One of our favorite Christmas traditions is viewing Christmas lights from the comfort of our car. Ever since our kids were little, we would pick a night to get some hot chocolate or coffee (usually at a mini market) and drive around to see the Christmas lights in our town.
But, for over 10 years now, our Christmas tradition is going to the Speedway to see Christmas lights.
It started with the drive-thru holiday lights in Bristol, TN at the Speedway in Lights. Seeing them there is one of the coolest experiences. Not only is there millions of lights decorating the race track, the drag strip, and the surrounding parking lots, but at the end, you ACTUALLY get to drive your own vehicle on the World’s Fastest Half Mile! The same Half Mile that NASCAR greats drive in their cars during the races– with the same 30 degree banking (with my husband loving it and me scared that our mini van will tip over).
When we moved to Las Vegas, I thought that Christmas in Vegas meant that we’d have to give up on the Speedway in Lights we loved so much. But, shortly after getting settled in our new home, we learned out tradition could continue!
Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts Glittering Lights. You pile the entire family in the car and drive-thru approximately 2.5 miles seeing custom holiday light displays.
Before you start your drive, they tell you a radio station to turn on in your car that plays Christmas carols while you work your way through all the festive lights.
Everyone always has a favorite and while we drive along, we are pointing and saying “ooh, look at that one” or “that’s cool”. I liked this Feliz Navidad display last year….especially the cactus with the Santa hat on it. I like this one not only because it’s in Spanish, but because it celebrates Christmas in warmer climates.
There are several displays at Glittering Lights that are specific to Vegas, such as this lighted Elvis display.
And it wouldn’t be Vegas without a little “Viva Las Vegas”….
You get to drive through several tunnels which are all decked out in lights — seeing a different side of the race track that you don’t normally get to see…or at least you don’t get to drive through…on a regular basis.
There was dinosaurs, butterflies, nursery rhymes, Hanukkah menorah and dreidel, and other holiday displays too…
And even some public service announcements…
If you are in Vegas — either you live here or you are visiting — plan some time to head to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for some Christmas in Vegas fun. It’s open each year from the end of November through the first week in January. For specific dates, pricing, and hours, visit: http://www.
TIP: Usually you can bring a bag of gently used items to the Speedway to donate to Goodwill of Southern Nevada and in exchange they give you a discount on admission.
Do you have a drive-thru holiday light event in your area?
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