TO SHINE BRIGHT

Holiday Traditions Continue to Shine Bright

Holiday traditions have had to adapt this year. Any other year, people would attend the annual holiday parade, travel to their hometown for Christmas dinner or even just spend the day with as many

of their loved ones as possible. This year, we’ve all had to make a few sacrifices, but there is at least one holiday tradition COVID-19 can’t affect: Christmas lights. It’s a simple, family fun tradition. There is something about the cool air, dark sky and warm glow of thousands of tiny lights that gets you into the holiday spirit. Just pile the family in a car, grab some eggnog and drive by some beautifully decorated homes. The downtown area is another magnificent sight this time of the year. We rounded up a few neighborhoods that have excellent light shows and a few places that host spectacular light shows that are worth the drive. Download the app Trail of Lights to find homes decorated with Christmas lights near you. You can also join the Facebook group Pensacola Christmas Lights to find dozens of decorated homes in Pensacola.

Local Spots

The Cottrell Family Christmas Lights 533 Tampico Boulevard

The Bugg Family Christmas 3649 Buford Drive

3281 Whistler Dr 311 Sands Place 4819 Randee Circle

Crescent Lake on Clearwater Avenue Randee Circle Langley Avenue

Spots that are worth the drive

Sowell’s North Pole Christmas Light Display

7650 Sowell Rd, Milton Sowell Farms is an event space located in Milton. Although it is known as an elegant wedding venue, it also hosts a spectacular Christmas lights display every year until Dec. 26. Visitors can take a cruise through the farm’s light display as many times as they like for $10 fee per vehicle. Another option is to take a train ride through the farm for an additional $2 per person. Children 12 months and under are free. To learn more about this event, visit Sowell’s Facebook page.

Bellingrath Gardens and Home

12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, AL 36582 This is Bellingrath Gardens and Home’s 25th year of Magic Christmas in Lights. In this Gulf Coast holiday tradition, guests stroll through a dazzling light display that features more than 1,100 set pieces, 3 million lights and 15 scenes throughout the 65-acre Garden estate. In addition, the Bellingrath Home is decorated in its holiday finery and enhanced with beautiful poinsettias. Magic Christmas in Lights is a made-in-Alabama production. Each year, the set pieces for the holiday lights are designed, welded, painted and lamped by members of Bellingrath’s staff. Three employees work full-time all year on the light display. You can experience this event until Dec. 31. Visit bellingrath.org for more information.

Christmas Nights of Lights of Mobile

Hank Aaron Stadium 755 Bolling Brothers Boulevard Mobile, Alabama 36606 Alabama’s largest synchronized light show is coming back for the 2020 season. Visitors can see over one million lights synchronized to traditional and newer Christmas music from their own vehicles. You just have to turn your radio dial to the right station to hear the music play through your own car stereo. So, pack your vehicle full of friends and family to enjoy the show and continue your Christmas tradition. The show is every night no matter the weather until Jan. 1, 2021. Tickets are $8 per person. Children under four years old are free. Visit mobileseg.com for more information.

Celebration in the Oaks

2 Friederich Ave. New Orleans 70124 Breathtaking light displays adorn New Orleans City Park for the annual Celebration in the Oaks until Jan. 1, 2021. The magical winter spectacle attracts crowds each year 25 acres of holiday lights and holiday favorites like Mister Bingle. The Botanical Gardens, Storyland and Carousel Gardens come alive this holiday season. The holiday attraction opens on Nov. 29 to Jan. 1, except on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Admission starts at $10, and children under age 3 are free, along with Friends of City Park members. For more information, visit neworleanscitypark.com.