When the sun sets at 4:30, the lights emerge on Purchase Street. From traditional light strings wrapped around telephone poles to snowflake replicas on towering trees, this glow evokes a sense of warmth and love in the city of Rye. 

Before the lights were designed, a community was created to sponsor this heartwarming production. 117 local businesses and residents came together to assist the Rye Chamber of Commerce and the “Light Up Rye” program in raising funds for our very own light show. With a total cost of $54,530, this endeavor was not cheap or easy. However, the joy this brings to Rye citizens makes the light show well worth the effort.

Walk through Rye Town in the evenings for a reminder of festive times and cherished holiday memories. You’ll be transported back to when you were a little kid during the holidays, watching the snow fall as you waited for Santa to drop off your gifts. The inviting atmosphere evokes nostalgia and beauty–and even a sense of magic.

In the words of Rye High School student Kendall Bahl, “Driving through town at night this year has been incomparable to past years. You can’t help but smile at our very own winter wonderland.”