The annual Lights on the Lake display opens tonight in Onondaga Lake Park and will run all the way through mid-January.
The two-mile display is a Central New York Christmas classic that has spanned more than three decades. The display features towering light displays with different themes to get you in the holiday spirit.
Three special charity nights are scheduled to start the season this year. Tonight you can drive through for $5 and the proceeds will help the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Tuesday night, a “Doggie Drive-Through” will help Humane CNY. That event has replaced the former dog walk night through the park. Wednesday is “Salute the Troops” night, and those with a military ID can drive through for free.
We spoke to the Onondaga Lake Park Superintendent who said coming to this display is a tradition for so many people.
“I just turned 40 the other day and 32 years ago, when I was 8-years-old, I remember driving through with my mom and 6-year-old sister. And, here I am now as an adult, 32 years later, bringing my children through and we get a lot of that at the ticket booth. ‘I’ve come here every year for 32 years,'” said Onondaga Lake Park Superintendent Eric Sopchak.
This year, a Lights on the Lake 5K is scheduled to take place this Sunday, November 21.
Lights on the Lake will run from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. every night through January 14. Tickets must be purchased ahead of arrival online, as there will be no cash exchanges at the gate again this year.
