❜Tis time to bring light to the darkness -- or, in some cases, more than a million sparkling lights -- as we offer our annual roundup of outdoor holiday light displays for 2024.
The artful "Lights at Fernwood" blend into nature at Fernwood Botanical Garden, 13988 Rangeline Road, Niles, as they return Nov. 29 to Jan. 4.
Walk along the light tunnel, the light trees that seem to hover above water, flying birds on a paved path and fire pits.
Inside of the Sims Education Center, with a winter craft station and hot drinks, there will again be an oversized version of the decades-old kids toy Lite-Brite.
New this year, watch for Father Winter, along with a mischievous gnome that will dwell in the conservatory. Concessions include snacks and hand pies, including meat and vegetarian options. Adult beverages will be served Fridays and Saturdays, including an exclusive beer from River Saint Joe Brewery.
"Lights at Fernwood" has expanded to six nights a week. From Nov. 29 to Jan. 4, the only nights it won't open will be Mondays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. There are ticketed entry times at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. The lights click off at 9:15 p.m.
Cost on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays is $13 per adult, $5 for ages 3-12 and free for ages 2 and younger. On Fridays through Sundays, it's $16 per adult, $8 for ages 3-12 and free for ages 2 and younger.
Booking ahead is recommended. Visit www.fernwoodbotanical.org/lights. For questions, call 269-695-6491.
More than 1 million lights will glow in the eighth annual "Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights" at Wellfield Botanic Gardens, 1011 N. Main St., Elkhart, from Nov. 29 to Dec. 28.
New this year: Wellfield just finished building its new Visitor and Events Center, with much more space and expansive views through large windows -- an upgrade from the far-too-cozy visitors cottage.
Visitors will stroll along a half-mile trail that circles the water reservoir as they navigate the Rainbow Caterpillar tunnel, the Rain Tree, the Fields of Blue and the floating trees.
Fire pits, hot and cold beverages for sale, and recorded holiday tunes add to the ambiance. A portion of ticket sales support one of 15 charities in Elkhart County through the Giving Trees. Wellfield will sell a children's book about the lights by local author Roger Carlson, who will be on site on select nights to sign it.
"Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights" opens Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, Dec. 6-8, Dec. 13-15, Dec. 18-23 and Dec. 26-28. You can enter between 5:30 and 8:09 p.m. The lights click off at 9 p.m. Admission costs $15 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 3-12 and free for ages 2 and younger. Visit wellfieldgardens.org or buy tickets at the gate.
South Bend's Potawatomi Zoo brings back "The Gift of Lights" from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and from 5 to 8 p.m. Sundays from Nov. 29 through Dec. 22.
Visit Santa at the River Run Yurt, included in the entry fee. Ride the Holiday Express train, as weather permits, for $3 per rider; free if 2 or younger. Or feed the giraffes for $3 for every two pieces of lettuce inside of the Laidig Giraffe Conservation Center.
Catch South Bend Civic Theatre's holiday-themed performances at 6 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21 on the Dragonfly Deck.
The zoo will sell hot drinks, adult drinks, snacks and a full menu, along with seasonal drinks, plus additional offerings from food trucks.
Admission to "The Gift of Lights" costs $14 for ages 15 to 61, $10 for both ages 3-14 and 62 and older, and free for ages 2 and younger. Tickets can be bought online in advance or at the gate. For more information, visit www.potawatomizoo.org/lights.
The drive-through "Lights of Joy" display in Shipshewana boasts more than 2 million LED lights as you drive a nearly two-mile route Nov. 22 through Dec. 31.
It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas but otherwise runs daily. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
It winds through the grounds of the Shipshewana RV Park. Visitors enter via the grounds of the Shipshewana Flea Market on Indiana 5 (345 S. Van Buren St.) and exit onto County Road 200 North.
Cost is $20 per vehicle Sundays through Thursdays and $30 Fridays and Saturdays, or $80 for a five-visit season pass. Tickets can be bought at the gate or online at ShipshewanaLightsofJoy.com.
Walk, bike or drive through the "Night of Lights" display at Goshen's Shanklin Park, 411 W. Plymouth Ave., from 5 to 10 p.m. each night Thanksgiving through Jan. 1. This is free to the public.
