Tag Archives: winter

LuminoCity Light Show at Eisenhower Park

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
December 20, 2025

Three generations of our family visited LuminoCity’s winter holiday light show at Eisenhower Park soon after it opened this year.

Fantasy Winter Fairyland is the theme for the stunning event, which runs through January 1, 2026.

East Meadow, New York, U.S. Nov, 23, 2025. A winged soldier points his sword at rider on her antlered steed at the LuminoCity holiday lights festival at Eisenhower Park. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Since it was 46 degrees Fahrenheit the Sunday we visited, it was see-your-breath weather. But that didn‘t stop us from having an unhurried, long visit. I arrived by 4:30 PM, and my family joined me soon after.

East Meadow, New York, U.S. November 23, 2025. Winged soldiers with their swords drawn climb on an ice archway and giant snowman at the LuminoCity holiday lights festival at Eisenhower Park on Long Island. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

– Lumi’s Utopia –

East Meadow, N.Y., U.S., Nov. 23, 2025. A woolly mammoth and a saber-tooth tiger are two animals in the prehistoric section of the LuminoCity holiday lights festival at Eisenhower Park. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

– LuminoCity 2025 –

Lumi’s Utopia was one of my favorite sections because of its collaboration with the Long Island Children’s Museum, which I’ve enjoyed going to with my young grandchildren, and blogged about in the past.

As the display in this photo explains:

“Lumi’s Utopia is an annual art initiative that transforms kids’ hand-drawn 2D artwork into handcrafted 3D light sculptures. We believe every child is a natural artist, and their drawings provide a window into their dreams, thoughts, and emotions.

“What you see here are featured works from this year’s drawing competition co-hosted by LICM, and online submissions, all inspired by the festival theme and adding even more wonder and creativity to the experience through the lens of young artists.”

PHOTOS of 3D light displays based on two of the young artists’ 2D drawings:

East Meadow, New York, U.S. Nov. 23, 2025. A princess that can fly is a display based on a drawing by MIRANDA SQUIRES, 8, at the LuminoCity holiday lights festival at Eisenhower Park. Squires’ drawing was one of the artworks the Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM) chose to become a display. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

– Lumi’s Utopia –

East Meadow, New York, U.S., November 23, 2025. Neema the Magical Fairy is a display based on a drawing by MACKENZIE CRETTOL, 15, at the LuminoCity holiday lights festival at Eisenhower Park. Her drawing was one of the artworks the Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM) chose to become a display. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

– LuminoCity 2025 –

East Meadow, New York, U.S. Nov, 23, 2025. A large Holiday Express train, with several cars visitors can go inside, is on display at the LuminoCity holiday lights festival at Eisenhower Park. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Though the rest of my family left around 6 PM, I stayed until after 7:30 PM to capture more photos with my Nikon Z8 camera.

While with my family, I used my newish NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II lens.

After they left for dinner, I switched to my old-faithful, fun AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED lens.

For fisheye fans, I added some equipment and settings info next to the photo at the end of this post.

East Meadow, New York, U.S. November 23, 2025. Snow-covered evergreens and giant flowers are light displays at the LuminoCity holiday lights festival at Eisenhower Park on Long Island. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Our family looks forward to LuminoCity becoming a winter holiday tradition.

East Meadow, New York, U.S. Nov, 23, 2025. Santa Claus, in his sleigh pulled by reindeer, is a popular Christmas display at the LuminoCity holiday lights festival at Eisenhower Park. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

LuminoCity 2025 –

East Meadow, New York, U.S. Nov, 23, 2025. The message “The best holiday gifts are the traditions that help make memories shine!…” is on a sign near the entrance of the LuminoCity holiday lights festival at Eisenhower Park. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

FEATURE PHOTO (click: related photo): East Meadow, New York, U.S., Nov. 23, 2025. Families gather in front of the Castle in the Air at the LuminoCity holiday lights festival at Eisenhower Park in Nassau County, Long Island. (© 2025 Ann Parry)

links for your convenience:

