Christmas lights: Where to see biggest, brightest public displays across Treasure Coast
It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Christmas light displays started popping up in Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties right after Thanksgiving — and some even sooner.
Here’s a list of the biggest and brightest public displays in Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach and Stuart.
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Christmas at Tara
Where: Grall Law Group, 7555 20th St., west of Vero Beach
When: Sunset to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, sunset to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday through New Year’s Eve
Details: Drive-thru experience with about 500,000 miniature lights and 90 figures across the lawn; the drive is about a quarter-mile around the lake in front of the building; the time it takes depends on the number of vehicles in line; stay in your vehicle
Cost: Free
Website: gralllawgroup.com/firm-profile/christmas-at-tara
Magic of McKee Festival of Lights
Where: McKee Botanical Garden, 350 U.S. 1, Vero Beach
When: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 16-19, 21-23, 28-30
Details: The garden is illuminated with thousands of LED lights, lighted holiday displays and festive decorations. There's Santa visits, a large-scale train display, music from a 1924 Wurlitzer Band Organ and local entertainment, holiday movies on a large screen outdoors, and special holiday treats for sale.
Cost: $15 for adults, $13 for ages 13-17 and 65 and older, $10 for ages 2-12, free for McKee members and kids younger than 2
Website: mckeegarden.org
Holiday Lights Spectacular
Where: Marina Square on Melody Lane near the City Marina at 1 Avenue A, Fort Pierce
When: 6-9 p.m. nightly until first week of January
Details: Over 100,000 lights synchronized to holiday music; lights are wrapped around palm trees throughout Marina Square
Cost: Free
Website: mainstreetfortpierce.org
Garden of Lights
Where: Heathcote Botanical Gardens, 210 Savannah Road, Fort Pierce
When: 5:30-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday through Dec. 18 and Wednesday-Thursday Dec. 22-30
Details: Colorful light displays throughout five-acre gardens, plus Heathcote the Bear photo opportunities
Cost: 10 for non-members, $5 for members, $3 for ages 6-12 and free for kids younger than 6
Website: heathcotebotanicalgardens.org
Golden Ponds Christmas Drive-Thru
Where: Golden Ponds Community, 1800 Golden Ponds Drive, Fort Pierce
When: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 11
Details: Residents decorate their homes each year for public drive-thru; arrive early to get in line
Winter Wonderland Light Show
Where: Port St. Lucie Community Center, 2195 S.E. Airoso Blvd.
When: 7-9 p.m. nightly Dec. 1-31
Details: 40,000 brightly colored holiday lights synchronized to holiday music with six leaping arches to provide a kaleidoscope of color, plus 10 oak trees and 10 palm trees adorned with lights; and two 6-foot-tall "photo stand-in" deer displays
Cost: Free
Website: cityofpsl.com/pslinlights
Holiday Lights at The Gardens
Where: Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, 2410 S.E. Westmoreland Blvd.
When: 5-9 p.m. Dec. 3-5, 10-12, 19, 26; Jan. 2
Details: Over 2,500 LEDs lights, 17 LED ice sculpture trees and a 16-foot-tall LED round walkthrough ornament display for photo opportunities, plus music, performers and food trucks; carpool recommended because of limited parking
Cost: Free
Website: cityofpsl.com/pslinlights
Jensen Beach mansion
Where: 4545 N.E. Ocean Blvd., about a half-mile north of Jensen Beach Causeway, on South Hutchinson Island
When: Sunset until about 11 p.m. nightly through first week of January
Details: Drive by or walk around outside of 50,000-square-foot home; cars park on grass along both sides of State Road A1A
Carnival of Lights
Where: Martin County Fairgrounds, 2616 S.E. Dixie Highway, Stuart
When: 5:30-9 p.m. Thursday-Sunday through Dec. 19
Details: Holiday light displays, carnival rides and games, free activities for kids, 800-foot-long lighted walking path, food trucks, vendors, live Nativity scene by Redeemer Lutheran Church, music, and a petting zoo on Thursdays only.
Website: martincountyfair.com
Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter and columnist dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Follow her on Twitter @TCPalmLaurie and Facebook @TCPalmLaurie. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Christmas lights on display in Stuart, Vero, Jensen, Fort Pierce, PSL