As the holiday season approaches and the weather gets more frigid, people search for cheap festive activities. 

In a quest to cast light upon the spirit of the Christmas season, there are 5 must-see places to witness the magic of twinkling lights that will be sure to make your holidays merry and bright.

The Big Bright Light Show: Downtown Rochester is an excellent way to begin your Christmas light journey. Every building on 4th Street is meticulously covered from the top to the bottom with millions of vibrant lights. The show  started on November 20th and will continue until January 21st, giving people ample time to attend. While in Rochester, you can also grab a warm drink or snack at nearby restaurants– including places like The Meeting House and Rochester Chop House.

Detroit Zoo: The Detroit Zoo has had its very popular Wild Lights show for 11 years now. From November 24th until January 7th, you can visit and experience almost 500 different holiday light displays. Your visit to the Zoo can be a little pricey compared to driving down a road, but they do offer 5 different packages with each one having different activities like the Polar Express 4D show and unlimited hot cocoa. Basic general admission is $17-25 for all ages above 2 and parking is $8.

Toledo Zoo, Ohio: Lights before Christmas started November 17th and will continue to be open until December 31st. The Toledo Zoo offers over one million bright lights with the addition of over 200 illuminated animal images. Lights Before Christmas is also known for having an award-winning big tree. Adults can enter at $29 and kids get in for $26. You can also hitch a ride around an area of the zoo on the Holly Jolly Express train and experience many other attractions like visiting reindeer, ice carving, and the carousel.  

Wayne County LightFest: The Wayne County LightFest is a wonderful wintertime destination to see Christmas lights this holiday season. The Wayne County LightFest turns Hines Park into a wintry paradise with 5 miles of bright light structures. This lightfest is a more pleasant option that allows you to experience the radiant lights along a well-chosen path while sitting in the comfort of your car. The holiday season is made cozier and warmer by this seasonal decor. Drive-through access to Hines Park is available until the 24th. There will be a $5 cash fee for single vehicles and $20–25 for vans and buses.

Campus Martius, Detroit: During the holiday, Campus Martius enthralls tourists with a magical display of glittering lights down streets, all over trees, and up and down buildings. A vast variety of Christmas lights brighten downtown Detroit while you can also take part in other activities like ice skating and touring their seasonal market. You can visit this joyous atmosphere free of charge during the holiday season.