This holiday season, we could all use a little light.
We’ve rounded up all the best drive-thru Christmas lights near Pittsburgh, in western Pennsylvania and in West Virginia that we could find, offering a safe, socially-distanced seasonal experience.
Drive Thru Christmas Lights Near Pittsburgh
Christmas Light-Up in Clinton
Nightly through January 2, 2022
Now in its 28th year, the Christmas Light-Up Celebration in Clinton offers a one-mile drive-thru experience of light displays in a wooded setting. Tickets are $10 per vehicle, and must be paid in cash. The display is open nightly from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. Find directions (set your GPS to 600 Clinton Park Drive, Imperial, PA), and more information, online.
Overly’s Country Christmas
Select dates through December 30, 2021
Head to the Westmoreland County Fairgrounds to visit Overly’s Country Christmas, a drive-thru Christmas lights display that has been a tradition since 1956. New light displays are open this year, and guests can wave to Santa from their cars (and drop off a letter to him!), listen to Christmas carols, and see the Grinch sneaking around the grounds. Operating hours during the 2021 season are 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through December 30, and they’ll also be open December 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29 and 30. Tickets are $20 per vehicle, and they are cash-only. Check for weather-related updates on Facebook.
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
Nightly through January 2, 2022
Billed as the “most immersive drive-through Christmas experience on Earth,” Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at the Big Butler Fairgrounds is one of a few Shadrack’s exhibits around the country. There are over two miles of custom-built light displays, synchronized to music, including a 300-foot drive-through lighted tunnel and a 50-foot lighted tree. Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland is open nightly from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. (even in the rain) through January 2. Ticket prices vary depending on the day, but start at $25 per vehicle for off-nights. They’re also offering an ‘Express Pass’ Lane for an additional $20. Find more information, and purchase tickets, online. (Note: While they do accept credit cards, they do not accept cash).
Oglebay’s Festival of Lights
Through January 9, 2022
Just about an hour south of Pittsburgh you’ll find Oglebay Resort, near Wheeling, West Virginia. Their annual Winter Festival of Lights display features 300 acres of lights over a six-mile drive, and includes more than 90 lighted attractions. Try their Sounds of the Season audio experience synced with 12 displays, a Grinch display, and an automated 5-minute Magical Mansion show. The experience also includes a life-sized Nativity display, and a walk-through Gardens of Light display. A donation of $25 per vehicle is suggested. More information can be found online.
Zoo Lights Drive-Thru
Select nights through December 30, 2021
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Zoo Lights Drive-Thru offers themed light displays, classic “frosted” characters, and carols. Featuring thousands of environmentally-friendly LED lights, this is a vehicle-only experience. Tickets are $50 per vehicle (or $40 if you’re a Zoo member), and are available for purchase in timed increments online.
Holiday Laser Show at North Park
Nightly through December 22, 2021
Celebrate the holidays with a one-of-a-kind drive-in laser show at North Park. The 45-minute light show is synchronized with holiday music, and can be enjoyed from the safety of your own vehicle. Tickets for residents start at $20 per vehicle, and start at $25 per vehicle for non-residents. Find more information, and purchase tickets in advance (required), online.
Holiday Lights on the Lake
Daily through January 9, 2022
Take the drive to Altoona to visit Holiday Lights on the Lake, a festive and family-friendly event that has been offering more than 50 acres of drive-thru light displays for 25 years. Tickets start at $15 for cars, and the exhibit is open nightly from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Holiday Lights on the Lake also includes a Santa Village with a gift shop, and socially-distanced Santa sightings. Find out more information online.
ELFburgh Christmas
Select dates through December 23, 2021
Located next to Hundred Acres Manor in South Park, the design team behind Hundred Acres Manor Haunted Attraction has created a drive-thru Christmas event, with over half a million lights. Visitors will drive through Elf trail to see Santa at his Ice Castle, all from the comfort of your car. Tickets are $25 per vehicle. Find out more information, and purchase tickets, here.
Dasher’s Light Show
Nightly through January 2, 2022
National chain Dasher’s Light Show has opened a Pittsburgh location for the season through January 2, 2022 at the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills. Tickets start at $30.
Kennywood Holiday Lights
Select dates through January 2, 2022
While Kennywood doesn’t have a drive-thru light show, they do have more than one million lights throughout the park – and the tallest Christmas tree in the state. Select rides and attractions will also be open. Kennywood is open for the holiday season on select nights through January 2, 2022. Fine more information, and purchase tickets here.
Know of any other drive-thru Christmas lights near Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments!
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