Groovy Drive Thru Holiday Lights at Bethel Woods

ByCathy Bennett Kopf

Looking for a drive through holiday light show near NYC? Head north on Route 17 to Bethel Woods, the site of the historic Woodstock festival. The spirit of the season is alive and well and socially distanced for this strange season.

Peace, Love and Lights is the theme for the 2020 Bethel Woods drive thru holiday light show. The venue transformed its outdoor concert acreage into a festive neon wonderland.

Giant neon candy canes at Bethel Woods Peace Love and Lights drive thru holiday light show
Giant holiday candy canes glitter on a crisp winter night at Bethel Woods in NY’s Catskills. Photo: Cathy Bennett Kopf/The Open Suitcase

Your drive through experience includes six different areas: Snowflake Alley, Santa’s Workshop, Candy Cane Lane, Enchanted Forest, Rainbow Road and Groovy Way. The last was our car’s favorite. It featured a psychedelic VW van.

Tickets are a very affordable $20 per car during the week and $25 on weekends. Several add-ons are available, including a Dasher Pass (if you want to cut the line on busy weekends), Santa hats, light up necklaces and a snack box.

If you’re up for it, you can put on your mask, park your car and head over to the Holiday Hub. Food and warm bevvies are available for purchase.

Peace, Love and Lights opens each night at 5 pm and runs from November 23, 2020 – January 3, 2021.