Best Places to See Christmas Lights in New England
Wondering where to go see Christmas lights? From kid-friendly zoos to holy shrines, these are our favorite places to see Christmas lights in New England.
By Aimee Tucker|Dec 09 2021|
Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens | Best Places to See Christmas Lights in New England
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Coastal Maine Botanical GardensUpdated for 2025
Whether it’s piling into the car with a steaming travel mug of hot chocolate to cruise the holiday lights in your own community, or heading out to a larger “destination holiday light spot,” the glow of twinkling lights is one of the earliest and easiest ways to get into the holiday spirit. Wondering where to go see Christmas lights in New England? If you want to venture beyond home for maximum wattage, check out some of our favorite places to see Christmas lights in New England in a big way.
Want more holiday fun? Check out the Best Christmas Celebrations in New England and the Best Historic Christmas Celebrations in New England!
Best Places to See Christmas Lights in New England
Connecticut Christmas Light Displays
Amarante’s Winter Wonderland | Dayville, CT
Since 2010, the Amarante family has set up more than 200,000 lights in a walk-through display on their property to spread holiday cheer in the community, and it’s quickly become a local favorite. Admission is free, but they sell tasty treats on-site and accept donations for the light fund and local charities.
Glow Hartford | Hartford, CT
Want an indoor experience? Glow Hartford returns to the Connecticut Convention Center with interactive light gardens, illuminated structures, seasonal food and drinks, family-friendly activities, a festive holiday market, and live entertainment. Don’t miss a free photo with Santa and a ride on the trackless “Glow-comotive” train.
Fantasy of Lights | New Haven, CT
Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven becomes the perfect place to cruise for Christmas cheer each holiday season. With over 100,000 bulbs, the festival contains 60 animated displays, and it feels extra nice knowing that proceeds benefit Goodwill of Southern New England.
Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights at the Connecticut Trolley Museum | East Windsor, CT
Wondering where to go see Christmas lights with an emphasis on trains? You’re not alone. Celebrate the season with a 3-mile carol-filled trolley ride through the twinkling “Tunnel of Lights.” Back at the Visitor Center, enjoy hot cocoa and music while you admire the museum’s model trains and displays.
Maine Christmas Light Displays
Photo Credit : Courtesy of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens | Boothbay, ME
As part of the Boothbay Festival of Lights, Gardens Aglow features over 500,000 energy-efficient LED lights decorating the central gardens and buildings at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. In addition to the lights, visitors can enjoy s’mores and popcorn and peruse the Gardens Gift Shop. Purchasing tickets in advance is strongly recommended.
See More: Scenes from Gardens Aglow at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Winter Wonders at Sandy Hill | Eliot, ME
This walk-through experience features over 2.5 million lights on a 14-acre hardwood forest site, and is open from mid-November through the spring, so if you don’t make it during the holidays, you can visit in winter. Enjoy a mile-long path full of lights, music, and wonder.
Massachusetts Christmas Light Displays
Photo Credit : Alan Freeman
Bright Nights | Springfield, MA
“Bright Nights at Forest Park” is the Northeast’s premier holiday lighting experience with nearly three miles of lighting displays spanning the traditional like “Victorian Village” to the childhood-flashback, like “Jurassic World” and “Seuss Land.” Santa is also on hand, not to mention horse-drawn wagon rides and activities like “Dinner with Dickens.” Springfield Christmas lights have never shone so bright!
Fatima Shrine | Holliston, MA
In search of religious Christmas light displays? Massachusetts is home to two shrines on our list. The first is in Holliston. Bundle up for a walking tour of the popular annual Christmas lights display at Fatima Shrine, featuring lights, candles, and a beautiful nativity.
Photo Credit : Courtney Kovach
Festival of Trees | Methuen, MA
This indoor destination for where to go see Christmas lights is a family favorite. For more than 2 decades, the sights and sounds of the holidays draw visitors to the indoor Festival of Trees in Methuen, with more than 240 trees, wreaths, and displays that you could win! The event also features “special nights” throughout the season like Paint Night and Sports Night.
Photo Credit : K.B. Lindeborg
La Salette Shrine | Attleboro, MA
The second shrine on our list. Dating back to 1953, when a simple but beautiful outdoor manger was the only attraction, the annual La Salette Shrine Christmas lights display has since grown into a spectacular display of more than 300,000 lights, inspiring displays, concerts, and other events during the Christmas Season. See for yourself why so many families consider a visit to the La Salette lights a special part of their annual holiday tradition.
