By Chris Marchand

I find it interesting how great Christmas light displays tend to happen in clusters, as though such luminous expressions of holiday cheer are contagious.

To drive through a dead, sullen block to suddenly come upon half a dozen beautifully decorated homes can lift the heart.

Driving around, it appears 2011 is a fairly good year for lighting displays — with many of the usual suspects staging impressive efforts in the continued transition between the old fashioned incandescent bulb and the more energy-concious but pricey LED.

Some of the best experiences are off the map. Tucked in on McEwen Rd. just off Anton Rd. is a display worth crossing town for, as is the annual fan favourite down Hwy. 594 in the vicinity of Wall Rd.

My in-town favourites this year (orange dots) include an amazing tree at the West end of Orvis St.

While the Gamble subdivision is predominantly a dead zone, the sole house on Wabigoon Court makes incredible use of windows to display an interior Christmas tree that will blow your mind.

The residents of Eagle Dr. have picked up the slack as neighbour Clayton Schell has retired his eye-popping display. The neighbourhood of Elizabeth Ave, just off Duke St., also seem to have staged a coordinated effort.

In North Dryden, don’t miss a viewing of two homes directly adjacent to Canadian Tire.

Two exceptional homes on Second St. are also worth a trip to North Dryden.

The green dots on the map represent pleasant clusters of neighbourhood cheer that are worth checking out on Park Cres., East Wilde St., Lakeside Dr., Lower Wood St. and Clearwater Cres.