Festival of Lights brightens holidays in Aurora

It's probably fitting that Aurora, the City of Lights, celebrates the holidays with something called the Festival of Lights in Phillips Park.

Presented by the city and the Rotary Club of Aurora, the fest at 1000 Ray Moses Drive gives motorists a chance to drive slowly through the park along a 1.1-mile path bordered by about a half-million white and colored lights in 420 separate displays that include Santa and his elves, Old Man Winter, oversized snowflakes and animated scenes.

Organizers say the drive usually takes 15 to 20 minutes but can take 30 to 45 on particularly busy nights.

Now in its 11th year, the festival is free, but donations are accepted.

The grounds are open from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays through Dec. 26.

For details, visit aurorafestivaloflights.com.