As we inch closer and closer to holiday season, it seems like there are endless ways to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. You can stay in the city and visit the Toronto Christmas Market or the Holiday Fair at Nathan Phillips Square, or do something more small-scale by checking out a local craft market.

But if you're looking to get away from the city, why not take a drive to one of the many festive light shows happening in towns - both big and small - all across southern Ontario? There's a massive one in Niagara Falls and one with 100,000 LED lights in Cobourg, but the closest of all is just north of the city in Uxbridge.

For the past nine years, the Optimist Club of Uxbridge has been putting on the Fantasy of Lights events. It works with community partners to transform beautiful Elgin Park into a winter wonderland. The first year there were only 12 light displays, but this year this will be well over 50.

The festival runs from December 10 to January 1 and you can see all of the twinkling displays either by car or on foot. Best of all, Fantasy of Lights is free to attend.

Photo via the Fantasy of Lights.