Magic of Lights Opens at PNC Bank Arts Center With Extended Route

Magic of Lights threw open its gates at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. Visitors can now cruise through a 2.5-mile path of twinkling displays — the longest ever at this spot.

Shows run until Jan. 3, 2026. Doors open at 5 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, you get an extra hour, with gates staying open until 11 p.m.

Fan favorites have returned. Winter Wonderland beckons, and the 12 Days of Christmas tells its story in lights. Toyland springs to life, while Elves and Reindeer Road guide you onward. Mattel's Waving Christmas Barbie greets passing cars. But there's more — Prehistoric Christmas brings massive dinosaurs into the mix, and the BIGFOOT Monster Truck towers over guests.

LED tech powers the whole spectacle. Animations flicker and dance across the grounds, building scenes that shift and glow. You stay in your car the entire time, soaking it all in through your windows.

This year brings something fresh: the Toyota Holiday Village. It's an interactive hub where families can step out and join the action. Santa poses for pictures, an ice rink awaits skaters, and kids decorate cookies. S'mores sizzle over fire pits while holiday films play nearby, and games fill the gaps between sips of hot chocolate.

Pricing shifts depending on when you go. Weekends hit your wallet harder: $39 if you snag tickets ahead of time, $43 if you buy at the entrance. Weekdays during November run cheaper: $34 in advance, $38 at the gate.

One ticket gets your whole car in. No need to count heads. Your pass works for any date, but you've got to match the day type you bought — weekday or weekend.

Find the Arts Center at Exit 116 off the Garden State Parkway. Head to magicoflights.com to grab your tickets.