Where to See Christmas Lights in Lancaster County (2026)
Where to See Christmas Lights in Lancaster County (2026)
Lancaster County goes all in on Christmas lights. There are miles-long drive-throughs, a light show at the ballpark, a lighted zipline and small-town parks that glow for a few weekends in December. Here's where to go, when each one is open, what it costs, and the route I'd drive with my own family.
Drive-through light shows
Stone Gables Estate Christmas Light Drive-Thru, Elizabethtown
Dates: November 20, 2026 through January 2, 2027.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 5 to 8 PM, with extended hours until 9 PM on November 28 and December 5, 12, 19, 21, 22 and 23. Closed Sundays, November 23 to 26, and holidays.
Cost: $30 per regular vehicle.
Enter at: 1160 N. Market St., Elizabethtown.
This is the big one: about 3 miles of road and more than a million LED lights. The 2026 theme is "Nativities Around the World." Go on a weeknight early in the season if you want shorter lines.
Messick's Drive-In Light Show, Mount Joy
Where: 1475 Strickler Road, Mount Joy. Cost: Free. Tune your radio to 89.9 FM for the music. The 2026 dates hadn't been announced when I wrote this, so check before you go.
Walk-through and family light shows
Christmas Spirit Light Show at Penn Medicine Park
Where: 650 N. Prince St., Lancaster City, home of the Lancaster Stormers.
Dates: November 27 through December 31.
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 5:30 to 9 PM, and Friday and Saturday, 5:30 to 10 PM.
A few extras worth knowing about:
Christmas Tree Lane is free, December 4 to 24.
Bike Thru night: December 6, 5 to 5:30 PM, $5.
Dashing Through the Lights 5K: December 11 at 10 PM, $40 or $45.
If you've never been to the ballpark, here's my guide to Penn Medicine Park in Lancaster.
Dutch Winter Wonderland
Where: 2249 Lincoln Hwy. E., Lancaster.
Dates: November 11, 2026 through January 3, 2027.
Dutch Wonderland's holiday season is built for younger kids, so this is the stop if yours are little.
Refreshing Mountain Lighted Zipline and Winter Walk, Stevens
Where: 455 Camp Road, Stevens, in northern Lancaster County. Dates: November 13 through January 2.
Ride a zipline through the lights or keep your feet on the ground for the walk. It's a different kind of night out for teens and adults.
Small-town and park displays
Christmas in the Park, Terre Hill
Dates: December 4 to 6 and December 11 to 13. Park at 1030 Precast Road, New Holland, and take the shuttle in.
This is classic small-town Lancaster County: a hilltop park covered in displays, run by the community. It's only two weekends, so put it on the calendar now.
Greenfield Park
Where: 1853 William Penn Way, Lancaster. The 2026 dates hadn't been announced yet. Check before you go.
Worth the short drive
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane in Hershey runs November 13 through January 3. Rides, lights and holiday food, about 40 minutes from Lancaster City.
Herr's in Nottingham, Chester County, puts on a holiday light display at its snack factory. The 2026 dates were still to be announced.
Albert's take: the route I'd drive with my family
If I had one December weeknight, here's how I'd do it:
5:00 PM: Start at Stone Gables in Elizabethtown right when it opens, before the line builds. Hot cocoa in the cupholders, Christmas music on.
About 6:30 PM: Drive about 30 minutes east into the city for the Christmas Spirit Light Show at Penn Medicine Park. Walk Christmas Tree Lane if it's between December 4 and 24.
About 8:00 PM: Wrap up downtown, a few minutes south on Prince Street. Grab dessert and take a short walk around Penn Square before heading home.
On a weekend, I'd swap in Christmas in the Park in Terre Hill. It's the kind of tradition that makes people fall in love with living here.
Tips for a smooth night
Go early in the season or early in the week. The weekends before Christmas are the busiest.
Check closures. Stone Gables is closed Sundays and on several dates around Thanksgiving.
Check payment options and fill the tank. Drive-through lines can run long.
Confirm before you go. Weather can close outdoor events. The Discover Lancaster Christmas light show guide keeps an updated list.
Looking for more to do this season? My favorite downtown Lancaster restaurants are perfect for dinner before the lights, and the Strasburg Rail Road guide is great for another family outing.
FAQ
What is the biggest Christmas light display in Lancaster County?
Stone Gables Estate in Elizabethtown, with about 3 miles of road and more than a million LED lights.
Are there free Christmas lights in Lancaster?
Yes. Christmas Tree Lane at Penn Medicine Park is free December 4 to 24, and Messick's Drive-In light show in Mount Joy is free. Check Messick's 2026 dates before you go.
When do Lancaster light shows open?
Dutch Winter Wonderland opens November 11. Refreshing Mountain opens November 13, Stone Gables November 20, and the Penn Medicine Park show November 27.
Is Stone Gables open on Sundays?
No. It's open Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays.
Make Lancaster your home for the holidays
Traditions like these are a big reason people move here and stay. My free Living in Lancaster guide covers the towns, neighborhoods and seasonal events that make Lancaster County special. If you're thinking about a move, you can also book a free call with Albert to talk through where you'd fit best.
About Albert Linsdell
Albert Linsdell is a Lancaster, PA real estate agent helping buyers and sellers across Lancaster County, including Lancaster City, Manheim Township, Lititz, Ephrata and Mount Joy. He's known for numbers-first pricing, creative financing strategies, and a trusted contractor network that helps sellers get top dollar. He's rated 5 stars across 24 Google reviews. Book a call with Albert.
