For nearly two decades, Northwest Indiana families have embraced a cherished holiday tradition – touring the region’s most spectacular Christmas light displays. This year, the beloved Town Planner of NWI Festive Lights Cruise returns, transforming your everyday drive into a magical holiday adventure through the twinkling wonderland of Northwest Indiana’s most beautifully decorated homes.
This year, we’ve made the experience even more accessible by adding all decorated homes to Google Maps, making it easier than ever to navigate between displays. Follow this link on your phone to load the route in Google Maps:
The cruise features three tiers of holiday magic:
🎅 Santa’s Favorites – These showstopping displays are absolute must-sees, featuring extensive light shows, unique decorations, beloved holiday characters, and synchronized music that will leave you spellbound.
🦌 Rudolph’s Favorites – These stunning homes bring abundant holiday cheer with their large-scale light displays and creative decorations.
🧝 Elf’s Favorites – Our honorable mentions showcase above-average displays that add extra sparkle to your journey.
There are tons of lights to see all over Northwest Indiana, we have stops in Burns Harbor, Cedar Lake, Crown Point, Dyer, Griffith, Hammond, Hebron, Highland, Hobart, Lake Station, LaPorte, Lowell, Merrillville, Munster, Portage, Schererville, St John, Valparaiso, and Wheatfield, with more being added every day. Do the entire route, or just do your local town!
Make Your Evening Even Sweeter
This year, we’ve partnered with BIGGBY COFFEE to add some warmth to your winter cruise. From December 1-31, show the QR code on your Festive Lights Cruise flyer at any participating Northwest Indiana BIGGBY location to receive a Buy One, Get One Free hot chocolate deal. Nine locations throughout the region are participating, from Cedar Lake to Michigan City, making it convenient to grab a sweet treat during your light-viewing adventure. Participating BIGGBY locations and BOGO hours can be found here.
Planning Your Cruise
Before setting out on your holiday journey, keep these tips in mind:
Whether you’re continuing a family tradition or starting a new one, the Festive Lights Cruise offers a perfect way to experience the magic of the season from the comfort of your car. This free, family-friendly activity has become one of Northwest Indiana’s most beloved holiday traditions, bringing joy to thousands of families each year.
Grab your hot chocolate, queue up your favorite holiday playlist, and join us for this sparkling celebration of the season. The 2024 Festive Lights Cruise promises to be our most magical yet!
For the latest updates and to access our interactive map, visit our website or follow us on social media. Happy cruising!