Even on the longest, darkest nights of the year, light can shine if you know where to look.
In addition to the valiant efforts of your festive neighbors, you and your family can hang thousands of twinkling light bulbs in trees, hang them in lobster traps, and line your mansion’s paths to warm yourself from the inside out. You can enjoy Christmas illuminations that promise to shine brightly.
Here are some holiday lights that will brighten up your night.
Railway-themed light festival
Edaville Family Theme Park (edaville.com), 5 Pine St., Carver, Massachusetts, Thursday through Sunday, through Dec. 31, hours vary by day. Tickets start at $12.95, which includes general admission and a visit from Santa. Steam locomotive and vintage amusement park are available at additional cost. More than 250,000 lights decorate the theme park, and local businesses and crafts will be on hand to create a holiday market atmosphere.
The Breakers’ Sparkling Light
the breakers (newportmansions.org/events), 44 Ocher Point Ave., Newport, through Dec. 30, 4-8 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adult members, $40 for adult non-members and $10 for youth. While festive music plays and holiday surprises await, stroll along the half-mile path around the mansion, dive into tunnels of light, and pass illuminated displays to get a feel for the Gilded Age.
Themed exhibits on the farm with music
Confreda Farms (holidaylightshow.com/rhodeisland), 2150 Scituate Ave., Hope, opens at 5 p.m. through Dec. 31, closing times vary by day. General admission tickets range from $16 to $20 per vehicle, with an additional fee if you arrive without a reservation. Seasonal passes are $48 per car. Stay warm in your vehicle, enjoy snacks, and drive past thousands of themed light displays that create a festive atmosphere. A light show synchronized to music played from your car radio lights up the 1-mile route.
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Connecticut Sea Christmas Display
lobster trap tree (lobstertraptree.com), 1 High St., Stonington, Connecticut, Nov. 23 to Jan. 9, 4:30-9:30 p.m. Free. This unique art installation towers 35 feet tall and features his 420 tree-shaped traps that visitors can walk through. The trap is decorated with more than 1,000 of his lights and his 420 buoys, decorated by more than 100 Rhode Island and Connecticut artists and local children.
Christmas Light Festival at La Salette Shrine
National Basilica of Our Lady of La Salette (lasaletteattleboroshrine.org/christmas-festival), 947 Park St., Attleboro, Massachusetts, free from Nov. 23 to Jan. 1, 5 to 9 p.m. Walk through the grounds and explore the illuminated story of Jesus and the first Christmas, follow the alphabet displays around the light-filled reflecting pond, enjoy a visit to the nursery museum and children’s rides, and enjoy a hot day by the fireplace Warm yourself with his chocolate.
holiday light show at the zoo
Holiday Lights Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo (rwpzoo.org), 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence, Nov. 24-Dec. 31, 5-9:30 p.m. Tickets online only, $14 for adults, $12 for children ages 2-12 $, 1 year old is free. And below. Members receive discounts. Zoo teams will illuminate 40 acres of trails that wind through the zoo, and he will sparkle with more than 3.5 million lights to the tune of a chorus of holiday music. Santa will make an appearance on select Thursday nights, as well as gentle reindeer and dazzling snow folk. Food such as s’mores that you roast yourself are also available for sale.
Holiday illuminations at the campsite
holiday light festival (wawaloam.com/christmas), Wawaloam Campground, 510 Gardiner Road, West Kingston, weekends Nov. 24 to Dec. 30. Tickets can be purchased online for $25 per car. The campground’s winding roads transform into a drive-through light display with millions of lights moving to the sound of holiday music playing on your car radio.
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Brideswold Uglow
Shine! (blithewold.org), Blithewold Mansion and Arboretum, 101 Ferry Road, Bristol, November 24th to December 31st, arrival times 5 and 6:30. Non-member tickets cost $70 for a four-car ride, $55 for a two-person car, and $30 for each additional adult ($5 per child). Members receive discounts. There is an additional fee of $10 per non-member for in-house visits. Travel back in time to a time of luxury when families returned to their vacation homes for the holidays. The gardens, grounds, and mansion are decorated with lights, and visitors can take part in a treasure hunt, enjoy seasonal music while sipping hot or adult beverages, and admire the grand decorations inside. .
Providence sounds on holiday
light of three nights (goprovidence.com), Providence, December 1-3. The city lights will be switched on and visitors of all ages can enjoy free light-themed events around the city. Featuring tree lighting, a shimmering ice sculpture garden, waterfire basin lighting, a holiday market, live performances by Firstworks, an Irish step dance performance, lighting, sound, and culturally activated murals and sculptures.
Winter fun at Slater Park
Pawtucket Winter Wonderland Festival (on Facebook), Slater Park, 825 Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket, Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10, lights up from 4-9 p.m. More than 30 acres of Slater Park shines with holiday spirit There are over 650 sponsored trees, many decorated with quirky and meaningful themes, Victorian homes, over 100 light displays, and several giant trees. His first two weekends will also feature conversations with a giant snowman, food sales, visits with Santa, rides on the mini train and merry-go-round, and music and dance performances.