All states › New York › Albany
Christmas Lights in Albany, NY
The top places to see Christmas lights in Albany this season are Santa's Playland Christmas Lights (Nov 14 – Jan 3), Winter Light Walk at Pine Hollow Arboretum and Magic of Lights Altamont. We've mapped 4 displays in Albany and 10 more nearby (7 tree lightings, 2 drive-thrus, 2 parades). 9 are free. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.
Updated Nov 12, 2026
Near Albany (within 25 miles)
Tap + Tour on a few displays to get one driving route you can send to your phone (how it works). Missing a house or show in Albany? Add it free.
Christmas lights in Albany: common questions
What are the best Christmas lights in Albany?
Popular picks this season include Santa's Playland Christmas Lights (Nov 14 – Jan 3), Winter Light Walk at Pine Hollow Arboretum, Magic of Lights Altamont and Schenectady County Holiday Parade (Nov 21 – Nov 21). In all, 14 displays are mapped in and around Albany, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.
Where can I see free Christmas lights in Albany?
Free options include Santa's Playland Christmas Lights, Schenectady County Holiday Parade, Downtown Albany Decorating Contest and Lights on Walden. 9 of the 14 displays near Albany are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.
Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near Albany?
Yes. Santa's Playland Christmas Lights (Free) and Magic of Lights Altamont (Ticketed (price not listed)). Drive-thru shows usually charge per car, and buying tickets online ahead of time is often faster.
When do Christmas lights start in Albany?
The earliest Albany-area displays turn on Nov 14, and most are running by the weekend after Thanksgiving. Many stay lit through New Year's; check each display's page for its exact dates and nightly hours.
Want your house to look like this?
Professional Christmas light installers in Albany hang, maintain and take down your lights, or install permanent lights you control from your phone. Tell us about your house and get free quotes.
Get free quotes