New York State

Do you live in NYS, or are you visiting New York State this holiday season? Here is a list of the best Christmas light displays in New York State for you to visit from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. From Christmas tree lights to Christmas light shows, the sights (and sounds) of the holiday season are on full display in these great New York State cities and towns!

2018 Best Christmas Light Displays in New York State

With the holiday season comes Christmas lights! I don’t know about you, but I always loved driving around in December looking for the best street for holiday light setups. It was one of my favorite things to do as a kid between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

Even better was the large holiday light displays put up by local municipalities and merchants. You could see the Festival of Light in Niagara Falls (they stopped it a few years ago, and now have the fireworks and lighting up the Falls), as well as great displays in the shop windows in downtown Buffalo. It was truly magical.

During the holiday season, New York City may be best known for the Radio City Rockettes and Christmas at Rockefeller Center. While the Big Apple may be on everyone’s bucket list for the holidays, culminating with the annual New Year’s celebration at Times Square, New Yorkers statewide know how to celebrate the season. From Albany to Buffalo to North Pole, New York, New York State cities offer impressive holiday light displays and attractions.

Here’s a look at some of the best light displays New York State offers:

Albany Best Christmas Light Displays

The annual Capital Holiday Lights in the Parkkicks off Nov. 23 and runs nightly through Jan. 2. The event – sponsored by Price Chopper/Market 32 – celebrates its 22nd season in 2018. Holiday Lights features 125 holiday-themed displays in a drive-through exhibit, open 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 6-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Check the website for admission fees, which benefit the Albany Police Athletic League’s juvenile crime prevention program.

Buffalo Best Christmas Light Displays

Buffalo once served as the world’s largest grain port, dating back to 1825. Today, the Connecting Terminal Grain Elevator serves as an easel for amazing artwork, which can be seen nightly until 11 p.m. from Canalside, Buffalo River and Lake Erie. With holiday colors and images dancing about on the elevator to the season’s music, the attraction serves as a backdrop to the annual Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting at Canalside. With the lighting of the Christmas tree kicking off the area’s celebration Nov. 30, visitors can enjoy music, food, and ice skating during the event. Kids can share their Christmas lists with Santa Claus.

Buffalo Place provides the setting for the annual Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration Dec. 1. With activities starting at 5 p.m., the Christmas tree lighting ceremony takes place at 6 p.m. The ceremony will be followed a fireworks show. The evening’s activities include kids visiting with Santa Claus and horse-drawn wagon rides. Free ice skating is offered at the nearby Rotary Rink. You can bring your own skates or rent some for $2.

Hamburg is the spot to visit for the annual Fairgrounds Festival of Lights, featuring about 60 holiday-themed light displays over a two-mile drive. Afterward, park the car and walk around the fairgrounds among more holiday light displays and festive attractions, such as the TOPS Winterland Workshop where children can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. You can grab a train ride for a short ride around the fairgrounds. Don’t forget to visit Kandy Kane’s magic show, which is included in the admission. Kids can enjoy rides on Santa’s Magical Midway (at extra cost). The Hamburg Festival of Lights takes place about 20-30 minutes south of Buffalo, from 5-9 p.m. (fairgrounds stays open until 10 p.m.) Nov. 23-25, Nov. 30-Dec.2, Dec. 7-9, 14-16 and 21-23.

Cooperstown Best Christmas Light Displays

Known as the home to baseball’s Hall of Fame, Cooperstown invites visitors to an old-fashioned Christmas. The Farmers’ Museum Candlelight Evening on Dec. 8 features hundreds of candles, wreaths and other holiday décor as people gather to sing Christmas carols, ride a horse-drawn sleigh or play games. A Victorian-era Santa Claus greets visitors as they visit the shops and attractions around the village. Warm up with some hearty food or next to a bonfire.

Take the family for a fun-filled holiday ride on the North Pole Express with the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad. Rides are available Dec. 1, 7-8 and 14-15. The Christmas light-decorated train boards at 6:30 p.m. at the Milford Depot. The ride – featuring garland and ornaments in each car – takes about 2 hours, during which kids can visit with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Reservations and prepayment are required for the holiday train ride.

Corning Best Christmas Light Displays

Gaffer’s District will be all lit up as Sparkle in Corning kicks off Dec. 1. The holiday lights display will illuminate the district and plenty of family-friendly activities will welcome in the season that day, including horse-drawn wagon rides and a visit from Santa Claus. Carolers will sing the season’s songs amongst people shopping and dining in the area.

