Even if you've been completely soured on the commercialization, the crowds and the violent hemorraging of money around the holidays, you've got to admit -- the lights are pretty darn cool. The Ozarks have no shortage of brilliant Christmas light displays that may help you recapture what it is about this time of year that is so magical to so many. So make like a Griswold and get on out there with hat, scarf and thermos of (spiked?) hot cocoa in tow -- here's a list of some of the light displays you can expect to see this season.
The Christmas Lights at Cornerstone, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 27 nightly through Dec. 31, Cornerstone Church, 1701 S. Fort. The free drive-through and walk-through Christmas lighting display extends over 13 decorated acres. Enter through the archway on south Fort Ave., just north of Sunshine St. Free admission, accepting donations. Visit www.cornerstonechurch.tv or call 831-7242.
Ozark Holiday Lights, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Jan. 4, at Finley River Park. Includes 230 lighting displays, with 80,000 lights on a holiday theme. Donations accepted.
Festival of Lights daily through Dec. 31, Jordan Valley Park, 635 E. Trafficway. Features a 30-foot tree and thousands of twinkling lights. Free. Call 864-1010.
The sixth annual Christmas on the Frisco Highline Trail, featuring more than 30 displays, runs from dusk to midnight daily through Jan. 3 at the trailhead of the Ozark Greenways Frisco Highline Trail near 106 E. Jackson St. visitors can drive by to see the displays or walk along the trail. Free, but donations are accepted. Call 742-9414.
The Light the Park Christmas Display at Dunnegan Memorial Park, Business 13 and Missouri 83, Bolivar. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 30 (including Christmas Day). It features more than 35 still and animated displays, lighted snowflakes and an expanded arch of lights. Admission is free, but donations are accepted at the entrance to benefit local charities. Call 326-4118.
The Trail of Lights display at Shepherd of the Hills, 5586 W. Missouri 76, Branson, is open from dusk to midnight daily through Dec. 31. Features lights, music and animated scenes. Also, a walk to the top of the tower and hot chocolate or cider. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for kids 16 and younger with a maximum charge of $35 per carload. Call 334-4191 or 800-653-6288.
Enchanted Forest, an animated drive-through display, is open from 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5:30 p.m.-midnight Friday-Sunday through Dec. 31 at the Corps of Engineers’ campground on Indian Point Road, 2 miles south of Silver Dollar City. A lighted tunnel and numerous animated displays including the Freedom Tree are featured. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Call 338-2772.
The Festival of Lights drive through display at the Shrine of St. Patrick’s Church, just north of Laurie on Highway 5, features various lighted displays. The display is open from 6 to 10:30 p.m. through Jan. 1. Admission is free. Call 573-374-6279.
The Monett Festival of Lights, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily through Dec. 28 in Monett City Park, U.S. 60 and Missouri 37. Featuring more than 30 animated light displays with 4 new displays this year. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Call 235-7919.
Dickerson Park Zoo, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, 1401 W. Norton Road. Guests may stay in the park one hour after the admission gate closes. Admission: $7 for adults; $5 for ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger and Friends of the Zoo members. Safari Trading Company Gift Shop is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily through Dec. 24 for holiday shopping. Visit www.dickersonparkzoo.org or call 864-1800.
