With less than a week before Christmas, time is running out to enjoy one of the best parts of the holiday season - the dazzling Christmas light displays.
There's no shortage of options in Mid-Missouri for those searching for beautiful displays to get you in the holiday spirit. From drive-thru light parks to neighborhood homes that go all out, we've compiled a short, but not comprehensive, list of some of the area's best spots.
Capital City Festival of Lights, hosted by HHC Community Outreach and Jefferson City Parks and Recreation, is a drive-thru light park that is open 6-9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and runs through Dec. 31 at Binder Park, 5840 Rainbow Drive. Cost is $20 per car or $35 for bus or trolley, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofit organizations, www.facebook.com/ccfestivaloflights.
Holiday Light Tours on the Trolley takes guests on an hour and a half journey looking at Christmas light displays, including the Festival of Lights at Binder Park, 5840 Rainbow Drive, Tuesdays through Sundays through Dec. 30. Individual tours are also available Tuesdays and Thursdays, 573-619-4377.
The Missouri Governor's Mansion at 100 Madison St. features not only a 30-foot white pine decorated Christmas tree on the lawn, but a new Christmas village as well, all of which are beautifully lit at night.
The Hile House at 3024 Mercedes Lane features a dazzling light display coordinated to holiday music.
Christmas in Proctor Park will include more than 30 businesses and organizations, plus the city of California, in lighting up the park. The drive-thru lights are free to enjoy and will stay on through Jan. 1.
Holiday Lights drive-thru light park at Osage Beach City Park, 950 Hatchery Road, Osage Beach. The free light park is open 5-9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday through Dec. 29, 573-302-2000 or osagebeach.org.
Unity Circle of Lights drive-thru holiday light park at Versailles City Park, junction of Missouri 5 and 52 in Versailles. The light park is free and open each night from dusk until midnight through Jan. 2.
Enchanted Village of Lights drive-thru holiday light park at Laurie Fairgrounds, 724 N. Main St. (Missouri 5), Laurie. The free light park is open nightly 5-9 p.m. and until 10 p.m. on the weekends through Jan. 1.
St. Patrick's Festival of Lights drive-thru light park open 5-10 p.m. through Jan. 1 at Shrine of St. Patrick/Mother's Shrine, 176 Marian Drive, Laurie.
Annual Wish Tree and Festival of Lights is open 5:30-9:30 p.m. every evening through Jan. 1 at Veteran's Park, 1000-1098 Wood St., Fulton.
Each year, the News Tribune; the Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department; and Cottonstone Art Gallery and Frame Shop sponsor a Christmas Home Decorating Contest and each entry is always worth checking out:
Marion and Linda Ridenhour at 1729 Del Cerro Drive
Charyl Clarkston at 1212 E. Elm St.
Karen Elliot at 116 S. Taylor St.
The Ward family at 321 Riverview Drive
Kevin and Jackie Kampeter at 924 Eastland Drive
Andrew and Amy Reed at 311 Indian Meadow Drive
Roy Johnson at 1006 Washington St.
Nelson Otto at 1010 Monroe St.
The homes on Forest Hill Avenue at 115 Forest Hill Avenue
Cheryl and Mike Thompson at 507 Crest Drive
Steve and Jeanenne Wilds at 1815 Hayselton Drive
Lindy and John Picray at 2718 Garden View Drive
Kirk and Cindy Rackers at 2016 W. Main St.
The Ordway family at 2020 W. Main St.
Jayme Prenger at 1004 Geneva St.
Mark Aulbur at 1905 Maplewood Court
Don and Sara Boes at 900 Maywood Drive
Allan and Carol Forbis at 917 Topaz Court
Don and Janet Hoerschgen at 932 Country Ridge Drive
Scott Jones at 901 Maywood Drive
Governor Motor Co. at 2350 Missouri Blvd.
Mike and Audra Parris at 1901 Bunker Hill
Ken and Robin Smith at 1716 Bunker Hill
Dell Wilson at 924 Tanya Lynn Drive
Jon and Jen Ratliff at 1205 Moreau Drive
Theresa Schell at 1e302 Elmerine Ave.
The Simpson family at 1810 Lisa Drive
Nina and Chris Theroff at 1105 Leslie Blvd.
Alan Wheat and Chase Batye at 1212 Moreau Drive
Sam and Mary Brizendine at 2003 Tanner Bridge Road
Lois Chronister at 1628 Tanner Bridge Road
The Kampeters at 1222 Elmerine Ave.
Get out and enjoy the sights of the season while you still can!