Thanks to the Franklin County Visitor’s Center for this Making Spirits Bright column; including the lists of all the places residents and visitors can go to see the lights and sounds that contribute to making our spirits bright during a pandemic that has kept us inside and sometimes isolated most of the year!
Did you ever pack into a car on a December evening and drive to nowhere, simply to gaze at the bright and beautiful lights that line main streets and the countryside?
This has been an unusual year where many of the things we love have been put on hold or changed in some way in order to stay safe.
This year, the tradition of making homes shine during the holidays is one that has not faded and remains one age old tradition merely unaffected by the pandemic. In fact, it seems that more homes are lighting up this year than ever, making spirits bright!
Kids from 1 to 92 can enjoy this holiday activity and we’ve done some digging to make your adventure a little easier!
Explore Franklin County’s Bright Sights
Here you’ll find the homes that come with song and dance, the organizations and businesses who have created displays and experiences that you can safely walk or drive thru. You will even find some roads well worth traveling!
Don’t forget the sparkle and twinkle lining America’s Main Streets. Whether you take I-81, Rt. 30 or Rt. 11 to get there, you’ll enjoy driving through Shippensburg, Chambersburg, Waynesboro, Greencastle and Mercersburg’s Main Streets to see the lights, the store windows decked and of course the amazing Christmas trees that adorn each square!
Grab some hot chocolate, a few treats and explore Franklin County this holiday season with this old seasonal favorite!
READ: Downtown Chambersburg: Anticipating (a different) Christmas
Lights and Sounds
NOTE:Â Please be respectful of these private residences and mindful of their neighbors so that they may be able to continue to bring these displays to the communities each year, and keep making spitits bright! Best viewing is done while parked, with headlights off. Please also be mindful of others who would like to participate by not spending too much time at a display. Instead, take a loop back for a second look so all can enjoy!
Bell Avenue Lights
1716 Bell Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17202
Sun – Thurs 5:30pm-9:30pm
Fri & Sat 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Facebook.com/bellavenuelights
Tune in: 106.5
Lincoln Way West Lights
1054 Lincoln Way West, Chambersburg, PA 17201 (Just past 30 West Restaurant)
Tune in: 105.1
Lights, Music…ACTION Show!
1617 Hawthorne Lane, Chambersburg PA 17202
Mon – Thurs 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Fri – Sun 4:30 p.m.–10:15 p..m
Sites.google.com/view/lightsmusicaction/home
Tune in: 87.7
England Family Lights
247 Chestnut Drive, Shippensburg, PA 17527
Sun – Thurs 5:15pm – 8:30pm
Fri & Sat 5:15pm – 11:30pm
Tune in: 99.1
Chestnut Grove Winter Wilderness Light Show
45 Chestnut Grove Road, Shippensburg, PA 17225
Sun – Thurs 6pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat 6pm – 11pm
https://www.facebook.com/CGWinterWilderness/
Tune in: 91.9
Porterfield Lights
12884 Grant Shook Road, Greencastle PA 17225
Dusk – 10pm
Drive and Walk Through Lights
Christmas on the Grove (FREE)
Rhodes Grove Camp
7693 Browns Mill Rd, Chambersburg PA 17202
December 12th 5:30pm – 9pm
Walk-thru and enjoy the sights of lit and decorated cabins! Also enjoy free cookies, hot chocolate, kids craft and a live nativity!
Rhodesgrove.com
Trail of Lights at County Creek Produce Farm
3746 Etter Road, Chambersburg PA 17202
Nov. – Jan. 3rd
Fri. – Sun. 4:30pm – 9:30pm (weeknight dates may be added based on demand)
$9 per person / Children 2 and under FREE (No pets)
Self-guided, outdoor walking trail through 14 acres of farm with 50 beautiful light displays! Shop the holiday greenhouse filled with fresh wreaths, holiday décor and locally curated gifts and treats! Grab a hot chocolate or famous apple cider donut at the concessions!
www.countrycreekproducefarm/winter-activities/trailoflightspa
Volvo Holiday Lights Drive Through
Volvo Construction Equipment North America
304 Volvo Way, Shippensburg, PA 17257
Dec 11 at 6:00 PM – Dec 13 at 8:00 PM
See Volvo’s construction equipment in a new light at the Volvo CE Holiday Lights Drive Through. Contact-free family fun with lighted machine displays each evening. For more info, please visit Facebook@volvocena
Live Nativity
Presented by Leesburg UMC Charge & Youth Group
14 Strohm Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257
December 20th
6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Walk-up or drive, enjoy music and readings.
Oasis of Love Church
303 S. Washington Street, Shippensburg PA 17257
Walk-around
Enjoy a beautiful, winter wonderland scene! Music fills the air and a traditional nativity scene is set up.
READ MORE: Greencastle-Antrim: Heritage Christmas Light It Up contest;
Greencastle Chamber Light it Up Contest
Vote for your favorite Light Display in Greencastle!
17 homes for you to explore!
greencastlechamber.org or facebook.com/gacommerce for a list of homes to drive by!
Roads worth traveling
- Mower Road, Chambersburg
- Opal Drive, Chambersburg
- Bayberry Drive, Chambersburg
- Pampas Circle, Chambersburg
- East Mallard Drive, Chambersburg
- Twin Drive, Greencastle
- East Weaver Road, Greencastle
READ: A ‘Naughty or Nice?’ Christmas
America’s Main Streets Shine
- King Street, Shippensburg – Via I-81 Exit 24/29 or Rt. 11
- Main Street, Chambersburg – Via I-81 Exits 14/16/17 or Rt. 11
- Baltimore Street, Greencastle – Via I-81 Exit 5/3 or Rt. 11
- Main Street, Mercersburg – Via I-81 Exit 5 or Rt. 30 West from Chambersburg
- Main Street, Waynesboro – Via I-81 Exit 5 or Rt. 316 from Chambersburg
