By: Annabelle Pan

Graphics Editor

Open Dec. 10 to Jan. 5, the 26th annual Fantasy of Lights has come to Los Gatos once again. View this 1.5 mile-long light show of over fifty themed displays in your car as you drive or during a daytime walk through Vasona Park. Tickets cost $30 for a regular-sized car driving through the show, and the park is open to all visitors during the day. The Fantasy of Lights offered two walk-through events that happened at night, so those who wanted to walk through the show at night had special opportunities to take pictures on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8.

The show starts with a display of the words “Fantasy of Lights” in big letters, catching everyone’s attention. To each side of the road, a long string of green lights guides the cars and pulls visitors into the festive atmosphere.

As you drive, there are colorful displays on either side of you. The displays tell funny and interesting stories about the characters, despite only having two or three frames. One of the first animated lights displays shows a small train toting a long line of presents, followed by a Jack-in-the-box popping out. Visitors then drive under a beautiful, color-changing archway of lights. You can even watch Santa shoot a basketball and a band march by, playing their light-up instruments. Two of the most popular scenes are the dinosaur den, with dinosaur noises for ambiance, and the adorable scenes of penguins diving into the water.

Although the show is closed for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, tickets are available any other day until Jan. 5 between 6-10 PM. Visitors are free to walk through the park during the day time, but the displays look better in the dark. The best time to drive through the show is after sunset because the lights appear brighter. The darkness also hides the wiring that holds the lights in place, bringing the displays out from their frames.

Recently, the Fantasy of Lights show has made some important changes. This year, tickets went on sale in three different phases, giving people more opportunities to buy a ticket for a time that works for them. In the past few years, the organizers changed the lights to be environmentally friendly, making the displays both beautiful and safe.

High school students looking for an amazing experience with a bonus of community service hours should consider volunteering at the Fantasy of Lights. On the opening weekend of the event, visitors walked through the park and viewed the displays, and volunteers helped guide visitors, kept them safe, provided information, and took photos.

No matter how you go through the Fantasy of Lights show, it will be an experience that you will never forget.

(Sources: County of Santa Clara)