The holidays are rapidly approaching and with them come bright, twinkly light displays put on by homes and businesses alike. All white light patterns, beautiful multi-colored creations, digital dancing masterpieces complete with music, and the fragile-looking icicle lights that frame the cold houses offer a sparkly canvas for all to admire. While some install the lights year after year as a tradition, some display their grand scenes for public viewing and entertainment. Whether it be cruising in your nice warm vehicle, or walking on foot while you sip your hot cocoa, you can gaze at the grand scenes brightly displayed for your holiday pleasure at these favorite locations.
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Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Let’s travel west to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway who offers a glimpse at over two miles of lights and animated displays by the hundreds. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Motor Speedway Light show is a visual delight. Dates for viewing these marvelous creations run from November 13th to January 3rd, and extended period to allow more traffic through, and to make it less of a rush to get in before Christmas. Tickets must be purchased and are available in weekday tickets, weekend tickets, or season passes. Hours for viewing are from 5:30 pm to about 9 pm or 10 pm on the weekends. Online purchases are available. From the warmth of your vehicle, cruise slowly through the lights draped to create a beautiful tunnel or view one of the many displays. Don’t wait to see this holiday treat of over 3 million lights!
Oglebay’s Festival of Lights
Located in Wheeling, WV, the light show is located at Oglebay Resort and Conference Center. Hundreds of acres of lights create a 6-mile drive for the grand show. Vehicles can drive under a tunnel built entirely out of lights as well as admire over 80 different displays while staying warm in the car. Look for the loveable characters from “Peanuts” to be part of individual displays. Recently, the light displays were changed to LED bulbs to be more energy efficient. A donation is required, but it will allow you to enter again for the entire season. A holiday buffet is available, and don’t forget to check out the Garden of Lights and the Good Zoo for more outdoor lights and entertainment. The Festival of Lights at Oglebay have been running since 1985, and every year it just gets better and better.
Magical Nights of Lights
Miles of lighted creations are waiting for you at Lanier Islands in Georgia. They have a fantastic website showing what calendar days are “family value days” and “peak days.” Tickets can be purchased online and the Magical Nights of Lights are available to view November 27th through January 3rd this year. Drive through this adventure created with millions of lights through the many miles of illuminated wonder. This year an app will also be available for the people driving through as it will enhance the viewing experience. For over two decades the Nights of Lights have kept people enchanted, and shopping, carnival rides, and a live nativity and food all await you at the end of your journey.
Trail of Lights
The Trail of Lights treats those who have come to Austin, Texas to a spectacular display of holiday spirit. Located in Texas, the winter weather can be chilly, but is otherwise quite mild, usually meaning no snow. For the Trail of Lights, the spectators have to walk 1.25 miles to be able to gaze at the light show that is prepared by over 1,500 wonderful volunteers. The lights are displayed at Zilker Park in Austin, and proudly present their largest, human-made Christmas in the country tree at 155 feet tall. These delightful lights are only on display for December between the 8th and the 22nd. Food vendors are littered throughout the Trail of Lights to fuel the chilly evening with warm food and drinks.
Silver Dollar City
Located in the famous town of Branson, Missouri, the Silver City Light display and entertainment is holiday fun for the whole family. From November 7th through December 30th, visitors have the chance to experience hundreds of lit trees and millions of lights decorating the buildings, creating displays, and will even twinkle to music. The lights alone are a spectacular display of digital creativeness. After glimpsing the holiday magic illuminating from the lights, feel free to explore all the shops and pick up a warm meal or drink at one of the food vendors. Amusement rides and even musical productions are offered for even more holiday excitement. The Silver Dollar City phone app can be downloaded and comes with a GPS map to show you where you are currently located and how to find the other attractions. Silver Dollar City is a must-see this holiday season!
All over the country, the holidays are celebrated by fantastic displays of lights. Driving through neighborhoods or walking down the street, one can admire the effort and spirit put into the beautiful arrangements against the night sky. Larger displays are also concocted for public viewing and can be found littered across the U.S. Digital shows that dance in sync with holiday music create incredible entertainment for all. Vendors that create their presentations from millions of lights exceed any, and all expectations spectators may have. Enjoy this holiday season and get in the spirit by seeing the beautiful holiday displays created for you.
