Finding seasonal fun that permits you to bring your dog along is becoming less and less challenging as more and more people demand to bring their pups along.

Fortunately, most drive-through holiday light shows have always allowed you to bring your dog on the bright light adventure with you, thanks to the simple fact you don’t leave your car. (However, some have walking options, which makes it even more fun for most dogs).

‘Tis the time to climb in the car with Fido and check out some drive-through holiday light events. Most events range in price from $25 to $35 per carload. This is a tradition I started with my dog in 2018. and I have been heading to a new event every year – so this list has been updated for 2024/25.

Drive Through Holiday Light Shows Fascinate Dogs 

Cruise through a dazzling display of twinkling lights with your pup in tow, all from the comfort of your car. Start at glittering tunnels then coast along past sparkling vignettes of rainbows, reindeer, and rocking horses – these drive-through light events might capture your dog’s attention or lull them into a comfortable snooze. Either way, they’re happy to not be left behind. 

My bird dog is remarkably taken by anything that moves, rustles, or twinkles, so light shows are mental stimulation for her. (She loved a similar Halloween walk-through attraction: Pumpkins After Dark). But this time in the car, there’s no contending with leash pulling (at least for me). Although I strongly recommend leaving the windows up, especially if, like my dog, your pup will fly after the first bird-like flutter she sees. 

Most drive-through (or drive-thru) light shows follow a similar formula: 

• Admission is one price per carload. (Some are free admission)
• Most require purchasing tickets in advance or pre-registering a time slot
• Cars creep slowly along a designated drive past clusters of themed illuminated LED animations. 
• Getting out of the car or stopping is often prohibited, so take a pup potty break somewhere outside the entrance before you start. 
• Starting times are after dark and range in duration but usually end about 9 or 10 pm. 
• The duration of the drive is usually about 30 minutes to one hour. 

Where can you take your dog to a glittering winter festival or two?  

Here’s a list of dog-friendly drive-through holiday light shows across Canada: 

Ontario – Dog-friendly Holiday Light Events 

Niagara Falls: Niagara Winter Festival of Lights, Niagara Falls, Ontario from November 16, 2024, to January 5, 2025. 

This winter festival is the spectacular granddaddy of them all because it stretches throughout most of this popular tourist destination, including along the Niagara Parkway and Dufferin Islands. (Note: there is the option to park and walk a bit at Dufferin Islands if your dog needs a pee break). Free admission. 

Niagara: Safari Lights at Safari Niagara, Stevensville, Ontario, from November 21, 2023, to December 30, 2024. 

Safari Niagara turns the zoo (most animals are away for the winter) into a 3 km trail of twinkling Christmas landscape accented by more than one million lights. Dogs must remain in the car at all times. 

Ottawa: Magic of Lights, Ottawa (Nepean), Ontario from November, 21, 2024, to January 4, 2025. 

Magic of Lights, Ottawa is in its sixth season, and like most, admission is by the carload. Every ticket benefits the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Wesley Clover Parks, 411 Corkstown Road, Nepean, Ontario. 5 to 10 pm nightly.

Kitchener: Gift of Lights at Bingemans Park in Kitchener, Ontario from November 22, 2023, to January 4, 2025. 

Gift of Lights & Jingle Bell Rock is the first light experience I went to with my previous dog, and he loved it, though his attention drifted toward the end. My current pup, Victoria however is younger and attentive to every sparkle and jingle. 

Ajax: Journey into Enchantment Drive-thru, Ajax, Ontario from November 16, 2024, to January 1, 2025. 

Journey into Enchantment is a 2 km drive starting with a tunnel of lights and includes 3D animations, strobe lights and synced holiday music. So, it might be sensory overload for some pets. Dogs must remain in the car. Ajax Casino , 537 Durham Regional Hwy 2, Ajax, Ontario. 5:30 to 11 pm. Pre-book a time slot.

Barrie (Midhurst): Magic of Lights, Midhurst, Ontario from November 15 to January 4, 2025.

Magic of lights near Barrie, Ontario promises to be bigger and brighter than ever this year. More than a mile of light displays fill the route, featuring popular holiday scenes and characters – including a larger-than-life Barbie. 5 to 9 pm on weekdays and 5 to 10 pm on weekends.

London: Auburn Development Magic of Lights from November 30, 2024 to January 4, 2025.

The Auburn Development Magic of Lights is a dazzling 2.5 km holiday drive through event featuring millions of twinkling lights. Part of the proceeds from each car admission benefits the Children’s Health Foundation. This Magic of Lights show also features Barbie, along with a supersized Big Foot. Fanshaw Conservation Area, 1424 Clarke Road, London. 5:30 to 9:30 pm.

Uxbridge: Uxbridge Optomist Fantasy of Lights from December 7, 2024, to January 4, 2025.

The Uxbridge Optomist Fantasy of Lights show is truly a community event. The drive through show features more than 100 light displays from community groups, schools, and businesses. The walking path option is also open again this year. No ticket is required. Admission is free but donations are encouraged. Elgin Park, 180 Main Street South, Uxbridge, Ontario. 6 to 9:30 pm. Open Christmas eve and Christmas Day.

British Columbia – Dog-friendly Holiday Light Events 

Langley: The Langley Christmas in Williams Park from December 9 to 29, 2024 (Closed Dec. 25 and 26).

The Langley Christmas in Williams Park is a free experience now in its 34^rd year. It has visitors driving through the park light show – twice if it’s not busy. Total drive time is about 30 minutes. Williams Park, Langley.  Note that admission is free, but you must pre-register for a time slot. No drops in are permitted. 4 to 6 pm.

Alberta – Dog-friendly Holiday Light Events 

Calgary: Spruce Meadows Christmas Light Display in Calgary, Alberta every weekend (only) from December 6 to 29, 2024 (closed December 25). 

Enter the Spruce Meadows Christmas Light Drive-Through Show through a new entrance in 2024. Note that Spruce Meadows also has a walk-through options for those who want to spend more time in the park. Leashed dogs are welcome outdoors, but not in the indoor market. Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW, Calgary.  5 to 11 pm.

Manitoba – Dog-friendly Holiday Light Events 

Winnipeg: The Canad Inns Winter Wonderland in Winnipeg, Manitoba from November 29, 2024, to January 4, 2025. 

The Canad Inns Winter Wonderland is a 2.5 km light show with more than 30 light displays is part of a larger winter festival that includes a skating rink and horse-drawn sleigh rides. Exhibition Park from 6 to 10 pm.  

Saskatchewan – Dog-friendly Holiday Light Events 

Saskatoon: The Enchanted Forest at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan from November 16, 2024, to January 5, 2025. 

The Enchanted Forest is one of the longest drive-through holiday light shows in the country and features a 70-foot-high Noah’s Ark display. This year marks its 26^th anniversary.  

Nova Scotia – Dog-friendly Light Events 

Halifax: Evergreen Bright at the Evergreen Festival from November 22, 2024, to December 15, 2024. 

Evergreen Bright is NOT a drive-through light event, but a walk-through light event (part of the Evergreen Festival) that’s dog-friendly everywhere outdoors. Light installations line the Halifax waterfront, parts of downtown, and the city of Dartmouth across the water at this city-wide holiday event. When at the waterfront, check out the dog-friendly Garrison Brewery. 

Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria. Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!