By Tina Auten, Staff Writer
Looking at lights on the evenings leading up to Christmas isbrone of many treasured memories from childhood as well as a family favorite withbrmy own children. We are now looking atbrneighborhood lights with our grandson, who happily gasps with wonderment, “LookbrGrandmama! Christmas!” And while there are many festivebrneighborhoods in Southlake to enjoy, there are also plenty of wonderfulbrdisplays in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. brIf you're looking for a fun way to while away the evenings, load up thebrkids with your favorite holiday CD and enjoy a few local favorites which isbrsure to wow all ages.
The Gift of Lightsbr2012 at Texas Motor Speedway
This family-friendly show is the perfect opportunity tobrshare the joy of the season with friends and family at this dazzling holidaybrlight display with over two million LED lights. brProceeds from Gift of Lights benefits the Tarrant Area Food Bank,brGoodwill Industries, and KLTV Christmas Wish. brOpen until Sunday, January 6th. Vehicle admission is $15 per car Monday – Thursday,br$20 per car Friday – Sunday.
Grapevine – ThebrChristmas Capital of Texas
If the kids need to burn off energy, don't miss the ultimate Christmasbrcelebration in Historic Downtown Grapevine. brYou'll enjoy free hay rides, reindeer games, decorations, and of coursebrSanta. Other Christmas activitiesbrinclude a North Pole Express Train, Christmas movies, and much more. Don’t miss the Christmas tree with lightsbrsynchronized to holiday music!
Arlington –brInterlochen
The holiday light tradition returns to Arlington as the Interlochenneighborhood comes alive with lights. brMore than 200 homeowners have decorated their homes with festive lightsbrand holiday displays. The displays runbrfrom 7pm – 11pm each night through Christmas. brVisitors must enter the Interlochen neighborhood from Randol Mill Roadbrat Westwood Drive. Arlington police willbrcontrol traffic to help ensure safe passage through the neighborhood.
Corinth - Whetstone Lights
Every holiday season, this neighborhood just south of Denton becomes a villagebrof 55,000 computerized lights. Drive through Whetstone neighborhood to see thebrdazzling display, all of which is synchronized to holiday music. The lights runbrfrom the 6 pm til midnight through Christmas.
Prairie Lights - Powered by Gexa Energy
The must see light display of the season resides in Grand Prairie. Over 4brmillion Christmas lights adorn the World's longest light tunnel. Openbruntil New Years Eve, the Prairie Lights display offers fun family activities frombrpictures with Santa Claus, walk-through light displays and a new Holiday Magicbrlight show. Vehicle admission ranges from $20 for cars on non-holiday weekdaysbrto $50-$80 for shuttle vans and buses.