Want a fun, free holiday activity to enjoy this holiday season? Make sure to stop by four holiday drive-through light parks at the Lake of the Ozarks, with most remaining open through New Year's Day.
The Lake's largest light park, The Enchanted Village of Lights, meanders through 27 acres of the Laurie Fairgrounds and is celebrating its 22nd season of warming hearts, according to a Convention and Visitors' Bureau news release.
The Enchanted Village opened Nov. 20 and remains open Jan. 2. The light park is open daily from 5-9 p.m. on weekdays and closes at 10 p.m. on weekends. Complete details can be found at www.CityofLaurie.com/EnchantedLights.
Also in Laurie, just a mile from the Enchanted Village on north Missouri 5, is the Festival of Lights at the Shrine of Saint Patrick.
Started in 1981, the festival is now in its 32nd year and has continued to grow each season, with thousands of lights decorating the buildings and grounds. The site is the home of the National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church, so this display focuses on Jesus and His mother, Mary, the CVB news release said.
The St. Patrick Festival of Lights will be open daily from 6-10 p.m. through Jan. 1. Learn more at www.ShrineOfStPatrick.org.
Versailles joins the lighting celebration through Jan. 1 with its own Unity Circle of Lights, featuring more than 40 lighted holiday exhibits in the city park, at the junction of Missouri 5 and Missouri 52 in Morgan County.
The city of Osage Beach opened its Holiday Lights 2015 Nov. 28 at Osage Beach City Park.
The free holiday lights drive-through park is open from 5-9 p.m. five days a week (Wednesday through Sunday) through Jan. 3 at Osage Beach City Park. According to a news release from Osage Beach Assistant City Administrator Mike Welty, participating businesses along Osage Beach Parkway will also show off Holiday Lights displays, which are provided by the city during the same time period.
For more information, call 573-302-2000 or visit www.osagebeach.org.