If you’re driving through Shipshewana during the holidays, you may find yourself downtown, admiring decorations and lights throughout the small and charming community while you’re at the four-way stop just in front of the famous Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery and Blue Gate Theatre.
But if you keep going, where North Van Buren Street turns into South Van Buren Street, you’ll find yourself at possibly the best holiday celebration in the area – Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy.
An annual tradition for families since 2018, Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy is a drive-through light display experience that is home to more than two million LED Christmas lights, displayed in a mile-and-a-half-long symphony of colorful light displays. With new additions each year, visitors and locals alike understand why thousands make their way to the celebration to enjoy a magical experience during the holiday season.
Located at the now-expanded Shipshewana RV Park, the grounds make the perfect setup for an astounding light experience as the layout and electrical components were already in place. Six years ago the display began with just over a half-mile of lights a few nights per week, and now the festive lights are displayed seven nights a week.
A celebration of lights that large requires ample planning by the operations team – a partnership between Blue Gate Hospitality and Shipshewana Trading Place that is dedicated to giving back to the community. Together, the team makes sure new and additional lights are purchased early in the spring and summer, with installation generally beginning the first week of October.
“It takes many team members to do the work and test all of the lights – typically two to three weeks of solid work and 20 or so individuals throughout that timing with various roles,” says Lora Gates, director of marketing and customer experience at Shipshewana Trading Place. “We try to have everything set to go the week prior to opening, to test the lights again and make sure the experience is running smoothly and shining bright for opening.”
This year visitors can expect to see 39 themed sections, adding up to over 500 individual light displays ranging from “The Twelve Days of Christmas” to scenes including “The Night Before Christmas”.
“Never to be missed, and the true meaning of Christmas, is the full nativity scene that is the staple display at the park,” Gates says. “New displays this year will also feature one of our biggest scenes yet, at over 100 feet long and 35 feet tall.”
Gates anticipates seeing around 15,000 cars, which could mean as many at 60,000 people over six weeks starting on November 22.
“The Blue Gate and Shipshewana Trading Place businesses love being able to share an absolutely incredible event with families who have made this an annual tradition,” Gates says. “Providing something that gives an opportunity for friends and families to get together to attend and create quality time with one another is one of the best feelings with this unique, seasonal winter event.”
Lights of Joy is open daily from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, from November 22 until December 31 (it is closed November 28 and December 25). All cars in line by closing time will be admitted. When you arrive, tune your radio to their Christmas music broadcast and soak in the Christmas spirit!
Visit shipshewanalightsofjoy.com for ticket information, directions and more.
