Coming Up: Gilroy Gardens Nights of Fire - $10

We went to Gilroy Gardens last winter for a holiday/winter evening like this one. We had a lot of fun (though it was extremely cold that night and we weren't entirely prepared for that). Lots of pretty light displays, an ice skating rink, rides and a Charlie Brown Show. More on that later.

This year the event features Nights of Fire: A Laser Light & Fireworks Spectacular, running nightly during Gilroy Gardens 17 Nights of Holiday Lights. They'll have Laser Lights and Fireworks choreographed to a soundtrack, at Coyote Lake.

Viewing is included with admission, and is standing room only for the 15 minute attraction.

You can also meet the Peanuts gang in “A Charlie Brown Christmas" from Knott’s Merry Farm at the Lakeside Amphitheater. We saw a Peanuts show near the carousel last year. I had a hard time getting over Charlie Brown being adult size and bald, with an enormous head. The kids didn't seem freaked out by it, but the Peanuts characters were freaky to me.

What: Gilroy Gardens Holiday Lights Nights of Fire: A Laser Light & Fireworks Spectacular

When: December 4-6, 11-13, 18-23, 26-30 from 4 p.m. -9 p.m.

Cost: $9.99 for season ticket holders (or $19.99 with dinner buffet). Free entrance with 2010 10th anniversary membership. Otherwise $29.99. All pricing options here.