In this season of giving, many choose to give their neighborhood a little extra illumination, despite the jolt to their electric bill. Some Twin Cities homeowners will once again decorate their houses and yards with thousands of lights, blow molds, Nativity scenes and inflatables. Some even bring in Santa and have donation boxes for local charities. Here's a list of where you can find the best displays.
ALBERTVILLE
5669 Large Av. NE.: Inflatables, light-up figures and 20,000 lights.
ARDEN HILLS
3314 Katie Ln.: More than 30,000 lights with life-sized nativity.
APPLE VALLEY
13540 Ferris Av.: Singing trees, snowman and sequenced light show.
13452 Flagstaff Av.: A computer-animated light show. Tune to 87.9 FM while watching the show.
14036 Flagston Trail: Lights and a choir of penguins set to music.
BLOOMINGTON
10422 Briar Circle: Thousands of lights with figurines and inflatables. Collection box for Second Harvest food shelves.
BROOKLYN PARK
8016 Upton Circle N.: More than 50,000 lights with animated scenes.
BURNSVILLE
1409 Summit Oaks Dr.: 27,000 lights brighten the house and yard.
1004 Holly Lane: Thousands of multicolored lights and reindeer with Santa.
COON RAPIDS
10940 Magnolia St. NW.: A house covered in LED lights. Also silhouettes, blow molds and other decorations.
12052 Vintage St. NW.: More than 85,000 LED lights choreographed to a music broadcast.
3044 116th Lane NW.: Handmade Christmas yard art, fully lit trees, inflatables and blow molds.
COTTAGE GROVE
7788 Jasmine Av. S.: Thousands of lights with a carnival-themed section, inflatables and figurines.
CRYSTAL
5627 Regent Av. N.: More than 100 figurines in the yard and on the rooftop. Hundreds of lights, full Nativity scene and Santa with elves. On select weekend evenings, kids can sit in Santa's sleigh and take pictures.
EAGAN
528 Severn Way: More than 100 illuminated figures, including a full Nativity scene, inflatables and 20,000 lights.
EAST BETHEL
1206 226th Av. NE.: Lighted trees create an enchanted forest on the way to the North Pole with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and their elves. Also, a life-size Nativity.
EDINA
5114 Halifax Av. S.: Thousands of festive lights.
5324 Interlachen Blvd.: House decorated with thousands of lights, inflatables and Santa on the roof.
FRIDLEY
121 71st Way NE.: A 40-foot peace sign with angel and lights on the garage and house.
GOLDEN VALLEY
115 Lawn Terr.: Thousands of lights with inflatables, and more.
HOPKINS
324 10th Av. N.: 25000 lights with blow molds and inflatables.
101 Ridgewood Dr.: More than 20,000 lights with blow molds and inflatables.
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS
8450 Ann Marie Trail: Walk through a display with churches, manger scenes and even Santa's village where guests can take pictures with Santa in his sleigh.
2005 67th St. E.: Thousands of lights and homemade decorations.
6451 Beckman Court: Thousands of lights synchronized to music. Attractions include a custom-made 19-foot Ferris wheel, 20-foot Santa and candy canes. Accepting canned food donations. Santa makes an appearance 7-10 p.m. on Dec. 20.
LAKEVILLE
16351 Harmony Path: 18,000 lights, computer-controlled and -animated to music.
LINO LAKES
5669 Large Av. NE.: Inflatables, light-up figures and 20,000 lights.
7188 Cinnamon Teal Ct.: More than 50,000 lights.
MEDINA
Cul-de-sac of Teal Court: Several homes with holiday light displays. Fridays, 5-9 Santa is on hand giving out candy canes. Accepting non-perishable goods on Dec. 19.
MENDOTA HEIGHTS
679 Freeway Rd. S.: Thousands of lights and custom hand-painted figures.
MINNEAPOLIS
3808 18th Av. S.: Thousands of lights adorn the house and trees with Santa and his reindeer launching off the roof. Yard filled with Nativity and North Pole scenes.
4021 16th Av. S.: More than 25,000 lights synchronized to music and a 14-foot-tall Santa.
MOUNDS VIEW
5080 Longview Dr.: Nativity scene with a computerized star that flashes in three stages, lights and moving Ferris Wheel, teeter totter and merry-go-ground.
NORTH BRANCH
35855 Lincoln Trail: More than 380 lighted figurines including toy soldiers, elves, snowmen, nutcrackers and more. Accepting nonperishable food donations for a local food shelf.
SHAKOPEE
1101 Naumkeag St.: 1800s Victorian brick farmhouse decorated with lights, candy canes, candles, snowmen and large lighted evergreen trees.
WACONIA
13800 102nd St.: Thousands of lights, more than 100 blow molds and 3 manger scenes.
WOODBURY
6001 Woodbine Av.: A traditional Christmas display with thousands of lights, blow molds and characters. Toy donations for Toys for Tots accepted during a Santa appearance the evenings of Dec. 13 and 20.
6016 Woodbine: LED light show throughout trees and blow molds. Toy donations for Toys for Tots accepted during a Santa appearance the evenings of Dec. 13 and 20.
8846 Glacier Rd.: Computerized light show.
Light tours
ACS Sheer Class Limo Service: Two-and-a-half hour holiday light tours. $200-$350. 612-759-6622. www.sheerclasslimo.com.
A All About Davis Executive Limo: Two-hour tours with beverages provided and Christmas music to set the mood. $320. 651-231-3338. www.minneapolislimousine.com.
City View and White Knight Limousine: Holiday light tours. $250-$600. 952-832-5197. www.cityviewlimo.com.
Lee's Limousine Holiday Light Tours: Two- to three-hour tours with Christmas cookies, fireplace video and holiday music. $169. 651-462-5466. www.leeslimo.com.
Luxury Limousine Light Tours: $198. 9612-333-1095. www.thislimo.com.
Preferred Limousine Holiday Light Tours: $249. 952-513-7616. www.preferred-limousine.com.
Renee's Royal Valet Limousine Service Light Tours: $330. 763-551-1919. www.reneesroyalvalet.com.
To submit your display, send your address and a description to culturecal@startribune.com.
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