Visitors attending the holiday light show arrive and remain in the safety of their cars, slowly snaking through the fairgrounds to view the different lit scenes of trucks, toy lands, fairytales, and Santa’s workshop while holiday music plays through their stereos.
The show is hosted by CBF productions, the same event production company responsible for Concerts in Your Car, a series of socially distanced concerts and movies held in the Fairgrounds parking lot this fall.
The Waterman family attended the light show on Dec 10, their children in pajamas, wrapped up in blankets and holding hot chocolates in their car seats.
“This was such a great way to get the kids out and is honestly, one of the only things for us to do as a family this holiday season,” Brittany Waterman said. “The kids loved going through the tunnels of lights and I loved that we could get out together to enjoy an event together.”
The idea of a drive-thru holiday light show isn’t unfamiliar for locals who attended a similar drive-through event, the Holiday of Lights, held from 1995-2012.
In light of the pandemic and CBF production’s success with Concerts in Your Car, the company decided to resurrect their own modern-day drive-through holiday light show.
“We’re just so happy to have found a way to offer families a way to celebrate the holidays now that all the traditional parades have been canceled,” Leticia Wilson, Director of Marketing for CBF Productions said.
“There are over one million lights sparkling and twinkling throughout the fairgrounds for families to enjoy. Everyone is happy to have the opportunity to create some holiday memories but safely and in their own space,” Wilson said.
Attendees can stop to purchase a drive-through hot chocolate or snack as well as drop off perishables to North County Food Bank without ever leaving their cars during the experience, stating the event is produced in conjunction with all state-mandated health regulations.
Additionally, according to CBF productions Holidays in Your Car is run by local employees, contributing to the regional economy, and donates $1 of each ticket to the Emelio Nares and Shelter to Soldier foundations in addition to collecting food for the North County Food Bank.
Speaking to the Coast News in November, CBF Founder and Producer Vincenzo Giammanco, was proud of the company’s ability to contribute to the local economy, offering both employment opportunities and safe holiday entertainment to the surrounding community.
Holidays In Your Car will be showing at the Del Mar Fairgrounds from December 5 to January 2, Mon – Thu: 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Fri – Sun: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Prices are per vehicle, starting at $45 and can be purchased either online or at the event.
