From the modest candles of the menorah to the electric extremity of most lawn displays, it's no wonder the stretch between Thanksgiving and New Year's is known as the Season of Light. Mimicking the beacon that guided the wise men to Bethlehem, countless Christmas trees are set ablaze in ceremonies characterized by caroling, Santa sightings, celebrity guests and seasonal performances.

Candlelit Creches and Electric Avenues: While energy-conscious celebrants confine their illuminations to candlelight vigils and restrained displays, holiday theme parks court blackouts with ever-expanding arrangements of colored lights.

Icicle Lights and Animatronic Displays: Malls and department stores place their own demands on the electric grid in the weeks before Christmas, luring shoppers with spectacles both subtle and spectacular. These lighting schemes and window treatments are generally attended by their own lavish illumination ceremonies, designed to draw attention to the start of the holiday shopping season. -- Julia Clinger