Where to see the 2022 holiday light displays in the South Bend area

'Tis the season for holiday light displays to brighten our dark nights. So put on your parka and ride your red sled to these public displays across the area.

Fernwood

Fernwood Botanical Garden at 13988 Rangeline Road, Niles, brings back all of the artful light displays that debuted last year — when it returned from a hiatus since 2008 — like light trees that seem to hover above water, flying birds on a paved path and a lighted tunnel. The display runs Thursdays through Sundays from Nov. 25 through Jan. 1.

There are more dangling stars in a wood lot, some shifted colors and added nuances. But now Fernwood adds a new loop and new features inside of the Sims Education Center.

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Executive Director Carol Line says the new loop, titled “Arctic Alle,” passes between a stand of hemlock trees, which have shooting stars in them, and red pines, whose trunks are banded with various colors of lights. The loop reaches its turnaround at the water wheel, which is lit up, too.

A 13.5-foot metal frame holds almost 300 poinsettia plants — a poinsettia tree — inside of the Sims Education Center, which again serves as a warm-up house with hot drinks, Line says. It also has a kids craft area this season.

Also new this year, Thursdays have discounted prices, aimed at helping families. Cost on Thursdays is $10 per adult, $5 for ages 3 to 12 and free for ages 2 and younger. On Fridays through Sundays, cost is $15 per adult, $8 per child and free for age 2 and younger.

Fernwood once again sells tickets by timed entry to manage the flow; there’s limited parking. Fernwood strongly encourages booking ahead. Line says that school nights tended to be slow last year while weekends and days closer to Christmas would get fully booked. Entry times are 5:30, 6 and 7 p.m.

Visit https://www.fernwoodbotanical.org/lights. For questions, call 269-695-6491.

Wellfield

Wellfield Botanic Gardens, at 1011 N. Main St., Elkhart, bumps up its light count from 1 million last year to 1.2 million now for its "Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights." That includes many of the popular displays along a half-mile path that circles the water reservoirs, which reflect the twinkling colors.

As usual, fire pits, hot and cold beverages for sale, and recorded holiday tunes add to the atmosphere. Giving Trees return where, on each night, a portion of ticket sales will support one of 17 charities in Elkhart County.

New in 2022, Wellfield offers a children’s book by local author Roger Carlson about the lights, as a keepsake. He’ll be onsite several nights to sign the book, which can be bought when you order your tickets online (for pickup at your visit) or bought in the gardens’ Visitors Cottage gift shop.

The display runs Nov. 25-27, Dec. 2-4, 9-11 and 16-23. You can enter between 5:30 and 8:09 p.m. The lights close at 8:30 p.m. Admission costs $15 per adult, $10 for ages 3-12 and free for ages 2 and younger. Save $2-$3 if you order it by Nov. 24. The book costs $15.

Visit wellfieldgardens.org or buy tickets at the gate.

Potawatomi Zoo

South Bend’s Potawatomi Zoo brings back “The Gift of Lights” display — which increases in lights and decorations each year — from 5 to 9 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 25 through Dec. 18.

The Holiday Express train runs, as weather permits, for $3 per rider; free if 2 or younger. Food and drink is sold at the café and snack bar, with adult drinks and snacks at the Round Barn Monkey Bar as weather permits. Santa won’t charge you to visit with him from 6 to 8 p.m. each night in the River Run Yurt.

Some parts of the zoo close at dark and in the cold for the animals’ safety, but the Zoo Learning Center and the Laidig Giraffe Conservation Center are open during “The Gift of Lights.”

Admission to “The Gift of Lights” cost $11 for ages 15 and older, $6 for ages 3-14 and free for ages 2 and younger. Tickets can be bought at the gate or at www.potawatomizoo.org/lights.

Shipshewana

The 1.5-mile drive-through “Lights of Joy” display in Shipshewana features more than 2 million LED lights and is open daily from Nov. 25 through Dec. 31, with the exception of being closed Dec. 8, 25 and 26. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

It winds through the grounds of the Shipshewana RV Park. Visitors enter via the grounds of the Shipshewana Flea Market on Indiana 5 (345 S. Van Buren St.) and exit onto County Road 200 North. Cost is $20 per vehicle. Tickets can be bought at the gate or online at ShipshewanaLightsofJoy.com.

Goshen

A light show is going up at Goshen's Shanklin Park from Dec. 15 through Jan. 15, featuring more than 60 silhouette lights and holiday decorations from dusk to 10 p.m. each night.

The public can see the free Lights of Lights display by driving the loop through at the park, 411 W. Plymouth Ave., staying to the right. It has two themes: Toy Land and Candy Land. Park officials hope to grow the display in future years.

Osceola

Grace Church at 58343 S. Apple Road in Osceola hosts a free drive-thru light display that’s focused on the Nativity from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 1-4, 8-11 and 15-26.

4H fairgrounds

The St. Joseph County 4H Fairgrounds at 5117 S. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, hosts a light show from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 9-11, 16-18 and 23. Donations are requested to help maintain the fairgrounds.

Winding Brook

This subdivision in Mishawaka plans to do its drive-thru displays Dec. 8-11 and 14-25. Hours are from 6 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, plus Sunday, Dec. 11, and from 6 to 10 p.m. on all other nights. Enter on Merrifield Drive off Day Road in Mishawaka. This is between Edison Lakes Parkway and Fir Road. It’s free, but donations collected will go to one of eight local charities each night.

St. Joseph

The city of St. Joseph turns on its annual light display along the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan from Dec. 2 through Feb. 15. It starts with a tree lighting ceremony and school choir at 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at Broad Street and Lake Boulevard, following by a window decorating contest in downtown shops from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

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Light parades

Various cities are hosting parades with vehicles and floats bedecked in holiday lights and festive displays.

∎ Dowagiac hosts its parade at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 on Front Street, departing Main Street, then heading north and circling the downtown.

∎ Mishawaka does a light parade at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3. It starts from the new Mishawaka City Hall's parking lot and goes clockwise, heading out on Mill and Front streets, then Ironworks Avenue and then on Hill and First streets back to City Hall. It's part of the city’s free Winterfest from 5 to 10 p.m., all located at the new Ironworks ice path and rink that opens that day at downtown’s Beutter Park.

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∎ Elkhart runs its parade down Main Street from Harrison to Lexington at 6 p.m. Dec. 3. Afterward, the city lights its tree at Civic Plaza.

∎ South Bend runs its parade from 7 to 7:45 p.m. Dec. 9 down Jefferson Boulevard; typically, this has been west of the river. Dec. 1 is the deadline to enter at www.downtownsouthbend.com/holiday-parade.

Find columnist Joseph Dits on Facebook at SBTOutdoorAdventures or 574-235-6158 or jdits@sbtinfo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Where to check out Christmas light displays in the South Bend area