I love Christmas lights, and happily my husband does too. He hung ours outside the Saturday after Thanksgiving and they’ll be lit every night through New Years. Some evenings during the month we take a little extra time and drive through some of the neighborhoods in our town that tend to have the best light displays, oohing and aahing appropriately.
The lights highlight of the season though has to be our annual trip down to Oglebay’s Festival of Lights in Wheeling, WV. This year, David and I, along with Amber and one of her friends, headed down. It’s been a busy month, so we went on a Saturday evening, maybe not the best choice, since it was packed, but that’s okay.
It’s a six mile drive with over 70 displays, some old favorites like the the poinsettia wreath and snowflake arches and some brand new this year, like the carousel. There’s Snoopy and 
Cinderella, goofy golfers and giant snowmen. The gardens, beautiful in the spring in summer with living flowers come to life in the dead of winter with light tulips and hanging baskets.
Of course, we have to listen to Christmas music during the drive. This year’s soundtrack was The Brian Setzer Orchestra and John Denver and the Muppets, at least until David switched over to the Penguins game.
There are several shops along the route. This year we stopped in the gourmet food one and picked up chocolate-covered pretzels for the ride home. Yum.
Our visit always end at the life-size nativity. From what I understand, it was designed and created by a local artist and has been part of the display since it opened in 1985.
December is busy and fun, but it’s important for us to take time to do the things that make the season special.
Sounds like a very impressive display. We don’t bother decorating much since we’re usually gone during the holidays. It’s nice to see what others do though.
Lee
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I love Christmas lights, too! They do something like this along the Chesapeake Bay, but I haven’t been in a few years.
My goodness they do go to town with Christmas lights round your way don’t they, very pretty. 🙂
Beautiful photos!
We have something similar called the Symphony of Lights which is a grand lights and music display in the woods. I really enjoy driving through it each year.
Wow crazy! And I thought my dad put up a lot of things, lol, he has barley even begun.
But so lovely 😀
Lovely! I’m a big fan of Christmas lights, too. Unfortunately, there seem to be fewer really big displays in my area these days. Ours are burning bright through Christmas!
that’s always fun – your pictures turned out well, too.
They are truly beautiful…they make this time of year even more special…
Love Christmas lights. One of my favorite things about this time of the year.
What a fun thing to do with your family! Great pictures of the lights! I am sure lots of memories were made on your trip this year! Have a very Merry Christmas!
betty
These pictures bring out the kid in me!
You are lucky your husband liked Christmas lights too. I’m not so lucky. Great photos. LOVE the first one. I hope to take Gage next year.
I wish we had gone earlier, done the zoo during the day and avoided the traffic on the way in.
Sigh I love seeing the Christmas light displays, brings out your inner child 🙂 Gorgeous photos!
Have a wonderful Christmas
Beautiful pictures. Merry Christmas.
I love Christmas decorations. One of my favourite things to do is go for drives and discover some very nice displays… I think they look better with snow… There is hardly ever snow when the decorations are up any more. 🙁