Because December is the darkest month, we welcome grand displays of holiday and Christmas lights to brighten the night. These homeowners and neighborhoods go all out to celebrate the season, so let’s get out there and celebrate with them.
Following our list of favorites, find more festively decorated homes and homes synced to music, drive-through Christmas light shows, and more holiday activities that bring us comfort and joy. May your nights be merry and bright!
1. Rahway Neighborhood
Gates
Many of the homes in the Rahway community (Rahway, Dawson, Winter Hazel, Charter) participate in the annual Christmas lights extravaganza. Some homes are lit to festive extremes, while others are elegant, monotone, or traditional. Winter Hazel is a cul-de-sac, so you can see all the homes again as you drive back toward Lyell Road.
Bring cash for the hot cocoa and popcorn stand on Winter Hazel Court. If it isn’t already, stopping here can easily become a memorable part of your Christmas lights tradition!
Congratulations to TM Holiday Lights on Charter Circle on being recognized as one of the country’s best light shows in 2023!
An amazing capture of the Rahway, Winter Hazel, and Charter neighborhoods by Monica Mullen Aerial Photography!
2. Endicar Neighborhood
Irondequoit
This cul-de-sac neighborhood is lit! Multiple homes on Endicar Drive, off Titus Avenue near Kings Highway, participate to bring the holiday cheer.
It is with sorrow that I share that one of the homeowners passed away in August 2024. We will always be grateful for the joy he created for the entire Rochester community.
Check out this beautiful capture of Endicar Drive from Monica Mullen Aerial Photography!
3. Buckskin Neighborhood
Farmington
There are 20+ houses on Buckskin Drive and Hunters Drive synced to the same radio station, with additional homes festively decorated. Once you pull into the neighborhood, turn off your headlights and proceed slowly to enjoy this enjoyable and colorful drive. Follow Raggi Christmas Light Show on their Facebook page. The show begins each year on Thanksgiving evening at 6:30 p.m. Regular hours are Sunday through Thursday, 4:30–10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 4:30–11 p.m. Tune your radio to 91.1 FM.
Monica Mullen Aerial Photography captured the magic from above!
Google Map of Homes
Individual Homes with Extreme Christmas Light Displays
For a comprehensive annually updated list, check out kidoutandaboutrochester.com
West Henrietta
Rochester
Rush
Perinton
Penfield
Pittsford
More Favorites From Previous Years
Homes With Light Shows Synced with Music
For a comprehensive annually updated list, check out kidoutandaboutrochester.com
Lights on Santa Drive
Visit their Facebook page for all the details!
ILLoominations Light Show
Burritt Road in Hilton has two houses (865 and 885) that go all out! 865 Burritt Road has a one-hour light show to which you can tune the music, and about 25,000 lights on the house this year. On the weekends, they usually have characters interacting with the kids and passing out candy canes. Join their Facebook group, ILLoominations Light Show, for the most current information.
More Favorites From Previous Years
Drive-Through Christmas Lights
Pete’s Christmas Lights
It’s challenging to capture a photo of Pete’s free drive-through experience. Even my video is lacking! So, rather than attempting to share those, I’ll help you find the right place to experience it for yourself.
Pete’s property is at 1028 Bay Road in Webster—the last house on this private driveway. But don’t follow Google’s directions to this address! Rather, map yourself to the beginning of the driveway as the property is set back from the road. You may pass it on your first attempt to locate it.
Tune the radio to FM 97.3 and proceed slowly—savor your time there. Follow the signs guiding you around a loop.
Lights on the Lake
November 18–January 13, 2025
Seven days a week, 5–10 p.m.
Liverpool, Onondaga Lake (near Syracuse)
The drive-through holiday light show at Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool (Syracuse) features a two-mile route with towering displays, a fantasy forest, vibrant arches, and a magical fairy-tale ending. For more information, please visit lightsonthelake.com.
