Over the next couple of weeks I plan to post a few of our favorite things to do during the holiday season locally. Keep in mind we are focused on things to do with our kids who are now 1, 2.5 and 4. First up…Sharon Woods Holiday in Lights.
For those of you unaware, it’s a light display (almost a mile) that you drive through and view from your car. Now, there are a few reasons we love this:
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Biggest perk for us = it’s at the exit where we live at a park we love.
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You don’t have to get out of the car.
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The lights are worth the drive – especially for little ones.
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You can listen to Christmas music the whole time to really get into the holiday mood. And since you are in your own car, you can pick your own music!
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For a large family, it’s reasonably priced since you pay per car. $12/car but there are $2 off coupons everywhere…so search for one.
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Bring along your own cups of cocoa.
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Again, you don’t have to get out of the car…good for little ones!
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Santaland.
Santaland is also open nightly at the Sharon Center. There are different activities depending upon the night…so be sure to check the schedule. You may see the Talking Christmas Tree, an Elf Show or Dickens Carolers. Pictures with Santa are available every night.
BUT, a few things to know if you go. It can get extremely crowded later in the evenings and on the weekend. People wait in the car line for way too long (locals – avoid 42S on weekend evenings). And Santaland on the weekend…so crowded I don’t find it enjoyable. We usually try to go on a weeknight right when it opens since our kids are still little and waiting is AGONY to them.
The park recently started having a Holiday in Lights 5K on a Saturday evening right before the season opened, but I’ve never been able to do it. The last mile of the 5K you run through the light display. Sounds way cool, so I’ll have to check it out again next year – it was this past weekend.
Holiday in Lights official website? Click HERE.
More details on Santaland? Click HERE.
Anyone else enjoy this holiday happening?
The last time I tried to go to this was YEARS ago and we waited 40 min to get in before we bailed and I haven’t been back since. I’m sure the timing was bad so I’ll have to try and check this out again perhaps this year!
I’ve never been to the festival of lights at the zoo so that’s my one thing I’m desperate to make it to this year!
Last year we stumbled across this fantastic Christmas village about 5 minutes from our house in Morrow and it was absolutely magical! It’s called The Christmas Ranch and we can’t wait to go back this year! Here’s the link:
http://www.thechristmasranch.com/
They have a huge bonfire, a bakery, lots of lights, wagon rides, etc. Check it out!!
-Kim