New York City Best Christmas Light Displays

Of course, we need to look at Rockefeller Center’s Christmas. With the lighting of the Christmas tree a national spectacular that’s televised nationally, visitors can take in the area’s celebration with the tree lighting ceremony Nov. 28. The tree will be lit nightly through Jan. 7. While in the area, you can grab a pair of ice skates and enjoy time on the famous Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center. While in New York, enjoy some of the best Christmas shopping in the world among beautiful holiday exhibits and display windows!

North Pole Best Christmas Light Displays

With a name like North Pole, you know this community has to be Christmas Central, right? Santa Claus and his elves transform the 59-year-old Santa’s Workshop theme park into the Village of Lights, a winter wonderland that takes place Dec. 2, 9, 16, and 20-23. Caroling, shopping, dining and roasting marshmallows are some of the fun to be had among spectacularly decorated lights and displays. Of course, Jolly Old St. Nick will be on hand to visit with the little ones.
With the holidays right around the corner, it’s never too early to plan to your family’s outings. New York has many attractions and events to help celebrate the Christmas holiday season. As you venture out for the perfect Christmas tree, gift or to visit Santa, have a joyous and safe holiday.

Rochester Best Christmas Light Displays

Celebrate the holiday season in Rochester with the annual Liberty Pole lighting on Dec. 1. Beginning at 4:30 p.m., Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and others will greet visitors at the light pole. Rochester’s mayor will kick off the holiday season with by lighting the Liberty Pole. A holiday parade follows shortly afterward. Then, the Holiday Village will open for the season, featuring vendors, horse-drawn carriage rides and free ice skating.

The Garden Factory turns its greenhouse into Rochester’s own winter wonderland, with Christmas light displays, crafts and children rides 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday, beginning Nov. 24 and running through Dec. 23. Kids can even visit with Santa Claus. Train enthusiasts can ride a small train around the festivities.

Syracuse Pole Best Christmas Light Displays

Get a head start on the holiday season with Lights on the Lake at Onondaga Lake Park, starting Nov. 15. The two-mile long drive-through light display features festive exhibits, such as a Land of Oz, Twinkling Fantasy Forest, and a Fairytale Magic Grand Finale. New this year will be the North Pole Station, featuring a Santa-driven steam engine. The drive also features holiday music. Lights on the Lake is open nightly 5-10 p.m. Nov. 15-Jan. 6.

If you are looking for more things to do in New York State, check out these posts:

• 10 Best Christmas Towns in New York State – While we may take it for granted sometimes, those of us who live in New York State know that it is a magical place to live during the holidays. Whether you are a New York resident, or you are visiting for the holidays, you can find some pretty amazing places to visit here in the Empire State.

• Christmas Tree Farms in New York State – The state of New York is one of the best locations for finding amazing Christmas Tree Farms for cutting your own holiday tree. There are many great farms that are ideal for taking your family along for a fun holiday adventure. Build a great new family tradition by planning a weekend to visit one of the many amazing Christmas Tree farms located throughout New York State.

• 300 Things To Do In Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY – This is a long list of events, places, and things to do in Buffalo, and Niagara Falls, New York. This includes things to do in all of the 8 counties of Western New York. From touristy things to do, to things only locals know about, this great list of 300 Things to do in Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY has something for everyone on it!

• Estate Wineries on Seneca Lake – Hubby and I visit a lot of New York State wineries. These are a few of the estate winery stops we made on Seneca Lake!

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• Disclosure: the links in this post may be affiliate links.

• For more New York State Travel posts on Ann’s Entitled Life, click here.

• If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for the Ann’s Entitled Life weekly newsletter, and never miss another article!

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The state of New York is one of the best locations for finding amazing Christmas Tree Farms for cutting your own holiday tree. There are many great farms that are ideal for taking your family along for a fun holiday adventure. Build a great new family tradition by planning a weekend to visit one of the many amazing Christmas Tree farms located throughout New York State.

Christmas Tree Farms in New York State

When you plan your family trip to cut down a holiday tree, make sure to check in advance regarding policies the individual tree farm may have regarding cutting down the trees and payment. Some locations ask you to bring your own saw, but most will provide a cutting tool or go with you to pick and cut a tree. Most will accept a credit or debit card, but there are still some small farms that prefer cash only. Take a moment to research and even call in advance.

Note: One acre of Christmas trees produces oxygen for eighteen people daily!

Bailey Family Christmas Trees

Their tagline says they are the finest trees around, and who are we to say otherwise? Bailey Family Christmas Trees are located in Cambridge, New York. Trees are available to tag starting in October with just a $20 fee. Trees are all priced at $59 and they do accept cash as well as all major credit cards.

