Three Christmas light displays in and around Worcester have 2026 dates: 1 drive-thru and 2 walk-throughs. None are free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 10 p.m. at Night Lights at Tower Hill. They’re spread over three areas, from Boylston to Downtown Worcester.
Last checked · How we choose
Tap a filter to narrow it down. Every card has hours, price and what it’s like with a little one.
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill · 11 French Drive, Boylston, MA 01505
Checked Oct 30 on the official page
Report a problem
Little-kid take: Stays in the car: the easiest pick with a baby or a toddler who may fall asleep. PJs on, car seat buckled, no stroller needed.
Checked Oct 30 on the official page
Report a problem
Checked Oct 30 on the official page
Report a problemNothing is lit yet. Night Lights at Tower Hill opens first, on Nov 21. Night Lights at Tower Hill, Bright Nights at Forest Park and Festival of Lights on Worcester Common run into the new year.
In early December the sun sets around 4:15 p.m. in Worcester (the dashed line). Here’s when each display opens, on a scale from 4 to 9 p.m.
10 p.m. start · about 20 min
4–10pm daily
Pick: Bright Nights at Forest Park
Picks: Night Lights at Tower Hill, Festival of Lights on Worcester Common
Mittens on a stringLittle hands get cold fast after dark.
Warm drink in a thermosA treat to look forward to at the halfway point.
Hat and a blanketFor the stroller, or the car once the heat is off.
PJs before you goSo a car-seat nap can turn straight into bedtime.From each venue’s own page. Check whether a price is per car or per person before you book.
| Display | Price | Little kids | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night Lights at Tower Hill | Adults $26 standard nights, $29 peak; kids 4–12 $16 or $19; 3 and under free but need a ticket | 3 and under free but need a ticket | Walk-through |
| Bright Nights at Forest Park | $30 per car plus a $2 fee; $20 from Dec 28 | See the venue | Drive-thru |
| Festival of Lights on Worcester Common | No ticket listed | See the venue | Walk-through |
See all 6 Santa outings in and around Worcester: breakfasts, photo spots and evening visits, with 2026 prices.
Santa in Worcester →
None of the light shows with 2026 dates that we found are free. The lowest prices are listed in “2026 prices at a glance”.
Going by the lowest posted 2026 price: Night Lights at Tower Hill (Adults $26 standard nights, $29 peak; kids 4–12 $16 or $19; 3 and under free but need a ticket); Bright Nights at Forest Park ($30 per car plus a $2 fee; $20 from Dec 28). Check whether a price is per car or per person before you compare.
With a baby or a sleepy toddler, a drive-thru is easiest: they stay buckled in and warm. One of the 3 displays can be driven: Bright Nights at Forest Park. Walk-throughs (two here) are better for kids who want to run around.
The earliest evening starts: Night Lights at Tower Hill at 10 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.
Little ones get in free at Night Lights at Tower Hill (3 and under free but need a ticket). With a baby, a drive-thru keeps everyone warm in the car.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.
Keep planning: This week in Worcester · Worcester city guide · Visiting Worcester
One short email every Thursday evening with what works for ages 0–6 in Worcester that weekend, including the Santa and light-show dates worth knowing.
By month
Things to do with kids in Worcester in November · Things to do with kids in Worcester in December
More holiday outings
The Nutcracker with kids in Worcester: 3 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances. Christmas markets in Worcester: 3 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes.