plant lovers a chance to see a rainbow of poinsettias beneath twinkling lights. To make it extra special, see the show on one of the gardens’ designated date nights and enjoy the lights with a glass of wine.
Where: Tioga Downs Casino, 2384 W. River Road, Nichols
When: Nov. 29 to Dec. 21
Admission: Free
The family-friendly Winterfest, featuring a craft fair and horse-drawn wagon rides, is returning to the grounds of Tioga Downs. The event is free — a balm for money-crunched New Yorkers during the expensive holiday season.
Where: 6636 U.S. Route 9, Rhinebeck
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 28 to Dec. 1 and Dec. 5 to Dec. 8, then nightly Dec. 12 to Dec. 29
Admission: Tickets vary by vehicle size; visit the event’s website for details
The dazzling Wonderland of Lights brightens the Dutchess County Fairgrounds every holiday season with a drive-thru show featuring hundreds of displays. Grab a pair of 3D glasses before your drive to make the show extra magical and help the Wonderland of Lights support its partner, Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley.
Where: Animal Land, 3554 State Highway 30, Gloversville
When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 29 to Nov. 30; Dec. 5 to Dec. 7; Dec. 12 to Dec. 14; and Dec. 10 to Dec. 21
Admission: $15 for adults; $10 for kids ages 2 to 12; free for children under 2. While this is a cash-only event, an ATM is available on site
Visitors get two experiences for the price of one at Christmas at Animal Land: a drive-thru light show and a walk-through display featuring photo ops made even more magical by appearances from live animals — including Santa’s reindeer. On your trip to Adirondack Animal Land, make time to visit a live nativity featuring camels, goats, sheep and donkeys.