Where to find Christmas lights

Gas is cheaper -- and there's nothing like the scream of the kids in the backseat when you drive up to the Triangle's version of the Griswolds' house from "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." Here are some of the Triangle's more ambitious light displays.

Go to www.trianglemom2mom.com/content/christmas-lights to learn about more and to share your own.

* LIGHTS ON THE NEUSE, 1620 LOOP ROAD, CLAYTON

More than 1 million Christmas lights. It's a one-stop shop for all your Christmas needs: lots of lights, visits with Santa, a hayride, a sweet shop.

It's open from 6 to 9 p.m. today and Friday. It's also open from 6 to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Admission is $8 for adults ages 13 and up and $5 for ages 3 to 12. Go to www.lightsontheneuse.com for details.

* MEADOW LIGHTS, 4546 GODWIN LAKE ROAD, BENSON

This longtime tradition in Meadow, about seven miles from Benson, features 20 acres of lights along with a train ride and carousel. It's free to see the lights, and $2 per person to ride the train and carousel. There's a candy store, too.

It's open through Dec. 31. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Go to www.meadowlights.net for details.

* LAKE MYRA CHRISTMAS, 6601 - 6605 LAKE MYRA ROAD, WENDELL

More than 180,000 lights synchronized to Christmas music. It's free, though donations are encouraged. It's open through Dec. 31. Show times are 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday.

In case of rain, the show will be canceled. For details go to www.lakemyrachristmas.com.

* LISTEN TO THE LIGHTS 2008, 511 LAFAYETTE DRIVE, CORNWALLIS HILLS, HILLSBOROUGH

Tune your radio to 106.5 FM to hear the music (within about one block) and drive by to see the lights.

It runs through Dec. 31 and is open from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. More than 18,000 lights and 14 songs make this exhibit happen.

Donations of canned goods for Meals on Wheels are accepted.

* QUAIL HOLLOW NEIGHBORHOOD LUMINARIA DISPLAY

The North Raleigh neighborhood lights up luminaria in front of about 800 homes at dusk on Christmas Eve in this Christmas tradition.

* BRENTWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD LUMINARIA DISPLAY

For four decades, luminaria have lit up the streets of the neighborhood off Capital Boulevard in North Raleigh. As many as 12,000 luminaria will flicker along the neighborhood's streets beginning at dusk on Christmas Eve.