Holiday Lights in Hermann Park

Houstonist found the holiday spirit Friday night at the opening of the Holiday Lights in Hermann Park. The city and the Hermann Park Conservancy have ringed the park's reflecting pool (above) and McGovern Lake with displays of lights; even the pedal boats are decorated. If that's not enough to get you feeling merry, the park is also dotted with speakers blasting Christmas favorites from the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and der Bingle.

And there's more to do than just stroll around the lake. You can rent a pedal boat, which isn't a bad idea with the mild temperatures this weekend, but might not be so great next weekend when it's in the low 40s. For the kids, there's a play area with a carousel, miniscule Ferris wheel and a machine spitting out soap suds we assume are supposed to look like snow (we were only briefly fooled). For the adults, a row of shops offer goods of varying quality. And then there's Houstonist's favorite, an outpost of the Dessert Gallery. Desserts ... oh yeah, we'll be back.

At Hermann Park, 6001 Fannin; open 6 to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday now through Dec. 18 and every night Dec. 19 through 23.