Something magical happens at night during the holidays. Familiar places take on a whole new look. Millions of lights turn towns and natural landscapes into good reasons to stay up after dark. It is only when the sun goes down that the lights come on. Here are some places for you to see illuminations:

My personal favorite night time illumination is St. Augustine. The Oldest City gets really carried away decorating historic buildings in their annual Nights of Lights. Over two million tiny lights are turned on every night from mid-November all the way to January 31, 2008.

Nights of Lights is free. Parking downtown in St. Augustine has eased considerably with a recently-added 2,000-car parking garage at 1 Cordova Street. Parking is $1.25 per hour with a maximum daily rate of $7.50.

Many holiday events are tied into Nights of Lights. On Saturday, December 15 you can be truly authentic and step back into the 18th Century with Christmas caroling. Bring the whole family to 18th Century Christmas Caroling that begins at 6:30 p.m. at the center of the Plaza de la Constitucion. A hammered dulcimer and violin begin the music.  Candles and song sheets with 10 Christmas carols written before the 1800s are given out free. Carolers will proceed slowly, singing carols, down St. George Street and end at the Castillo de San Marcos. For more information about 18th Century Christmas Caroling call (904) 797-9772.

At Silver Springs near Ocala the natural theme park turns into a winter wonderland in the annual Festival of Lights. Remaining dates in December are every night from December 14 through 30. Every night features a lighted boat parade on the Silver River. In addition to decorated buildings and trees along the forest canopy and botanical gardens, neon displays and even a 38-foot-long model train set lure people of all ages.

At the Festival of Lights, expect to see costumed carolers, community choirs performing and Santa Claus. Admission after 4:30 p.m. is $12.99 for adults and $8.99 for children ages three through ten.

From Thanksgiving through January 1, 2008, Straub Park, a sweet waterfront park in downtown St. Petersburg along Bayshore Drive, comes alive at night with 12 professionally created and lighted decorations.

Bring a camera. You'll see a 42-foot tall Christmas tree, a celestial arch, Santa's Castle and even Santa's Animated Flight School along with a Peace on Earth scroll and yes, elves with candy canes.

The park's trees have their share of white lights. Downtown Central Avenue also has holiday lighting from Eighth Street to the waterfront. Come before the sun goes down, do dinner and then enjoy the illuminations.

Disney loves nighttime parades and the holidays are humming with even more events at Walt Disney World in Orlando. The World Showcase at Epcot has a Holidays Around the World celebration that runs through December 30, 2007. There is a nightly tree lighting at 6 p.m. at Showcase Plaza and a nightly candlelight procession.

Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo lights up their landscapes from November 22 through January 3, 2008. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Admission is free.

Friday nights are even more special during December. They are called Friday Nighs and Garden Lights.  Friday, December 14 and Friday, December 21 feature free admission,  free holiday jazz, and have a cup of cider, cocoa or coffee and also craft activities for children and a children's parade. For more information call (727) 582-2247 or (727) 582-2100.

'Tis the season to enjoy the Florida you thought you knew in a whole new view.