We’ve been to many nice drive-thru lights festivals across the Midwest, but the Lights of Joy in Shipshewana, Indiana, tops all we’ve experienced, in our opinion. The two-mile drive packs in over three million LED lights, creating a truly magical effect. Here is a video preview.

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From light tunnels and arches, to individual holiday characters, lights are jam-packed on the grounds. We were happy to see the display includes multiple nativity scenes, keeping with the true meaning of Christmas.

Shipshewana Lights of Joy Changes Every Year

If you’ve been to the Lights of Joy in the past, don’t expect to have the same exact experience this year. Every year, they move things around, add new pieces, and swap with other lights festivals around the country. So each year the experience is different.

We were amazed at how large some of the pieces are. One of the new pieces is huge! It’s a 120-foot long by 35-foot high Smoky Mountain-like theme… all done in lights. Gorgeous!

The castle, a fan favorite, is back in 2024. But, an orb field of about 80 lit-up balls of various sizes and colors lies in front of it.

Besides the lights, the Shipshewana Lights of Joy has added several anamatronics, as well. Be sure to roll down your windows to hear the message from Humphrey the Horse. There is also a series of huts with scenes from “The Night Before Christmas.”

If you go to Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy…

The Shipshewana Lights of Joy is a joint project between Blue Gate Hospitality and Shipshewana Trading Place and is held on the Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market grounds. In 2024, the festival begins on November 22 and runs through December 31. It’s open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. For admission fees, ticket purchases and other information, check the festival website.