Holiday spirit shines brightly here in the heart of New York's Hudson Valley at this most wonderful time of year, with numerous Dutchess County celebrations and lights displays helping to spread joy and peace with each twinkling bulb. We've made this list — and checked it twice — to help you find the most cheerful and heartwarming holiday festivals in Dutchess.
Keep that camera handy (those mittens, too)! Feel free to share your photos here and tag @DestinationDutchess on social media.
Happy holidays!
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Select nights, Nov. 28–Dec. 28, beginning at 5 p.m., at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck
This drive-through lights extravaganza features dozens of spectacular exhibitions and musical accompaniment. Be sure to ask about enchanted 3D elf glasses available for purchase at the gate. Veterans and active military personnel receive discounted tickets with valid ID at the gate (passenger cars only). Buses welcome.
Nightly from Nov. 28–Dec. 28, beginning at 4:45 p.m., at 8 Patrick Drive, LaGrangeville
A holiday tradition for the Gay Family since 1995 (ERDAJT are the initials of the family’s three children), this attraction set a Guinness World Record in 2014 and seems to get bigger every year. This season’s display features more than 745,994 lights! Tune your car radio to 95.3 FM and enjoy each night's musical playlist.
Select nights, Nov. 28–Dec. 27, at Bowdoin Park, Wappingers Falls
If you thought Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion was fun, be sure to check out this 21st annual walk-through Holiday Spirit Festival! Attractions for 2025 include Mrs. Claus' Scavenger Hunt, Christmas Canyon Snow Magic, the Jingle Bear Band, the Winter Wonderland, the Enchanted Forest of Lights, the all-new Gingerbread Village, Santa's Reindeer Barn, Santa's Magical Mailbox, the Winter Carnival and so much more!
Select nights, Nov. 21–Jan. 4, at Heritage Financial Park, Wappingers Falls
Hop in the car, pack your favorite snacks, and enjoy a dazzling, mile-long, drive-through spectacular featuring hundreds of larger-than-life festive lights displays with musical accompaniment. It's a holiday treat for the whole family at the home of the Hudson Valley Renegades minor-league baseball team! Stay tuned for details on the 2026 season for the New York Yankees' High-A affiliate.
Saturday, Dec. 6, 4:30–6 p.m., at Tymor Park, Union Vale
A Union Vale holiday tradition continues! Visit with Santa, roast marshmallows around the fire pits and let the Grand Illumination lights display put a twinkle in your eye. Each family will receive a special handcrafted wooden ornament and some magical reindeer food. Free admission for residents, non-residents are $5 per family. Advance registration required.
Saturday, Dec. 6, in the Village of Tivoli
See Santa as he tours the village in a fire truck, settle in for a horse-drawn wagon ride on Broadway, and enjoy the holiday lights, caroling, business open houses and kid-friendly activities. Be sure to stop in at the Tivoli Artists Gallery and check out their holiday show!
• Photos with Santa (Nov. 21–Dec. 24, except Thanksgiving, at the Poughkeepsie Galleria) — Head to the center court to see Santa in front of a new display. Special events include Pet Night with Santa on Dec. 1 and Dec. 9 from 4–7 p.m. and the Santa Cares Sensory-Friendly Experience on Dec. 7 from 9–10:30 a.m.
• Pine Plains 40th Annual Town Decorating Day and Parade of Lights (Saturday, Nov. 29, beginning at 3 p.m. in Pine Plains) — Help decorate the Christmas trees that line the sidewalks, visit with Santa, listen to holiday music playing through the town center, and enjoy cookies and cocoa. The parade steps off from Stissing Mountain Junior-Senior High School at 5 p.m.
• Town of LaGrange Festival of Lights Parade (Saturday, Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m. on Route 55, LaGrange) — This annual event kicks off the holiday season and features fun floats and lighted firetrucks and highway trucks.
• Millbrook Parade of Lights (Friday, Dec. 5, 3–5 p.m., 28 Front Street, Millbrook) — Take a picture with Santa Claus and write a holiday card for a child in a local hospital before Santa and Mrs. Claus lead the Millbrook Parade of Lights!
• City of Poughkeepsie Festival of Lights (Friday, Dec. 5, 5:30–7:30 p.m., at Waryas Park, Poughkeepsie) — Enjoy fireworks, a tree-lighting ceremony, entertainment, food and more!
• Arlington Holiday Festival (Saturday, Dec. 6, 12–5 p.m. at The Garden Arts Space, LaGrange Avenue, Poughkeepsie) — This afternoon of festivities includes an Egg Nog Crawl, a tree lighting, a holiday parade featuring Chris Marino from Q92, vendors and more!
• Town of Poughkeepsie Holiday Caravan (Saturday, Dec. 6, 4:30 p.m. starting at the NYS DOT Building) — The caravan will wind its way through the streets of the Town of Poughkeepsie and finish at the Galleria Mall with treats for everyone!
• Pawling's Annual Tree Lighting (Saturday, Dec. 6, 5 p.m. at the Pawling Chamber of Commerce Building) — Santa arrives at 6 p.m. with the Electric Truck Parade to light the tree! Enjoy hot chocolate, doughnuts, hot pretzels, hot apple cider, and a special visit with Santa for the littles. Grab some dinner at the Cousins Maine Lobster Truck. Enjoy holiday performances by choir singers, Irish Step Dancers and DJ Silva.
• Village of Wappingers Falls Annual Tree Lighting and Parade (Saturday, Dec. 6, 5–7:30 p.m. at Schlathaus Park) — Enjoy the lighting of the town tree and the parade of lights and a visit from Santa! There will be hot chocolate, cookies, and children's activities, along with gift bags for the first 300 kids who visit Santa.
• Town of Dover Holiday Fest and Christmas Tree Lighting (Saturday, Dec. 6, 6 p.m. at Boyce Park, Wingdale) — The annual lights exhibit is all set up in advance of the big Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 6. Enjoy coffee, hot cocoa, donuts, music and arts and crafts. Be sure to take a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus!
• Pleasant Valley Festival of Lights Parade (Saturday, Dec. 6, 6:45 p.m. on Main Street, Pleasant Valley) — The parade features the annual float competition; stop in and see Santa in the upper Town Hall parking lot and enjoy some hot cocoa.
• Hyde Park Candlelight Walk and Tree-Lighting Ceremony (Sunday, Dec. 7, 5 p.m.) — Line up for the Candlelight Walk at the Hyde Park Drive-In at 5 p.m. Following the parade, stick around at Town Hall for the tree-lighting ceremony, holiday music, refreshments, and, of course, Santa!
