Excellent. A wonderful and affordable holiday tradition for our family for generations. Always well organized and awe inspiring no matter your age, and inclusive of all in the Wayne County Community. Highly suggest! read more

See all

What a bargain!! For $5 and some gas, you get to enjoy what has become a family tradition in metro Detroit. You also help fund improving the county parks. Open Wednesday thru Sunday from before Thanksgiving to New Years Eve 6:00 -10:00 pm. It is a 4 mile drive that does not move fast and you stop alot, but it is peaceful unless you can't control your kids. I have been enjoying it for over 25 years. My ex who hates winter so he hates Christmas even enjoyed it. They use to have a craft store and some food at the end, but since this is a pandemic year that wasn't allowed. I also enjoyed shopping there since they had some cool stuff. Traffic does back up on the surface streets leading to the entrance off of Merriman road. But it is worth the wait and the gas. read more

See all

First time back in several years. I would recommend going a nice enjoyable drive through Hines drive and the lights are a sight to see. We usually get some kind of a snack for the kids as we drive through the park. I do have to say it is less busy during the week then on the weekends. read more

Wayne County Lightfest - Festivals Near Me - Westland, Michigan

We went before the vid hit and it was great. This year not so much. No Santa, no good food. Everything outdoors so it wast worth getting out of the car. Hot chocolate lukewarm and hotdogs cold. Not very good compared to years before. Kids were really disappointed. read more

I made my way through the Lightfest once a couple years ago as I had just picked my parents up from the airport so we were on that side of town anyway. I thought about going for a return visit as a refresher course, mostly to help myself write a better, more detailed Yelp review but found I really didn't want to and that wasn't a compelling enough reason. Thinking back on my recent first trip to Terror on Tillson street out in Romeo, I think it's just that I'm far more of a Halloween person than a Christmas person. If I had kids I could see returning but this attraction is pretty much a one and done for me. Five bucks ain't bad for one vehicle; they burn up a lot of electricity lighting these displays. Some of the less Christmasy ones are actually more appealing to me. I don't know what dinosaurs, cyclists and a time tunnel have to do with Noel but they were festive and fun. I do remember a Hanukkah display, too and I believe Kwanzaa so the Lightfest is multicultural. Maybe that's where the brontosaurus comes in, repping atheist Darwinists It was cold when we drove through, but no snow was on the ground. That might have helped the atmosphere some but honestly I just think the Lightfest is kind of cheesy regardless. I'm tempted to give it two stars but that doesn't seem fair somehow. A lot of work does go into it, and some of it is pretty cute but just not my cup of tea. If I'm gonna do something like this I'd just as well drive through Rochester to see all the buildings on the main drag draped with Christmas lights from top to bottom. It's at least wasting fossil fuels with a little more style. read more

See all

It only cost $5 to get in however the line to get in took about an hour. Several of the displays were not working but we still enjoyed the ones that were up and running. If you are in a hurry just don't come; people drive about 5 mph and I could tell the people who zoomed past going 30 and missing all of the lights. My four year old loved it until about half way and then he lost interest; took to long he said LOL. I love looking at Christmas lights and I think this would be a great tradition to do every year. Oh, there was one incident! The lady in the van in front of us got out of her car and urinated in front of all of the cars in the line. I guess she couldn't hold it and she couldn't make it to behind the trees? It was very disgusting! I distracted my son long enough to shield him from the incident. Other than that and a few lights not working...it was great. read more

Wayne County Lightfest - It's packed! - Festivals Near Me - Westland, Michigan

Been coming to the light fest for over 20 years. It can get crowded so make sure you prepare yourself for the time you wait in line and make sure you stay in your car. Take pictures from your car. Do not leave your car or you can get a ticket. It's only five dollars per car and it's cheap fun and beautiful to see. read more

The lights are great but there MUST be a better way to move cars through the line. We got in line on Merriman and Joy and waited over an hour just to get turned into Hines. Once we entered Hines, it was another hour waiting to get to the entrance where you pay. read more

