Theresa's Mixed Nuts: Drive Through the Shipshewana Lights of Joy This Holiday Season

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Drive Through the Shipshewana Lights of Joy This Holiday Season

Disclosure: I was provided free entrance to the Shipshewana Lights of Joy complimentary to help facilitate this post.



One of my favorite holiday pastimes has always been loading the family up in the car and driving around looking at the holiday lights. We have one area neighborhood that was always the hot spot to drive through during the holidays because it seemed like many of the residents went over the top on their displays. Sadly, the number of homes participating in the annual holiday displays there seems to have drastically dropped over the years, so unless we hear about a spectacular display or extra festive neighborhood, we've put the holiday light sightseeing on hold for the time being. However, it just so happens that I recently heard about the Shipshewana Lights of Joy Drive-Thru Experience and had the opportunity to indulge in one of my favorite holiday activities once again.

Shipshewana Lights of Joy

I'm about an hour away from Shipshewana, Indiana so I went back and forth on if I wanted to make the drive out to cover this event during this busy time of the year, but in the end my husband thought the kids in my family would be highly entertained by the displays, so off we went. Once we arrived in town, we were hit with many buildings dressed up in holiday lights and decor, and once we drove down the road a tad more, I felt like Garfield's John Arbuckle watching the family Christmas tree light up. It was a total "Ooooohhhhhhhh" moment coming up to the Lights of Joy.

Shipshewana Lights of Joy

Shipshewana Lights of Joy

Shipshewana's Lights of Joy is home to more than 2 million LED Christmas lights displayed in a mile long stretch, winding you through a joyous light experience that will have you "ooohhhing and aaahhhing the whole way through.

Shipshewana Lights of Joy
Shipshewana Lights of Joy

Shipshewana Lights of Joy

Shipshewana Lights of Joy

Shipshewana Lights of Joy

When you first pull up to the entrance gate, the attendant tells you to tune your radio to a local station that has holiday hits playing non-stop to make the experience more enjoyable. Because honestly, what fun is it to admire all of that twinkling goodness without bumping Christmas tunes along the way?

Shipshewana Lights of Joy

Shipshewana Lights of Joy

Shipshewana Lights of Joy

We went on a Friday evening and it wasn't crowded at all. There were only a handful of other cars out enjoying the displays, so we didn't feel rushed. I don't know if it is frowned upon, but I did get out of my car to admire a few of the displays up close for photos. The trails are one way and wide enough to fit two cars, so had anyone needed to pass us, it wouldn't have been an issue. While I loved the drive-thru aspect of this event, especially living in frigid Indiana where you may want to stay in your car, I think this could also be cool as a walk through, just to savor it a little longer. Maybe they'll offer that in the future?

Shipshewana Lights of Joy

 Here's a little sampling of what you can expect of the views as you drive along the Lights of Joy.



We were able to complete the Lights of Joy in about 20 minutes, so if you are coming from out of town, I would highly recommend arriving earlier in the day. Shipshewana is such a charming city, celebrated for its Amish heritage. It's the 3rd largest Amish community in the United States, and you can find many of their beautiful hand-crafted wares in the locally owned businesses around town. It's also home to the Midwest's largest flea market where you can find some pretty fun and unique things to take back home with you. My husband is all about the family-owned businesses and suggests you check out Yoder's Meat & Cheese Co., Inc. Do keep in mind that most businesses are closed there on Sunday, but you can still walk around town enjoying the captivating Christmas displays.

Shipshewana Lights of Joy

The Shipshewana Lights of Joy is open to the public Thursday through Sunday, 6pm-9pm. Admission is $15 per vehicle Sun & Thurs and $20 per vehicle Friday and Saturday. You can visit the event now through December 30, 2018.



Do you also enjoy driving around looking at holiday lights at Christmas?




31 comments:

  1. Wow, they sure go all out indeed. Girls look a little cold haha Don't think I've ever seen any as festive as there. People used to go all out around here, but few do now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not too many houses light the outside here either anymore. Yes, they were cold, but they should have known to wear their coats lol

      Delete
  2. Such delightful kitsch :) I think I like the ones you took photo under best and also the last one with the kids!
    Belgrade has put a tunnel made of lights in one of their main streets this year and it apparently has a light show when you get inside it. Nothing fancy like that in my Subotica, though, but we do have a winterfest going on in city's main square all till January. For some reason, though, I don't feel like Christmas is in the air even though there are decorations around the town.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really doesn't feel much like Christmas here either. We haven't watched a single holiday movie yet (other than taking the girls to see The Grinch at Thanksgiving). I haven't wrapped any gifts. It's hard to believe it's just 2 weeks away and I'm just not feeling it this year.

      Delete
    2. you haven't watched that new one with Kurt Russell on Netflix? I hear it was watched by 20 million people already! I need to put up the festive décor at the spy's this weekend, it is about time, methinks.

      Delete
  3. The lights are beautiful. I do enjoy going around looking at them.

    ReplyDelete
  4. They are fun to look at. We just put projector lights up at our house, but it's cool to see really lit up houses/buildings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We didn't do anything outside this year. Jason's over putting them up and taking them down when it's so cold out.

      Delete
  5. I love those lights. Getting out and seeing the lights is my favorite part of the holiday season. My family and I love to spend the evening with the lights!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We used to love it too, but not so many people decorate around here anymore. That's why when I find attractions like this, it really makes me happy we can enjoy it once again.

      Delete
  6. Nothing beats a night out seeing the lights. It's a great way to really get into the holiday spirit.

    ReplyDelete
  7. We love riding around as a family looking at all the Christmas lights and decorations. These look really wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. To me, driving around and looking at holiday lights is part of the Christmas experience. I feel the more the merrier! These lights are impressive!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's fun to pack the family in the car, hot cocoa in hand, and admire all of the twinkling lights. Shipshewana sure does put on a lovely display!

      Delete
  9. I have never been to Shipshewana but it must be joyful to wander through the holiday lights. I am also interested in the Amish culture and I will definitely put Shipshewana on my list of places to visit in Indiana.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even if you don't make it for the holidays, I do hope you are able to visit some day. It's such a beautiful place to explore!

      Delete
  10. Boy, those lights and decorations are amazing! This is definitely my favorite time of year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's such a fun time of the year seeing all of the decorations, displays and lights. It's one of my favorites too!

      Delete
  11. Those lights are ABSOLUTELY beautiful. I am obsessed with Christmas decorations and this place is a dream for me. I wish I had a garden so I would be able to put on even more lights 💙

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And here I am not putting any up lol. I think this is the best of both worlds. Those who love the lights and put them up can admire other's work, and people like me can admire them without the hassle of doing it myself ;)

      Delete
  12. We have something similiar in our area as well. We made it a tradition to see the lights with our family on Christmas eve

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh wow this is beautiful!! Unfortunately homes here hardly get all dressed up for Christmas like this so thanks for sharing. The only street with really beautiful Christmas lights is along our shopping street but as you can imagine, it's crazy to be down there nowadays what with everybody doing their Christmas shopping so I tend to stay away... might go for a late night drive next week though.

    Ai @ Sakura Haruka

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh yes, that does look worth the drive to me. This is just the way I want to spend my weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow what a festive experience this would be. My kids love seeing the spectacular lights of the season. This looks like an incredible night out

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love all the lights! You got good pictures of them too.
    Our town used to do something similar to this but quit a couple years ago. It was called Avenue of Lights and people could drive through in their cars. Claimed it was too hard to maintain and upkeep, so the lights are no longer there.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comments! I appreciate every one of them :) Except promotional posts with added links. Those will be deleted.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...