Porter County Parks & Recreation opened the Winter Lights Drive Thru on Saturday, November 19th, 2022 at Sunset Hill Farm County Park, 775 Meridian Rd. in Valparaiso. The Winter Lights Drive Thru is open from Nov 19th – Jan 2nd, 2023 from 5pm – 10pm, free, donations accepted. (note, there is no festival in 2021)
Porter County Parks hosts annual Winter Lights Drive Thru
Visitors are invited to kick off the holiday lights display from 3-8pm at Sunset Hill Farm County Park in Valparaiso. More than 300 displays, many hand-made by members of the Northwest Indiana Historical Power Association and park staff, are arranged around the park.
In addition to viewing the lights, visitors can take photos with Santa, decorate holiday cookies, enjoy bonfire s’mores and hot chocolate, and play carnival games. The celebration ends with a fireworks display. Wagon rides will also be available to and from the parking lot, and food vendors will be on site. Admission to the festival is $5 per car.
Visitors can drive past the displays through New Year’s. The lights come on at dusk and stay on until 10om each night. Driving through the park to see the lights is free, but a donation box is available for those who would like to contribute.
Sunset Hill Farm County Park is located at 775 Meridian Road in Valparaiso. More information about Winter Lights is available by calling Porter County Parks at 219-465-3586.
Christmas in Northwest Indiana . . .
5 Holiday Traditions – thru Jan 5th
What’s on Theatre Stage this year – TBD
Candlelight Tour in Laporte – cancelled in 2022
Winter Lights Drive Thru – Valparaiso – Now thru Jan 2nd 2023!
Holly Days in Valparaiso – Dec 2nd 2022
A Christmas Story Comes Home – Hammond Indiana – thru Dec 31, 2022!
Christmas At Barker Mansion – Michigan City – Dec 2nd Thru Dec 28th, 2022!
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS DRIVE THRU – Michigan City – Dec. 3rd thru Jan 2nd, 2023!
NwIndiana Christmas Tree Farms
Orak Shrine Circus, Hammond Civic Center;Christmas the Park – Spencer Park, Demotte; • East Chicago Celebration of Lights, City Hall;• First Friday Art Walk – Downtown Michigan City, Santa Procession &Tree Lighting at Pruzin Park, Merrillville; City Tree Lighting, Festival Park, Hobart; Carol Fest at VU, Valparaiso University; Chesterton H.S. Madrigal Dinner, Chesterton H. S.; Community Tree Lighting & First Friday, St. Mary of the Lake, Miller; Illuminated Parade, Whitlng City Hall; Shake It Up Musical Show, Living Hope Church, Merrillville; “Plaid Tidings” Towle Theatre, Hammond; Snowflake Parade, Michigan City; Breakfast with Santa – Valparaiso YMCA; •A Christmas Story Comes Home, Indiana Welcome Center, Hammond; Christmas Open House, Family Express, Kouts; • Breakfast w/Santa (Dyer); • Breakfast with Santa, Wilbur Wright School, Munster; • Breakfast w/Santa, Schererville ; Christmas Craft Show – Portage; • The Nutcracker by Indiana Ballet Theatre at Valparaiso, Gary and Crown Point • Annual Cookie Walk, Westminister Presbyterian Church, Munster; Ethnic Cookie Sale, Whiting; St. Mary of the Lake Annual Christmas Bazaar Miller; Folk Art Holiday Open House, Fawn Run Farm, Rolling Priaire; Hammond Holiday Parade, Hammond; •Winter Jam Craft & Vendor Fair, Lake County Fair Grounds, Crown Point; • Christmas on the Farm – Countryside Park, Portage; • Candy Cane Express, Hesston Steam Museum, Laporte; •Santa in the Courthouse, Crown Point; • Portage Christmas Festival, Founder’s Square, Portage; • Pioneerland Christmas, LaPorte County Fairgrounds, LaPorte; • Santa at the Kaske House – Heritage Park, Munster; • 5-11:30pm, , Madrigal Dinner, United Methodist Church, Michigan City; • 8- 9:45pm, Babes & Boys Christmas Show, Beatniks On Conkey, Hammond; • Shake It Up Musical Show, Living Hope Church, Merrillville; • Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular! Majestic Star Casino, Hammond • Shake It Up Musical Show, Living Hope Church, Merrillville; • Babes & Boys Christmas Show, Beatniks On Conkey, Hammond; • Folk Art Holiday Open House, Fawn Run Farm, Rolling Priaire; • Christmas on the Farm – Countryside Park, Portage; • Candy Cane Hunt – Dyer, Plum Creek Center, Dyer; • Santa in the Courthouse, Crown Point Courthouse; Three Little Birds Market, Valparaiso, Brunch with Santa at Lansing Country Club, Breakfast with Santa AT White Rhino, Dyer. Christmas at the mill.
Mommy’s Little Piggy Eating Contest, Oh Fudge Relay Race
Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