See all

I like the fact that they changed it up a bit. My daughter and I enjoyed this together. The only thing I would recommend is more food trucks. That would be a plus. read more

5 stars if you have young kids and go here to entertain them. Basic courtesy is to leave space between cars (maybe 5 car lengths so you can cost down as speed varies throughout the rive versus constantly hitting your brakes) and turn your headlights off as there's nothing worse than an inconsiderate patron tailgating you through the park with their highbeams on. If you end up in this situation, just pull over and let all of the clowns pass. There are tons of displays to catch the kids' eyes. This year we felt a few new ones were added, but many of the familiar ones remained. I'd like to see more illuminated tunnels to pass through, as the kids love them, and there were 2 or 3 along the way. Some of the more popular images include a dinosaur, wildly flashing Christmas tree, golfers, jumping reindeer, onslaught of colored snowflakes, and the time tunnel. The ride can take a half hour to a full hour depending on how fast you drive and the vehicles around you. You can pull over at any point and spend additional time admiring any display. I'm reading some of the negative reviews, and it sounds like a lot of adults are going and are expecting to be amazed. I probably wouldn't rate Paw Patrol on Ice or Frozen 2 as 5 star spectaculars if I went to either without kids as an adult (which would probably be a bit odd), so take those reviews for what their worth. This event is probably best for kids under 10 years old and their parents and those who are nostalgic over the event or looking to share it with a younger generation. It's also an event run by Wayne County in a public park that costs only $5 per car: consider that before you go to better align your perspective and to curb unrealistic expectations. read more

I loved the lights. It was good to get out with the family and see all the beautiful lights. We were in our cars. Traffic was tight but moved at a steady pace. We would have paid more in Newport News, Va. thank you for the time and effort y'all put into putting this together for the city. read more

See all

One of my favorite places to visit around the holidays. Around 4 miles of a drive down Hines filled with views of delightful lights along the side of the road, some static and others flashing and moving. These days I feel like a something like this might be looked at as too quaint or simple but I really love how old school it is. I love lights around Christmas and this is like driving in the most decked out part of your neighborhood times, like, a thousand. I go cookie crazy that time of year and bake up a few different varieties and so we'll pack a tin of those treats and stop by a coffee shop, get a hot chocolate, tune the radio to Christmas songs, and hit the road to enjoy the sights. The closer you get to the big day the crazier the lightfest gets which is kind of the reason I'm only doing 4 vs. 5 stars. Not really their fault that so many people want to come out but it does take a while to get into the park to drive through. As such it's not exactly the best place to go if you're on a time crunch so plan for a leisurely evening and pack plenty of cookies! read more

This event is PERFECT for pandemic-times! We enjoy it every other year, of course. It is highly recommended to put on whatever holiday music you like (last year we did Richard Cheese and this year we had on WNIC 100.3). Get there early and yeah, there is a line but it is no big deal to wait. It is something to do that is cheap and gets you out of the house. Get your Taco Bell, get in line and stop complaining. The lights are pretty good, not as fabulous as Toledo Zoo but it is local and did I mention it is something to do that is out of the house?! $5 doesn't buy too much these days and I recommend it as a way to break up the stress of these times. read more

See all

Disappointed to have no Nativity scene at CHRISTmas light display. Otherwise very nice.

If you are thinking about going to the Wayne County Lightfest, do it! For only $5/car, I recommend it. I think I read it is four miles long. You sort of creep along slowly so you can enjoy the displays, which are pretty and some quite tall, so it takes about an hour. I hear it is busiest between Xmas and New Years and can take even two hours when there are a lot of cars. The Sunday night we went, Dec. 4th, it was raining and some of the displays were out partially or completely, but it was still beautiful on the overall. I had missed this by just a couple of days on my last trip to the area in 2007 so I was glad I was here to see it this trip. The entrance is off Merriman to Edward Hines Parkway. read more