Winter Festival of Lights
December 6–31
Seven days a week, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
The Log Cabin Restaurant, Macedon
Enjoy a magical winter wonderland as you ride through a hayfield adorned with twinkling lights. Tickets for tractor wagon rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, and private horse-drawn wagon wides are available at rootedcountry.com.
More Holiday Activities
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Where are your favorite Christmas light displays around Rochester?
Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.
People often ask me if I get free access to places while exploring. The answer is no unless I’m invited to previews or granted behind-the-scenes access as part of my media role. Generally, I don’t mention my project, Day Trips Around Rochester, NY, because I want the same experience you would have. I create and share content simply because it brings me joy. I would appreciate your support—a cup of coffee or two to help fuel future field trips—if you have found valuable information here that has helped you explore the Rochester area.
Enjoy the Journey Together!
Just a hint. Try going to Quesada Dr on less busy weekdays. First time on a Friday I couldn’t get near it ( i left to avoid being part of the traffic mess in the neighborhood). Went back on a Tuesday and was the 4th person in line 🙂 Just remember a neighborhood can only handle so many vehicles at a time.
Please, if you are going to see these lights, especially Quesada Drive, be respectful of the people who live on the roads leading up the home. As a resident of the neighborhood we have had people refusing to move their cars for residents to get into their home, people will just block the road in both directions causing a safety issues, and people yell, curse, at the few neighbors who have volunteered to help with traffic control. This was meant to bring joy and fun.
I was waiting at 127 Quesada Dr for 3 WHOLE HOURS, family from out of town were really excited to see the Christmas lights. Get to the (f-ing) house and all lights are OFF. Do not recommend, and I will NEVER go back. This is terrible. I’m BEYOND!!!!! disappointed. This should NOT be the #1 house on the list.
We thoroughly enjoyed the lights at this home. It was our first time and my kids loved it!! Maybe the homeowner had technical difficulties or was out of town one weekend… It’s not a business – it’s free – and the homeowner is doing something nice for the community. Be grateful that people take their own time and money to put together a show for others. You are entitled to nothing…
What time did you get to the house? The owner changed the hours to end the show at 10 pm.
Since I live the closest to the lights on Rahway, I have gone there the most & it is definitely worth the trip. Every years it gets more & more elaborate with more homes joining in the festivities. This year they have a box in front of the first house on the tour where people can drop off toys for the Toys for Tots program.
the lights are really pretty good.
i think we use to go on your street
with my family my boy friend died of cancer
my dad pass too. my son ran away from my home
i would like my son to com home. and my mom passed
back in dec, 18 of 2019. but like i said your lights are really
great. i wish my family and i could go back on the street again
love anne scoville p.s. happy holiday
Is there anything like this for Wayne County?
Hey guys, appreciate this guide, I mean the guide with google map, it helped a lot. It was like a mini road trip around Rochester. And going one by one and on the google maps app, could easily just switch to the next. Thanks again for doing this
Cyril, thank you so much for letting me know, and I’m so happy you found the map helpful! I try to think of the information or tools that would make my holiday season a bit easier and share them with you. Happy New Year!
There is a spectacular house on Queens Lane in West Irondequoit off Kings Highway. It is amazing! Must see!!
Check out the Phalin Family Christmas Light Show in Victor NY off of Plaster Mill Rd. (1087 Azzano Circle). Show has over 15,000 + lights programmed to 16 songs and runs through New Years.
Victor hills is the Christmas light spot went there Saturday night great job does cost 25$ a car bit very much worth it
Kaye, thank you for sharing your experience! I was wondering about the $25 per car vs. the depth of the experience. I’m happy to hear you found it worth the price!
Thank you for the recommendation, James!
These houses are beautiful!
You should include the huge light display at the Disalvo home in Stafford. The owners want you to get out and walk all through their huge yard filled with all kinds of holiday displays.
Done! That home on Fargo Rd. in Stafford is one of the most spectacular holiday light experiences and absolutely worth the drive. (Stafford is located between LeRoy and Batavia along NY-5)
Did you see them this year?
new this year ROC lights at Victor Hills