Here is all the info you need on the biggest and best season-long light shows of the 2024 holiday season!
Before we get into it here, if you are interested in …
• Delmarva Christmas Events and Celebrations–go here!
• Delmarva Christmas Parades–go here!
• Delmarva Small Town Tree-Lighting Celebrations–go here!
Winterfest of Lights in Ocean City, Md.
Nov. 21 to Dec. 31
This is the 32nd time around for Winterfest of Lights at 58-acre Northside Park in Ocean City, Md. Take an outdoor walking tour through incredible light displays–they are promising that this year’s edition will be the biggest and best yet. Afterwards, see Santa in the gift shop. Details.
A Longwood Christmas north of Wilmington, Del.
Nov. 22 to Jan. 12, 2025
Located just north of Wilmington, Del., Longwood Gardens puts on a spectacular holiday show that mixes elaborate, imaginative outdoor light displays with voluminous indoor plantings and decor. This year’s edition coincides with the grand opening of “Longwood Reimagined,” an overhaul of the famed tourism attraction with new spaces, including “our sprawling new West Conservatory” and multiple “imaginative new outdoor landscapes.” Details.
Lights on the Bay in Annapolis, Md.
Nov. 24 to Jan. 1, 2025
Just across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Kent Island, Md. is Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. A drive-through affair, it features 70 different animated and stationary displays. Sign on for the scavenger hunt. Pick up a pair of glasses to see the lights in 3-D glory. Much more. Details.
Gift of Lights at Dover (Del.) Speedway
Nov. 28 through Jan. 5, 2025
This drive-through affair is set up in the Woodlands area of the speedway grounds. Last year there were 60 different scenes using 3 million lights set up in festive scenes of holiday cheer along a winding route that takes most folks about 45 minutes to navigate. Details.
Lewes (Del.) Lights
Dec. 1 through Dec. 31
More than 200 homeowners and businesses have participated in this event in recent years. Visitors get a driving tour map leading them on a self-guided tour of decorations. Don’t forget to vote for winners in various categories. In past years there was a “Clark Griswold of Lewes” award, so expect some fun creativity. Details on Facebook here and/or maybe here on the web–the site wasn’t updated when I put this page together, but that will happen soon enough, I’m sure.
NOTE: As far as I can tell Winter Wonderfest at Hudson Fields in Milton, Del. is not happening for the second year in a row.
• If the work that went into this helped you plan a merry Christmas season and you’re not in the market for any of our Christmas cards or Secrets of the Eastern Shore books, you could also say thanks here through a Secrets of the Eastern Shore Tip Jar.
–posted by Jim Duffy for Secrets of the Eastern Shore/Whimbrel Creations LLC in Oct. 2024. Thank you for spending time on this site!
