Holiday Light Displays Minus the Evergreensby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 21 Nov 2007 01:12 PM Not every city in the nation hosts a traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony. In fact, some cities don't light real evergreens at all. In place of multi-story Tannenbaums some city leaders have opted to string thousands of twinkling lights together to look like a forest of Christmas trees. While others simply use technology and a ton of wattage to add major sparkle to cold, black winter nights. If you live in the following cities consider taking a trip to view some of these unique holiday light displays: HOUSTON, TEXAS Once you've stuffed yourself with turkey and pumpkin pie you can waddle off to the Uptown Holiday Lighting, which takes place Thanksgiving night. The event attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. The crowds gather along Post Oak Boulevard to watch fireworks and the illumination of a half-million lights and 80 trees, which line the city's main drag. AUSTIN, TEXAS On December 2nd the Texas capital will host the lighting of the Zilker Tree, which consists of 3,309 bulbs on 39 streamers strung from Austin's Moonlight Tower. The tree is part of Zilker Metropolitan Park's Trail of Lights Festival, a mile-long display of dazzling lit scenes including Santa's House. CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA If you are visiting Charleston, South Carolina on December 1st you don't want to miss the annual illumination of the "tree" of lights. (The "tree" is actually a design that features more than a million lights and includes illuminated "branches," which children love to run beneath.) The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. in Marion Square and is followed by a parade of festively lit boats on the waterfront. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA Indianapolis' Christmas tree also consists of thousands of lights rather than a real evergreen. This year's lighting at Monument Circle downtown takes place November 23rd at 6 p.m. PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA If you find yourself in Pittsburgh this holiday season consider taking a stroll downtown. That's where you'll see the corner of an old department store building decorated with lights in the shape of a giant Christmas tree standing several stories high. Related Articles: In Search of Spectacular Holiday Light Displays-Part 2 Traveling the Country in Search of Spectacular Holiday Light Displays Family Travel---Taking a Trip to View Amazing Holiday Light Displays New York's Most Popular Seasonal Activities Why People Are Traveling To Iowa To View Christmas Lights Chicago's Festive Edible Treats (Or Where You Can Get Rudolph On A Bun) Holiday Decorating Tips: Your Home and Yard Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags Christmas light display, Christmas decorations, Indiana, Texas, Travel Discuss this article
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