Take one acre in the middle of Taunton, put up a 30-foot Christmas tree, build a house for kids to visit Santa, and string 42,408 lights on trees, archways, and assorted decorations. If that doesn’t fire up the holiday spirit, nothing will. Taunton has been known as ‘‘The Christmas City’’ since 1914 when the Taunton Green was first decorated as a way of attracting shoppers downtown, making the event one of the oldest public lightings in the state. It attracts tens of thousands every year, and is popular with families, as parents can walk or wheel little ones through the green’s glitz and glow serenaded by piped-in carols. The theme for 2007 s Home for the Holidays with the holiday tree sitting atop a 12-foot-tall box painted with Taunton landmarks and homes. And, of course, lined with lights that make this Christmas display so bright, you almost have to wear shades.

Taunton Green in located in the middle of downtown at the convergence of routes 140, 138 and 44, about 4 miles from Route 24 in Raynham.