Battenfeld’s Christmas Tree Farm

Head to Red Hook, New York and Battenfeld’s Christmas Tree Farm for a true holiday experience. Not only can you cut your own tree, but you can pick up centerpieces, wreaths, and even meet Santa while at this location. Prices on trees are in the $70 range, but the experience on select days even includes holiday bagpipers. This is a perfect place to make it a full family event.

BJ’s Christmas Tree Farm

In Pleasant Valley, New York, you will find BJ’s Christmas Tree Farm that takes you back in time. Eastern White Pine, Douglas Fir, and Concolor Fir are the variety of choice at this farm. You’ll find not only cut your own trees but options for homemade wreaths and swags that are perfect for decorating your home. Pricing is not listed on their website, but the link to social media has options for asking questions and checking out past reviews and seasonal offerings.

Chengerian’s Tree Land

This is an award-winning Christmas tree farm located in Fulton, New York. Chenergian’s Tree Land has a superior variety of Frasier Fir for you to cut with your family. Grown with no chemicals, these are definitely a popular choice for those who prefer a green option. While pricing varies, you will want to check out their website linked above to download a coupon for your purchase before you arrive.

Carter Christmas Tree Farm

Miller Place, New York is the home of the Carter Choose & Cut Christmas Tree Farm. Offering White Spruce, Scotch Pine, Blue Spruce, and Norway Spruce, they are another great farm that allows pre-tagging the week prior to Thanksgiving most years. This helps you secure your pick ahead of time to pick up when the holiday is near. There is no information on their website currently regarding pricing or forms of payment.

Emmerich Tree Farm

Located in Warwick, New York, the Emmerich Tree Farm is more than just a holiday tree destination. This location hosts weddings, year-round events, and has an amazing tree farm that provides you and your family with a choice of Spruce or Fir varieties ranging in price from $42 up to $120 for larger options. Accepting all major credit cards or cash, this is an ideal location to take your kids and enjoy the tree cutting experience and a complimentary cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter evening before Christmas.

Evergreen Farm

Douglas and Fraser Fir are the featured options alongside Spruce at the Evergreen Farm in the Hudson Valley area. Accepting only cash or checks, the prices here range from $25-$65.

Evergreen View Farm Christmas Trees

For only $30 you can pick up a great cut your own Christmas tree at the Evergreen View Farm located in Lowville, New York. They only accept cash, but that will get you a great tree, a cup of hot cocoa, and an amazing experience with your children and family.

Fox Ridge Christmas Tree Farm

Another great option in Warwick, New York is the Fox Ridge Christmas Tree Farm. The biggest selling point here is that all trees are only $45. If you are on a budget, this is a perfect experience but they are only open two days per season and only accept check and cash.

Jurek Plantations

Near Buffalo, New York the Jurek Plantations is a family owned operation that has been supplying local fresh Christmas trees for eons. Cut-your-own trees are available to 12′ high, and are priced starting at $45.99 (pre-cut are less expensive). This is a great operation – you can borrow a saw, your tree is baled for free, you can get help loading and tying down your tree! There are three locations one in Clarence (which also offers wagon rides on weekends), Franklinville (this farm provides the pre-cut trees they sell, pre-cut only), and Akron.

Use this coupon to save $5 off a cut-your-own (or pre-cut) Fraiser Fir, White Fir, Douglas Fir, Canaan F‏ir, Balsam Fir, Noble Fir, Grand Fir, Austrian Pine, White Pine, Colorado Blue Spruce, or White Spruce Christmas Tree! (Check the website for what location sells which type of tree).

Kelly’s Tree Farm

Balsam and Fraser Fir are the choices available at Kelly’s Tree Farm in Croghan, New York. One of the top features of this farm is the ability to go in October to pick your tree and tag it prior to the official cutting season beginning after Thanksgiving. While their website does not show prices or information about whether they accept credit cards, it is easy to contact them using their online form or social media with questions.

Moore Tree Farm

Moore Tree Farm in Groton, New York has been a popular choice for over 30 years. Average trees are priced at $49.95, with smaller options in the $27.95 range and larger options priced at $149. They do also offer lower cost pre-cut versions if that is of interest. Accepting cash, and most major credit cards, they are a convenient location to those in the Ithaca region.

Mountain Ash Tree Farm

Near Rochester, New York, you will find Mountain Ash Tree Farm offers 11 varieties of fir and spruce trees to choose from for your holiday tree. Pricing varies here but all major credit cards and cash are accepted.

