Photos by Cheryl Landes

For more than 65 years, the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro, Massachusetts, has delighted visitors with its Christmas Celebration of Lights. Displays with more than 400,000 lights are spread across 10 acres.

On one side of the main shrine building, a series of placards with text and murals tells the story of the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ.

The path of placards ends at a large outdoor Nativity.

Other light displays include snowflakes, decorated trees, animals, a star path, and a powerful sculpture showing Jesus carrying the cross before His crucifixion.

On the other side of the shrine, colorful lights reflect in a pond. Walk around the pond to enjoy the changing shapes and patterns on the water.

Get refreshments at a snack bar, or enjoy a hot meal in the food court/cafeteria. Visit Clopper the Donkey and ride the carousel.

The shrine is also the site of the International Crèche Museum, which has the largest collection of Nativity scenes in New England – more than 1,000 from at least 100 countries.

The Christmas Celebration of Lights is open nightly from Thanksgiving Day until Sunday, January 3, 5-9 p.m. Admission is free.

The shrine is located at 947 Park Street in Attleboro (get directions).

For more information, visit the shrine’s Christmas Celebration page.