This week, Ann-Christine asks us to share holiday photos. In her challenge, she doesn’t limit the responses to the many holidays that occur worldwide at the end of the calendar year. She writes, “Pick any fun and/or happy memories from holidays you enjoyed – your own or others´, at home or abroad – I know they are hiding in your archives! If not – new pictures would be great!” You can read her entire challenge post here. Though holidays abound across the calendar, it’s Christmas that glows brightest in my collection.
The glow of Christmas lights took on new meaning in 2014. After a condo fire earlier that year, we returned home just in time to decorate—before the furniture, before the routines, but not before the spirit.
Each December, the ABQ BioPark transforms into a glowing wonderland. This illuminated sleigh scene, pulled by light-strung horses beneath a desert sky, captures the whimsy and warmth of New Mexico’s largest holiday celebration.
The Phoenix Zoo’s ZooLights is one of Arizona’s most beloved holiday traditions, transforming the desert nights into a glowing wonderland. Each winter, millions of twinkling lights drape the pathways, trees, and lakeside displays, creating a dazzling backdrop for families and friends. Visitors wander through tunnels of color, past whimsical animal lanterns, and beneath towering illuminated trees, each scene blending festive creativity with the desert’s unique charm.
Each December, the city of Buckeye, Arizona, lights up Monroe Avenue with its beloved Glow on Monroe Parade. Now in its 22nd year, the 2025 event features a lineup of vintage vehicles wrapped in holiday lights, floats from local organizations, horse-drawn carriages, and marching bands that fill the streets with festive music. Families line the sidewalks as each display cruises past, announced by the parade’s Master of Ceremonies. This photo is from 2021, capturing the celebration we discovered less than a year before we left Buckeye.
Our next winter was spent in Saint Augustine, where we found the Nights of Lights celebration lasted much longer than typical holiday displays. The historic downtown glows nightly from mid-November through January, with millions of white lights draped across Spanish colonial architecture, palm trees, and horse-drawn carriages. The town square becomes a luminous gathering place, and nearly every storefront joins in—with windows trimmed in twinkle and balconies wrapped in garland. The local tour trolley offers evening rides through the spectacle, complete with holiday music and narration, turning the city’s streets into a rolling celebration of light.
From Arizona deserts to Florida coastlines, each of these scenes reflects how holiday lights can transform a place—and a moment. Whether marking a return home, lighting up a parade route, or casting a glow over centuries-old streets, these lights remind me why this holiday season glows brightest.
Last week, Beth’s challenge was “right up my flight path” with “Wings”, both natural and man-made. Next week, the Lens-Artists team will once again host our annual “Last Chance” challenge, inviting you to share images from 2025 that never quite found their place in earlier themes.
John Steiner
Journeys with Johnbo 
Seeing the cars must be a treat John
They are, indeed. At the car auctions and shows I normally attend, the only extra lights seem to be under the cars. >grin<
Maybe above the cars 🤔
“under the car lights” refer to those custom garage queens that are often shown on racks so that people can see the underside is just as pretty as the top side. No road dust in sight. 🙂
Love the opening image, and I have seen the Nights of Lights—Saint Augustine. The festive lights in the warmer places are something else 😀
They are, indeed! Thanks, Ritva.
John, I love your Christmas displays from around the U. S. I like the Zoolights from Phoenix with the reflection in the water and the lights in St. Augustine. I was just talking to a friend who went there last year to see the lights.
Fun collection John. My favorites are the Phoenix zoo and car. Happy Holidays! 🎄
Back at you, Brad!
Thanks!
A lovely glowing light-filled post!
Thanks, Sarah!
Lovely parade of lights. Have a bright holiday.
Thanks, you and yours as well!
Thank you for sharing your holiday experiences from your many travels John.
Thanks, Anne!
😎
A great idea to feature the lights John – well done!! Didn’t realize you’d had a home fire, as did we. Makes us realize what’s most important, doesn’t it?! Lovely post
Indeed, it does. Someday we’ll have to chat about our joint fire experiences… If you haven’t blotted it out of your mind. >grin< Thanks, Tina!
What a wonderful festive gallery John, I especially love the Night of Lights in Saint Augustine 😊✨️
Beautiful collection! Really like that first image! Oh my a fire, that would be devastating, we have not experienced that thankfully, however did wake in an early morning to find out basement (6 mths newly renovated) had flooded and with renovations happening upstairs, we lost alot. It honestly, as much as it was very stressful in that moment, it helped us reframe our minds and “stuff” really isn’t that important! Other than my photos, lol Ive mentally said to myself multiple times if you have to run, grab your purse and computer – granted thats also backed up!
Fl[ding can be just as tragic. We also learned the lesson that stuff isn’t important.
Exactly what we also learned! Stuff, is stuff… it helped us do a massive purge!
Wonderful festive photos!
Thanks, Nora!
What a fun and festive collection, John!
Thanks, Egidio!
Holiday lights are magical.
They are, indeed!
Definitely putting me in a Christmas mood John
Thanks, Alison! Mission accomplished. >grin<
The lights are what make it really special I think, we have to stay up too late to see them. lol These are great John.
Thanks, Leanne! It gets dark here in North Dakota at around 4:30 PM, and in Phoenix, about 6 PM, when the Christmas displays are on. Of course, you’re in the middle of summer when that happens. I see what you mean. Daylight in Fargo ends around 10:30 PM in the summer, definitely too late.
Christmas in the desert lands is always full of wonderful surprises! Fountain Hills has a fun avenue of lights with the colorful fountain in the background. Enjoy the festivities of Christmas, John!
You and yours as well, Terri!!
Lovely photos, focusing on the lights which I think is the most wonderful part of the season.
Thanks, Sofia!
Oh-the cars! Love!