Nitsche Tree Farm

Lindley, New York is the home of Nitsche Tree Farm. There aren’t a lot of details online about this farm, but the images on their social media show great trees from the 2017 season. It is well worth checking them out if you live in the area.

Pine View Farm

A historic farm turned Christmas tree farm, Pine View Farm is a great destination to take your family to cut your own tree if you are near the Hudson Valley. This beautiful farm offers Balsam Fir, Blue Spruce, Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Meyer Spruce, and White Spruce. All trees are priced at $63 and they only accept cash and personal checks as of the 2017 season information. This is a rustic location, and does not offer the gift shops and other experiences of other tree farms, but does offer amazing trees.

Saltsman Tree Farm

The Saltsman Tree Farm is a smaller location that has been family owned and operated for over thirty years in Rhinebeck, New York. Prices vary depending on the size of the tree and they only accept cash and checks as of the end of their 2017 season. As they have run out of trees early in December in the past, it is recommended you visit as soon as possible in the season to pick your family tree.

Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm

The name says it all! Head to Cutchogue, New York for Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm and a wonderful family-friendly tree cutting experience. Santa Claus and live reindeer are on the premises throughout the holiday season to help make the experience more fanciful for your family. Trees are $85 and up, but the experience and free hot cocoa make this more than reasonable for those wanting to really help their children get into the Christmas spirit.

Wilbert’s Christmas Tree Farm

One of the best Christmas tree farms in New York for the budget is Wilbert’s Christmas Tree Farm located in Williamson, New York. Prices range from $35 for an average sized tree you cut on your own. For pre-cut or larger trees, you may pay between $45-$60. They accept cash, Visa, and MasterCard.

Don’t see a Christmas Tree Farm listed here near you? Check out the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York for a Christmas Tree Farm in your area! I needed to take a photo for this post, put in my zip code and got 20-something farms within 25 miles. There are a LOT of Christmas tree farms in NYS! My nearest one used to be within walking distance. For the photo, I had to drive 10 minutes to their next closest location (the closest one got sold a few years ago as urban sprawl took over).

There are so many amazing Christmas tree farms in the state of New York. This list includes a wide variety around the state and also has a good variety of budgets represented. Make new memories this year by using this list to create a family outing just in time for the holidays.

If you are looking for more things to do in New York State, check out these posts:

• 10 Best Christmas Towns in New York State – While we may take it for granted sometimes, those of us who live in New York State know that it is a magical place to live during the holidays. Whether you are a New York resident, or you are visiting for the holidays, you can find some pretty amazing places to visit here in the Empire State.

• 15 Family Friendly Spooky Places in New York State – Halloween is a spooktacular time of year! Ghosts and goblins abound everywhere – and most especially in New York State. Spooky and fun family attractions your entire clan will love abound in this great state, so I have gotten together a list of my favorite 15 Family Friendly Spooky Places in NYS for you to visit and explore. Have a haunting good time.

• 300 Things To Do In Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY – This is a long list of events, places, and things to do in Buffalo, and Niagara Falls, New York. This includes things to do in all of the 8 counties of Western New York. From touristy things to do, to things only locals know about, this great list of 300 Things to do in Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY has something for everyone on it!

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• Disclosure: the links in this post may be affiliate links.

• For more New York State Travel posts on Ann’s Entitled Life, click here.

• If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for the Ann’s Entitled Life weekly newsletter, and never miss another article!

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While we may take it for granted sometimes, those of us who live in New York State know that it is a magical place to live during the holidays. Whether you are a New York resident, or you are visiting for the holidays, you can find some pretty amazing places to visit here in the Empire State.

10 Best Christmas Towns in New York State

Live in New York State and looking for a day trip, or weekend trip to enjoy with your significant other? How about Christmassy events with the kids? Or perhaps you live south of the Mason-Dixon and would like to experience a great northern Christmas season?

If you are ready to have a magical holiday, here are the top Christmas Towns in New York State to visit this year:

1. North Pole, New York
North Pole, home of Santa’s Workshop! Just to be clear, North Pole isn’t an actual town, but a hamlet (a community within a town) in the town of Wilmington. North Pole is one of the best places for snow on Christmas though, as historical data will show, North Pole has a 96% chance of snow each Christmas! Oh, and in case you did not know it, Santa’s Workshop is an actual place, an amusement park, which happens to be one of the oldest amusement parks in the country. I remember thinking about licking the ice pole as a kid when we visited in the summer (until I saw some kid with his tongue stuck to it) … North Pole, NY is a fabulous Christmas-destination all year round!

