Best Holiday Lights Around the Country

By Harry PagancossWith Thanksgiving over and the year-end Holidays upon us, it is time to party! Well, I can give you plenty of ideas of how to go about that, but I will keep it short, simple and also PG-rated.

Remember as a child going with mami and papi to see the Christmas lights decorations while driving through the neighborhood or maybe at church? Well, I have a list of the 2011 grown-up versions of these "wintery" activities. Here is a list of some of the best Holiday Lights displays around the country.

Some are free and some require that you purchase an admission ticket. A few are walkable and other require you to drive through the whole display. Depending on where you live, or if you are planning to visit home for the Holidays, make sure you contact the event planners so that you have all the information needed.

Dress warm and have fun!

New York City, NY

Winter Garden Holiday Lights

West St., nr. Vesey St.

On display: November 29 – January 1, 6 a.m.–11 p.m.

Forty-five-foot-tall palm trees might sound more like spring break than holiday season, but the Winter Garden still gets in the spirit by hanging a whopping 100,000 twinkling lights overhead.

Miami, FL

Santa's Enchanted Forest

Tropical Park, West Miami

On display: November 3, 2011 - January 8, 2012

Experience this Christmas wonderland anytime from early November through early January. Drive through tall decorations and beautiful displays.

Epcot in Orlando, FL

Candlelight Processional & Holidays Around the World

On display: Nov. 25 to Dec. 30, several performances nightly

The solemn retelling of the Christmas story includes a choir, symphony orchestra, and celebrity narrators such as Neil Patrick Harris and Isabella Rossellini.

In the multiculti spirit of the park's World Showcase, Epcot's pavilions present holiday traditions from across the globe. The nightly Illuminations show includes a holiday overlay.

Washington, DC

ZooLights at the National Zoo

Rock Creek Park

On display: November 25-December 11 (Friday through Sunday nights) and December 16-January 1, 2012 (every night except December 24, 25 and 31), 5-9 p.m.

FREE Admission! The National Zoo presents a seasonal display of thousands of sparkling animated lights, winter-themed crafts, ice sculpting demonstrations, choral groups, and storytellers.

Tacoma, WA

Zoolights

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N. Pearl St.

On display: November 28 - January 4

Holiday and animal-themed light displays, 5-9 p.m. (closed Dec. 24), Admission is $7.

Atlanta, GA

Garden Lights

Atlanta Botanical Garden

On display: November 19 – January 7

Experience nearly 1 million lights crafted into displays inspired by nature. Highlights include a galaxy of stars in the woodlands; whimsical bees, butterflies, and other lighted pollinators in the Edible Garden; and 200 show-stopping, color-changing topiary forms choreographed to holiday music on the Great Lawn.

What's your favorite Holidays theme park?