Magic of Lights at Jones Beach 2026: Dates, Tickets, Hours & Tips

There’s a moment when the first display comes into view and the back seat goes quiet. That’s why Magic of Lights at Jones Beach lands on so many Long Island family calendars. It’s a drive-through, so you see the whole show from a warm seat, and the 2026 season runs well into the new year.

This is your complete 2026 visitor guide: dates and hours, every ticket type including Santa Saver and the season pass, where to enter, how long to budget and when to arrive. It’s written for first-timers and repeat visitors alike, with practical notes from chauffeurs who have made this drive with families for many seasons.

When Is Magic of Lights at Jones Beach in 2026?

The 2026 season opens Friday, Nov 20, 2026 and closes Sunday, Jan 3, 2027. Posted hours are 5–10 pm Sunday through Thursday and 5–11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Key dates to circle

• Nov 19: last day to buy Santa Saver car tickets.
• Fri, Nov 20: opening night.
• Thu, Nov 26: Thanksgiving, with a long weekend for visiting family after it.
• Dec 24, 25 and 31: holiday nights; confirm hours before you go.
• Sun, Jan 3, 2027: closing night.

Holiday schedules can change, so check the official Magic of Lights page before heading out on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve.

Chauffeur tip: Sunset in December is around 4:30 pm, so the displays are fully lit by the time the show opens at 5. There’s no reason to wait until late evening for a darker sky.

How Much Are Magic of Lights Jones Beach Tickets in 2026?

Tickets are sold per vehicle, not per person. In November, a car costs $22 online or $30 at the gate, a limo or party bus costs $54.99 online or $65 at the gate, and a bus costs $79.99 online or $90 at the gate.

Santa Saver tickets

Santa Saver is an early-bird car ticket you have to buy before Nov 19: $29.98 for any day or $25.99 for a weekday. If you know you’re going but haven’t picked a night, the any-day version keeps your options open.

Season pass

The season pass costs $89.99 per standard vehicle. It pays off only if you plan to drive through several times; for one visit, a single online ticket costs far less.

Limo and party bus tickets

Limos and party buses have their own ticket class, and the official page doesn’t list December limo pricing yet, so check it before you buy. For how the limo ticket works and what the drive feels like from a Sprinter or stretch, read our guide to taking a limo through Magic of Lights at Jones Beach.

Chauffeur tip: Buy online, every time. Each vehicle class costs more at the gate, and on a busy night you don’t want to be the one paying at the booth while the line stacks up behind you.

Where Is the Magic of Lights Entrance at Jones Beach?

Set your GPS to 350 Bay Pkwy, Wantagh, NY, the show’s listed location inside Jones Beach State Park. Check the official page for entry instructions before you leave.

Jones Beach sits on the barrier island off Wantagh, so every visitor funnels onto the same few parkways near the end of the trip. In our experience, the line on busy December evenings can start before you reach the show itself. Once you’re in, the route covers about 2.5 miles, and 2025 coverage counted more than 2 million LEDs along the way.

We pick up across Nassau and Suffolk, all five NYC boroughs and JFK, LGA, EWR and ISP, so relatives flying in for the holidays can go straight from the terminal to the lights.

How Long Does It Take to Drive Through Magic of Lights?

The route is about 2.5 miles at a slow display pace. Your total visit depends mostly on the entry line, which is shorter on weeknights and longer on December weekends, so treat it as an evening outing rather than a quick stop.

Think of the night in five parts: pickup, the parkway drive, the entry line, the route itself and the ride home. Add dinner and you have a full evening. When you book, tell us your pickup town and any extra stops, and we’ll suggest how many hours to reserve.

Chauffeur tip: Make a restroom stop before you join the line. Once you’re in the queue and on the route, there’s no easy way to step out, and kids always ask halfway through.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Magic of Lights to Avoid Traffic?

Arrive near the 5 pm opening, when it’s already dark and the entry line is usually at its shortest. On Fridays and Saturdays, a later arrival is the other smart move, since the show stays open until 11 pm.

