When I lived on Cape Cod thee was this one house in Dennis a little off the beaten track but well known to the locals, that put on a brilliant and tasteful display of light decorations on their property.

People would trek from miles around to view it. The owners left the display up throughout the year but only burned electricity during the holiday season.

While we’ve moved away and are now in rural central Massachusetts we still enjoy driving around to view the Christmas lights on houses in the town. We have a few homes in the area that come close to taking their light displays as serious as the Cape owners. One year we even saw some “competition” going on between two neighbors – just glad I wasn’t paying their electric bills!

While most cities and towns in New England celebrate with wreaths and lights and a tree, one takes it to a whole new level… Springfield, Massachusetts.

Here’s why…

Bright Nights at Forest Park

Billed as New England’s single most popular holiday destination, “Bright Nights at Forest Park” is entering its ninth season.

Located in the Forest Park area of downtown Springfield, Western Massachusetts, it’s a wonderland of marvelous displays such as this year’ lost in time display, where eight mammoth dinosaurs come to life along side an exploding volcano with flowing lava. Other highlights include: Seuss Land, Victorian Village, the amazing Leaping Frog display, North Pole Village, and more than a dozen other special displays to start your Christmas cheer.

Entrance fee is $12 per car and includes the rent of a CD or Cassette with holiday music to get you in the spirit of the holidays while driving through the exhibits.

Stop at the Gift Shop to pay a visit to Santa himself or pick up a souvenir and refreshments.

“Bright Nights at Forest Park” opens on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at 6:00pm. Through December 11th the display is open Wednesday to Sunday from 6:00pm, and then nightly from December 14 through January 1, 2006 from 6:00pm. Friday, Saturday, and Holidays it closes at 11:00pm, and at 9:00pm all other nights.

Directions from Mass Pike: Take Exit 6 off Mass Pike to I-291 West (Springfield) to I-91 South. I –91 South to Exit 4 (Rt. 83/Main St.). Left at light, straight through next light, first right up Longhill St., left at next light to Rt. 83 South. Straight through two lights. Forest Park is on the right.

In previous years Hartford, Connecticut has also had a brilliant light display at Christmas that was beginning to rival Springfield’s, however, it’s not taking place this year. So head on out to Springfield and get in the Christmas spirit by enjoying an evening “oooohing” and “aaaahhing” from the warmth and comfort of your own car.

Visit the Bright Nights at Forest Park official site by clicking here.

Talk to you later in the week when I’ll give you some more New England attractions for the Christmas season.

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
Top Ranking New England Vacations Guide Site