Best Christmas Light Displays in Binghamton, New York

Christmas lights are as traditional as pumpkin pie is on Thanksgiving. Once the first twinkle of lights is seen, that feeling of excitement and joy for the holiday season begins to flutter in your stomach and you can't help but feel just like a kid again.

The Hometown Holiday Lights Festival

Every year, the Southern Tier Independence Center (STIC) puts on a Christmas lights display to raise money for its charitable organization. The Hometown Holiday Lights Festival takes place at OtsinengoPark in Binghamton, NY off of Bevier Street. It runs from November 24th to December 31st from 5-9 pm nightly, with the exception of heavy rain or snow.

Not only is this a fun light display to check out, it is fairly inexpensive ($8/per car or van paid at the gate of the park) and is for a good cause. Proceeds go directly to STIC in order to help people with disabilities be empowered to control their own lives, and to provide assistance and services to people with disabilities to help them increase their independence.

As you drive through the 1.5 mile loop, you will be overcome by numerous illuminated light exhibits, including Santa and his reindeer, carolers, penguins jumping into water, a toy train, gingerbread people and houses, and a flashing candy cane tunnel you drive through to exit the park. Of course, it would not be complete without an animated display of Binghamton's very own trademark: a carousel. The local radio station 103.3 FM broadcasts holiday music as you carouse through the park in your vehicle.

This year, STIC is giving out magnets and chances to win a weekly drawing for a $25 gift card to Wegmans. You can of course also make an additional donation to STIC at this time.

To make it even more fun, make some hot cocoa and put it in a thermos, bring your camera and prolong the event by parking your car and taking some pictures. Using a tripod and the "bulb" function on your camera should produce some neat photography effects, especially for those animated displays.

While this may not be like the lights you see at RockefellerCenter, it is a tradition of BroomeCounty and is a unique fundraiser for an excellent cause.

You can call 607-724-2111 for further information or to check on weather conditions.

Home for the Holidays Light Display

Another fun tradition to see Christmas lights and participate in other holiday activities is the annual "Home for the Holidays" RobersonMuseum display of international trees and lights. The event takes place at the RobersonMuseum and ScienceCenter, located at 30 Front St., Binghamton, NY from November 17th to December 31st.

As you walk through the museum you will see the InternationalForest, a beautiful display of lit and decorated trees from across the nations. Trees are decorated according to tradition of specific regions and cultures. This is a fun and educational activity for the whole family. Santa will also be at the museum on Saturdays and Sundays in the mansion parlor from 1-4 pm until Dec. 23rd. This is a great way to have your kids visit with Santa and avoid those long lines in the mall! In addition, the historic Roberson mansion, which is easily accessed through the museum, is decorated beautifully for the holiday with traditional Christmas lights and decorations. The museum is also offering a number of activities celebrating the diverse cultural groups of the community throughout the month.

You can also view a planetarium show while at Roberson. Two holiday shows are being offered this year: "Tis the Season", where you will learn more about holiday traditions and their origins while viewing the night sky and "Holiday Winter Skies", where you have the opportunity to sing along to traditional holiday songs while viewing lights of the winter sky. Planetarium shows are Thursdays at 7pm and Saturdays at 12, 1 and 2 pm.

Members of the museum and children 4 and under gain free access to the museum. The cost for students is $5 and for adults it is $7. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30am-4:30 pm; Thursdays from 10:30 am-8 pm and is closed on Sundays and Mondays. You can find out more information by calling 607-772-0660 or checking out their website at: www.roberson.org