Who says you have to spend a ton of money or travel to the far ends of the planet to view fabulous holiday light shows? Christmas displays are a dime a dozen this time of year, and most don’t require draining your wallet to enjoy. Hundreds of communities from coast-to-coast erect awe-inspiring seasonal showcases to inspire Christmas goodness.
The following festive displays are among the nation’s most popular:
Atlanta: Macy’s Great Tree at Lenox Square Mall is a stunning piece of holiday craftsmanship. The towering tree is festooned with hundreds of lights and serves as the backdrop for many family photos.
Des Moines, Iowa: The city’s popular nighttime drive-through light display, dubbed “Jolly Holiday Lights,” takes place at Water Works Park until January 2, 2010. The three-mile drive filled with amazing illuminated sculptures is the state’s largest light display.
St. Augustine, Florida: You don’t need snow to celebrate the holiday season in Florida. Just take a stroll through the city’s “Nights of Lights” display and you will immediately feel the spirit of Christmas. The light show continues through January 31, 2010, and also features a Winter Wonderland area with ice-skating, a frozen ice slide, and sleigh rides.
Wheeling, West Virginia: Oglebay Resort & Conference Center is once again hosting its Winter Festival of Lights through January 3, 2010. The resort’s spectacular display covers 300 acres, and is considered one of the country’s largest seasonal light shows. Among the more popular features of the six-mile drive include the Snowflake Tunnel, a candy cane wreath, and a poinsettia wreath complete with flickering candle.
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho: The Coeur d’Alene Resort is known around the state as having one of the most phenomenally festive Christmas displays. The centerpiece is a 161-foot-tall living tree, which the resort claims is the tallest living Christmas tree in the United States. The tree is decorated with massive ornaments (some are 10 feet tall) and tens of thousands of lights. The light fest continues outside with a display of more than 1.5 million lights on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene.
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