It’s no secret that the Lake of the Ozarks is a warm-weather favorite for many. There’s golf, getting out on the water and outlet shopping.

But the central Ozarks area really shines during the holiday season. You can still golf, get out on the water and shop, but you also can celebrate the season Ozark style.

“We have four light parks at the lake,” says Heather Brown, marketing consultant for the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Ms. Brown points out that the Lake of the Ozarks is comprised of several communities, and drive-through light parks are located in three of those: Osage Beach, Laurie and Versailles, Mo.

New this year is the Lake Holiday Lights Park in Osage Beach. The park, formerly located in Lake Ozark, Mo., is set up at the Osage City park, and the two-mile drive features more than 80 displays. The park is open through Dec. 31 and the cost is $10 a car.

“We even have a Holiday Village where local organizations are selling refreshments and snacks,” Ms. Brown says.

And Santa makes an appearance on Friday and Saturday nights.

The other parks are the Versailles Unity Circle of Lights and the St. Patrick’s Festival of Lights and the Enchanted Village of Lights, both in Laurie. This is the fifth year for the Versailles light park, which is located in the city park. There is no charge to drive through the attraction, which will be open through Jan. 1.

There also is no charge at either of the Laurie attractions.

The St. Patrick’s Festival of Lights is located on the grounds of the Shrine of St. Patrick and is the oldest light park at the Lake of the Ozarks. Begun in 1981, the attraction has grown throughout the years. As the name implies, St. Patrick’s Festival of Lights focuses on the religious aspect of Christmas. The attraction is open through Jan. 1.

The Enchanted Village of Lights also is open through Jan. 1 and is located at the Hillbilly Fairgrounds in Laurie.

“We have close to 200 exhibits,” says Susann Huff, parks and events coordinator for the city of Laurie.

Ms. Huff says the Enchanted Village of Lights is a 27-acre drive-through park featuring such exhibits as Santa’s workshop and singing trees.

“If I plug in one more thing,” Ms. Huff says, “They’ll shoot me.”

Of course, she’s planning on adding more new attractions next year, whether “they” (city officials) approve or not.

The drive-through light parks are only one aspect of spending the holidays at the Lake of the Ozarks. Ms. Brown reminds golfers that many of the golf courses offer special discounts during the holiday season. For shoppers, the lure of sales is a fun way to deck the malls. And there’s even something for those who want to get out onto the water.

Ms. Brown says that many visitors opt to rent a houseboat and stay right on the water during their visit to the Lake of the Ozarks.

For more information about events, attractions, shopping, golf and lodging at the Lake of the Ozarks, log on to www.funlake.com or call 800-FUNLAKE.

Lifestyles reporter Cathy Woolridge can be reached at cathyw@npgco.com