Full disclosure, Nomsters, this one’s tough to write. I’d planned to bring my parents and my sweet girl Daisy to Lights on the Bay for a little Thanksgiving outing, and then I had to unexpectedly say goodbye to my soul dog. She loved sticking her face out the window and smelling the air, so I already knew this drive-thru light show would’ve been so her.
A few nights ago, I brought her favorite toy along and we drove through the lights together, just us. And even with all the emotion of it, I’m really glad I went. Lights on the Bay’s a two-mile holiday drive-thru at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, it’s been going for over three decades, and every dollar benefits the SPCA of Anne Arundel County. Was it worth the trip? For me, a hundred percent, and I’ll tell you why.
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What Makes Lights on the Bay So Special
Here’s the thing, we’ve got a lot of holiday lights around the DMV, but this one’s a proper institution. Lights on the Bay’s been a Maryland tradition for over 30 years (2025 marks its 31st), and it runs right along the water at Sandy Point State Park, which already makes it feel a little magical.
You stay cozy in your own car and wind through about two miles of displays, more than 70 of them, a mix of animated scenes and big stationary pieces. But the part that really gets me is who it’s for. The whole thing’s run by the SPCA of Anne Arundel County, and every ticket goes straight to caring for shelter animals. Knowing that, especially this year, made the drive hit different.
What to Expect on the Drive-Thru at Lights on the Bay
It’s an easy, low-key experience, but there are a few things worth knowing before you pull up so you can make the most of it.
The Two-Mile Drive ($20 per car)
It’s $20 per car, and that’s the whole price of admission no matter how many people you pack in, which makes it such good bang for your buck for a family. You cue up in a line, roll through at a slow crawl, and the route’s about two miles start to finish. One tip, go on a weeknight if you can. Weekends get busier, but a Sunday-through-Thursday drive’s calmer and you can take your time. Turn on some holiday music in the car (this is non-negotiable, Nomsters!) and just soak it in.
The 3D Glasses ($5)
For $5 a pop, you can grab 3D glasses that make certain displays pop right off the darkness, and honestly it’s a fun little upgrade, especially if you’ve got kids in the backseat losing their minds over it! Is it essential? Nah, the lights are beautifully done on their own. But it’s five bucks and it adds something, so I’d say go for it your first time and skip it if you’re a regular.
The Displays (and Little Extras)
The 70-plus displays are the main event, a mix of animated scenes and bigger stationary pieces all lit up along the water. There’s a nightly scavenger hunt for the kids with little prizes, and they usually have kettle popcorn for sale if you want a snack for the ride. It’s simple, it’s nostalgic, and it’s the kind of feel-good holiday thing that just works.
Doing It for Daisy (and the SPCA)
I won’t pretend I got through this one with dry eyes. Bringing Daisy’s favorite toy and driving the route without her was a lot. But finding out the whole event supports the SPCA of Anne Arundel County, the exact kind of place that helps animals like her, turned the night into something that felt right. If you’re an animal person, know that your $20’s doing real good here. It’s not just pretty lights, it’s pretty lights that help shelter pups find their people. That’s my kind of holiday tradition.
Can You Walk Through Lights on the Bay?
Short answer, not during the regular season, it’s a drive-thru the whole way and you stay in your car (pets are welcome to ride along, which I love). The one exception is their Lights and Leashes nights, a couple of special evenings before the main season opens where you can actually walk the route with your leashed pup and even meet Santa. Those are their own separate event and they fill up fast, so if a walking night’s what you’re after, keep an eye on their site early in the season.
The Vibe and Experience
The vibe’s exactly what you want from a holiday drive-thru: cozy, easy, and good for literally everyone. It’s perfect for families with little ones, a sweet low-pressure date night, and yes, a solo drive with your thoughts and a holiday playlist. There’s no walking around in the cold and no crowds pressing in, just you, your car, and the lights.
Since you never leave your seat, it works even on a freezing night, so it’s a quick, easy add-on to dinner in Annapolis. Grab a bite at a downtown spot like Chick and Ruth’s first, or swing by Sandy Pony Donuts for a sweet treat to bring along for the ride.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409
- Season: runs late November through January 1 (the 2025 season ran Nov 23 to Jan 1)
- Hours: Sunday to Thursday 5 to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 5 to 10pm, open nightly
- Pricing: $20 per car, $30 for large vans and minibuses, $50 for buses, plus $5 for optional 3D glasses
- Tickets: buy at the gate (cash or card) or online ahead of time (online adds a small processing fee)
- Good cause: all proceeds benefit the SPCA of Anne Arundel County
- Getting there: take Route 50 to exit 32 for Sandy Point State Park, and go on a weeknight for the calmest drive
- More info: tickets and dates are on their official site
Is Lights on the Bay Worth It?
For $20 a carload, a two-mile stretch of lights over the water, and a ticket that helps shelter animals, this is such an easy holiday yes from me. It’s not the flashiest light show you’ll ever see, but it’s warm, it’s affordable, and it actually means something. It’s the kind of holiday tradition I’d happily come back to, with Daisy’s toy riding shotgun.
If you go, do me a favor and turn the holiday music all the way up, okay? Have you guys done Lights on the Bay yet, or is it new to your list this year? Let me know in the comments, Nomsters, and if you know someone who could use a cozy, feel-good night out this season, send this their way.