Garden d'Lights ranks high in terms of value and fun. It's in its 30th year at the Bellevue Botanical Garden. Some of the other holiday events feel very commercial, like they're constantly hitting you over the head for more money (AHEM ENCHANT), but the vibe at Garden d'Lights is very low key and charming.

The garden is free the rest of the year, and a big team of volunteers puts on the light show. I don't know my flowers well enough, but the lights are shaped like real flowers (lupines, crocuses, lilacs, etc.).

There's none of the surge pricing nonsense and add-on fees; everyone is a flat $8, kids 10 and under are free. You can park in their lot for $5, or as the sign straight up tells you, head a little further down the road and park for free.

When we visited, the JCC hosted a few tables where kids could decorate menorahs and dreidels with sparkly stickers. It's no pressure and very sweet, exactly what the holidays should be.