Dazzling Displays

For some people, elaborate holiday light displays smack of Christmas commercialism. But the sight of thousands, even millions, of brightly colored twinkling lights is impressive, nonetheless. It's an experience that a lot of people must enjoy, judging by the proliferation of themed drive- or walk-through spectacles around the country. Even those of us who have grown weary of holiday décor and piped-in Christmas music turning up in late October can be enchanted by a little multi-colored pageantry. Here are some of the best shows in the US, some grandly over the top, others more humbly picturesque.

In the Pacific Northwest, Portland, OR offers a number of festive opportunities. There's the Oregon Zoo's ZooLights Festival, complete with puppet show and Christmas train ride. Festival of Lights at the Grotto encompasses indoor concerts, living history enactments, and lots of lights. But the granddaddy of them all is Winter Wonderland at the Portland International Raceway. Billed as the largest holiday light exhibit west of the Mississippi, this one is truly huge, with glittering animated reindeer, elves and even dinosaurs. It's deliciously extravagant and tons of fun.

The Southwest has a unique style which extends to its holiday decorations. In Albuquerque, NM, don't miss River of Lights at the Rio Grande Botanic Garden. New figures and scenes are added every year with hundreds of thousands of lights, and there are additional festivities such as ice skating (bring your own skates!), carolers and bands, and arts and crafts. The city also does a Christmas Eve Luminaria Tour in Old Town that's absolutely stunning. The optimum way to appreciate it, of course, is on foot, but you can also take advantage of the ABQ RIDE tour bus ($7).

Austin, TX has several fun events during the holiday season, including the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. But during the last two weeks of December, the Trail of Lights transforms the southern banks of Zilker Park into a wonderland of lights. This nighttime Christmas pageant has become so popular that the city had to eliminate drive-through traffic. Now the shimmering displays, in varying yuletide themes, can be enjoyed only by foot or on bike. You can park at Zilker, or you can park at the State lot at 14th Street and Trinity and take a tram to Zilker.

In a city like Chicago, you can see twinkling holiday light displays just about everywhere. But at Lincoln Park Zoo's Zoolights Festival, there's more than just lights. Oh there are plenty of those too, but here you'll find arts and crafts, ice carving demonstrations, storytellers and a laser light show, for free. Plus, you can visit with Santa, and ride the carousel, train or safari simulator. All while sipping a cup of warm spiced wine or cocoa, or a cold beer. Festive and fun for the whole family.

In the Midwest, Omaha, NE rings in the holidays with the Holiday Lights Festival, an impressive light display that features more than one million bulbs. The initial ceremony takes place on Thanksgiving evening, and the display extends the length of the Gene Leahy Mall, from 8th to 14th Street between Farnam and Douglas Streets. For the next few weeks, the city just glows. It's an incredible sight, like something out of a movie. Numerous associated events (ice skating, concerts, tours and New Year's Eve fireworks) make the season even brighter.