Austin.com

Not your average holiday light displays. If you have never been to this particular block of 37th Street here in Austin, then you owe yourself a trip there one night during this Christmas season. Proving funky yard art is not a South Austin phenom only, the light displays here range from interesting to inspiring to all out wacky. No wonder it's not unusual for thousands of visitors to show up on any given night.

The best way, by far, to experience these displays of lights is to park nearby and walk along the sidewalk; that way you can more fully appreciate the weirdness and creativity that resides in the details. (Just ignore any smoke hanging in the air near the bigger displays.)

This light show has never been advertised since the time of its inception, around 1980; it is only known by word of mouth (and articles like this one) but that hasn't stunted its popularity. It evolved out of the weird anarchy endemic to Austin, and the energy of the people here without any central planning at all. The 37th Street Lights are a unique and complete experience, with many strands of the multi-colored lights being strung between homes and even across the street to connect every structure as a unified whole.

It was first started by a fellow named Jamie and you can find his home on the north side of the street; it is identified by the spectacularly lit tree in his front yard that features hundreds of hand-painted lights with colors not available in stores, like cobalt blue. On some years, he even lights his back yard and you can encircle his house for additional thrills; environmentalists are forewarned, a peek at the electric meter will find it spinning as fast as a top.

Not every home has as many lights, but they come in a vast variety of designs, like a waterfall or colors or a toy train all lit up. Cars and motorcycles are draped with lights and so are hedges and bushes. Anything that doesn't move, and some things that do, is covered with lights.

The doubly long block of 37th Street in question runs east of Guadalupe Street and it can be driven in your car. However, this is not advised due to the crowds. But if you must drive down the street, do so by driving north on Guadalupe and turning right onto 37th. DO NOT think of driving south and turning left and DO NOT try to head west from the other end of this block; also, please dim the headlights on your vehicle so as not to compete with the lights.