Highland Park Live Oak, Dallas
The evening sky is illuminated by this giant oak laced with a profusion of colored lights. 

Porky & Friends, Fort Worth
Two well-worn pups and a bunny share the holiday footlights with Porky on this cheerful porch. Behind them, a miniature Christmas tree sits perched atop the air-conditioning unit.

Creche in a Tub, Dallas
Joseph and the baby Jesus join the Blessed Mother for the Christmas season. Most Virgin Mary yard shrines include an enclosure to shelter her; in this case, an old bathtub provides sturdy protection from the elements. 

Inferno, Fort Worth
Red light spills out onto Charles and Hope Medrano's driveway, resembling a sinister Japanese sci-fi creature with glowing white eyes. 

Angel on the Fence, Fort Worth
Following a stroke, John Lopez took up woodworking as a hobby and now creates plywood holiday figures for his yard. 

Merry Miscellany, Nocona
Bill Richardson's place glows on the rural horizon like a football stadium. Eleven 20-foot-high light poles tower above an eccentric layout of holiday scenes made from discarded watch display cases and panty-hose racks. 

Electric Chair, Austin
The chaise may be a better bet for relaxing in Jamie Lipman and Sharon Smith's backyard, but their holiday throne of lights is a surefire attention-getter. 

Bellville
(409-865-3407). Twinkling lights and Christmas trees decorated by local school children line Courthouse Square. Town lighting celebration is December 5-7.

Columbus
Christmas on the Colorado The Historic Downtown District becomes a wonderland of white lights. Thru Dec 31.

Dallas
Highland Park Village Mockingbird Lane at Preston Road (214-521-0050). Village rooftops are illuminated with lights along with a three-story Christmas Tree. Carriage ride tours drawn by Belgian horses offer an open-air view of neighborhood lights. $8.50 per person for a 20 minute ride. 5:30-11 p.m. Nov. 29 thru Dec. 30, except Christmas Day. Call 214-521-6717 for more info.

Six Flags Over Texas I-30 and Highway 360, Arlington. "Holiday in the Park" features lights, decorations, and special holiday entertainment including a snow hill with real snow. Open Nov. 20, 29, 30, Dec 5-7, 12-14; 5-11 p.m. Dec. 19-Jan. 4 (except Christmas Eve and Day); 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $26.88 adults; $20.42 seniors and children under 48". (817-640-8900).

Farmer's Branch
The city of Farmer's Branch is lighting up the sky for Santa and his real reindeer. The Tour of Lights is a spectacle of more than 400,000 holiday lights and dozens of animated and wooden displays on a tour from City Hall through the Historical Park. Visitors can view the lights from sleighs or from their cars; Santa will be waiting for you at the end of the tour. 6:30-9:30 p.m. thru Dec 31 (except the 24th and 25th).

Fort Worth
Zoobilee of Lightsat the Fort Worth Zoo, Colonial Pkwy & University Dr (871-7050). An illuminating holiday celebration featuring 300,000 lights, live stage productions, choirs, carolers, and a laser light show; Dec. 12-Jan. 3 (closed Dec. 24-25): 6-9 p.m.; gen adm $8, children 3-12 and seniors $6, 2 & under free.

Christmas in the StockyardsNorth Main & Exchange Ave (817-626-7921). Rodeo Plaza in the Stockyards National Historic District displays the largest Christmas tree of lights thru Dec 24.

Sundance Square(817-390-8711). Every building in the square is outlined with white lights thru Dec 20 with free evening performances Thu-Sat 7-9 p.m.

BLACKLAND COUNTRY

The "Lights of the Blackland" was originated by eight neighboring communities; the Blackland Belt stretches from the Rio Grande to the Red River, just below the Balcones Fault. Famous for its rich soil and rolling prairies, this area was once prized for its farmlands and up until the thirties was the principal cotton-producing area in Texas. The communities of Bartlett, Coupland, Elgin, Granger, Hutto, Taylor, Thorndale, and Thrall are known for their historic buildings and want to show them off during the holidays. Along the Blackland trail you will be able to visit antique and specialty shops, go on home tours, attend cowboy Christmas events, and view Christmas lights and nativity scenes. You might even come across Santa on a vintage tractor.

To begin the Blackland tour from the north, travel south on Highway 95 from Bartlett to Elgin, then return to Taylor and visit the remaining sights on Highway 79. From the west, begin on Highway 79 in Hutto and travel east to Thorndale, then return to Taylor and visit the remaining sights on Highway 95. Call 512-365-8485 for more information.

Hutto: Hutto is located between Round Rock and Taylor of Highway 79--the downtown historical buildings, antique street lights, and the Hutto Hippo are in the Christmas mood. Also drive by these locations:

Five homes: 1 1/2 mile west of Ranch Road 6650 off Highway 79
Deerfield Village: Country Road 123 south of Highway 79W, south of David's One Stop
Nelson residence: 572 Will Smith Circle, take Highway 79W to Country Road 110, then to County Road 109 east
Stern residence: 306 Taylor St, north of Highway 79 near ball fields
Crislip residence: 216 South Farm to Market Road 1660
Hanstrom residence: 213 South FM 1660
Hanson residence: first house on CR 119, north of Highway 79W

Granger: located on Highway 95, this agricultural town thrived in the late 1800's and early 1900's. You can view Christmas decorations throughout Granger, on the historic schools, churches, the city hall, business, and homes. For a brochure listing light displays and a city map call 512-859-2755.

Bartlett: located 12 miles east of Jarrell on Highway 487. Buildings in this small rural community are outlined with lights, and decorations hang from the downtown lamp posts. Stores are decorated with lights, and some may even be having an open house the day you visit.

Thrall: located 7 miles east of Taylor on Highway 79. It is in this once-bustling oil town that you are likely to see Santa make an appearance on a vintage tractor. Visit the Christmas tree in the city hall, or see lights downtown.

Thorndale: see downtown lights and Christmas tree in this quaint community that was once in Williamson County until the entire town was purchased by W.S. Carothers and moved across the county line to his property in Milam County.

Coupland: see lights downtown and nativity scene around St. Peter's Church downtown; church bells will play carols every half hour between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. 

Elgin: Known as the Sausage Capital of Texas, Elgin was also a railroad town. Drive through Main Street (Loop 109) and see the Three Lighted Christmas Trees and lighted downtown buildings, including the turn-of-the-century train depot and City Hall (Nofsinger House). Don't miss the lighted train. Santa arrives downtown December 21 at 6:30 in an historical fire engine. Call the Chamber of Commerce at 512-285-4515 for more information.

Taylor: located at the crossroads of highways 79 and 95, Taylor's Heritage Square is aglow with Christmas decorations. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights you can see Santa and hear choirs and other performers.