Millions of twinkling lights are about to take over a golf course. Yes, the same grass where people chase little white balls all summer turns into a glowing holiday trail every winter.
The walk winds along a paved path lined with light tunnels, themed scenes, and whimsical displays. Holiday music plays along the way, so the whole thing feels like strolling through a song.
I like how this New Hampshire spot skips the car-window view of most light shows. You get out, bundle up, and walk right through the glow.
Hot chocolate is waiting along the route, too.
I can’t imagine a better excuse to brave a cold December night. There are fireworks on certain dates, Santa on others, and even live ice carving.
So which night would you pick?
A Golf Course That Trades Its Flags For Millions Of Lights
Golfers get the course from spring to fall, but winter belongs to the lights. LaBelle Lights sets up millions of twinkling bulbs across the LaBelle Links golf course at LaBelle Winery in Derry.
That setting makes a big difference. Instead of a crowded parking lot display, you get open, rolling ground that glows in every direction.
The show follows an outdoor walkable path. You move at your own pace, which means you can linger at a favorite scene or keep strolling when your toes start complaining.
Music plays along the route to match the lights. It turns a simple walk into something closer to a holiday movie scene, minus the dramatic snowfall on cue.
The 2026 to 2027 run marks the fifth season of this New Hampshire tradition. The first one opened in November 2021, the same year the Derry winery location opened its doors.
Five seasons in, the show still returns each year with the same big idea. Walk outside, look around, and let a quiet golf course become the brightest spot in town.
Honestly, it might be the only time a golf course feels relaxing to everyone. Nobody is keeping score out there, and nobody cares about your swing.
Walk Straight Through Tunnels That Glow From Every Side
Few things feel as fun as stepping inside a tunnel made completely of lights. LaBelle Lights has several of them along the trail, and they might be the stars of the whole show.
Once you enter, the glow wraps around you from above and both sides. Your coat, your hat, and your friends all pick up the colors, which makes for pretty great photos.
Kids tend to treat tunnels like a reward for walking. Promise them one more glowing archway and you might just make it through the whole path without a single complaint.
The tunnels also break up the walk in a nice way. You move from wide, open views of the course into a cozy, surrounded space, then back out again.
Here’s a smart tip for these moments. Slow down inside each tunnel instead of rushing through, because the best pictures happen when you’re halfway in.
Phones work fine, but try turning off your flash. The lights already do the hard work, and a flash can wash out that soft glow you came to see.
Then step out, look back, and snap one more. A tunnel looks completely different from the outside, almost like a glowing caterpillar stretched across the grass.
Themed Scenes Turn Every Bend Into A New Photo Op
Turn a corner and something new is waiting. The trail is packed with themed scenes and whimsical displays, so the path never feels like the same view over and over.
Some displays are built for posing. Others are simply fun to stand back and admire, especially when the music lines up with the mood.
Photo lovers, this is your moment. With so many glowing backdrops, your camera roll might fill up faster than your mug of cocoa empties.
A good plan helps here. Snap the big group shot early, while everyone still has energy and nobody has frozen fingers yet.
Once you’re inside, you can loop around and walk the trail again. That gives you a second chance to catch details you missed the first time.
Many people use the first lap for pictures and the second for just looking. It’s a simple trick, and it makes the night feel less rushed.
Bring a small portable charger if your phone battery runs low in the cold. Chilly weather drains batteries quicker than usual, and missing the perfect shot would sting.
Keep an eye out for little surprises along the way, too. Whimsical touches reward people who look closely instead of just hurrying ahead.
Hot Chocolate Stops Keep Cold Hands Happy
Cold fingers wrapped around a warm cup might be the official pose of LaBelle Lights. Thankfully, warm drinks are easy to find before and during the walk.
Hot chocolate and other non-alcoholic drinks are sold at spots around the property. You’ll also find grab-and-go food, sweet treats, and snacks for little moments of fuel.
The Snowflake Snack Shack sits right on the lights course. That means you don’t have to leave the glow just because your stomach starts talking.
Other stops include the Tasting Barn, LaBelle Market, and The Winemaker’s Kitchen Food Truck. With that many choices, nobody has to walk the whole trail hungry.
Got kids along? A cocoa break halfway through can work like magic.
It gives small legs a rest and turns a long walk into a cozy treat.
Just remember that busy nights can mean lines. Grabbing a snack early, before peak arrival times, can make the evening smoother for everyone.
Also, hold onto that cup lid tightly. Juggling cocoa, a phone, and mittens at the same time is a real New Hampshire winter skill.
Book A Table At Americus Before Or After The Glow
Some people treat the lights as dessert after a proper dinner. Americus Restaurant makes that plan easy because it sits right next to the LaBelle Lights course.