LuminoCity 2025 East Meadow: my PHOTO GALLERY

LuminoCity 2025

Long Island Children’s Museum

Eisenhower Park

CONTACT ME

about fisheye photo below: Nikkor Z8 camera • Nikon FTZ adaptor • 6-15mm, f/3.5-4.5E Nikkor fisheye lens • focal length 15 mm • 1600 ISO • Matrix metering • 0.8 subject distance • auto white • dimensions (before downsizing for post): 7135 x 5504 pixels • process application: DxO PhotoLab 9.2.0

East Meadow, New York, U.S., Nov. 23, 2025. Large 3D LuminoCity letters are in front of Castle in the Air at the LuminoCity holiday lights festival at Eisenhower Park. Fantasy Winter Fairyland is the 2025 theme for the fun family event in Nassau County, Long Island. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Shimmering Solstice at Old Westbury Gardens: light show magic!

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
December 18, 2021

UPDATE: Shimmering Solstice Returns! 11/25/22 – 1/1/23
• Subscribe for updates from OWG on tickets+

Shimmering Solstice • 11/20/21-1/9/22 • must buy Advance Tickets • Map

SLIDESHOW – Shimmering Solstice (Full Screen: Click bottom right corner)

“I took the best photos of my life at Shimmering Solstice!” my friend posted online next to his pictures of the holiday light show at Old Westbury Gardens. Since I also had visited the walk-through wonderland, I wasn’t surprised he was thrilled.

Old Westbury Gardens Shimmering Solstice

Old Westbury, N.Y., USA. Dec. 10, 2021. Lighted trees and architecture cast colorful reflections in pond at west side of Westbury House during Old Westbury Gardens’ Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

During my hours (!) visiting Shimmering Solstice on the grounds of Old Westbury Gardens, the Long Island Gold Coast estate, I saw families with young children and grandparents, friends from their late teens to seniors, and photo enthusiasts.

VIDEO – Shimmering Solstice (Full Screen: Click bottom right corner)

Breathtaking scenes include the Rose Garden, the pond, the Walled Garden, and South Lawn and Allee leading to Westbury House, with its decorated front, and a stunning projection show on its south facade.

Old Westbury, NY, USA. Dec. 10, 2021. Visitors walk down geometrically lit South Allee during Old Westbury Gardens' Shimmering Solstice, running through Jan. 9, 2022. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Lightswitch – a collective of internationally recognized lighting, media, and visual designers – worked together with Old Westbury Gardens to create the show that celebrates the OWG’s history and environment.

Catholic Health is the presenting sponsor of Shimmering Solstice. Patrick M. O’Shaughnessy, the President and CEO of Catholic Health, said, “This experience will bring families, friends, and communities together in a beautiful setting to reflect and make memories.”

Because the show both dazzled the senses and created emotional experiences, I do expect my memories will remain as vivid as the photos captured.

How wonderful it would be to have the chance to create such memories at Shimmering Solstice for years to come.

Which is why I was so happy to learn that Nancy Costopulos, the President and CEO of Old Westbury Gardens, said the non-profit intends to make the unique light show an annual holiday tradition at the historic state.

Old Westbury, NY, USA. Dec. 10, 2021. Three friends walk among gigantic lighted dandelions during Old Westbury Gardens' Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

If you’re in the tri-state area and looking for an unforgettable outdoor holiday experience, it’s well worth the drive to visit Shimmering Solstice at Old Westbury Gardens.

Old Westbury, NY, U.S. Dec. 10, 2021. Friends walk down colorfully lighted south allee during Old Westbury Gardens' Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Please note you must buy your tickets before arriving at the event, which runs through January 9, 2022.

FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post): Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. Dec. 10, 2021. Families explore in front of Westbury House at Shimmering Solstice, a walk-through light show at Old Westbury Gardens, sponsored by Catholic Health, and running through January 9, 2022.

my Shimmering Solstice PHOTOS: bit.ly/annparryOWG2021

my Shimmering Solstice VIDEO: vimeo.com/annparry/shimmeringsolstice

Catholic Health: chsli.org

Lightswitch: lightswitch.net

Old Westbury Gardens: oldwestburygardens.com

CONTACT ME