Shipshewana Lights of Joy

Shipshewana Lights of Joy is a drive-thru holiday light experience held annually on the Shipshewana Flea Market Grounds in Shipshewana, Indiana. It features more than two million LED Christmas lights artfully displayed across a 1.8 to nearly 2-mile route of colorful and animated light scenes, making it a spectacular winter and holiday attraction.

Event Dates and Hours (2025 tentative):

• November 21 to December 31, 2025
• Open 7 days a week, excluding Thanksgiving (Nov 27) and Christmas Day (Dec 25)
• Evening hours:
  • Sunday to Thursday: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
  • Friday and Saturday: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
• All vehicles in line by closing time are admitted

Admission:

• Sunday to Thursday: $20 per vehicle
• Friday and Saturday: $30 per vehicle
• Season Pass (5 visits): $80
• Mini Motorcoach (16+ passengers): $100
• Full-size Motorcoach: $250
• Same night 2nd entry (traffic permitting): $5

Location:

• Entrance via State Route 5/Van Buren Street onto the Shipshewana Flea Market Grounds
• Fully handicapped accessible

What to Expect:

• A music-synced Christmas radio broadcast guests can tune into while driving through, enhancing the festive atmosphere
• The light displays include a large variety of vibrant LED scenes, elaborate animatronics, and holiday-themed art installations presenting a symphony of lights stretching for nearly two miles
• New additions each year keep the experience fresh and enchanting
• Designed as a family-friendly event that has been a tradition since 2018, attracting thousands of visitors annually

Surrounding Area and Vibe:

• Shipshewana is a small town known for its Amish culture, craft markets, and quaint wholesome atmosphere
• The event area is on the Flea Market Grounds, which hosts various other festivals and auctions throughout the year
• The vibe is festive, joyful, and community-oriented, with many visitors enjoying a leisurely and picturesque holiday outing typical of small-town Midwestern charm

Additional Seasonal Events in Shipshewana (Nov-Dec 2025):

• The Lighting of Shipshewana Christmas Parade and Lighting Ceremony on November 8, featuring live music, food trucks, character meet-and-greets, a parade route starting at the Flea Market Grounds, and a lighting ceremony on Middlebury Street
• Weekly antique auctions, holiday craft shows, and horse auctions enhancing the festive season atmosphere

Summary Timeline/Schedule of Shipshewana Lights of Joy (typical evening):

• 6:00 pm: Gates open for drive-thru light display
• 6:00–9:00/10:00 pm: Continuous drive-thru experience accompanied by synchronized Christmas music
• Vehicles admitted until closing time, with potential multiple entries for the same night at reduced fee (traffic permitting)

Since its founding in 2018, Shipshewana Lights of Joy has grown yearly in scale and popularity, becoming a regional holiday landmark that combines immersive Christmas light art with the peaceful, nostalgic feeling of an Amish-influenced community fair.

This event uniquely blends the peaceful rural Christmas charm of Shipshewana with a modern, spectacular LED light show, making it a must-visit holiday destination for families and visitors seeking a festive, drive-thru holiday experience.