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Lights, camera, action! No, it’s not a movie, but there’s plenty of all three involved. A range of destinations, from Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden to the Detroit Zoo, offer sparkling holiday light shows and displays from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. Here are 10 beautiful ones around the country.
Rock City Enchanted Garden of Lights
Lookout Mountain (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Nov. 19, 2021, through Jan. 2, 2022
There’s plenty to see at this outdoor wonderland perched atop Lookout Mountain, only a short drive from downtown Chattanooga. Stroll along the winding trail to gaze at the flickering icy blue, aquamarine, purple and white borealis lights of the Arctic Kingdom, where you may get a peek at Jack Frost or the Ice Queen. Wander into the Magic Forest’s twinkling dancing trees and stand beneath the glowing 43-foot Christmas tree. The little ones will love seeing Santa’s sleigh inside his workshop and can even visit Mrs. Claus to help her decorate gingerbread cookies. Due to the pandemic, face coverings need to be worn in indoor areas, and social distancing is encouraged. Buy tickets online, starting at $24.95 for adults, $13.95 for children; open from 5 p.m. to 9 or 10 p.m.; closed Dec. 24.
Las Noches de las Luminarias
Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix, Arizona)
Dec. 3 through Dec. 31, 2021 (closed Dec. 24 and 25)
Throughout Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and other areas of the Southwest, you’ll find luminarias — paper bags filled with sand and lighted candles — lining many walkways and streets at Christmastime. Since 1978, the Desert Botanical Garden has celebrated with “Las Noches de las Luminarias”: Light from 8,000 luminaria bags — hand-lit and extinguished each night by a team of volunteers — bounces off the beautiful desert flora while visitors meander along the paths listening to live music. The “Chihuly in the Desert” exhibition, featuring artist Dale Chihuly’s gorgeous glass installations, is included with admission. Face coverings need to be worn in indoor areas, and social distancing is encouraged. Buy tickets online, $49.95 for adults, $18.95 for children; open from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. (open to members only Dec. 3 through Dec. 6).
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