Set at Sunnyside, the former home of American legend-crafter Washington Irving, Winter Wonderlights is a special winter event designed by the non-profit group Historic Hudson Valley. This group is the same that created the popular annual event, “The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze.”
Rip Van Winkle’s Dreams Come to Life in Tarrytown
Winter Wonderlights in its debut year will be a dreamscape based upon the dreams of Rip Van Winkle, fictional New Yorker and champion sleeper. Since Irving, the creator of Rip Van Winkle, was rather vague on what Winkle dreamed, the artists who created the exhibit’s a lot of leeway in their work.
Visitors to Winter Wonderlights can expect to see a dazzling display amidst the darkness. A walk through the rolling wooded landscape brings the visitor in view of animal sculptures, fanciful creatures, oversized pieces of candy and more. All of this is lit up by tens of thousands of LED lights. An original score by Jim Keyes will accompany the landscape.
Even though it will be outdoors in Winter, warming stations will be available throughout the tour, as well as hot cocoa, coffee, and tea vendors.
Winter Wonderlights Entry Pass System
Due to Sunnyside being in a residential neighborhood with very limited parking, Historic Hudson Valley has to implement an unusual admissions routine. Visitors must buy an entry pass in advance, as there will be no walk up admission. The entry pass is good not per person, but per car, as if it was an old drive through theater.
The entry pass is $75, which sounds like an exorbitant price. When divided among five or six people in a car, it becomes more reasonable. Expect to see people stuffed into trunks of cars as if it were 1950.
Historic Hudson Valley’s YouTube Contest
As with the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, Historic Hudson Valley has created a video contest held on YouTube. Contestants will record their trip to Winter Wonderlights, edit it, and post it on YouTube. The winner is the contestant that best captures the spirit of the event. Further details are available on the webiste for Historic Hudson Valley.
Winter Wonderlights Event Location and Times
Sunnyside is located directly off of Rt. 9 in Tarrytown, about a mile South of the Tappan Zee Bridge.
Winter Wonderlights will be open on the following days:
- Dec. 11-14
- Dec. 18-23
- Dec. 26-30
- Jan. 2-3
If The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is any indication, then Winter Wonderlights is an event not to be missed.