Night Lights at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill | Boylston, MA
A garden light experience with over a quarter-million lights, changing themed landscapes, sweet treats, holiday shopping, and more. Designated Sensory Friendly Hours give individuals and families with autism or other sensory sensitivities the chance to enjoy a low-sensory, less crowded experience
Photo Credit : Zoo New England
ZooLights at the Stone Zoo | Stoneham, MA
How about Christmas lights with animals? Here, ZooLights dazzles. Featuring a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights, you’ll stroll through festively decorated Yukon Creek — home to bald eagles, North American porcupines, reindeer, and arctic foxes. Meet the reindeer up close, visit with Santa, and enjoy a magical holiday animal world.
New Hampshire Christmas Light Displays
Photo Credit : Courtesy of New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Gift of Lights at New Hampshire Motor Speedway | Loudon, NH
With more than 2.5 miles of lights, this drive-through light show is a recent addition to the list but already a popular one. Given that there’s more than 2.5 million lights and 520 individual light displays — not to mention hot chocolate, s’mores, and photos with Santa (for a small fee) — you won’t want to miss seeing how spectacular over-the-top decorating looks while being able to brag you’ve driven your car through the speedway’s infield tunnel. Special events include multiple theme nights, Coca-Cola Night, and the Yule Light Up the Night 5K Run.
Holly Jolly Journey | Litchfield, NH
Every year Mel’s Funway Park transforms into the Holly Jolly Journey, a themed trail of lights spanning more than 2/3 of a mile. Stroll through the Zoo of Lights, down Candy Cane Lane, inside the Ice Cave, and to the North Pole. Holiday music and numerous photo opportunities are all part of the experience, so grab a hot cocoa, enjoy a s’more, sip a seasonal cocktail, and make the merriest of memories.
LaBelle Lights | Derry, NH
From mid-November to mid-January, millions of twinkling lights at Labelle Winery in Derry illuminate festive outdoor displays along a walking path. On Wednesdays and Thursdays before Christmas, you can enhance your visit with a Santa Photo Experience. And come hungry – Santa’s Snack Shack on the course offers warm Belgian waffles, popcorn, and hot beverages.
Rhode Island Light Displays
The Rhode Island Holiday Light Show | Hope RI
It’s the longest-running drive-through holiday light spectacular in Rhode Island, featuring several hundred dazzling, larger-than-life holiday-themed displays. Pack a favorite snack and beverage, bundle up in the warmth of your car, and tune your radio to enjoy the synced light performance as you travel the 1-mile route.
Vermont Christmas Light Displays
Winter Lights at Shelburne Museum | Shelburne, VT
Among the highlights of one of New England’s newer holiday displays (launched in 2021): Seeing the historic steamboat Ticonderoga fully aglow, along with the buildings and campus of this family-favorite museum.
Did we miss your favorite place to see Christmas lights in New England? Let us know!
This post was first published in 2013 and has been updated.
You may also like…
Best Historic Christmas Celebrations in New England
Best Christmas Celebrations in New England
5 Best Holiday Light Displays in New England
There’s a private residence that welcomes the public on Farnum Pike in Smithfield,, RI every night 5-9 from thanksgiving night through Christmas night with lights and music, no charge.
Unfortunately it appears that they have not been doing it for several years and recently sold the house. 🙁
La Salette Shrine in Enfield, NH….my children loved this Christmas display when we were living in Lebanon, NH!
As a former resident of Sandwich, we always try to make it back for this holiday event. The whole place is lit up with lots of family friendly activities. The carousel is always a highlight! This is the best holiday lights display I’ve ever seen–in a beautiful setting. Plenty of parking…bathrooms…food….lots to see and do! VERY family friendly!!
Edaville USA Christmas Festival of Lights
We took the drive to the Louden, NH Speedway to see the lights because of the generous write-up in Yankee Magazine. After an 1 1/2 drive, we were very disappointed to see that they didn’t even complete the “Merry Christmas” sign as you approach the track. Several of the lite letters were missing so it read “Merry Christmas”. Wouldn’t that be the first thing you’d complete? They charged $18 a car. I would not recommend driving more than 15 minutes to see it.
It auto- corrected. Lights only said “merry Chris”
In RI there is Slater Park in Pawtucket. I don’t recall all that was there to see but they feature trees that are “adopted” and decorated by individual folks. There is, of course, more to see but that’s what I remember most.
http://Www.nortonlights.com- Wells, Maine
We just had a wonderful visit to Tower Hill Botanic Garden in central Massachusetts. $12 admission per person. Website is http://www.towerhillbg.org . We visited mid-afternoon to see the indoor displays before the lights came on. Highly recommend.
My best place to take in a fine view of Christmas Lights, is right at home! My wife puts in a lot of effort to
create many attractions in, and about our home.
We watch Scrooge on the television, with the enjoyment of hot chocolate, with a fresh pastry.
Love the Methuen Festival of Trees. Our family has made this a Thanksgiving tradition and it really gets us in the holiday spirit. Well worth the ride.