See all

Absolutely got duped. Sure it's 5 bucks a car but you wait 3 hours waiting to see something and never do. When you pull up you see a few displays and you go down the 2 mile trek waiting to see when you get in only to realize you were in the whole time when you reach the end. Don't waste your time. I had more fun watching drivers honk and cut each other off than I did at this light display read more

We took our kids, ages 2 and 4 to the show. It only costs $5 for our whole car. The line to get in was pretty short and we cruised along at 5-10 miles per hour looking at all the displays. The kids were thoroughly entertained and I loved that we got to stay in the warm car instead of walking along. There were a lot of displays, not as many as I thought there would be, but they were very cute. And for $5 for our whole family, who can complain? read more

It took us about 40 minutes waiting in line. We drove through the event in about 40 minutes. The lights show was a solid effort and I would recommend it. read more

Our tradition of "Christmas Lights with Friends" is centered around the Wayne County Light Festival. We meet and have dinner, than snag Starbucks and head over to the light festival. You enter the park off of Merriman between Ann Arbor Trail and Warren. Expect a line. The $5 (CASH ONLY) entrance fee is nominal for the views. A mix of old and new light displays celebrate all of the experiences of the season and the religions too. Make sure to stay in the right lane once you enter the light show so you don't block others from seeing both sides of the road. I have been coming to see this since I was a child and it's a great tradition to start with the ones you love. read more

Wayne County Lightfest - Festivals Near Me - Westland, Michigan

Visited the Lightfest last night. We got in line at 6:20pm, three miles from entrance to Hines Park. We remained in the right lane all the way to the park. It took FOUR HOURS, bumper to bumper, to get inside the gate because people (and I'm being kind) were driving past the right lane and then cutting in line. Terrible traffic management. If DOT can line roads with orange cones for miles of road work, they could do the same for Lightfest traffic. At one point, at Joy and Merriman, five vehicles were attempting to get in the right lane. It was a real clusterf$&k. The park didn't have any restrooms open. My 6 year old granddaughter was with us and she was so very patient waiting to see Christmas lights. By the time we got to the payment booth at 10:20pm, she just couldn't stay awake any longer. The lights were nice but not worth waiting four hours to see them I will never do this again. read more

I enjoy driving to see lights. I enjoy more when my kids ask/tell something about each light decoration. It's $5 per car and we enjoy it all the time we go. You can spend 30 minutes to an hour depends on how you fast you drive. Getting into line might be busy if on week ends. You can stop and take time to see. Some even get down from car to take pics. read more

What a joke. Not worth a dollar of the $5 we paid to get in. Half the displays were not functioning well and the other half weren't impressive. We had the most fun in the car laughing about how slow everyone was driving through it. Will not be returning, wouldn't recommend that you do as well. read more

Wayne County Lightfest - Festivals Near Me - Westland, Michigan

The line was much too long. I wouldn't go with young kids, unless you go on off days (i.e., not weekend nights).

After a 2.5 hour wait we got in and there were about 5 total light displays. Fiancé and both kids extremely disappointed to say the least. Stay at home or drove through downtown if you want to see better lights. read more

I did the 8k run last nite for the first time, based on a recommendation from a friend. The parking was a bit chaotic. But there were some volunteers trying to direct traffic. This was a great event, allowing registered participants to walk or run the 5 miles of the light fest before it actually opens to the public. So no cars were allowed. This year, there were 1800 registered. Definitely not a competitive race - it wasn't even timed. And most people walked. Lots of children and strollers. Seeing the lights from this point of view was really cool. There was one display that had several missing lights (time tunnel). But most were well lit and displayed. Overall, this was a really cool way to see the lights before it's open to the public. read more