Unlike the quick snack stops, Americus serves a fully plated menu. You sit down, warm up, and enjoy a real meal before heading back into the cold.
Reservations are recommended, and that advice is worth taking seriously. Holiday evenings get busy, and showing up hungry without a table is nobody’s idea of festive.
Timing is the fun part here. You can eat first and walk off dinner under the lights, or stroll first and finish the night somewhere warm.
Both options work well for date nights, family outings, and friends who want to make an evening of it. Pick whatever matches your crew’s energy level.
Families with younger kids might like dinner first. Full bellies and warm hands usually mean happier walkers on the trail afterward.
Either way, pairing a sit-down meal with the light show turns a quick outing into a full holiday night out. That feels like a tradition in the making, and it barely requires any planning beyond one reservation.
Festival Nights Add Fireworks, Ice Carving, And Familiar Faces
Regular nights are bright. Festival nights crank everything up with extras you won’t see every evening.
LaBelle Lights hosts special festivals on select dates. LightsFest brings a family tree lighting, fireworks, children’s holiday characters, and live performances.
WinterFest leans into the cold in the best way. Expect live ice carving, fire-inspired displays, fireworks, and light-up entertainers wandering the scene.
Frozen fans, pay attention. Elsa and Anna make appearances during WinterFest, which might be the easiest sales pitch ever for a household with young kids.
Watching someone carve a block of ice into art is surprisingly hypnotic. Add fireworks overhead and you’ve got a winter night that feels completely different from a regular walk.
Because these events only happen on certain dates, it’s smart to check the schedule before buying tickets. Choosing the right night can change the whole experience.
Festival nights may also draw bigger crowds, so arriving early is a solid move. A little extra time helps with parking, snacks, and finding a good view for the fireworks.
Pick the festival that fits your group, and plan around it. Your future self will thank you.
Santa Saves Certain Nights For Free Photos
Mark your calendar, because Santa doesn’t show up every night. He visits LaBelle Lights on specific Santa Nights, and those evenings come with a sweet bonus.
Photos with Santa are complimentary. You take the pictures yourself, so there’s no pricey photo package to worry about.
That self-taken setup gives you more control, too. You can grab a few tries until the toddler stops crying and the big kid stops making silly faces.
Families often build a whole outing around a Santa visit. Pairing it with the lights, a cup of cocoa, and maybe dinner makes for a very full and very festive evening.
A few tips can help. Bring wish lists ready, practice a smile in the car, and make sure your phone has enough battery for the big moment.
Dress the kids warmly but cute. Matching hats or bright scarves pop nicely against all those glowing backdrops in pictures.
Since Santa Nights only land on certain dates, check ahead before you go. Showing up on the wrong night with an excited five-year-old is a mistake nobody wants to explain.
Get it right, though, and you’ll leave with a photo worth framing.
Know The Schedule Before You Bundle Up
Timing matters with a seasonal show like this. For the current season, LaBelle Lights opens November 18, 2026, and runs through January 10, 2027.
The trail glows Tuesday through Sunday from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. It’s closed every Monday, plus Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
You’ll find it at LaBelle Winery Derry, 14 Route 111, Derry, New Hampshire 03038. The setup is easy to reach for a weeknight trip or a weekend outing.
General parking comes at no extra cost, and accessible parking is available. On select Fridays and Saturdays, preferred parking closer to the entrance is offered for a fee.
Weekend evenings can get busy, so planning ahead helps. If crowds aren’t your thing, a weeknight visit might feel more relaxed.
The path is paved, which is great news in winter. Still, wear warm boots or sturdy sneakers, because New Hampshire weather loves surprises.
Layers are your best friend out there. A hat, gloves, and maybe some hand warmers can turn a chilly stroll into a comfortable one.
Groups have options, too. Group rates and holiday party packages are available for offices, clubs, and big families.
Save Some Time For The Rest Of The Winery Grounds
The light trail is the headliner, but the property has more to explore. LaBelle Lights is part of the larger LaBelle Winery Derry grounds, which include a market, golf, and mini-golf.
LaBelle Market is a good place to start if you arrive early. Browsing before your walk gives you something to do while waiting for your time slot.
Souvenir hunters can also pick up LaBelle Lights swag bags. They make a fun keepsake, especially for kids who want proof they braved the cold.
Shopping for gifts during the holidays? A quick stop at the market could check a few names off your list while you’re already out.
The golf and mini-golf are summer stars, of course. Still, knowing they’re there makes this a spot worth returning to when the weather warms up.
That’s part of the charm here. One property can host a glowing December evening and a sunny July afternoon.
So plan a little buffer time on your visit. Arriving early lets you park, browse, grab a cocoa, and stroll into the lights without feeling rushed.
Give yourself the full evening, and this corner of New Hampshire will happily fill it.
