Holiday Lights on the Lake at Lakemont Park in Altoona

If you live in central Pennsylvania or going to be visiting the area during the holiday season you’ll want to stop by the Holiday Lights on the Lake at Lakemont Park in Altoona. It’s a seasonal drive-through Christmas light display that opens in early November and runs through January 3rd. You’ll want to visit their website for their complete operating schedule.

Every year we like to take a drive out to Altoona with our grandchildren to see the Christmas lights. It’s a 2 1/2 hour drive so we plan ahead. We dress them in their Christmas pajamas, pack the car with throw blankets, snacks and beverages. They’re too excited to sleep on the drive there but on the way home they fall asleep.

When visiting I recommend that you allow about 35 minutes in your schedule for the drive-through lights tour, 40-45 minutes if you plan on checking out the model trains exhibit and another 30-40 minutes if you plan on going shopping at Santa’s Shop which is also located at the park. Just to give you a rough idea on time.

On the drive up and back we play classic Christmas music in the car. The kids have fun singing to all of the classic tunes while I have fun laughing at my husband who can’t carry a tune at all. It’s funny!!!

We started the family tradition of driving around and looking at Christmas lights when our daughter was 3 years old. She’s now 36 and we’ve been continuing that family tradition with our grandchildren who are 12 and 6 years of age. It’s something that we all look forward to every year!!!