With the official arrival of the holiday season, you may want to look for a unique, and festive, activity to help make things merry and bright for your family. From Westchester’s Winter Wonderland to the Bronx Zoo, there are so many places to go in the Lower Hudson Valley and New York City-metro areas to enjoy some holiday sparkle and a little bit of cheer.
Read on to see photos of holiday lights displays in the area, as well as see a map of where to go.
Check out a map of holiday lights locations here, sponsored by Generac. Be sure to bookmark this page, as the map will be updated throughout the season.
Here’s a list of a few spots now open for the season. The list will be updated overtime. If you’d like to add your home or commercial lights display to the map, or send us photos, read on to learn more.
Traverse the 1.2-mile light display, a Westchester County tradition, designed by Peekskill-based Eclectic Precision and Dark Tech Effects, while listening to holiday music simulcast through your vehicle’s FM radio. The display officially opens for the season Nov. 28 through Dec. 31. Timing and pricing vary based on the day, but tickets average from $35 to $42 per vehicle between 5 and 10 p.m. For information and tickets: wwinterwonderland.com. 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla.
Make the trip to the Bronx Zoo this holiday season and immerse your family in the sight of hundreds of animal displays, illuminated with millions of lights, spread out across six lantern trails. Take part in hands-on activities, see live entertainment and enjoy food and drinks. New for this season are snow tube slides, and illuminated-ice themed throne, virtual snowball throwing, and more, the Bronx Zoo websites says. Open select dates now through Jan. 4, 2026, with a modified “sensory-friendly” night on Dec. 5. Children 2 and under receive free admission. For ticket prices and more info: bronxzoo.com/holiday-lights. 2300 Southern Blvd in the Bronx.
Yonkers Cross County Center Winter Fest
Bask in the glow of illuminated trees, including a 40-foot holiday tree, while you skate on a pop-up ice rink or do some holiday shopping at Cross County Center. Be sure to book a session to take pictures with Santa. Upcoming events include a Hannukah menorah lighting, vendor market and more. 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers, crosscountycenter.com.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
The 2025 lighting of the 75-foot-tall Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is set for Wednesday, Dec. 3.
The event is 7 to 10 p.m. at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in midtown Manhattan.
The “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” special will air live on NBC at 8 p.m. eastern U.S. time and stream on both NBC and Peacock, the network’s website said. Country music star Reba McEntire, who can be seen on “Happy’s Place” and “The Voice”, will host and perform on the special.
Lumina at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard in North Salem
Walk a holiday trail lit up by more than 500,000 lights at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard in North Salem. Warm up with toasty s’mores and hot cider, as well as indulge in apple cider donuts and other festive treats while you enjoy the sights and sounds of Lumina. Open through Dec. 30. For dates and times, tickets and more, go to luminahm.com or call 914-485-1210. 130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem.
Explore Christmas in America in Mount Vernon
Step into the newly-expanded Christmas in America shop at American Christmas, which now measures at 12,000 square feet. The store, which American Christmas says is 12 times larger than in previous years, features an extensive selection of decor, ornaments, trees and festive photo ops. Now’s your chance to meet Santa Claus, the big man will be at the shop from 3 to 7 p.m. on Black Friday; noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29; and 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 and 1 to 4 p.m. 30 Warren Pl First Floor, Mount Vernon, 914-662-6964, christmasinamerica.com.
Down to Earth Living in Pomona
Take in the numerous dazzling holiday displays, including 30 models of artificial, decorated Christmas trees, at Rockland County’s largest garden center. The holiday shop at Down to Earth is officially open, with live seasonal plants such as fresh-cut Christmas trees, wreaths, gardens and poinsettias; holiday decor and ornaments, and plenty of twinkling lights for sale. Santa Claus is also on tap to make appearances on Black Friday, as well as Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 21. Down to Earth is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 1040 Route 45, Pomona; 845-354-8500, dteliving.com.
Metro-North holiday lights trains roll out
Metro-North’s holiday lights trains will run starting on Friday, Nov. 28, though New Year’s, a Metropolitan Transportation Authority news release said. In addition, a diesel train will get the lights for the first time, bringing the holiday theme to all of Metro-North’s east-of-Hudson territory. This year, Long Island Rail Road will also have holiday lights trains.
How to get on our Holiday Lights map
Does your home, neighborhood or business have a display to see? The Journal News/lohud wants to feature your business or location on our Holiday Lights Map this season. Our map will pinpoint where people can see holiday displays in the region.
To include your location on our Holiday Lights Map of the Lower Hudson Valley, email afontones@lohud.com with your name, contact information and location of the display. The address will be included on the Holiday Lights Map, so be sure all information is accurate and reflects the location of the lights display.
Send us your holiday lights photos
Want to share photos of your spectacular holiday display? If you’ve already started decking the halls — or yard, or business — and want to show off your display, you can submit photos here. Your images may be featured in online and in print.
Contributing: lohud’s Michael P. McKinney
The Journal News and lohud.com’s Holiday Lights series, sponsored by Generac, features everything that makes the season bright, with holiday lights displays in the Lower Hudson Valley and New York City. To learn more email Emerging Audiences Editor Ashley C. Fontones at afontones@lohud.com.