By Katie Hudson-Martinez/feature editor
Since the first electric Christmas lights were placed on a tree more than 100 years ago in the U.S., Christmas light displays have come a long way.
Many families enjoy an annual tradition of driving through the nicest neighborhoods, admiring the cheerily decorated homes from the comfort and warmth of their cars.
Few things can inspire the holiday spirit as twinkling lights and Christmas carols. So grab your favorite Christmas CD and hop in.
These are some of Tarrant County’s best bets for holiday light viewing:
The t Holiday Light Tour
Dec. 8-9 only. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., photos with Santa, face painting, performances of La Posada Magica by Teatro de la Rosa (Dec. 8 only) and more. T buses will load continuously 6:30-7 p.m. at the Stockyards Station, taking visitors on a tour of more than 200 decorated homes. Admission is $5.
Interlochen
One of the best known and largest Christmas lights displays in North Texas can be found in the Interlochen neighborhood in Arlington. More than 200 homes participate in the 25-year tradition. Traffic sometimes becomes gridlocked and authorities suggest filling up on gas and checking fluids before beginning the tour. From I-30, motorists should take the Eastchase Parkway Exit and turn east on Meadowbrook Boulevard.
Trinity Park
Celebrate Christmas is an annual event where 14 scenes from the life of Christ are portrayed by live actors and illuminated in lights. Visitors are provided an audio cassette with accompanying information. This event is free and is held over the weekends of Dec. 7-9 and 14-16 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Grand Prairie
The Prairie Lights Holiday Display is the ultimate drive-through experience with more than 3 million lights along two miles of road along Joe Pool Lake.
Half-way through the tour is a “Holiday Village,” where guests can purchase seasonal food and drink, take pictures with Santa, do a little shopping and visit the Holiday Magic Theater, where 500,000 lights transform into holiday scenes to the tune of traditional Christmas music.
Per car admission is $12 weekdays and $15 weekends. For more information, visit www.parairielights.org.
Diamond Loch
Located in North Richland Hills, off of Glenview Drive, Diamond Loch is a family-oriented neighborhood that becomes flooded with visitors for both Halloween and the Christmas season. The neighborhood goes all out for the holidays, and Santa himself has been spotted around the neighborhood in years past, entertaining passers-by.
Best Single Houses
Sometimes a single house is decorated so extravagantly it warrants a special trip to see.
Rivercrest Estates
One of Fort Worth’s most prestigious neighborhoods is home to one of its most extravagant light displays. At the end of 7th Street, you will find a home that is sure to inspire the holiday spirit. Thousands of twinkling lights drape the trees and bushes and depict Christmas characters such as nutcrackers, Santa and all his reindeer and a little Texas twist (a TCU horned frog).
Trinity Estates
Benbrook has the ultimate in holiday décor. At 1168 S. Timberline Drive, the elaborate décor includes more than 50,000 lights, a 20-foot lighted tree with a 3-D star and a nativity scene—all blinking in tandem with classic holiday music. To hear the music inside their cars, visitors should tune to 95.5 FM when near the home.
