(From now through the New Year I'm going to post pieces about holiday-themed events throughout Pennsylvania. Please feel free to let me know about special events in your area so I can add them!)
I love Christmas lights. When I was a child my dad would pile us all in the car and drive around so we could admire other people's efforts at decorating for Christmas. Anything more than a string of lights outlining the house was considered special. Some houses were monochromatic (I loved the blue-lit houses in the snow), others--like ours--multicolored. Very different from today's choreographed displays with the inflatables and musical accompaniment but every bit as beautiful to me.
So where do you go when you want to see a drive-through Christmas light extravaganza? (I'll cover walk-through ones in another post.) I have compiled a list but I'm sure it's not comprehensive (let me know what I've missed!). Please check the links for times; not all of these are open every day.
Allentown: Lights in the Parkway ($6 carload in advance/$10 at the gate)
Altoona: Holiday Lights on the Lake at Lakemont Park (fee)
Clinton: Christmas Lightup ($10/carload)
Greensburg: Overly's Country Christmas at Westmoreland Fairgrounds (fee—reduced rate on weekdays)
Hershey: Hershey Sweet Lights (fee—reduced rate on weekdays)
Indiana: Festival of Lights at Blue Spruce Park in Indiana County (fee—website has coupon)
Lehighton: Franklin Festival of Lights at Phifer Ice Dam Park (fee/donations)
Lititz: Gift of Lights at Elizabeth Farms (fee; reduced rate on weekdays)
Newcastle: Cascade of Lights at Cascade Park on E. Washington ($5/carload)
Nottingham: Herr's (free)
York: Rocky Ridge Christmas Magic, a Festival of Lights (fee)
FYI: Hartwood Acres is not having a light display this year but there are still holiday mansion tours.
Two sources for lists of good neighborhoods for light viewing (they're from last year but I would guess they still have some value): Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.
Last but not least, and certainly the best: While compiling this list I found a website for a family's annual display. Check out the Lovelys' lights in Gilbertsville and support organ donation! (This picture is from 2011.)
Is it drive-through or walk-around? The website wasn't clear on that.
Posted by: Therese | November 26, 2012 at 03:30 PM
Koziar's Christmas Village in Bernville (near Reading) is a true wonderland. The view of the lighted village as you come over the hill is magical! http://www.readingberkspa.com/koziar-s-christmas-village----the-greatest-christmas-display-in-the-u-s-a---11-03-2012.html
Posted by: Sherry Fox | November 26, 2012 at 03:19 PM