See all

The actual Lightfest is very nice with lots of displays. I especially like the lighted tree that changed colors with varied, blinking speeds. BUT, it took us about 2-1/2 hours to get to the beginning of the Lightfest. We came from the north and the intersection at Ann Arbor Trail and Merriman was blocked with people were cutting in everywhere and generally all around rude. It took us about an hour and a half to drive about a mile on Merriman Road. Once we got to the entrance to the park, there was one Police Officer directing cars into the park (thank you, I didn't realize I needed to right into Hines Park where it says to "Turn Right") with three other Police Officers standing around. Why were they not directing traffic at Ann Arbor Trail and Merriman? It was a total madhouse. I can imagine the road leading to the park from the south was the same chaotic situation. Once inside the park, you go about a mile, turn around and go back the same stretch of road (another mile) to near the entrance of the park. This is where the Lightfest begins. That trip took about another hour. Once we started the Lightfest, the cars moved smoothly. I would have given the Lightfest more stars but the traffic was insane. This is the 27th (I think) year so you would think they would have the traffic situation figured out. Please leave at least three hours to go through the display and pack accordingly. We saw a couple of cars on the side of the road in the park that - I assume - ran out of gas. There was no way anyone could get to them to help (other than the cars in line) because of the traffic. Personally, though the Lightfest was nice, it was not worth the wait, aggravation, frustration, rudeness, etc. read more

A nice display to take a drive thru. The smaller kiddos will really enjoy it, but a lil amateur for the older kids and adults. There is a $5.00 fee to drive thru. read more

See all

The Wayne County Lightfest is the finale to our year each year. After our annual NYE dinner at Buddy's we head over to the lightfest. At only $5/car, it really is a steal. We have been happy with the additions they have made each year, including the light tunnel and this year the LED tree. Put on BPM if you have Sirius Radio and channel your inner raver as you drive through the light tunnel if you please. We do! :) Yes, there are many cheesy, worn down display pieces, but the kids love it. Its a family tradition that is affordable and fun for all ages. read more

The lightest has become an annual tradition for me. It's a good time for $5! The best part is, it has remained $5 since it opened. Can't say many things have stayed the same price for 20 years. The route is about 5 miles long and filled with fun festive lights. Many of which are animated. Since I've gone pretty much every year I've noticed they do add new stuff each season. So if you think you're getting the same experience every year it is switched up. My biggest complaint are the morons who don't follow the rules. 1. Put your parking breaks on. There is no reason to have your lights on. I'm there to see THE lights not YOUR lights. 2. Stay in your car!!! There is no reason to get out and wander around. Because now the sheriffs are ruining it for me because they are rolling up on these people with their lights flashing to tell them to get in their car. This happened at least 3 times! read more

I love the Lightfest! It makes my commute home much nicer to see all the pretty lights. I took my mom through this year and we were both impressed. It's not the most "wow" thing you'll ever see in your life. I just think it's a really neat thing to take the kids or your mom through once a year. It would be even nicer if people followed directions and drove with only their parking lights on. Headlights shining in your back window really suck out some of the magic. Perhaps the people at the pay booth should give that instruction instead of assuming people will read the sign. read more

The yearly holiday lightfest was really nice. Being from the eastside i was really lost trying to find the entrance, which is way down Merriman road. I'd tried to enter Hines off of Ford Rd but once on they closed it a mile later with no signs as to where to go. But after finding it was really cool. I was expecting something half-a*!ed but was quite surprised. Very nice displays. Well worth the "donation" . read more

