Ready for some holiday lights? Try these.

Winter Wonderfest Light Spectacular welcomed more than 17,000 vehicles to its show in Milton.

Christmas lights this year promise a bright future, after so much was dimmed by the pandemic.

Here are some crowd-pleasing places to enjoy holiday lights in Delaware.

The Brower family has a Facebook page and a #BrowerFamilyLights hashtag for their display. “Tune to 97.9FM to hear our music from the warmth of your car!” they suggest. 2115 Exton Drive, Brandywine Hundred, off Grubb Road.

A drive-through light display returns Dec. 11 for an open house at Glasgow Regional Park, off U.S. Route 40, according to a representative from New Castle County. Patrons may also park and walk through the light.

New Castle County also will present Winter Nights at Rockwood Park & Museum with holiday lights surrounded the mansion there. Guests may stroll through the lights before seeing the mansion on Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. All free.

Lewes Lights for the second year is highlighting individual displays throughout Delaware’s oldest municipality. Maps can be downloaded online and houses are marked with numbers. It officially opens Dec. 3. One of our elves reports that the waterfront displays are spectacular.

Lights for a Cure, a display at 37 Pine Valley Road, Middletown, has for several years supported charitable work and is timed to music, according to its Facebook page.

 Santa Claus Lane has satisfied the young and the young at heart for years. The Post Office knows it as 1054 Red Lion Road, Bear.

Wilmington & Western offers dozens of Holiday Express rides.

The Smith family for decades has been decorating their home, yard and outbuildings in a display so bright that it can be seen from Interstate 95 (true, the highway is just a long extension cord away). A Facebook page calls it a landmark. 1900 Prior Road, North Wilmington, between Silverside Road and Top of the Hill Apartments. 

The Wilmington & Western Railroad runs its Holiday Lights Express Dec. 10-30. It plans on thousands of lights on its coaches, and “many of our trackside neighbors also decorate their homes and yards for our passengers to enjoy during this one-hour evening trip through the Red Clay Valley.” $16 basic admission, with discounts for seniors and children. Trains leave from Greenbank Station, 2201 Newport Gap Pike, near Prices Corner.

Winter WonderFest Light Spectacular promises a mile of dazzling lights, including an under-the-sea display new this year. Organizers expect 100,000 visitors. Nightly through Jan. 2. $20 basic admission, $25 on weekends and more for buses and vans. Supports Sussex County charities. Hudson Fields, 29763 Eagle Crest Road, Milton.

The Schellville Enchanted Winter Celebration in Rehoboth Beach split off from the Wonderfest this year and offers  a wide variety of activities for families, including a walk-thought light maze. There’s no admission fee, but there’s a catch: You have to register online for a ticket. It runs through Dec. 31, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Winter Wonderfest Light Spectacular has a nod to the Rehoboth Beach Dolle’s sign among its festive drive.

While The Grand’s drive-through light show on the Wilmington Riverfront won’t return this year, but a  holiday light display will run along the Riverwalk Black Friday through the new year. Trees, light poles and other areas will be wrapped in lights, with decorations from Hare Pavilion to Public Dock. 

Ken Mammarella

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