Each year in December, we get the kids in pj's and give them the impression that they're heading to bed early, only to load them up in the car and do a Christmas light drive! I recently asked on our facebook page for the best suggestions around our region. Since so many commented with such great suggestions, I thought they would be worth putting in a post where everyone can see the info in one place.
1. Christmas Light Up Celebration (Clinton, PA)
TOP RECOMMENDATION! This One-Mile Drive Through Holiday Experience is the best kept holiday secret in Pittsburgh! Over a mile of lights and displays in a beautiful, enchanted woodland setting. Located on Route 30, only two miles from the Pittsburgh International Airport, and fifteen minutes from shopping at the Mall at Robinson.
Dates/Times: November 17, 2016 - January 1, 2017. Open daily from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Open on all holidays. $10 donation per car is asked.
600 Clinton Park Drive, Clinton, PA 15026
This award-winning Christmas light and music extravaganza is unlike any show you've seen. Guests simply tune in their radio, and watch the magic unfold as they drive through hundreds of thousands of brilliant LED lights dancing in perfect synchronization with the music filling their vehicle. Journey ends at kid-friendly Santa's Village. $25/carload, $40/mini-bus, limo, activity van. New & Improved Santa's Village! Entry into Santa's Village is FREE with light show admission. It's a place where young and old alike can gather and enjoy the fun, festive spirit of Christmas indoors.
Dates/Times: November 18, 2016 - January 8th, 2017. Open daily from Dusk - 10:00PM.
1127 New Castle Rd, Prospect PA 16052
Baker Family Christmas Extravaganza of Lights and Music, a spectacular display of 35,000 Christmas lights set to cheerful holiday music. All donations benefit Parents In Toto (Autism Resource Center) in Zelienople.
Dates/Times: November 26, 2016 - January 1,2017. Open daily from 5:00PM - 11:00PM.
502 Hedge Row Court, Cranberry Township, PA 16066
There are over 1 million sparkling lights as well as fun, festive opportunities to decorate cookies, ride the Gingerbread Express, visit Santa, and hear choirs singing throughout the park. You'll find hot chocolate and apple cider added to refreshment stands to help you warm up! Rides operate on a limited basis, but Kiddieland is open. Kennywood’s 4-D Theater will show screenings of The Polar Express: A 4-D Experience, included with admission. My kids loved this show!
Go here to purchase tickets for only $10!
Dates/Times: Kennywood Holiday Lights will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 5-9pm, November 25 - December 23, 2016.
5. Maplewood Avenue in Ambridge, PA
There is limited info online that I could find out about this one! It has been one of the top 10 houses in the country a few times. Donations benefit St. Jude's.
Located in the thriving Metropolis of Leechburg Pennsylvania on Main St., this annual computer animated light display has returned. This year they are fully converted to LED and RGB technology, adding a digital dimension to the display. The play list is nearly 1 hour long before repeating to the first song! Free to the public.
Dates/Times: Starts at 5:30 pm Nightly, ends at 9:30pm on School nights, ends at 10:30pm on Friday and Saturday night. Runs through at least January 1st, 2017.
147 Main Street, Leechburg, PA
If you're looking to take a little family road trip, this is a great destination! Since 1985, the Winter Festival of Lights has been delighting visitors of all ages. This annual holiday light show is one of the nation's largest, covering more than 300 acres over a six-mile drive throughout the resort. Located just over an hour from Pittsburgh in Wheeling, WV. A per car donation is requested and is valid for the entire festival season. Trolley tours are offered several times each night beginning at Wilson Lodge. The family-friendly GlassWorks Grill at the Lodge is a yummy lunch or dinner stop!
Oglebay also offers a Christmas shop, festival of trees, holiday train rides, family hay rides, a straw maze, gardens of light + more. The on-site Good Zoo holds a light and music extravaganza as well. Various prices apply. Go here for more information.
Dates/Times: November 11, 2016 - January 1, 2017. The Winter Festival of Lights is viewable Sunday through Thursday until 10:00 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday until 11:00 p.m.
465 Lodge Drive, Wheeling, WV 26003
Built around a whimsical "Snow Day at Phipps" theme, the changing exhibit rooms will feature topiary penguins, bears and reindeer frolicking in showcases of artful LED lights, decorated fir trees, whimsical props, colorful poinsettias, aromatic paperwhites, showy amaryllis and more. From snowball fights and ice skating to cuddly blanket forts, the displays will revive the wonder of a winter's day of childhood play in guests of every age. The outdoor Winter Light Garden will sparkle with luminous orbs, trees and fountains, as well as a brand new tunnel of lights designed to imitate a twinkling winter sky.
Dates/ Times: Open through January 8, 2017. Daily hours for Winter Flower Show are 9:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. and 5 – 11 p.m. for Winter Light Garden. Regular admission rates apply.
The Zombek family will be holding their 3rd Annual Christmas Light Display. The light display features over 20,000 LED Christmas lights, two reindeer heads that sing along with the music and 5’ RGB arches that dance to the music. Their 2016 goal is to successfully collect and donate $11,700, to Make-A-Wish®. Donations can be made on-location through their collection box or online here. (It looks like they've already raised more than their goal for the year - amazing!!) ❤
Dates/Times: November 26, 2016 – January 1, 2017. The show is one hour in length and runs continuously from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 5:00 – 11:00 p.m. on weekends.
214 Williamsburg Drive, Elizabeth, PA 15037
10. Overly's Country Christmas
By the family carload admission, there’s plenty to see and do in Christmas Village: visit the model trains in Hartman Station; experience the local history in the Sleigh Room; reflect on the meaning of Christmas at the crèche ; visit with the Talking Christmas Tree; enjoy the little ones play at Mr. Waterheater’s Funderland; walk the lights; admire the handwork of the local college’s gigantic metal sculptures; enjoy the warmth of the bonfire while listening to the songs of Christmas, visit with Santa until December 23rd, , spend quality time with your children and family to create holiday memories to last a lifetime. For an additional charge, take a horse drawn wagon or sleigh ride, enjoy the smiles of your children or grandchildren aboard the Kids’ Express or have a photo taken with Santa. (All areas are CASH ONLY. An ATM is available on site). $15.00 per car or family van (Monday - Thursday). $18.00 per car or family van (Friday - Sunday). Cash only.
Dates/Times: Open November 18, 2016 through January 1, 2017. Sunday - Thursday, 5:30 - 9 pm: Friday - Saturday, 5:30 - 10:00 pm (weather permitting). Closed November 21 and 28, December 5 and 12. Drive around ONLY December 24 and 25.
116 Blue Ribbon Ln, Greensburg, PA 15601
Here are some other neighborhood suggestions that I don't have much more info on. If anyone has specific addresses or websites about any of them, please let me know!
- Glenburn Drive (Pleasant hills)
- Woodland Ridge in Moon twp - a lot of houses participate and will have their lights up the whole month. It's off of Thorn Run Rd. Their light up night is Dec.11, 7pm.
- Hidden Valley Drive in West View/Ross (off Rochester Road close to 19) Many houses with a lot of lights!
- Mt. Nebo Road (across from Home Depot) Lots of lights!
- Maple Drive in Ross Twp. has three or four houses next to each other with tons of inflatables and some lights.
- Pleasant Hills (Glenburn neighborhood, off 51 behind Uhaul) "is amazing!"
- Stonecrest plan off Saxonburg Blvd
Enjoy your family drives! Hot chocolate optional. 💓💓💓
