We visited LuminoCity Holiday Lights at Eisenhower Park on opening night, and what a beautiful way to start the holiday season! The glowing animals, giant flowers, and colorful lights throughout the trees made the park feel completely different. It really put us in the holiday spirit.
I love having experiences like this close to home. With school, work, and everything else on the calendar, it’s nice to plan an evening together without making it a whole weekend trip.
We attended on November 11, and the mix of winter scenes, playful animals, and bright landscapes made it such a pretty night out. If you’re starting your list of holiday activities on Long Island, here’s what to know before you go—including my LOVE discount code for 15% off eligible admission tickets.
Our Opening Night at LuminoCity
The way the lights filled the park was beautiful. Pink, purple, green, and red lighting reached up through the trees, while glowing sculptures and colorful displays filled the spaces below.
Looking through our photos, you can see how different each scene feels. There are giant blue-and-white flowers with delicate lines running through their petals, polar bears surrounded by glowing icicles, and playful hippos—including one with a slice of watermelon in its mouth.
Then there’s the area where bands of colorful lights spread across the ground around illuminated flowers and sculptural trees. That scene gives you a good idea of how immersive the setting is. There’s so much color around you!
Our visit to LuminoCity Holiday Lights at Eisenhower Park brought that holiday excitement a little earlier this year, and I’m happy we had the chance to experience opening night.
If you’re looking for more outings throughout the year, I also have a guide to fun things to do on Long Island with kids with more ideas to save for another day.
Disclosure: We were invited to attend LuminoCity’s opening night. All opinions are my own.
What Is LuminoCity Holiday Lights at Eisenhower Park?
LuminoCity is an outdoor, walk-through light festival in East Meadow, New York. This season celebrates its fifth year at Eisenhower Park, transforming 14 acres into illuminated landscapes with more than 100 glowing animals and dinosaurs.
The festival has four themed worlds to explore:
Magical Wonderwood
This area brings nature into the experience through glowing animals, playful creatures, and colorful scenery. If you enjoy looking at the details in lantern sculptures, there’s plenty to notice.
Dino Safari
Dinosaurs join the holiday outing in a setting filled with illuminated forests, oversized flowers, and prehistoric scenery. It’s a fun addition for families with dinosaur fans.
Holidayville
Holidayville brings the Christmas atmosphere with seasonal displays and a 40-foot Christmas tree at its center. Keep this area in mind when planning your holiday photos.
Tundra Twilight
Winter wildlife and sparkling landscapes give this world a wintry feel. The polar bear and cub surrounded by tall illuminated icicles fit beautifully into that winter setting.
I like that the festival offers different kinds of scenery throughout the walk. You can enjoy the holiday feeling while also exploring animals, flowers, and fantasy landscapes.
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Activities Included With Admission
One helpful detail for families planning a visit to LuminoCity Holiday Lights at Eisenhower Park is that admission includes more than viewing the lights.
The event materials list these included activities:
- Happy Holidays Hop: A 20-foot-tall Santa inflatable children can bounce inside.
- LED Dance Floor: An interactive place for kids to move and enjoy the changing colors.
- LED Seesaw: A glowing seesaw that adds another playful stop.
- Santa pop-up appearances: Scheduled on select weekends.
These are options to keep in mind when planning your evening. Santa is not scheduled for every operating night, so check before choosing a date if a Santa photo is important to your family.
The festival also has special theme nights throughout the season. Visit the official LuminoCity event page for the latest schedule and details.
Is the Lumi Express Included in Your Ticket?
The Lumi Express is a new addition for 2026, offering a holiday train ride through the illuminated landscape.
It is a paid add-on, separate from regular admission. Check the booking page for current availability and reservation information before your visit.
I always appreciate knowing which activities cost extra ahead of time. It makes planning a family outing easier, especially when you’re deciding what fits your budget.
Food and gift-shop purchases are also additional expenses. Seasonal merchandise includes items such as ornaments, magnets, and plushies if you want to bring home a keepsake.
A Special Detail Behind the Lights: Lumi’s Utopia
There’s a creative side to the festival that deserves a little attention, too.
Lumi’s Utopia, a collaboration with the Long Island Children’s Museum, turns children’s drawings into handcrafted, three-dimensional light sculptures. The program is in its sixth year, and the 2026 theme is “Dino Friends.”
