Lighting the Night

If you live here, however, your idea of holiday sentiment is probably not a giant video billboard for "Zumanity." Most locals are more like Chris and Brenda Meehan. "We were always driving around trying to find the best streets or neighborhoods for Christmas lights," Chris says.

But the Meehans are special event producers, who decided to pattern the drive-through attraction "Gift of Lights" in Sunset Park, 2601 E. Sunset Road, after similar displays in California. In its seventh year, the number of lights is up to 8 million and counting (assuming anyone’s counting).

Sure, Las Vegas is a relatively warm Christmas town. But the convenience of staying in the car still has paid off. "Grandparents love it. They can get the kids in their pajamas and don’t have to chase them around the mall," Chris says.

Entry to the attraction is from Eastern Avenue. It’s open daily through Jan. 1, from 5 to 9 p.m. weekdays and 5 to 10 p.m. weekends and holidays. Admission is $13 per car load, with a $2 discount for those donating a bag of used clothing to Goodwill. For more information, call 451-1641.

Those who don’t mind walking have a lot more choice when it comes to holiday displays around the valley.

WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL

The newest attraction is the Springs Preserve’s first Winter Lights Festival with lights displayed in the eight-acre garden and throughout the preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd. It touts itself as a "green" display, with a half-million LED lights using 90 percent less energy.

More than 16 local groups will perform between now and Dec. 30. The festival is open from 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays-Sundays; it will be open daily from Dec. 24-30. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for youngsters 5-17 for the festival only; $9 for adults and $4.50 for a ticket that includes the preserve’s standing attractions as well. Call 822-7700.

OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE MAGICAL FOREST

If a city as young as Las Vegas has an old tradition, it’s this walk-through attraction on the grounds of Opportunity Village, 6300 W. Oakey Blvd. The Magical Forest counted more than 150,000 visitors last year, sitting with Santa, listening to performances from local school and community groups, or riding the carousel and train.

The attraction is open from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Dec. 30; general admission is $9 for adults, $7 for youngsters 12 and under; a "passport" ticket with unlimited rides is $14 for adults and $12 for youngsters. Call 225-9627.

SAM’S TOWN MYSTIC FALLS

Let it snow indoors! While Sam’s Town, 5111 Boulder Highway, has decorated its atrium garden for the past 13 years, this is the first for a multimedia show with dancing waters, lasers and snow from five special-effects machines.

The "Winter Wonderland Holiday Spectacular" shows are free at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. daily through Dec. 31. Call 456-7777.

ETHEL M BOTANICAL CACTUS GARDENS

Each year, the three-acre cactus garden adjacent to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory, 1 Sunset Way, sparkles with a half-million lights. Admission is free from sunset to 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 1 except Christmas Day. Call 433-2500.

THE LAKES FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

The annual community gathering highlighted by the Electric Light Boat Parade is from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 8, with a car show, crafts, live entertainment and the boat parade at 5 p.m. The event is at the intersection of Lake East Drive and Lake Sahara Drive, with parking behind Citibank, 8701 W. Sahara Ave. Call 256-9998.

FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE ‘BRIGHT LIGHTS ON ICE’

The Fremont Street Experience hosts a live ice skating show, "Bright Lights on Ice," Dec. 11-22. The Third Street stage will be surrounded by falling snow for the free revue featuring skaters and trampoline acrobats.

The cast of "Bright Lights on Ice" includes former Canadian National and World Team members and 1995 Skate Canada bronze medalists Jodeyne Higgins and Sean Rice; 22-year skating veteran, soloist and choreographer Meegan McDonald; and 2003 United States Championships competitor Samira Banna.

Shows will be at 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. daily. Call 678-5777.

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0288.