Some may say that Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday season, but here in Hampton Roads, the holidays start with one event in particular: McDonald's Holiday Lights at the Beach! This annual event transforms a stretch of the Virginia Beach Boardwalk into a holiday wonderland set aglow with thousands upon thousands of twinkling holiday lights.

As expected for a seaside attraction, these displays, which measure in as tall as 30 feet, center around a coastal theme, with fish, dolphins, crabs, and other marine creatures lighting up the evening sky. The highlight, however, is arguably the holiday tree that rises 40 feet from the sandy beach. And did we mention you get to take in the displays from the comfort of your own car as you drive along the boardwalk? Tune your car radio to a predetermined station to listen to holiday music as you move along!

Entry to McDonald's Holiday Lights at the Beach begins at $15 for a single car. Make note, Little Creek: Every Monday, the event holds Military Mondays, when members of the military are admitted for $7 per car!

McDonald's Holiday Lights at the Beach 2015
Nov. 20, 2015, to Jan. 2, 2016
Virginia Beach Boardwalk (enter at Second St and Atlantic Ave)
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr dizrythmia