I love the idea of children seeing their drawings become something people can walk around and enjoy. It adds another layer to the experience when you know some of the sculptures began with a young artist’s imagination.
You can read more about the initiative on the official Lumi’s Utopia page.
Dates, Hours, and Free Parking
Planning your visit to LuminoCity Holiday Lights at Eisenhower Park? Here are the main details for the 2026–2027 season.
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Festival dates | November 11, 2026–January 3, 2027, on select dates |
| Location | Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, Long Island |
| GPS address | 1899 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554 |
| Operating hours | 4:30–9:30 p.m. on operating dates |
| Last entry | 9 p.m. |
| Parking | Free on-site parking |
| Holiday closures | Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day |
| Additional closures | Mondays and Tuesdays before December 14, 2026 |
You can access the free parking through Salisbury Park Drive, the main road through the park.
Tickets use timed entry sessions. Arrive during your selected session, then stay until closing if you’d like. Your entry window does not limit you to that amount of time inside.
Ticket Prices and My LOVE Discount Code
Here are the published admission prices for this season:
| Ticket type | Non-peak entry | Peak entry |
|---|---|---|
| General admission | $29 | $33 |
| Children ages 4–12 | $22 | $26 |
| VIP admission | $56 | $58 |
Children ages 3 and under receive free admission. Prices exclude applicable taxes and fees, and peak pricing depends on your selected date and entry session. Check the booking calendar for your visit’s total.
The VIP package includes a dedicated check-in lane, a limited-edition Lumi tote bag, a Lumi night light, and 10% off at the on-site gift shop.
And here’s a little help with the cost: use code LOVE for 15% off eligible admission tickets on weekdays and weekends through January 3, 2027.
Choose your date on the official LuminoCity ticket page, then enter LOVE in the promo-code field and apply it before paying.
The code is for online purchases. Standard promo exclusions include add-on activities, certain group bundles, and gift cards; codes cannot be combined with other offers.
My Planning Tips for Families
A few things are worth planning before heading out for an outdoor holiday evening.
Dress for the weather. Bring warm layers and comfortable walking shoes. As the season gets colder, hats and gloves will help everyone stay comfortable while stopping at the displays.
Give yourself enough time. LuminoCity’s website suggests that most guests spend around one to two hours exploring. That’s a planning estimate, rather than how long our visit took. An earlier session gives you more time before closing.
Charge your phone. There are plenty of photo opportunities. Take a few wider pictures, too—the illuminated trees and lights surrounding the sculptures are a beautiful part of the setting.
Check the calendar before booking. Between scheduled closures, theme nights, and select-weekend Santa appearances, your date matters.
Plan for little legs. The official website lists the festival as stroller- and kid-wagon-friendly and ADA-compliant. Rentals are not offered, so bring what your family needs.
Have an indoor idea saved for another day. If you’re putting together your family’s winter activity list, my guide to indoor Long Island activities includes museums and other places to explore when you want time inside.
Is LuminoCity Worth Visiting?
For us, LuminoCity Holiday Lights at Eisenhower Park was a beautiful way to start celebrating the season.
The colorful trees, glowing animals, and oversized flowers created such a pretty setting for an evening together. It felt festive, and there was plenty to look at along the walk.
Whether it fits your plans will depend on your family’s interests and budget. If you enjoy outdoor light displays, taking photos, and exploring at your own pace, this is one to consider. Remember to account for any paid extras when comparing the total cost.
It could also be a fun evening with friends or a seasonal date night. You don’t have to be a little kid to enjoy a park filled with beautiful lights!
For more local inspiration beyond the holiday season, you can browse my Long Island family activity ideas.
Ready to Plan Your Night Under the Lights?
Our opening-night visit definitely put us in the holiday spirit. If you’re looking for a festive outing close to home, LuminoCity Holiday Lights at Eisenhower Park is a beautiful option to add to your list.
Check available dates and book through LuminoCity’s official website, and remember to use LOVE for 15% off eligible admission tickets through January 3, 2027.
Would you bring the family, plan a date night, or go with friends? Let me know—and if you visit, tag me @fortheloveto so I can see your photos!
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