Bright Nights at Forest Park 2026: Dates, Per-Car Prices and Tips for Springfield's Drive-Through Light Show
Bright Nights at Forest Park is a three-mile drive-through holiday light show in Springfield, Massachusetts. You stay in your car and drive past more than 750,000 lights in displays like Seuss Land, Toy Land and Jurassic World. It has run every year since 1995 as a partnership between the City of Springfield's Parks department and the Spirit of Springfield, a private non-profit, and the organizers say it has welcomed more than 7 million visitors.
The 2026 dates and prices are posted. Here's what you need to know.
The essentials
- Dates: Wednesday, November 25, 2026 through Sunday, January 3, 2027
- Closed: Monday, November 30 and Tuesday, December 1, 2026
- Hours: 5pm–9pm Sunday through Thursday; 5pm–10pm Friday, Saturday and holidays
- Where: Forest Park, 295 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA 01108
- Price: $30 per car plus a $2 ticket fee through December 27; $20 per car plus the fee from December 28 to January 3
- Tickets: buy in advance online
Tickets and prices
Admission is charged per vehicle, not per person. From November 25 through December 27, a car costs $30 plus a $2 ticket fee. From December 28 through January 3, the price drops to $20 plus the fee. Bright Nights says tickets must be purchased in advance.
Larger vehicles cost more. Vehicles that seat 9 to 16 people are $50 plus the fee and need a reservation. Mini buses (17 to 31 seats) are $100 and full-size buses are $200.
There are a few ways to pay less:
- Big Y advance tickets: $20 with a Big Y membership, sold only at Big Y.
- Group tickets: $25 each with a minimum order of 25 tickets, purchased online.
- After Christmas: the $20 rate from December 28 on.
The season pass
If you plan to go more than once, the 2026 season pass is $70. It covers one passenger vehicle every night of the season and includes one complimentary car admission ticket to share with family or friends. It's limited to the first 400 buyers and the offer expires November 1, 2026.
The pass is tied to one vehicle. You'll need the registration number, state, make, model and color when you buy, and the pass must be stuck to the driver's side of the windshield. It's sold online or through the Spirit of Springfield at 413-733-3800, not at Forest Park.
Hours and holiday nights
Bright Nights opens at 5pm every night it runs. It closes at 9pm Sunday through Thursday and at 10pm on Friday and Saturday. The organizers list Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day as holidays, and those nights also run 5pm–10pm.
The organizers note that dates and hours can change without notice for visitor safety, so check the site on the day if the weather is bad.
Getting there and the line
Set your GPS to 295 Sumner Avenue, Springfield. The line forms on Sumner Avenue, and cars are not allowed to cut in from side streets. On busy nights, cones set up dedicated entry lanes on Sumner Avenue, and Springfield Police officers work the entrance and key intersections.
From the south, take I-91 North to Exit 2 for Route 83 and turn right on Sumner Avenue. From the north, or from the Mass Pike, take I-91 South to Exit 4 for Route 83 onto Hall of Fame Avenue, go left at the lights, take the first right onto Longhill Street, then go left on Sumner Avenue at the top of the hill. The entrance is on your right.
Tune your radio to WELF 100.7 FM for music while you drive the route.
Santa and other extras
- Visit with Santa: Santa is in his cottage in Santa's Magical Forest from November 25 through December 24, 2026. The forest is on the left just after Seuss Land. Photo packages are sold there, and personal photos are not permitted.
- Horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides: private rides by prepaid reservation on select December nights. The wagon holds about 10 to 12 people for $300 and includes two car admission tickets. The carriage holds up to four for $250 and includes one car admission ticket. Rides can be cancelled for weather, with full refunds.
For current details on these, and on other add-ons like Supper with Santa, check the Bright Nights website.
Q: When is Bright Nights at Forest Park in 2026?
Bright Nights runs Wednesday, November 25, 2026 through Sunday, January 3, 2027. It is closed Monday, November 30 and Tuesday, December 1.
Q: How much does Bright Nights at Forest Park cost?
It's priced per car: $30 plus a $2 ticket fee through December 27, and $20 plus the fee from December 28 to January 3. Vehicles that seat 9 to 16 are $50 plus the fee, and buses need reservations.
Q: What are the hours for Bright Nights at Forest Park?
The lights are on 5pm–9pm Sunday through Thursday and 5pm–10pm on Friday, Saturday and holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Q: Is there a season pass for Bright Nights?
Yes. The 2026 season pass is $70 for one passenger vehicle, good every night, and includes one extra car admission ticket. Only 400 are sold and the offer ends November 1, 2026.
More holiday outings in Massachusetts
- Old Deerfield Craft Fairs - Holiday Sampler — West Springfield, November 7–8
- ZooLights at Stone Zoo — Stoneham, November 20 – January 3
- La Salette Christmas Festival of Lights — Attleboro, November 21 – January 3
- Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village — Sturbridge, November 27 – December 27
Check each listing for hours and admission before you go.
Related reading
- Holiday Craft Fairs & Christmas Markets in Massachusetts 2026
- New England Holiday Light Shows 2026
- Massachusetts Fairs and Festivals in 2026: Your Complete Guide
- Craft Fairs in Massachusetts 2026: A Vendor's and Visitor's Guide
- Snowport Holiday Market 2026: What to Know Before You Visit
- New England Christmas Festival 2026 at Mohegan Sun
Details in this guide come from the Bright Nights at Forest Park website as of late September 2026. Confirm dates, hours and prices on the official site before you go.
Last updated: September 2026