MIDDLEBROROUGH, MA: The Middleborough (MA) Tourism Committee is pleased to announce that the 2nd Annual Festival of Lights will be held Saturday December 12, Sunday Dec. 13, Saturday Dec.19 and Sunday Dec. 20 from 4pm-9pm daily at the KOA Campground located at 438 Plymouth Street, Middleborough, MA. Attendees can drive through and view thousands of lights. Refreshments will also be available. There will also be a cabin decorating contest. Admission is only $1 per vehicle. Special Guest: Santa Claus (You might even see The Grinch)! For more information visit ww.discovermiddleborough.com or contact us at discovermiddleborough@gmail.com or 774-766-6335
Middleborough Tourism Committee
774-766-6335
discovermiddleborough@gmail.com
http://www.discovermiddleborough.com
http://www.facebook.com/MiddleboroToday
http://www.twitter.com/MiddleboroToday
We love the Fantasy of Lights in New Haven, CT. It is worth the trip from anywhere, as it’s on the water & very pretty. There is an admission price per carload at $10.00 as of 2014. Hubbard Park in Meriden Ct is another pretty place to visit, there is no admission charge & if you wish, you can walk around to see the displays. We also love the lights at La Salette Shrine in Attleboro, MA. Just be sure to bundle up, as you walk around to see these lights. Enjoy the Season & Merry Christmas to You!
Somehow the location and event got separated from my comment. I’m speaking about Heritage Museum in Sandwich MA
Yes, heritage gardens aglow in sandwich mass is amazing although this year was not as good as last year. I grew up in sandwich mass and love it.
Lasallette Shrine Attleboro Ma. Nothing short of awesome and free !! Bundle up —head to toe. Worth it!!!!
Not to mention the Littlest Christmas Tree on Shawme Pond, lit following the reading of Thornton’s Burgess’s book of the same name. The “Giants” around town – with Angels, Chesterton, Dan’l Webster, Fireman & truck, Fish, Glass blower, Old Man Winter and many more. And the Grand Finale, First Night Sandwich with various arts events, ice skating, a parade and the lighting of the “Lighthouse” at Shawme Pond. Google Holly Days, Sandwich!!
Beans Corner Lights in Jay, ME. Over 30,000 lights synchronized to music over fm radio while you relax in your car. Large parking area in the lot for Beans Corner Baptist Church.
Does anyone know if the yearly display will be up in Chesterfield NH Thanks
What is the address on Farnum Pike of the house w/ the lights? Is there rad parking near it? We love looking at lighting displays.
I live within 3 miles of Farnum Pike for the last 35 years and to be honest with you, I am NOT familiar with a home open to the public or one with enough lights to entertain a crowd. Dont get me wrong….a few rednecks out here like their lights BUT…..I wouldnt run out loking for this place because I have NEVER seen the place mentioned and I travel Farnum Pike daily, to and fro. But if I catch wind of this location I will update my comment.
Some Xmas lights to see in Burlington, VT. First at Echo on the waterfront and then look straight up the hill (east) and see the display at the Pomerleau building. Only two good ones I know of this year.
Essex Junction – Maple Street Park puts on a nice light display each year that is free.
There is also a La Salette Shrine in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
In Vermont, I recommend the Christmas lights at the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in South Royalton, VT. They are magical!
https://www.lds.org/locations/joseph-smith-birthplace-memorial?lang=eng
I would second that! The lights at the JSM get more and more beautiful every year. The day after Thanksgiving at dusk (and the following evening as well) the Joseph Smith Birthplace always has a free pageant on the hill reenacting the birth of Christ. They also have a live nativity with a donkey and sheep for the children to pet. Refreshments are served in the visitor center nightly throughout the season. All free.
I also recommend the Christmas lights and creche at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Enfield, New Hampshire.
For hours and other information see their website at:
http://www.lasaletteofenfield.org
So glad you mentioned this as I was going to. Have a friend in Enfield and visit her twice a year, spring and fall. Therefore, I’ve never seen the lights but she always tells me about them and I attend Mass there and love their year round display of crèches from all over the world.
I remember going there for Christmas (and other times also) when I was young with my family. Had no idea there was another shrine in Mass. The one I remember had a station where you went up the stairs on your knees.
Hi Barbara the La Salette Shrine on Park Street in Attleboro Ma still has the stairs that you can climb up on your knees in prayer or walk up ramp/stairs on the outside of the praying stairs. This shrine is 100% Christian religion. There are all the stations of the cross that go around a pool of gigantic gold fish a manger and a replica of the tomb Jesus was buried in. They have a gift shop, again religious. And also a place to have snacks and drinks. It is always packed and always a very good idea to bundle up. It is a walk through and can take a few hours. Its both educational and enlightening. If Im not mistaken it is run by monks and nuns. You will see nuns but doubt you will see monks. I hope this helped refresh your memory.