2. Cooperstown, New York
More than just the baseball hall of fame, Cooperstown looks like it may have been an inspiration for many of your favorite Christmas movies. Historic, 18th-century buildings are decorated along the towns main street with a backdrop of snow-covered hillsides. There is a village with a horse-drawn wagon a production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. You can even enjoy breakfast with Santa or ride on the nearby Santa Express Christmas Train.

3. East Aurora
The holidays bring out an old world, nostalgic vibe of East Aurora with its light displays and decor. However, the shops here are really worth the visit during the holidays. Not only are there many fine shops throughout the town, but it is in East Aurora that you will find Vidler’s 5 & 10 Variety Store, which has been called “America’s Department Store” we locals simply call it “Vidler’s”) and takes up a good portion of a block (you can stroll store-to-store inside, and don’t forget to go downstairs!). Some New Yorkers claim that Christmas Shopping is not complete without a stop here. The Village of East Aurora works hard at quaint, and oh are they successful!

4. Kingston
Is it just me or is there something extra magical about spending Christmas in a historical town? Kingston is one such town. Founded by Dutch settlers in 1652, it takes great pride in the strong Dutch traditions that have long been a part of the town’s history. Kingston offers an annual Snowflake Festival. Check out the Hudson River holiday cruises, children’s parade, the Polar Express Train, light displays on Santa Claus Lane and more!

5. Lake Placid
Lake Placid is a Christmas lover’s paradise. Surrounded by the Adirondack mountains, a ski area, the famous Lake Placid Toboggan Chute and more, the location cannot be beat. Here you can the Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll, go ice skating at the Olympic Center’s outdoor rink, or take a sleigh ride through the snow.

6. New York City
Okay, I hate to be obvious, and it is definitely not a town, but New York City is one of the most traditional Christmas places in the country. Think about it. How many Christmas movies have you seen that feature Rockefeller Center or Central Park? There are plenty of over the top holiday destinations in the city.

7. Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck may be the smallest town on our list with a population of less than 500, however, during the holidays you would never guess it to be this size with the busy streets, popular restaurants and boutiques and the tourist-filled historic sites, such as the Beekman Arms, which is the oldest inn in America. Enjoy the Sinterklaas Festival lead by Old St. Nick himself!

8. Skaneateles
This is an amazing little town! How many of you picture a Norman Rockwell type of town when you think of the perfect Christmas town? Skaneateles is truly picture perfect for the holidays and boy oh boy does the town go out of its way to celebrate the season! Light displays throughout, horse and wagon rides, roasted chestnuts, Christmas carol sing-along. Check out the Dickens Calendar of Events!

Plus, many of the town’s high-end stores are tastefully, yet elaborately decorated to suit the season (I just bought hubby a custom-made holster at a leather goods store in Skaneateles when we were there last month. They make custom leather projects for movies! Skaneateles has a lot of great shops and restaurants.)

9. Syracuse
Syracuse is a favorite of many during the holidays. Not only does it almost always have ample snowfall during the month of December, but the entire town turns into a winter wonderland during the month as well. The Lights on the Lake Festival offers many light displays to enjoy, the classic Victorian Village brings memories of Christmas past, you can enjoy seeing elaborately decorated gingerbread houses, listen to a beautiful holiday concert or cut down your own tree, among many other holiday activities you can enjoy.

10. Troy
In this quaint town near Albany, you will find the Annual Troy Victorian Stroll, which is a sprawling holiday festival that the town puts on every year during the holidays. The locals put on their best Dickensian (did you know that was a thing?) apparel for the full holiday festival activities, including holiday craft shopping, cocoa, carolers, food, music, and more.

If you are looking for more things to do in New York State, check out these posts:

• 15 Family Friendly Spooky Places in New York State – Halloween is a spooktacular time of year! Ghosts and goblins abound everywhere – and most especially in New York State. Spooky and fun family attractions your entire clan will love abound in this great state, so I have gotten together a list of my favorite 15 Family Friendly Spooky Places in NYS for you to visit and explore. Have a haunting good time.

• 300 Things To Do In Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY – This is a long list of events, places, and things to do in Buffalo, and Niagara Falls, New York. This includes things to do in all of the 8 counties of Western New York. From touristy things to do, to things only locals know about, this great list of 300 Things to do in Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY has something for everyone on it!

• Estate Wineries on Seneca Lake – Hubby and I visit a lot of New York State wineries. These are a few of the estate winery stops we made on Seneca Lake!

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• Disclosure: the links in this post may be affiliate links.

• For more New York State Travel posts on Ann’s Entitled Life, click here.

• If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for the Ann’s Entitled Life weekly newsletter, and never miss another article!

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