Starry Nights, Memphis, Tenn.

It’s time to check another item off of the Memphis scavenger hunt list – I went through the Starry Nights holiday light display at Shelby Farms last night.

My mom used to take my brother and I through Starry Nights when we were kids. Back then, the light show’s proceeds went to MIFA and the holiday music was given to you on a CD or cassette to be played in your car during the trip through the park.

Ten years later, it’s a little different, though many of the original Starry Nights team reassembled to make this year’s show. The proceeds now go to the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, and to hear the holiday music recorded by Memphis musicians, you have to turn your radio dial to a special radio station.

This was my first year actually driving through Starry Nights. When you enter the park, you’ll be asked to turn off your headlights. Don’t worry – you can still see the other cars (there are 1.5 million LED lights in the display – that’s bright).  Also, if you drive a stick shift (like me), you may want to get a friend with an automatic to drive – there’s a lot of stopping and starting, so your clutch foot will get tired.

But the lights are amazing. There are trees, animals (including a raccoon), rolling balls, menorahs, a nativity, and an underwater scene that leads right into a celestial wonderland of stars and angels.

According to the program, the whole thing took 18 months to plan and 1972 volunteers to construct (and you thought putting lights up at your house was a pain).

Starry Nights runs until January 2nd at Shelby Farms Park (enter from Walnut Grove). It wasn’t too crowded when I went last night (a Monday) at 7:30 p.m., but I suspect that the weekends bring in the big crowds.

Go There:

Starry Nights

$20 per car, all proceeds benefit the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy

Shelby Farms Park

Between the shopping, school plays, and travel, don’t forget to enjoy the holiday season. Memphis has a little something for everyone. Hula hoop with Spongebob, dine with Santa, or have tea with the Nutcracker dancers. Enjoy the holiday lights at the Zoo, Shelby Farms, Graceland, and the Peabody. Take in a show at the Orpheum, Playhouse on the Square, Hattiloo, or at the IMAX. Don’t miss the Holiday Parade, the World Series of Dreidel, or the New Year’s Junkanoo parade. See a full list of family-friendly holiday activities below.

The Toymaker’s Apprentice

October 30 – December 22

The Circuit Playhouse, 1711 Poplar Avenue, (901) 728-5631

The toy shop is a magical, extraordinary place! With Christmas just around the corner, the master toymaker Gideon realizes he needs help to get all the baubles, contraptions, gizmos, and whirly-gigs made. When he searches for an apprentice, two youngsters come forth both wanting to work in his wondrous shop. Gideon takes them on, promising the job to the one that creates the best toy. Unfolding with rich storytelling, this cheery holiday play is a timeless classic sure to warm your heart. $15-$30 depending on show time.

Santa Vs. The Snowman

November 14 – December 31

Crew Training International IMAX Theater, 3050 Central Avenue, (901) 320-6320

See this heartwarming story of a lonely snowman who at first is swept away by the magical wonders of Santa’s village, only to become jealous of all the attention Santa gets at Christmas.  After snow fights and ice wars, friendship wins out and Santa and the Snowman become best friends forever.  This is animated big screen IMAX film is a holiday favorite the whole family can enjoy!  Santa vs. the Snowman features the celebrity voices of Jonathan Winters, Ben Stein & Victoria Jackson and is sponsored by Bluff City Jaguar-Land Rover.

SunTrust Zoo Lights

November 20-January 2 (Select Nights), 5:30-9:00pm

Memphis Zoo, 2000 Prentiss Place, (901) 333-6500

Stroll through the snowy entrance into a world of glowing lights. Visit Santa Claus and his two live reindeer. Buy a cup of hot cocoa from the Cat House Cafe before taking a scenic horse-drawn carriage ride through the Zoo. Visitors can enjoy the spectacular holiday light displays in the courtyard, CHINA exhibit, Rides area and Once Upon A Farm. Kids will love cookie decorating, holiday crafts and visiting with giant pandas Ya Ya and Le Le. This year, kids can enjoy the magical simulator ride “Santa’s Late” for a special $3 price. The Back Yard Burger Cat House Caf will also be open during the event. $5 members/$7 non-members.

Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees

November 21-December 31

Pink Palace Museum, 3050 Central Avenue, (901) 320-6320

Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees by Lindsey Turner

Once upon a time, an enchanted forest intrigued children and adults alike and brought magic to the holiday season.  Teddy bears beckon, elves are busy at work, penguins play in the snow, while Santa waits to hear holiday wishes.  This fairy tale-like forest of glittering lights will dazzle the young and young-at-heart.

Don’t miss opening day, Saturday, November 21, at 9:00am when Santa flies in on a helicopter and lands on the front lawn of the Pink Palace. Before you leave the Enchanted Forest, have your picture taken with Santa Claus for $10. Admission to the Enchanted Forest (ONLY) is $5 for adults and $4 for seniors and children (ages 3-12). All proceeds benefit Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center.

Starry Nights

November 27-January 2

Shelby Farms Park, 500 N Pine Lake Dr., (901) 382-2249

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy proudly reintroduces Starry Nights 2009, the Mid-South’s favorite holiday light show. Starry Nights 2009 will feature more than a million environmentally friendly LED lights illuminating dozens of all-new displays along with some of your old favorites. Starry Nights is a holiday light show like no other. Bring your family and drive the mile and half long, winding road through serene Shelby Farms Park to see the dazzling displays come to life. You can visit the Starry Nights Village at the end of the show to purchase the Starry Nights 2009 holiday cd, official merchandise, hot cocoa and more! $20 per car.

New Year’s at Noon “Junkanoo” Parade

Thursday, December 31, 10:00am-1:00pm

Children’s Museum of Memphis, 2525 Central Avenue, (901) 458-2678

Party with the museum and bring in 2010 with a Junkanoo parade, inspired by one of the greatest street festivals in the world. Receive your personal passport and experience the New Year traditions and customs celebrated by other cultures while visiting each country. Make masks, costumes and noisemakers – then line up for the Junkanoo parade and dance down to Time Square for the countdown to the New Year and the traditional “goody toss.” All activities are included with $10 museum admission.

New Year’s Eve Zoo Snooze

December 31-January 1, 6:30pm-10:00am

Memphis Zoo, 2000 Prentiss Place, (901) 333-6500

Children ages 6 to 12 can spend the night at the Zoo and celebrate the New Year in a wild way! Kids will meet several animals close up, tour part of the Zoo on a moonlight safari and participate in fun games and crafts. There will be a countdown to 2010 at midnight with party favors and snacks to celebrate. Cost includes pizza dinner, an evening snack, breakfast, special Zoo Snooze t-shirt and admission to the Zoo the next morning! Register by December 28. $75 members/$85 non-members.

Stacey Greenberg lives in Midtown Memphis with her husband and two sons. Read more about their adventures on fertilegroundzine.com and diningwithmonkeys.com.

1. Starry Nights, Shelby Farms Park, 6 – 10 p.m., $20 per car, opens Friday night

After a 10-year hiatus, Starry Nights has returned to Shelby Farms Park in East Memphis. The drive-through holiday light show features more than 1.5 million LED lights in awesome themed displays. Starry nights opens tonight and runs through Jan. 2.

2. Holly Golightly and Mouserocket, HiTone Cafe, 9 p.m., $10 Sunday

British country / garage rock goddess Holly Golightly is playing at the HiTone on Sunday with Alicja Trout’s band, Mouserocket. It’s going to be a really fun show with plenty of opportunity for dancing.

3. Lichtenstein in Process, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, through Jan. 17

Take a few hours while you’re off work to check out the work of pop artist Roy Lichtenstein at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens. His finished works are shown alongside drafts and process drawings. While you’re there, check out the lucite handbag exhibit.

4. Karaoke night, P & H Cafe, Friday night, no cover

You haven’t done karaoke in Memphis until you’ve done it at one of Midtown’s favorite dive bars, the P & H. Fill up on cheap beer and pub food then get up and rock the mic with some classic Bowie or Journey.

5. Afternoon Tea at the Peabody Hotel, Chez Philippe, about $30 per person, daily (reservations required)

The best way to check out the Peabody Hotel’s extravagant holiday decorations is to walk through the lobby on the way to Chez Philppe for afternoon tea. Don’t eat lunch before tea, though – those sandwiches may be tiny, but they’ll fill you up.

Have a great weekend!