Christmas light shows prepare for the season

Lake Myra Christmas' display is now at 204 E. 4th St. in downtown Wendell. It opens for the season at 8:30 p.m., Nov. 19. It's free. Hours are 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. This year's show features some new highlights and includes 250,000 lights synchronized to Christmas music. This is not a drive through kind of experience. You park, walk to the front of display and enjoy the show, which can run between 30 minutes and 90 minutes. Saturday nights include some live entertainment. Watch for the show to be featured this year on The Travel Channel.

Meadow Lights, 4546 Godwin Lake Rd., in Benson, opens for the season on Nov. 22. Hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Lights cover about 30 acres. It's free to see the lights, but there are some fees to ride the train and carousel and get pictures with Santa. There's also a large country store where all kinds of candy is sold. The last night is Dec. 31.

Lights on the Neuse, 1620 Loop Rd. in Clayton, opens Nov. 29. Lights on the Neuse offers a one-mile long, 30-minute hayride through its "lights extravaganza" that's filled with Christmas music. There's a 3D Christmas house and Santa's sweet shop, along with visits with the big guy. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for kids ages 3 to 11 and free for kids 2 and under. It runs through Dec. 24.

Hill Ridge Farms in Youngsville is planning its second holiday event. The Festival of Lights opens Nov. 29. The popular pumpkin patch will transform to include a holiday light show and candy shop, along with visits with Santa, bonfires, food and other attractions. It opens at 5 p.m. nightly through December. Hayrides begin at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 for ages 4 to 64 and $9 for ages 65 and up.