Every Christmas Eve, my parents and I go on a drive to see the holiday lights around the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Some streets have beautiful, tasteful displays. Others, well … they are glorious. Absolutely glorious. Seeing the blinding displays put me in the spirit.

While I will miss out on the glory in New Hampshire, Somerville does not slouch toward Bethlehem when it comes to holiday displays. The Somerville Arts Council celebrates the season with an annual Illuminations Tour of exquisite brightness. 

Normally, the tour involves a trolley with a guide, and hot chocolate at City Hall. Times being what they are, the 2020 Illuminations Tour is a “deconstructed” affair, with stops indicated on a Google map. Earlier this week, my dear pod friends (a couple who are social distancing like I am) and I embarked on our pilgrimage.

Highlights of the tour below. As you peruse, I invite you to sing a little song about Somerville, to the tune of O’ Christmas Tree. Use your best Masshole accent!

Oh Somerville! Oh Somerville! The people heah ah pissa!

Die Hard for the Holidays

Oh Little Town

I’ll be taking a couple days off to celebrate but will be back soon!

If you are local, the Illuminations Tour through January 1.

And to all a bright night!