• Best bet: a Sunday-to-Thursday arrival close to 5 pm.
• Good weekend option: a later Friday or Saturday arrival, after the early-evening family rush.
• Toughest window: early evening on the December weekends closest to Christmas.
• Bonus window: Dec 26 to Jan 3, still in season; confirm holiday-night hours first.

Chauffeur tip: Turn the cabin lights down before the first display, and keep the heat moderate. If the glass starts to fog, crack a window for a few seconds to clear it so nobody misses a scene.

What Should You Bring to Magic of Lights?

Bring your ticket saved on your phone, warm layers and something to sip. A few small extras make the night better:

• Your ticket, saved offline: a screenshot beats searching your inbox at the gate.
• Blankets and a thermos: snacks and drinks are welcome on board, with alcohol only for guests 21 and older.
• Camera with the flash off: flash bounces off the windows, so let the lights do the work.
• A holiday playlist: the Sprinter limo has Bluetooth.

Should You Go to Magic of Lights by Limo?

If your group is bigger than one car, or nobody wants to drive the parkway in holiday traffic, yes. One limo/party bus ticket covers everyone aboard, and your chauffeur handles the line while you watch. Passengers keep their seat belts on for the whole route.

Bottled water, ice and cups are already on board. The 12-passenger Sprinter limo is a family favorite, and the 18-passenger white Escalade stretch limo suits extended families. Our Long Island holiday lights limo tours cover the whole evening, and our Christmas light limo tour of Long Island shows how to pair Jones Beach with other displays.

Comparing shows? See our roundup of drive-through Christmas lights on Long Island. Saving Dyker Heights or Midtown for another night? Our Manhattan and Brooklyn Christmas lights tour guide covers the city.

Magic of Lights Jones Beach 2026 FAQs

What are the Magic of Lights Jones Beach 2026 dates?

Magic of Lights at Jones Beach State Park runs from Friday, Nov 20, 2026 through Sunday, Jan 3, 2027. It’s a drive-through show, so you stay in your vehicle along a route of about 2.5 miles. Check the official show page for any holiday-night changes before you go.

What time does the Jones Beach light show open and close?

The show opens at 5 pm throughout the 2026 season. It closes at 10 pm Sunday through Thursday and at 11 pm on Friday and Saturday. Sunset in December is around 4:30 pm, so the displays are fully lit at opening, and the extra weekend hour gives you a later option after dinner.

How much are Magic of Lights Jones Beach tickets in 2026?

Tickets are priced per vehicle. In November, a car is $22 online or $30 at the gate, a limo or party bus is $54.99 online or $65 at the gate, and a bus is $79.99 online or $90 at the gate. Santa Saver car tickets bought before Nov 19 cost $29.98 any day or $25.99 on weekdays.

How long does it take to drive through Magic of Lights?

The route is about 2.5 miles, and traffic moves at a slow display pace so you can take in the lights. Your total visit depends mainly on the entry line, which is shortest on weeknights near the 5 pm opening and longest on December weekend evenings. Treat it as an evening outing rather than a quick stop.

What time should you arrive at Magic of Lights to avoid traffic?

Arrive close to the 5 pm opening, when it’s already dark and the entry line is usually at its shortest. On Fridays and Saturdays, another option is to come later in the evening, since the show stays open until 11 pm. Give yourself extra time for the approach into Jones Beach State Park on December weekends.

What is the address for Magic of Lights at Jones Beach?

Magic of Lights is held at Jones Beach State Park, 350 Bay Pkwy, Wantagh, NY. Enter that address in your GPS and check the organizer’s website for any entry instructions before you leave. If you ride with a chauffeur, your driver handles the route and the entry line for you.

Magic of Lights at Jones Beach 2026 is one of the easiest holiday traditions on Long Island to plan: confirmed dates, set hours and tickets you can buy weeks ahead. Pick your night, buy online before the gate prices apply, and let someone else handle the parkway. We’d be glad to be that someone.