By Joanne Kleinle
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. As soon as the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers are put away, sparkling lights start to pop up all over town, illuminating the streets and lifting our spirits. You do not have to have to be Clark Griswald or have him as your neighbor to enjoy a great light display. There are many amazing light shows in the area – many free of charge – that are the perfect place to take the family, go with friends, or enjoy a romantic date night and soak up loads of holiday cheer.
One of my favorites is the Holiday Lights Spectacular at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo. Every year since 2006, the Turtle Back Zoo has opened its doors and hosted this pop-up event throughout December displaying its holiday finest. It is the perfect way to celebrate the season.
During the Holiday Lights Spectacular, the zoo is illuminated with over 100,000 lights turning the paths and displays into a winter wonderland. In addition to the 50 winter and animal displays throughout the zoo, visitors can also tour the indoor reptile house and the marine touch tank. Of course, the little ones can also take a ride on the zoo train or the endangered species carousel.
The Holiday Lights Spectacular is open 5-9 pm Friday-Sunday, November 22-24, Friday, November 29-Wednesday, December 6th, and Friday, December 6-Tuesday, December 31st. It is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. There is no admission fee, but they encourage you to celebrate the spirit of the season by helping others and bringing donations of non-perishable food, new toys, and/or gently used coats. Check out the website at https://turtlebackzoo.com/ for more information and a listing of special events like appearances by Santa, food trucks, and more.
A little further from home, there is an opportunity to view a drive-through lights display at Diggerland in West Berlin, NJ. The cost is $36.99 per vehicle. More information can be found at https://diggerlandusa.com/special-events/holiday-light-show/.
Arguably the biggest light show in the area is hosted by the residents of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn. This festive neighborhood community decks its halls yearly, with each private residence donning thousands of lights for a magnificent display. It is free of charge to walk through the neighborhood, but traffic and parking are tight. Go during the week for the easiest access. Another option is to take a bus tour from Manhattan. It takes about 4 hours and there are restroom facilities on the coaches. See https://www.dykerheightschristmaslights.com/ for more information and pricing. For more information on the event go to https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/dyker-heights-christmas-lights.
About an hour and a half in the other direction is Kozier’s Christmas Village. It began with William Kozier decorating the farm, its paths, and its buildings for his wife and children to enjoy back in 1948, but it has expanded to become what the Pennsylvania Travel Council has deemed one of the top ten travel attractions in Pennsylvania. Display World Magazine has also voted it the Best Outdoor Christmas Display in the World. With over a million lights and beautiful Christmas displays, it is something that should not be missed. See https://koziarschristmasvillage.com/ for hours and more details.
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, these beautiful light displays will light up your heart this winter. You don’t have to blow out your fuses or fall from the roof to see some lights and get in the spirit of the season, check out one (or more) of these magnificent displays and have yourself a merry little Christmas.