Western Pennsylvania drive-thru lights displays 2024

From resorts and parks to the neighborhood Clark Griswold, there are plenty of drive-thru lights displays.

Allegheny County’s Holiday Laser Show at North Park: Allegheny County offers a 45-minute light show synchronized with holiday music in the parking lot of the North Park pool. Show is held multiple times daily from Dec. 6-23 (no shows Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17). Cost is $30. More details at AlleghenyCounty.us.
Clinton Christmas Light-Up: First held in 1993, organizers of the Christmas Light-Up Celebration in Findlay Township say it’s the “best kept holiday secret in Pittsburgh.” The drive-thru display features a 1-mile drive of lights displays in a wooded setting through the Clinton Community Park. Display is open nightly from 5 to 10 p.m. Nov. 23 to Jan. 2. Cost is $10 per vehicle and is cash only. This event is organized by a nonprofit group. Though not guaranteed, the chance to go through multiple times is possible depending on traffic. Find more information online.
Presque Isle Lights: For the fifth year, Presque Isle State Park will offer a serene drive-thru lights display through the park that many Pittsburghers are familiar with in the summer for its beaches along Lake Erie. The lights show is organized by the nonprofit Presque Isle Partnership group. Lights turn on at 5:30 p.m. and park gates close at 9 p.m. There is no fee to enter the park. A $5 donation is suggested. Lights displays are found in spots among the 13-mile drive. Important to note that this display does not light the entire park, so if you head north, be sure to couple it with the Erie’s Best Holiday Lights Facebook group. Lights are on Fridays through Sundays from Dec. 6-29. Details on the Presque Isle Partnership site.
Erie’s Best Holiday Lights Facebook group: Created out of COVID-19 pandemic closures, this group provides photos and information to the many public and private lights displays in Erie — from several homes on Harvard Boulevard to Asbury Woods park. Check out the Facebook group here.
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland: There is NO Pittsburgh area Shadrack’s light show this year, according to the website. Shows are listed for: Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, Alabama, North Carolina and Iowa. It seems, Dayton, Ohio, is the closest.
Oglebay’s Festival of Lights: The 6-mile drive-thru display is lit up nightly from dusk to midnight, including holidays, from Nov. 7 to Jan. 5. The resort says there are reduced wait times Mondays through Wednesdays, and visitors can beat the rush when arriving between 5 and 6 pm. Cost is a $30 donation and includes a season pass and a coupon rewards book. Find more information here.
Joy of Christmas drive-thru display: Firestone Park, Columbiana, Ohio; 6-9 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, Nov. 22, 23, 24; Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 23, 24, 25, 26; Thursday, Nov. 28, through Monday, Dec. 23; lights only from Tuesday, Dec. 24, through Sunday, Dec. 28 (Santa’s Ice Castle & Gingerbread House are closed); The Joy of Christmas drive-through holiday light display features more than 1 million lights in more than 90 holiday scenes.
Holiday Lights on the Lake at Lakemont Park: Altoona, Pennsylvania; Nov. 15 through Jan.5; Prepare to be mesmerized by holiday magic as you drive through a dazzling array of more than 1 million lights at Lakemont Park. Be sure to stop in and see Santa at his gift shop, where you’ll also find unique holiday gifts and ornaments, baked goods and decorations from local crafters. Open nightly from 6-10 p.m., including holidays.
Joy-Thru Fairview: South Fayette, Pennsylvania; 6-9 p.m. Dec. 6; Drive through Fairview Park to see holiday lights, festive characters and performers, music, business booths, live reindeer and Santa Claus.

Family, neighborhood displays

“Dad, you taught me everything I know about exterior illumination.” — Clark Griswold

217 Maplewood Ave., Ambridge: One man puts at least 20,000 lights up around his Maplewood Avenue, Ambridge, home. Even some houses next door and down the street get into the fun. Park, walk and take some selfies!
Corner of Forsythe Road and Crest Lane in Scott Township (near Carnegie boundary): This display dances to music. Parking is difficult due to the main road but there’s a spot or two that allows for a great view of the show, which has music cast on an FM station. A sign indicates what channel to turn to.
Beaver County’s Frosty and Rudolph neighborhood: These Chippewa Township, Beaver County, neighborhoods display dozens of gigantic Frosty and Rudolph (and even some Clarice!) inflatables.
Christmas Light Spectacular at Sts. Simon & Jude in Scott: The Sts. Simon and Jude Church parking lot at 1607 Greentree Road in Scott has been transformed into a musical lights display with dancing lights, music, Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Mrs. Claus and Elves. The show, which typically runs through the second weekend in January, is about 60 minutes, and is looped continuously, so you can drive in at any time and you will not miss anything! The show is broadcast on FM radio channel 96.7, so turn your radio to that channel when you park. There are no donations asked for or accepted for this event. It’s free and open to the public.
Woodland Ridge neighborhood in Moon: For at least 25 years, residents in the Woodland Ridge neighborhood have held a house decorating contest and celebration to usher in the holiday season. The neighborhood is located at Tiffany Ridge Drive and Thorn Run Road in Moon.
Monticello Lights: Monticello Drive in Delmont — near Route 22 and Route 66 — 2-day lights display Dec. 14 and 15, 6-9 p.m. each night.
Edgeworth Borough on Christmas Eve: This small borough near Sewickley has, for many years, lit luminaria bags along sidewalks and property lines on Christmas Eve. Whether you’re heading home from family, trying to find Santa in the night sky, heading to midnight church services or making a Sheetz run, take a drive through Edgeworth on Christmas Eve.