The holiday season is filled with hot chocolate, chilly weather, snuggly sweaters and last but not least, bright holiday lights. As Christmas quickly approaches, there is much anticipation at night to explore the neighborhoods twinkling decorations and soak up the festive mood.

Looking at lights has always been a tradition for my family, and is a great way to celebrate the holidays and spend time together during the break.  Some of my personal favorites in the DFW area are as follows.

Christmas in the Square – Frisco

Returning for its 11th year, Christmas in the Square is the perfect place to hang out with your family and friends while admiring the lights. The show is filled with fireworks, light displays and artificial snow. In addition to the beautiful show, guests are able to enjoy carriage rides, have fun at a petting zoo and skate on an ice rink. This attraction brings more than half a million people each year, making it a must-see. It is open now through Jan. 2.

Town Center Plaza Christmas lights – Coppell

Where one might not think of Coppell as having extraordinary lights displays, Town Center Plaza lights are worth a visit. It has a beautiful display of Christmas covered trees, located right in the heart of Coppell by City Hall. This is a great place to take Christmas card photos and to just visit locally.

Prairie Lights – Grand Prairie

With more than four million lights being lit up, the Prairie Lights drive thru, set in Lynn Creek Park, captures the essence of Christmas. It is a two-mile long stretch, illuminated with Christmas lights. Landmarks from the United States, as well as holiday characters, are what you will find in the Prairie Lights. The Prairie Lights is open to the public until Jan. 3. The prices are Mon-Thurs for $15 and Friday-Sun for $25. The park is open from 6-9 pm from Sun-Thurs and 6-10 pm from Fri-Sat.

Farmers Branch Christmas Tour of Lights – Farmers Branch

The Farmers Branch Christmas Tour of Lights has over half a million lights that create an illusion of movement, which captures your attention right off the bat. This drive thru attraction contains a plethora of many different types of light displays and will be on exhibit until Dec. 30.

Highland Park – Dallas

When you think of Highland Park, you usually think of mansions galore. This is another reason looking at the Highland Park suburb is the perfect place to marvel at Christmas lights. Rows upon rows of gigantic houses are filled with different LED colored lights and decorations. Occasionally, you will also see people riding horse drawn carriages through the streets. This is a beautiful neighborhood to go view lights with your family.

Interlochen Lights Display – Arlington

For 40 years, the Interlochen neighborhood in Arlington has kept the tradition alive of putting up Christmas lights for more than 200 houses, each display very unique. The drive thru light show is sure to exceed your Christmas light expectations, and will be up until Dec. 25.

Vitruvian Lights – Addison

The Vitruvian Park is a 12-acre park that consists of more than 550 colorful, lit-up trees and a lake in which the lights illuminate their colorful reflection off of the water. To add to your enjoyment, occasionally it also features food trucks and live music. This year marks the fourth annual lighting of the trees and can be seen through Jan. 1.