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Christmas Lights in Schenectady, NY
The top places to see Christmas lights in Schenectady this season are Santa's Playland Christmas Lights (Nov 14 – Jan 3), Saratoga Victorian Streetwalk and Tree Lighting (Dec 3 – Dec 3) and Schenectady County Holiday Parade (Nov 21 – Nov 21). We've mapped 1 display in Schenectady and 14 more nearby (7 tree lightings, 2 parades, 2 events). 10 are free. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.
Updated Nov 12, 2026
Near Schenectady (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 Schenectady? Add it free.
Christmas lights in Schenectady: common questions
What are the best Christmas lights in Schenectady?
Popular picks this season include Santa's Playland Christmas Lights (Nov 14 – Jan 3), Saratoga Victorian Streetwalk and Tree Lighting (Dec 3 – Dec 3), Schenectady County Holiday Parade (Nov 21 – Nov 21) and Winter Light Walk at Pine Hollow Arboretum. In all, 15 displays are mapped in and around Schenectady, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.
Where can I see free Christmas lights in Schenectady?
Free options include Santa's Playland Christmas Lights, Saratoga Victorian Streetwalk and Tree Lighting, Schenectady County Holiday Parade and Downtown Albany Decorating Contest. 10 of the 15 displays near Schenectady are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.
Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near Schenectady?
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 Schenectady?
The earliest Schenectady-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.
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Professional Christmas light installers in Schenectady 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.
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