It is dark. Cold, too. But then you turn that corner into Lehigh Parkway and suddenly the entire world is neon green and electric blue. If you have lived anywhere near the Lehigh Valley for more than a minute, you know that Lights in the Parkway 2024 isn't just a local tradition; it is basically a rite of passage.
Honestly, it's a bit chaotic. People line up for miles. Kids are screaming in the backseat because they saw a glowing reindeer. But once you’re in it, moving at two miles per hour with your headlights off, it’s pretty magical.
This isn't just a bunch of string lights thrown over some bushes. This is a massive, mile-plus-long immersion into high-tech LED displays and old-school holiday kitsch. For 2024, the City of Allentown has kept the momentum going, and if you haven’t secured your spot yet, you might be looking at the glowing tail lights of a hundred minivans instead of the actual show.
Getting Into the Parkway: The Logistics Nobody Mentions
Everyone talks about the lights, but nobody talks about the traffic on Jefferson Street. It gets backed up. Fast.
The 2024 season officially kicked off on November 29 and runs straight through December 31, though they do shut down for Christmas Day. You can't just roll up and pay at the gate anymore. That is a mistake people make every year. You need to buy your tickets online in advance. It’s a per-car price, usually around $16 for a standard vehicle, which is a steal when you realize you can cram seven people into a suburban and pay the same price as a couple in a Mini Cooper.
The city uses a timed entry system. Don't be that person who shows up an hour early thinking you’ll get a head start. You won't. You'll just sit there.
Wait.
Check your phone.
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Wait some more.
The smartest move? Go on a Tuesday. Everyone wants to go on Friday or Saturday because it feels "festive," but Tuesday is when the lines are manageable. The experience is exactly the same, but your blood pressure stays lower.
What is New for Lights in the Parkway 2024?
The display evolves. Last year had its charms, but the Lights in the Parkway 2024 setup feels tighter. They’ve leaned harder into the synchronized music aspect. You tune your radio to a specific FM frequency—they’ll tell you which one when you get there—and the light tunnels pulse to the beat.
It’s immersive.
There are massive installations. Think towering snowflakes, tunnels that make you feel like you're entering a warp drive, and the classic 12 Days of Christmas displays that have been a staple for years. The city of Allentown’s Department of Parks and Recreation actually spends months testing these circuits. We are talking about hundreds of thousands of bulbs.
One thing that caught a lot of people by surprise this year is the emphasis on the "Gift Barn." Located at the end of the route, it’s where you can actually get out of the car. After being trapped in a metal box for 20 minutes, it’s nice to stretch your legs, grab some hot cocoa, and maybe buy a weirdly specific holiday ornament. They’ve got local vendors there, too. It’s less of a corporate gift shop and more of a community market vibe.
The Walk-Through Nights (The Secret Best Way to See It)
Listen, the drive-through is the classic experience. It’s warm. You have snacks. But the walk-through nights are where it's actually at.
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For 2024, they scheduled specific "Lights in the Parkway" walk-through events, like "Pawnee in the Parkway" or charity-specific nights. Walking through the displays changes the scale entirely. When you’re in a car, a 20-foot tall toy soldier looks big. When you’re standing right next to it, it’s intimidating.
Plus, you can take better photos. Ever tried taking a long-exposure shot of a light tunnel from a moving car? It looks like a neon smudge. Walking lets you get that perfect Instagram shot without a blurry windshield in the way. Just dress like you’re going to the Arctic. The Parkway sits low near the Little Lehigh Creek, and the damp cold there bites differently than it does on the street.
Addressing the "Is It Worth It?" Debate
Every year, some locals grumble. "It’s too crowded," they say. "I can see lights at Target for free," they claim.
They are wrong.
There is a psychological shift that happens when you enter the Parkway. The city turns off the streetlights. You’re instructed to turn off your headlights (parking lights only, please). For that half-hour, you are disconnected from the stress of 2024 and plugged into a low-stakes, high-glow fantasy.
The sheer scale of the 12 Days of Christmas display is worth the price of admission alone. It’s nostalgic. It reminds people of being five years old and seeing the world as something bright and shimmering.
The budget for this isn't small. Allentown invests heavily in this because it draws people from Philly, New York, and Jersey. It puts eyes on the city. And honestly, the LED upgrades they’ve done over the last two years make the colors pop way more than the old incandescent bulbs ever did. The greens are greener. The reds don't look orange. It’s crisp.
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Survival Tips for the 2024 Season
If you're going, you need a plan. Don't wing it.
- Bathroom break first. There are no port-a-potties in the middle of the light route. If your toddler decides they have an emergency halfway through the tunnel of lights, you are in for a very stressful ten minutes.
- Clean your windows. This sounds stupid until you realize that every smudge on your windshield creates a massive glare from the LEDs. Use a microfiber cloth before you leave the driveway.
- Snack logistics. Avoid anything messy. Go for popcorn or pretzels. If you give a kid a chocolate bar in a dark car while looking at bright lights, you’re going to find a melted mess three days later.
- Check the weather. A little bit of snow actually makes the experience 10x better. The light reflects off the flakes and the ground, doubling the brightness. Heavy rain, however, just makes everything look sad and blurry.
Beyond the Parkway: Making a Night of It
Allentown has grown up a lot. If you’re coming from out of town for Lights in the Parkway 2024, don't just leave immediately after the exit.
The downtown area, specifically around Hamilton Street, has some incredible spots now. You’ve got the PPL Center area with restaurants like The Hamilton Kitchen or Fegley’s Allentown Brew Works. It’s a good way to decompress after the sensory overload of the lights.
Also, if you're a real Christmas nerd, you’re only about 15 minutes away from Bethlehem—the actual "Christmas City, USA." You can hit the Christkindlmarkt in the afternoon and then hit the Parkway once the sun goes down. It is the ultimate holiday double-feature.
The Verdict on 2024
Is it the most high-tech light show in the world? Probably not. You’re not going to see 4K holographic projections of Santa. But that isn't the point.
The point of the Parkway is the tradition. It is the feeling of the heater blasting in the car while "Sleigh Ride" plays on the radio and the trees are wrapped in so much light they don't even look like trees anymore.
For 2024, the City of Allentown has managed to keep the charm while fixing some of the old bottlenecks. The online ticketing has significantly reduced the "wait three hours in line" horror stories of the past, though you should still expect a bit of a crawl.
It’s a bit of magic in a world that feels pretty heavy right now.
Actionable Next Steps
- Book now: Go to the official Allentown City website and grab your tickets. Weekend slots for the final two weeks of December sell out faster than you’d think.
- Check your radio: Ensure your car’s FM radio is functional. If you have a modern EV that lacks an FM tuner, you might need to bring a portable radio or use a specific app if the city provides a stream.
- Plan your route: Enter via the 15th Street entrance. Many GPS systems try to take you to back entrances that are closed for the event. Follow the signs, not just the blue dot on your screen.
- Confirm dates: Remember that the show ends on December 31. If you try to go on New Year's Day, you’ll find nothing but empty trees and a lot of extension cords.