My family and I have an annual tradition of driving around to check out the local holiday light displays at least once every December. Last year we added this Free Printable Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt for my son to check off and this year we bought fancy hot chocolate for our travel mugs.
Below I’ve put together a list of big, drive-thru displays along with some town-by-town information. I hope you and your family enjoy the lights as much as mine!
Danvers
Lights on Belgian: Located on North Belgian Road in Danvers. This is a private residence with a great light display.
Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea
Winter Lights on Cape Ann: Local businesses throughout Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea are getting into the festive spirit by decorating their establishments with twinkling lights and/or creative window displays! Over 100 lighted locations will help bring joy to all those who visit from Small Business Saturday through New Years Day, 2024.
Ipswich
Galicki Christmas Light Display: Located on Linebrook Road, in Ipswich, just down the street from Marini Farm, this is an amazing drive-thru display with lights, inflatables, and Christmas decorations throughout.
Marblehead
Riverside Drive: Find 12+ houses illuminated with holiday lights. One reader calls this the GOAT of lights! Riverside Drive, Marblehead.
Middleton
River Street Christmas Lights: Celebrating 6 years of lights! This is a walk-through light display and light show. Open nightly (weather permitting), through New Years Day 2024, from 5-9pm. This is at a private residence, but you are invited to walk through their yard and parking is available next door at the American Legion. Donations are being collected this year for Middleton Food Pantry and Make a Wish. 67 River Street, Middleton.
Stickney Christmas Light Extravaganza: Lights are on nightly through New Years. On Saturday, 12/9, you can get out of the car and enjoy a Meet and Greet with Santa and Friends, including Santa, Mrs. Claus, Buddy the Elf, Olaf, Frosty, Ginger Bread Man, the Grinch, Christmas Tree Man, and Rudolf. There is mailbox in the front of the house collecting donations for Friends of the NICU. Private residence. 5 2nd Avenue, Middleton.
North Andover
Winterlights: Winterlights is back! Head to Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, in North Andover, and see the gardens aglow with your favorite light installations as well as marveling at new components. Bring the whole family for a fun and safe outdoor experience. Winterlights runs Wednesday through Sunday each week from the Friday after Thanksgiving (11/24) through 12/31. They are closed on December 24 & 25. At this point in the season tickets are limited, especially for the earlier time slots. Tickets start at $12 for kids and $25 for adults.
Advanced purchase of timed tickets is required (one ticket per person). Tickets will not be sold on-site. Ticket time represents your arrival window – please arrive during this time. Late/early arrivals cannot be accommodated.
Peabody
DJ-C’s Christmas Display: Tons of inflatable decorations and lights on their front lawn. Sunday – Thursday 5-9pm and Friday – Sunday 5-10pm. Now in their third year! Private residence. 19 Tara Road, Peabody.
Peabody/Lynn Line: A big neighborhood of houses with lots of great light displays. These are private residences. Map to 3 Pzegeo Circle, Peabody.
Topsfield
Orchard Lane: This is a private residence lit from top to bottom. Located at the end of a dead-end drive and you can park and walk through the display. Open weekdays from sunset – 9pm and weekends from sunset – 10pm. Plus check out Henry and his family on The Great Christmas Light Fight on ABC, on December 19th at 9pm. 18 Orchard Lane, Topsfield.
Other Towns:
Merrimack Valley Celebration of Lights: Located at Mann Orchard in Methuen, MA, drive over 1 mile of roadway that has been transformed into a glittering display of over 1 million LED lights, featuring the longest tunnel of lights in New England. Listen to music played through FM radio in your own vehicle during this safe, holiday experience. Tickets are $21.99 per car on weeknights, $24.99 on weekends and holidays if you purchase in advance. 445 Merrimack Street, Methuen.
ZooLights: The Stone Zoo has added numerous animal-themed lanterns throughout the property for the holidays. Tickets are available nightly until 1/7/24 (closed Christmas), starting at $16.95. 149 Pond Street, Stoneham.
Happy holidays!