Hubbard Park in Meriden Ct. No fee. New lighted displays added every year
Just so readers are not disappointed, Wilton, Maine site will be different this year. They have moved to another location in town, and will have a much smaller, more scaled back display. Check their Facebook page.
I think this should have been titled as Best Places to see Christmas Lights in SOUTHERN New England!
Hi Paul. Thanks for your comment. We’d love to know if you have a hot northern New England Christmas lights display tip for us! We’d be glad to add it to the list!
South Royalton, VT.
Joseph Smith birthplace, not terribly huge but very beautiful.
Notice almost two years later and Paul STILL hasn’t come up with that spot in NORTHERN New England, LOL
Its not Northern but in Southern VT, Bennington has a collage campus. Southern VT Collage. Its not huge but it may be big enough if you start from the bottom and go up and around. Lots of land space and good traffic flow. Students are away on break around holidays. Just a thought if you were looking for potential spaces.
For Northern Vt., how about Taylor Park in St. Albans?
Um, Boothbay is in mid-coast Maine. Not southern New England, my friend.
Gardens A-Glow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine is a spectacular light show in a beautiful setting. http://www.mainegardens.org/calendar-events/gardens-aglow/
What about RI? I know we’re tiny, but certainly not on the list. La Salette in Attleboro does not count! I might suggest Slater Park in Pawtucket for our ltitle nook down here – but seeing as I’m from Pawtucket I was looking for something new!
Gardens Aglow Boothbay Maine Botanical Gardens is amazing
I recently went to see Night Lights at Tower Hill Botanical Gardens and it was a truly magical experience. The most impressive was the Firefly Forest–a real forest in blue lights with millions of “fireflies”. It truly did seem magical. Followed by the rainbow tunnel! So many different themed gardens with such a wonderful light display! It’s the best one I’ve ever seen.
Just a couple of miles from the Rhode Island line, on Rt 101 in Killingly, CT, there is an amazing private display that’s open to the public. They’ve even won ABC’s “Great Christmas Light Fight”!!!
Admission is free, although there are donation boxes set up for various charities. Parking on the weekend can be challenging, but during the week it’s usually manageable. It’s a beautiful stroll for both adults and kids!
Does this place have a name?? Or an address?? I live right on the state line and need somewhere close to take my little ones for some holiday cheer!!
Emily- if you haven’t found it yet, it’s called Amarante Winter Wonderland- Pratt Road in Dayville, CT
If it has not been mentioned seeing Nubble Light in York Maine lit up is a real treat.It is lit up every night til after the new year.
The Giants of Sandwich on the Cape. Enormous sculptures in lights line 6A and throughout Sandwich and now into Barnstable. Amazing
A few years ago I drove from Rutland to Burlington Vt up Rte 7. It was Christmas Eve the night was clear a lot of snow on the ground, all the towns and houses gayly decorated. It was quintessential VT. I hope I get to make that drive again some day.
Hi ! Just read your comments about Xmas lights in Vermont. I’ll bet that drive would be spectacular ! Coming from Canada to ski, we always took 89 to get to Stowe usually, or sometimes on down to Killington. I wish I had stopped to see those lights. The Christmas decorations in Stowe are just ” the best”. Wishing I could be there now but Covid has spoiled it for us all. Hopefully, next year !
What about Edaville Railroad? Great ride through the bogs with lots of christmas lights, etc!
The Breakers and The Elms in Newport are decorated inside and out. A great job.
Will be sending you info re Vermont…especially the Okemo Valley!!
I’d like you to see the Christmas lights set to music in Augusta, Maine. A classic New England Federal Style Building from the early 1800’s comes alive at 132 State Street Augusta from 5 pm to 9 pm until New Year’s Eve. https://www.facebook.com/Dr-Zeleniaks-Orthodontic-office
Hathaway Holiday Lights in Veazie Maine. New and expandsed every year set to Music and any donations go directly to the NICU at NL EMMC. The Hathaway family lost an infant many years ago and this is their way of giving back. Located on the grounds of the Veazie Community School. Easy parking.
It may be on a smaller scale, but Essex Vermont has a nice light display each year at the Maple Street park. There is a hidden ornament scavenger hunt that is fun for kids. This is also free!
You don’t show Tower Hill in Shrewsbury, MA. (?).
Sorry to break all the New England folks’ bubble…but, the BEST Christmas light display in all the world is…wait…wait…wait…Rhema Bible College in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma! You probably could access on the Web. Ya won’t be disappointed…3,000,000 lights! I’m born in Burlington, raised in Vermont/Connecticut, been in Oklahoma since 1978. Love you all in New England!
Rique’
You are right, Rique. The lights in Broken Arrow, OK are fantastic.. Brought them up on the web. Thanks, Audrey.