7 Shocking Secrets About The Citi Field Christmas Lights You Need To Know For 2025

The holiday light show at Citi Field has undergone a massive transformation for the 2024-2025 season, leaving behind the drive-thru model and ushering in an immersive, walk-through experience. As of late 2024, the event formerly known by names like Amaze Light Festival has been completely reinvented as the spectacular Tianyu Lights Festival, offering a fresh, unique, and dazzling display of traditional Chinese lantern artistry fused with modern technology. This new iteration promises a completely different kind of holiday magic in the heart of Queens, making it one of the most anticipated New York City holiday attractions this winter. This article will break down the seven most crucial and surprising details about the new light festival, including the official dates, the unique theme, and the essential ticket information you need to plan your visit between late 2024 and early 2025.

The New Era: Tianyu Lights Festival at Citi Field (2024-2025)

For years, the Christmas light show at the home of the New York Mets has been a staple of the Queens holiday calendar, but the 2024-2025 season marks a significant shift. The event is now officially the Tianyu Lights Festival, produced by Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc., the largest Chinese lantern festival producer in North America. This change brings with it a whole new style of illumination that moves away from simple string lights and towards massive, intricate lantern sculptures.

1. It's NOT a Drive-Thru: The Biggest Change

The most important detail to know is that the "Citi Field Christmas Lights" are no longer a drive-thru experience. Previous light shows at the venue, such as the Amaze Light Festival in 2022, offered both drive-thru and walk-through options, but the Tianyu Lights Festival is a fully immersive, walk-through attraction. Visitors must park and then navigate the sprawling display on foot, which allows for a much closer and more detailed appreciation of the intricate lantern artistry. This makes it comparable to other major NYC walk-through light shows like Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

2. The Official 2024-2025 Dates and Hours

The Tianyu Lights Festival has a specific and limited run, making it essential to book tickets early. * Opening Date: November 29, 2024 * Closing Date: January 19, 2025 * Operating Days: Tuesday through Sunday (Closed on some Mondays) * Hours of Operation: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Last entry at 9:00 PM) The event takes place in the parking lots adjacent to the stadium, specifically Citi Field Lots E & F, transforming the vast space near Flushing Meadows–Corona Park into a luminous wonderland.

3. The Magical Theme: Koda's Adventure to the Magical Forest

The entire festival is built around an enchanting, cohesive storyline titled "Koda's Adventure to the Magical Forest." This narrative guides visitors through different themed sections, ensuring the experience is more than just a collection of random lights. The storyline follows a 7-year-old boy named Koda on a whimsical journey. The installations—which are essentially giant, illuminated sculptures—are designed to represent the various fantastical creatures and landscapes Koda encounters in his dreams. This focus on a central theme and character is a hallmark of the Tianyu Arts & Culture production style.

4. The Surprising Artistry: Chinese Lanterns Meet Modern Tech

Unlike traditional American Christmas light displays that rely on strings of LED bulbs, the Tianyu Lights Festival showcases the ancient art of traditional Chinese lantern-making. * Sculptural Art: The displays are massive, hand-crafted silk-and-steel sculptures that are illuminated from within. * Modern Fusion: The designs merge this traditional artistry with modern lighting technology, including LED lights and animated effects, to create dynamic, color-changing installations. * Scale: Tianyu is known for its larger-than-life installations, which means visitors can expect to walk under, around, and through towering luminous structures, including mythical creatures, animals, and flora.

5. Current Ticket Prices (2024-2025)

The pricing structure for the Tianyu Lights Festival is dynamic, with weekday tickets being more affordable than weekend and holiday prices. Booking online in advance is highly recommended to secure the best rate and your preferred time slot. * Online Weekday (Wed & Thu) General Admission (Ages 12+): $30 * Online Weekday Child Admission (Ages 3-11): $22 * Weekend & Holiday Pricing: These dates (Friday to Sunday and designated holidays) typically have a higher price point than the weekday rates. * Children Under 3: Free admission. Always check the official Tianyu Culture website for the most accurate, real-time pricing and availability, especially for peak dates around Christmas and New Year's Eve.

6. What Else to Expect: Food, Beverages, and Entertainment

A major light festival isn't complete without festive amenities. The Tianyu Lights Festival is a comprehensive holiday experience that includes more than just the light trail. Visitors will find various food and beverage vendors on-site, offering classic holiday treats and warm drinks to enjoy as they stroll through the illuminated path. This creates a complete evening out for families and date nights, combining visual spectacle with festive culinary delights.

7. Historical Context: From Amaze to Tianyu

The Citi Field venue has become a popular spot for large-scale holiday events. Before the Tianyu Lights Festival, the space hosted other major light shows, most notably the Amaze Holiday Light Festival in 2022. Understanding this history provides context for the current event: * Amaze Light Festival: This event featured a mix of traditional holiday lights, a Christmas market, and a tubing hill, often including a drive-thru component. * Tianyu Lights Festival: This is a dedicated, specialized Chinese lantern festival, focusing entirely on the intricate art of lantern-making and a narrative-driven walk-through experience. This transition shows a commitment to bringing diverse and high-quality seasonal entertainment to the Queens area, solidifying Citi Field's role as a major hub for New York City holiday events. The new focus on cultural artistry and a specific theme offers a fresh alternative to the typical Christmas light displays, making the 2024-2025 event a must-see.

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