Christmas Light Show in Loudon, New Hampshire, Set to be Bigger and Brighter than Ever

It's almost that time of year again! The time where hundreds of thousands (and this year, MILLIONS) of twinkly lights take over the racetrack at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire.

"The Gift of Lights" has been delivering holiday cheer since 2011 and every year it gets bigger and better than the previous year.

Sadly, I haven't been since 2020, so I would say I'm overdue! ESPECIALLY since I have a baby on board now who would be "oooing and ahhing" in the backseat throughout this entire experience.

The light show is a 2.5-mile drive-thru experience that has evolved into a family tradition for so many here in New England.

Prepare for the 2024 Gift of Lights show to shine brighter than ever with new displays and nearly 500,000 more lights for its14th holiday season. Gift of Lights will spread 39 nights of holiday cheer while fundraising for the local community from Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 through Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

(one might ask) What’s New This Year?

More lights than ever: Winterland, the company that operates Gift of Lights, has added nearly 500,000 more lights at NHMS this season for a total of nearly four million twinkling lights in more than 500 displays across more than 80 different scenes.

New displays and scenes: Families can drive through the 130-foot infield tunnel that has been upgraded to an RGB tunnel this year and take a trip “Around the World”. This means enjoying well-known landmarks such as Big Ben, Easter Island, the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Mount Rushmore, Taj Mahal and more throughout the infield. Who needs Epcot when you have the New Hampshire Motor Speedway?!

There will also be dinosaurs roaming around, and the infamous Grinch will be stealing Christmas items throughout the NHMS property. (That Mr. Grinch! He's a mean one!)

New season passes: If one visit isn’t enough, attendees can now purchase a $95 season pass, which allows unlimited visits this season for up to two vehicles.

Visit with Santa Claus: Santa Claus will roll into Loudon in style aboard the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan making a special stop at Gift of Lights presented by Ambetter from NH Healthy Families on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 6-8:30 p.m. Kids can visit with St. Nick to get their last-minute gift requests in and bring home a free keepsake photo.

Helping the Community: Gift of Lights presented by Ambetter from NH Healthy Families benefits NHMS’s official charity, the New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (SCCNH), which supports children in need throughout New England, in a few ways:

Families can purchase $3 s’more kits at the food truck at the end of the Gift of Lights route and roast them on the open fire pits. All proceeds will go to SCCNH.

Attendees are also encouraged to bring three or more non-perishable food items for the Loudon Food Pantry to save $3 off single-vehicle admission purchased on site. Since 2011, event attendees have donated nearly 105,000 pounds of food totaling nearly 98,000 meals for local families in need during the winter months.

Theme Nights: Attendees can save $5 off single-vehicle admission purchased on site by participating in theme nights:

Dec. 2 | PJ Night – Wear your coziest Christmas pajamas.
Dec. 3 | Community Tuesday – Attend Gift of Lights presented by Ambetter from NH Healthy Families on Giving Tuesday.
Dec. 4 | Pet Night – Bring your pet to enjoy the lights.
Dec. 11 | Christmas Sweater Night – Wear your craziest Christmas sweater.
On Military Mondays, Dec 2 and 9, active military members and veterans can enjoy Gift of Lights presented by Ambetter from NH Healthy Families for only $5 with valid military ID.

Tickets and Hours of Operation: Gift of Lights  opens at 4:30 p.m. nightly, depending on the weather. All traffic must enter through NHMS’s South Entrance. Admission is available for purchase here or at NHMS for $35 per car or $60 per bus, limousine or RV (add $2 per person for vehicles containing more than 15 guests).

Whether you've never been to Gift of Lights at NHMS or it is a part of your yearly festive traditions, this seems like a year you don't want to miss!