Update for 2022: Magic of Lights Presented by American Eagle Credit Union is back! This year’s event runs from November 23, 2022 to January 1, 2023. The event is open nightly from 5pm to 10pm. Visit their website for ticketing information.
2021 Post:
Thank you to Magic of Lights for providing my family with complementary admission to this year’s event for the purpose of writing this blog post. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.
My family’s favorite way to kick off the holiday season is to pile into the car (especially with yummy snacks or maybe a travel mug of hot cocoa!) and drive through one of the many mesmerizing holiday light displays in our area. It’s a tradition we started waaaaay back when my now 11-year-old was only 15 months old.
This year, we were lucky enough to be invited to preview Magic of Lights at Pratt & Whitney Stadium, which is just a few minutes down the road from us in East Hartford.
You may recall that last year Magic of Lights was held at Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, where it attracted more than 190,000 guests during the holiday season. This year, Magic of Lights has moved to the Hartford area, and the drive-through experience is equally dazzling! Themed light displays using the latest LED technology and digital animations include the all new drive-through Blizzard Tunnel as well as returning favorites including 12 Days of Christmas, Winter Wonderland and The Night Before Christmas. And best of all, families and friends will experience the thrill of Magic of Lights from the comfort of their own cars– it’s the ultimate pandemic-proof holiday experience!
This is a cashless event, and you can even purchase your tickets ahead of time online for the ultimate in convenience (tickets will still be available at the gate for an increased price). Then it’s as easy as waving your QR code (straight from your phone or on a printout) at the entrance gate and you’re off!
The light displays spring up along a mile of winding road where visitors are encouraged to turn off their headlights and cruise at a steady slow pace to get the full dazzling effect. Don’t forget to tune your radio to 101.9 for festive tunes for the ride! Since we were there on a very uncrowded evening (Tuesday night is the time to go! LOL), we really got to take our time and enjoy every one of the fantastic light creations. Here are a few of our favorites!
Magic of Lights will open each day from 5pm and run through 10pm during the run of the show, though some exclusions may apply. Please visit www.magicoflights.com for a complete schedule. Tickets can be used any night Magic of Lights is open.
Now is a great time to visit Magic of Lights because through December 9th the cost is only $30 for a weekday ticket and $35 for an any day ticket, which includes weekends. Beginning Dec 10 – Jan 2, a weekday ticket will be $40 and an any day ticket is $45 when purchased online. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate for $50 on a weekday and $55 on a weekend (including fees). All tickets are per vehicle, NOT per person– so bring the whole extended family! And here’s a little insider tip: you can even plan to have little ones ride on adult passenger laps as you drive through because Holiday of Lights provides a “Buckle Up” area at the end of the drive through so you can all get safely settled back into your seats and buckled up before heading back out to the real road. So no arguments about who is going to have to sit in the back or in the middle! It’s a holiday miracle 🙂
Contactless tickets are on sale now at tickets.magicoflights.com. For more information and a complete schedule please visit www.magicoflights.com.
We hope we’ve inspired you to start a new tradition with your family this holiday season!
Magic of Lights Holiday Light Drive Through (2021)
Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium
615 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT
Hours (2021):
November 19th, 2021 – January 2nd, 2022
Sun-Thu: 5:00pm – 10:00pm | Fri-Sat: 5:00pm – 11:00pm
Pricing (2021):
Pricing varies by dates of attendance. Please see below for details.
Tickets can be used any night Magic of Lights is open. Admission is $20 for a weekday ticket and $25 for any day ticket through November 1st, $30 for a weekday ticket and $35 for an any day ticket from November 2 – December 9, tickets are also available at the gate during this time period (beginning Nov 19) for $40 on a weekday and $45 on a weekend. Beginning December 10 – January 2 a weekday ticket is $40 and an any day ticket is $45 while tickets can also be purchased at the gate for $50 on a weekday and $55 on a weekend. (including fees). All tickets are per vehicle, NOT per person.
Please see their website for the most up-to-date pricing and to purchase tickets online.
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