Celebrate the holidays with a river of glowing lights in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The city literally glows at night during the Christmas season, in part due to the traditional luminarias and also thanks to colorful lighted parades and displays.

[ad#Google Adsense]Luminarias have been a New Mexican tradition for hundreds of years, thanks to the large Hispanic population. Illuminated primarily on Christmas Eve, luminarias are brown paper bags containing votive candles for light and sand for weight. Sometimes, designs are cut into the paper bags depicting favorite holiday themes. Historically, luminaries have also been made using tin cans or other objects with holes punched into them in interesting patterns. Traditionally, luminarias were lighted in the street to guide Joseph and Mary, as well as to guide people to Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. And while they may yet serve the same function today, their display is primarily for the beauty and joy of the townsfolk.

During the holidays season, you’ll find streets throughout the city lined with luminaries, providing Christmas cheer with their low, ethereal light. On Christmas Eve, the main plaza of Albuquerque is lighted with thousands of luminarias and has become a favorite place for people to stroll and share the magic of the season.

Albuquerque kicks off the holidays season with the Twinkle Light Parade. On Saturday, November 28, 2009, the “Twinkle Light Parade” will take place in downtown Albuquerque, showcasing a variety of parade entries all decked out in festive holiday lighting. Following the parade, guests will have a chance to visit the Albuquerque Biological Park’s River of Lights display. Enjoy the magic of hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights in a dazzling holiday display at New Mexico’s largest walk-through light show. Each year, the show unveils new ingenious light sculptures and displays that are constructed by artists and craftsmen at the park. For example, in the Butterfly Pavilion, you will find an extremely large moving butterfly created from colorful Christmas lights. Other places you can find animals, flowers, snowmen, and other Christmas themes, some animated, and others stationary, but all beautiful.

The 2009 festivities at the Biological Park will also feature a unique glass snowman collection, live music most nights, “Supper with Santa” December 14 – 23 and Holiday Dining December 26-30 at the Shark Reef Cafe, a special holiday model railroad train and Holiday Nature Crafts in the Education building on consecutive Wednesdays (December 2, 9 and 16).

Another place to revel in the holiday joy is in Old Town, Albuquerque. Early in December, this event features late closing for shops, which are decorated for the holiday season. Free rides are offered between Old Town and the River of Lights display during the events. You can experience the lighting of the holiday tree and a children’s parade with Santa Claus.

For more details, visit the official website of Albuquerque, New Mexico at http://www.cabq.gov.