My family and I have an annual tradition of driving around to check out the local holiday light displays at least once every December. In prior years we’ve added this Free Printable Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt and travel mugs of fancy hot chocolate to our tradition.

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!

 

 

This list is generously sponsored by the Sabrina Carr Home Group. A professional problem-solver with a passion for helping others, Sabrina Carr is a seasoned real estate advisor with over 8 years as a top producer. The Boston native is known for her dedication to her clients, and the ability to streamline information so they deeply understand the process and next steps. 

North Shore Holiday Lights List – 2024

Danvers

Danvers Holiday Houses: This is the second year in a row that more than a dozen neighbors have come together to decorate for a Holiday Stroll benefitting Boston Children’s Hospital. Their goal is to raise $1,000 in donations. Participating houses are located in the neighborhoods of Fowler, Arthur, Lawrence & Crane Streets.

Lights on Belgian: This is a private residence with a great light display, daily from 5:30-8:30pm. North Belgian Road, Danvers. 

Gloucester, Rockport, Ipswich Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea

Winter Lights on Cape Ann: Local businesses throughout Gloucester, Essex, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rockport are getting into the festive spirit by decorating their establishments with twinkling lights and/or creative window displays! Visit and vote for your favorite from Small Business Saturday through New Years Day, 2025.

Marblehead 

Riverside Drive: Find 12+ houses illuminated with holiday lights. One reader calls this the GOAT of lights! Riverside Drive, Marblehead.

Methuen

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 online in advance. 445 Merrimack Street, Methuen.

Middleton

River Street Christmas Lights: This is a walk-through light display and light show. Open nightly (weather permitting), through New Years Day 2025, 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 Boston Children”s Hospital. 67 River Street, Middleton.

Stickney Christmas Light Extravaganza: Lights are on nightly through New Years and this display gets bigger every year! This year they are collecting donations for the American Cancer Society. Find a donation box next to the mailbox. 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. Winterlights runs almost daily from Thanksgiving (11/28)  through 1/4. 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

Boulderwood Neighborhood: A big neighborhood of houses on the Peabody/Lynn line continue to go all out with lots of great light displays. Map to Pzegeo Circle, Peabody and find lights on Marshall Circle, Tsitsinos Drive, Manuel Drive & Vieira Drive.

DJ-C’s Christmas Display: Tons of inflatable decorations and lights on their front lawn. Lit daily from 5-9pm and Friday – Sunday 5-10pm. Now in their third year! Private residence. 19 Tara Road, Peabody.

Styles Drive: Several houses with lights and inflatable displays. 8, 10 & 17 Styles Drive, Peabody.

Saugus

Lynn Fells Parkway: Located near the Melrose town line, numerous houses on the Lynn Fells Parkway and the surrounding side streets go all out with lights and inflatable displays.

Stoneham

ZooLights: At the Stone Zoo, now through 1/5/25, from 4-9:30pm (except on Christmas). The Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights and there’s even a Christmas tree with fake snow. A few of the animals (like the flamingos, bear and reindeer) can also be spotted as you walk through the Zoo. Starting at $17.95. 149 Pond Street, Stoneham.

Boston’s Winter Fest

A little to our south, the brand new Boston’s Winter Fest has opened with, “the tree you can see from 93,” along with 2 acres of winter celebration at Hood Park in Charlestown. Open December 6-31, 2024 and select weekends in January 2025. Entrance is free but activities inside the event have a fee. 100 Hood Park Drive, Boston

Happy holidays!