Phil Blasko and his family go all out for a Clark Griswold/"Christmas Vacation" look on their two-story house, plus a sparkling holiday village on their front lawn. (Decorating began Sept. 1.)
Beginning Dec. 1, they welcome the public to enjoy it at 14469 Panda Ct., Mishawaka, until Christmas. Hours are from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and from 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Given the traffic, you're asked to approach via Felicity Drive, heading north from Day Road. Donations of money and winter gear are welcomed for the Center for the Homeless.
2023 interview: Shades of Clark Griswold: Phil Blasko's Christmas display show grows and grows
The city of St. Joseph turns on its annual light display along the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan from Dec. 1 through Feb. 15. But winter lights have already gone up on downtown streets and will stay up through Feb. 15, too.
This Mishawaka subdivision offers its drive-thru "Gift to the Community" displays Dec. 5-8 and 12-25. Hours are from 6 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, plus Dec. 24-25, and from 6 to 10 p.m. on all other nights. Enter on Merrifield Drive off Day Road. This is between Edison Lakes Parkway and Fir Road. It's free, but donations collected will go to one of nine local charities each night. Donations can be made as you exit, either to volunteers as they pass out candy canes or electronically through a QR code.
Grace Church at 58343 S. Apple Road in Osceola hosts a free drive-thru light display, "Christmas Delights," that's focused on the Nativity from 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 6-8, 12-15 and 19-26.
The ginormous Christmas tree at the Inn at Saint Mary's, 53993 Indiana 933, South Bend, will be lit at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 for the public to see each night all the way through the holidays. That will begin a Christkindle Fest Dec. 6-8 that Holladay Properties will host at the site.
The St. Joseph County 4-H Fairgrounds at 5117 S. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, hosts a light show, "Dashers Drive Thru," from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 7-8, 13-15 and 20-22. This is free, but donations are welcome.
∎ Dowagiac hosts its holiday light parade at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 on Front Street, departing Main Street, then heading north and circling the downtown.
∎ Mishawaka will do a light parade during its free Winterfest from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7, all centered around the downtown Ironworks ice path and rink, which will open for the season that day. The parade typically starts from the City Hall parking lot.
∎ Elkhart runs its parade down Main Street from Harrison to Lexington at 6 p.m. Dec. 7. Afterward, the city lights its tree at the Central Green Park stage.
∎ Nappanee sends floats, carolers and Santa Claus through downtown at 7 p.m. Dec. 7, followed by a Christmas tree lighting.
∎ South Bend runs its parade from 7 to 7:45 p.m. Dec. 13 down Jefferson Boulevard from Notre Dame Avenue to Niles Avenue.
Howard Park's ice path and pond in South Bend reopens for the season Nov. 29. Book skating tickets at visithowardpark.com.
That launches a week of daily festivities. The indoor Holiday Market with local vendors runs from 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 29 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 30. Dec. 7 boasts free activities by or on the ice: doughnuts and hot cocoa at 9:30 a.m., deejay skating with Big Perm from 10 a.m. to 1:20 p.m., face painting from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., character skating from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Notre Dame Glee Club performance at 4 p.m., cash bar from 4 to 8 p.m., juggling performance at 6 p.m. and deejay skating at 8 p.m.
Find the full schedule at visithowardpark.com/winteropen.
The Hoosier Hikers will host group hikes Nov. 29 on roughly 6K or 11K routes through the University of Notre Dame. Register starting at 8:50 a.m. at the Ivy Court Inn & Suites, 1404 Ivy Court, South Bend. Walk at 9:30 a.m. from Notre Dame's Walsh Architecture visitors lot. No parking fee because of the holiday.
For questions, contact Bob Buzolich at 574-339-9140 or [email protected].
There will be free admission on the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29) at all Indiana State Parks, with prizes to win at on.in.gov/optoutside.
The refrigerated toboggan run opens for the season Nov. 29 at Pokagon State Park in Angola, Ind. Then it will open every Saturday and Sunday through Feb. 23, plus additional days through Christmas break and on holidays. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per toboggan per hour. (www.tobogganrun.com)
Find columnist Joseph Dits on Facebook at SBTOutdoorAdventures or 574-235-6158 or [email protected].