For those looking for a boost in Christmas spirit, a festive evening out or simply something to do in the warmth of their car, communities across the region and beyond are staging a number of light displays now through the New Year.
Winterlights, North Andover
The Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens showcases large fields of flowers, blossoming trees and other plants in the spring and summer, but once November rolls around, the 91-acre property transforms into a winter wonderland.
“Winterlights” is an outdoor holiday walk-through colorful light show that runs from Nov. 25 through Jan. 7.
It’s one of three garden locations — along with Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton and Naumkeag in Stockbridge — that puts on the display. Families are welcome to experience the lights and enjoy food and refreshments.
Adult tickets range from $17-27, depending on the day, while children aged 3-13 pay $5-10. Children under 2 can enter for free. Tickets are available online at bit.ly/3WxQ0i5.
The Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens is located at 153 Chickering Road, North Andover.
North Shore Holiday Light Show, Haverhill
In its third season, Crescent Farms is putting on its drive-through light show, with holiday-themed decorations enjoyed from the seat of your car.
From Christmas trees to Santa’s elves to messages of seasonal cheer, the milelong route is one of nine Holiday Light Show locations across the Northeast and beyond. The show’s light displays also sync up to music on the radio, according to its website.
General admission tickets are $25 per car when purchased online and $30 at the gate. The display runs daily from 5-9 p.m. until Dec. 31.
Crescent Farms is located at 1058 Boston Road, Haverhill.
Gift of Lights, Loudon, N.H.
For festive racecar fans, this might be the perfect holiday activity.
The New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H. will be decked out in 3.5 million LED Christmas lights for its 12th annual show, presented by Ambetter.
With a 150-foot Tunnel of Lights, two 130-foot-long infield tunnels and more than 520 displays and 80 scenes, the drive-through show took more than 650 hours to put up, according to the speedway’s website.
And since Christmas is a time of giving, a portion of ticket sales will go to the New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.
Cars pay $35 and buses, limousines and RVs pay $60, but prices go up if there are more than 15 people in the vehicle. Gift of Lights is open, depending on weather conditions, from 4:30-10 p.m. now until Dec. 26 and on Dec. 30 to Jan. 1.
The New Hampshire Motor Speedway is located at 1122 Route 106, Loudon, N.H.
Jesus Christ – The Living Light, Attleboro
The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette is celebrating its 70th annual Christmas Festival of Lights, this year’s theme being “Jesus Christ – The Living Light.”
With more than 400,000 lights, the holiday display aims to shine through the dark moments of the present day, including the war in Ukraine, the pandemic and climate change, according to Shrine Director Rev. Flavio Gillio.
The “Living Light” references Bible verse John 8:12, which states, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
Entry to the festival is free, but donations to the shrine are encouraged. The show runs until Jan. 1, and the lights are illuminated from 5-9 p.m. every night until then.
For more information, visit lasaletteattleboroshrine.org/christmas-festival. The shrine is located at 947 Park St., Attleboro.
Christmas Light Show, Leominster
While their Christmas tree season is over, Sholan Farms is staging its free drive-through light show from now until Jan. 3, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
For 15 to 20 minutes, visitors can also tune into a new playlist for each night of the week on FM 89.5.
Admission is free, but locals can donate online at bit.ly/3Wt67xo to help fund the farm, which is a nonprofit.
For more information, contact Sholan Farms at 978-540-3276 or info@sholanfarms.com. The farm is located at 1125 Pleasant St., Leominster.
Your local neighborhood
You don’t have to travel far or pay any fee to take a drive through Lowell, Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut and other local communities to admire residents’ own decorating talents.
Residents have compiled a list of different homes to travel to — in Billerica, for instance, locals created a driving guide which will direct people from homes in North Billerica down to those in South Billerica.
At 12 Pinegrove Ave., homeowners feature decorations referencing the 1980s film “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” with the camper van and blow-up Chevy Chase. Others feature candy canes, reindeer, snowmen and, of course, Santa Claus.
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