This year, more than I can ever remember, we all need some joy in our lives. Holiday light displays can definitely provide some, which is why we're undoubtedly seeing so many of them around the area, even though Thanksgiving is still almost a week away. It's what spurred us to do our 'Light Up the Corridor' contest, that will pay $1,000 to a lucky winner. Find out how to enter the display at your home or business HERE.

A bunch of cities around the state of Iowa light up their communities. Here are specifics on ten of the ones we're aware of, many of them courtesy of Travel Iowa.

Jolly Holiday Lights in Altoona
November 27 through December 30, 5:30 to 10 p.m. Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; $20 per car
Located at Adventureland Park in Des Moines, it's been a holiday tradition in central Iowa for over two decades.

Christmas in Atlantic
Thanksgiving Day to New Year's.
More than 200,000 LED lights over six blocks of historic buildings.

Festival of Lights in Carroll
November 27 through Christmas night 5 to 9 p.m.
More than 1.5 million lights illuminate the park, which also includes animated displays.

Symphony of Lights in Clinton
Thanksgiving through December 30 from 6 to 9 p.m.; $8 per car
More than a half-million lights, and 40 different displays, illuminate Eagle Point Park.

Holiday Lights, Magical Nights in Decorah
November 25 through December 27; 5 to 9 p.m.
Started in 2005, the annual display is held at Pulpit Rock Campground. Donations go to helping services for youth and families. This video is from the display two years ago.

The City of Christmas in Keokuk
November 26 through January 3 at Rand Park in Keokuk. Open every day at 5 p.m. (after opening day when it opens at 6 p.m.) and closes daily at 10 p.m.
It started in 1989 and now has over one million lights in more than 150 displays.

Hickory Hills Holiday Light Show in LaPorte City
The Black Hawk County Conservation Board hosts this display that begins Saturday, November 28. It then runs each Friday and Saturday night, through December 19, from 5 to 9 p.m at Hickory Hills Park. $10 per car.
This is the first year for the display featuring thousands of lights illuminating the park's campground.

Festival of Lights in Mount Pleasant
November 19 through 21, November 25-29, December 2-6, December 9 through 31; 5:30 to 9 p.m.; $10 per car
A 1-mile holiday drive-thru with more than 120 different displays.

Prospect Light Show in Waterloo
November 27 through New Year's Day; 6 to 10 p.m.
The first of two light displays we're aware of at personal residences that feature lights synchronized with music. This display is at 1056 Prospect Blvd. in Waterloo.

Waverly Lights Holiday Light Show
5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday
The holiday lights dance to the music at 103 Eliasen Avenue in Waverly.

Locally, the City of Marion announced Thursday afternoon they're compiling a list of light displays in their community for a 'Light the Night Holidays Light Tour." If you have a light display, you can enter your address HERE. The city will be publishing the list on the afternoon of December 4.

I hope you're able to visit at least one of the displays above. Happy holidays and stay safe everyone!

LOOK: See what Christmas was like the year you were born

 

More From 98.1 KHAK