Wayne County Lightfest combines two of my favourite holiday experiences: Christmas lights and staying toasty in the car. You cannot beat turning the radio to the holiday station, sipping hot cocoa, and traversing the meandering turns of Hines Drive at 10 miles an hour. Five dollars nets you entrance to one of the great holiday traditions in the area which runs all December long. My little one is obsessed with holiday lights, so a visit to Lightfest became a must-do event this Christmas. Last year an inopportune power outage thwarted our visit. It's a long drive for me from the Royal Oak area, and wisely the family ate before starting the adventure. Come prepared for traffic backups and lineups, as everyone in the Tri-County area knows about this not so hidden secret. It starts off fabulously. Traffic snakes along both lanes under twinkling LED snowflakes on the lightpoles. The light displays stop for the whole of the trip up to the front gates where you pay, and only two attendants at gatehouses processes vehicles fast as they can. TIP: Bring cash to pay. After about a quarter mile, we were plunged into total darkness and strafed by oncoming high beams. TIP: Turn off your highbeams to spare the light-dazzled oncoming drivers. We showed up early. It made no difference. It took us nearly 45 minutes to navigate the crawling traffic, at which time our patience for Dean Martin was exhausted, our baby was starving despite every snack and food pouch we could scrounge up. He bleated pathetically and squirmed for an escape for his car seat, but because traffic snailed along, we couldn't let him free. He cared not one bit for the sparkling candles at the gate, a welcome sight like a water stand after traversing the Mojave Desert. There is no option to turn around at any point and give up, either, so be aware your only escape is far down the road. Now to the light show: it's lovely. Drive in the left lane at a higher speed to avoid snailing along on the right. A wide variety of displays range from tunnels of lights arched over Hines Drive to holiday figures on the roadside -- jack-in-the-boxes, playful yetis, somersaulting teddy bears, skiers, and several trains just to name a few. The scale of these displays is equally diverse. The reindeer hopping over a bridge were a particular hit, but the trains at Santa's station and the present express really stand out. Getting through is the hard part, but the drive is especially nice if you're not exhausted from the wait, half asleep, or serenaded by a cranky toddler. TIP: If you want to take a photo, pull over and don't block traffic behind you unless you want us all to be Grinches. We had not a dash of snow on the ground, which certainly made the roads dry and took away a little from the dazzling reflections. I don't like the evil white stuff as it heralds a miserable season of cold and bad driving and potholes, so a little less magic is fine by me. It was a pretty cool display and clear skies improved the matter considerably. However, the wait and total lack of signage or any kind of light displays on the exterior so we at least had something to look at except tail lights really spoiled the mood for me. read more

A family tradition! No matter what religion you are, Christian, Jew or Muslim, the Wayne County Lightfest is sure to raise your holiday spirits! Happy Holidays.! Peace and Happiness read more

How excited can I get about Lightfest? I really need a list called "Michigan's Okay Events", but who'd want to check out those? As long as there is snow, it will be ok. It's a tradition around here. But I think you can see lots more exciting displays in your neighborhood. The funny thing is, WWj Radio gets more excited announcing that the light crew is working on the display more than anyone else does! read more

We spent two hours in the line and then just decided to turn around and go back home. We only drove 0.2 miles!!!! The other cars were very rude and blocking intersections, merging in, it was just all chaotic. This was on a Saturday at 7-9pm by the way. Plan accordingly and go early! read more

Such a fun event for the whole family! $5 per car. This time each one of kids were given a glow stick. Great way to get in the Christmas Spirit! read more

Wayne County Lightfest - Festivals Near Me - Westland, Michigan

See all

If you're from SE Michigan, chances are you have gone to Wayne County Lightfest at least once in your life. Whether you were dragged as a kid or are Christmas nut, like me, going down Hines Dr fills you with memories. It seems like they have added quite a few new pieces over the last few years. Plus everything is in working condition, which is impressive for something that runs for that many days/hours and is so large. Although getting onto Hines can be a cluster, it is always worth it. read more

I have heard a lot about the Wayne County Lightfest and I finally got a chance to check it out for myself. WOW! It's amazing what they can do with the lights! It is well worth the price to see these displays. It took awhile to actually get into the lightfest, but once we got in it was pretty smooth sailing. Hopefully we get the chance to check it out again before the end of the year. read more

Not enough words to say how awful this was! We waited almost an HOUR to pay. Then we say 5 minutes worth of lights. I honestly would not waste my time or money. Drove all the way from Ann Arbor. It's really gone down hill! I'd pay the $25 and go out to MIS! Worth the money to go out there! read more

I personally didn't like this whatsoever. There was a backup on the main road that lasted abt an hour and then there was a backup in the line to pay that lasted for 30 minutes. And then, when we did get in, after paying, it was not worth the wait. There weren't very many light displays and I couldn't see many of them from the back of the car because they were facing us instead of facing the road(which makes them much easier to see). Plus, some of them either had lights out or were not working at all. read more