As we creep toward the shortest day of the year, it may be tempting to skip your walks, runs, and rides outdoors. For many Minnesotans, it’s dark when we go to work and dark when we return home.
Fight the urge to binge watch your favorite TV series and “go air out to get the stink off of you” as my grandma Sallie used to say. There is a different (and free!) type of entertainment waiting for you in the dark – holiday light displays.
Homes, shops, restaurants, places of worship, and entire streets are lit up to put a little sparkle in your step. Start by walking around your own block and then start expanding your adventure by following the lights that catch your eyes.
Light Display Styles
On your walks, take note of the different styles and trends in light displays. Here’s a handful from a couple of my recent walks.
Classic
A home sparkling in the Fulton neighborhood of Minneapolis
High Tech
Multi-colored lights projected onto a home in Minneapolis
Artistic
A tudor home turned into a Christmas tree in Minneapolis
Precision
Home outlined in lights
Animated
Note: You’ll have to imagine the two deer in front of this home eating berries out of the snow.
Home with animated deer
Griswold
Home bursting with the spirit of the season
Upcoming Event
On December 17, 2015 at 6 PM, join your friends at the streets.mn Holidazzle (Fun)draiser Extravaganza for topical bingo, a silent auction, and refreshments (buy your tickets!). Afterwards, stroll around the Holidazzle Village in Loring Park where you can shop from local vendors, meet Santa Claus, take a carriage ride, and listen to live music from Ray Covington.
What’s Your Favorite Holiday Light Display or Event?
Add your favorite holiday light display spots or events in the comments.
There are several homes on 30th Ave between 33rd and 34th Streets that are absolutely bananas. HIGHLY recommended.
I think I know a house in this area that involves a snowman and rope lighting. I’m going to check out the area this weekend – thanks for the tip!
Are you thinking of the one on 42nd St at 14th Ave? Streetview link: http://tinyurl.com/ofbombq
I would add “slapdash”, which is when someone clearly spent less than an hour doing the lights. (This is my preferred style, btw.)
I’d really prefer to think of my style as “tastefully slapdash.”
I used to do the “slapdash” method, but have moved closer to the “classic”.
Our neighborhood used to have a “Griswold” so over the top it drew traffic to ogle. They did the same with Halloween. Tacky to many, but I honestly miss the show and production each season.