RALEIGH — It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in one place.

Almost a million lights are twinkling at Walnut Creek Amphitheatre.

On Thursday, folks got a sneak peak at WRAL's Celebration of Lights. The 2-mile drive-thru show officially opens Friday night, and runs every night until January 2.

The lights will be on each night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The show designer, George Mosea, believes the key to a memorable light show is animation.

"The close to one million 5-watt lights will bring this illuminated village to life and children and adults alike will be mesmerized by the sheer beauty of it all," Mosea said.

The dazzling display costs $10 per car from Monday through Thursday, $15 per car from Friday through Sunday.

One dollar goes to Salvation Army's Coats For the Children campaign.