Editors note: A version of this story by Alicia Vega originally appeared on This Is Tucson Dec. 7, 2016.
The best way to get in the holiday spirit is to see holiday lights.
Get your family and friends together for any or all of these spectacular displays throughout Tucson.
Winterhaven is the obvious answer, but if the 68-year-old light festival just doesn't do it for you, we've included events and other neighborhoods with great displays.
Reid Park Zoo Lights
Yoandra Pandula, left, and her neice Vianney Pandula try to get a selfie underneath a lion display at Zoo Lights 2015 at Reid Park Zoo in Tucson on Dec. 5, 2015. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Every December the Reid Park Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland with lights covering the exhibits and paths.
Find more information and purchase tickets here.
When: Open now through Friday, Dec. 23, with encore nights Tuesday, Dec. 26 to Saturday, Dec. 30, 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Ct.
Cost: Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for children (2-14), children under 2 are free, members get $2 off.
Disney Lane on Tucson's northwest side
Decked out in Santa's gear, you'll find Mickey and friends at one of the houses in the Tammeron Court cul-de-sac.
Christmas lights aren't the only thing responsible for the twinkle in this northwest Tucson neighborhood.
Welcome to "Tammeron Toons featuring Disney Lane", a collection of houses in the Tammeron Court Neighborhood that displays some of the most-beloved movie and television characters of our youth — like the Peanuts gang, Disney princesses and Star Wars everything.
Walk or drive the neighborhood for some holiday cheer. We recommend driving.
When: Through the holiday season.
Where: Just take Oldfather Road north from Ina Road and hang a left on Plantation Street. If you hit Cortaro Farms Road, you've gone too far. The neighborhood is sandwiched between North Oldfather Road and Camino de Oeste.
Cost: Free
Copper Creek Lights
While you're feeling the Disney magic, head just a little further north into Oro Valley for a stunning light show synchronized to music. You'll catch cameos from characters from "Trolls," "Polar Express" and "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" during the light show.
The neighborhood gets crowded, so you might have to wait in your car a bit for a prime seat, but it is totally worth the wait.
For more information, check out the Facebook page.
When: Until Jan. 1.
Where: 980 W. Lost Dutchman Place in Oro Valley.
Cost: Free.
Post Farms Christmas Festival
Live this holiday to the fullest by taking a magical train to the North Pole during Post Farms' Christmas Festival.
This event is brought to you by the same folks behind the Marana Pumpkin Patch and Farm festival.
There will be Christmas light displays, large jumping pillows, a petting zoo, hot chocolate, story time and food. The best part though is getting to experience an elaborate drive-thru holiday light display on a Christmas train heading towards Santa's house. Sounds elf'n awesome to us!
When: Open 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, and Saturday, Dec. 23. Train rides starting at 6 p.m.
Where: Marana Pumpkin Patch and Farm Festival, 14901 N. Wentz Road.
Cost: $8 per person.
Downtown
Jackie Carlson, 6, left, A.J. Ronstadt, 6, center, and McCoy Ronstadt, 4, watch the lighting of the downtown Tucson Christmas tree which was accompanied by the Tucson Girls Chorus at the Main Library Plaza on Friday Nov. 30, 2001.
The trees downtown are wrapped in white, twinkly lights and windows are decorated. That in and of itself might not be enough to draw you downtown, but make a date night of it. Stop at Miracle at Elvira's for a drink at the Christmas pop-up bar or go a bit before sunset to visit the jaw-dropping Nativity scene, El Nacimiento, at the Tucson Museum of Art.
When: Visit Elvira's in all of its Christmas glory until the New Year. El Nacimiento is open when the Tucson Museum of Art is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. It's closed on Christmas and New Year's Day.
Where: Miracle at Elvira's, 256 E. Congress St. El Nacimiento in La Casa Cordova, 175 N. Meyer Ave.
Cost: Free, except the cost of drinks.
