It’s becoming more and more of a problem every year and something has to be done about it. Christmas decorations are showing up far too early. Late October in some major department stores. Really?!! I firmly believe that holiday lights should not be seen until the day after Thanksgiving, but then should be seen and experienced as much as possible. That’s why today, I’m declaring this week to be “National Christmas Light Decoration Week.” In honor of my decree, I’m thinking about some of the great places around the country that really pull out the stops when it comes to holiday decoration. Here are my top three picks to fuel your holiday cheer:
Dyker Heights in Brooklyn
One of the most over the top displays of Christmas lights I’ve ever seen is practically in my backyard. Every year the residents of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn spare no expense (especially when it comes to their electric bills) to put on a stunning display of lights, statues and daring feats of electrical engineering. Each house is a separate treat and there is clearly some brinksmanship between neighbors to pull off the biggest display of the year. Some of you might think this looks a little familiar, you might be right!
Another neighborhood famous for making a bright spectacle of itself every holiday is located in Baltimore, Maryland. Residents living along East 34th Street in the charming neighborhood of Hampden decorate to the 9’s and there are some real bragging rights to those that can generate the biggest “Wows”. The show goes on for blocks and blocks along what locals call “The Avenue” and is celebrated as “The Miracle on 34th Street”. Just so your warned, Hampden is ground zero for celebrating Baltimore’s famous “Hon” culture, so you’ll be in good company if you break out your cat eyeglasses, pile your hair as high as it can go and wrap yourself in as much metallic tinsel as you can manage.
Flickr Image by Phillywrite
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Some people living in the southern and western parts of the U.S. sometimes complain that the warmer temperatures make it hard to feel festive. Perhaps this year’s 41st Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights might help to jazz things up? Every year, more than 100 boats are adorned with thousands of blinking lights, ornaments and on-board revelers before parading along the San Diego waterfront. The boats are judged in a variety of competitive classes, so some lucky skippers will be getting bragging rights for Christmas! This party is so big, they have it twice, so be sure to partake in the holiday fun on either the 9th or 16th of December.
Flickr Image by San Diego Shooter
I know there are thousands and thousands of other destinations that I missed. Why don’t you tell us where you go to see holiday lights?
Read more:
It is unexpectedness!