If there's one thing Utah does well, it's holiday spectacle.

• So bundle up, pour some cocoa and cue up your seasonal playlist for these light displays!

Neighborhood displays

Glen Arbor Christmas Street, Sugar House: A Salt Lake classic. The whole street has been lighting up for nearly 80 years.

• Nearby: The 65-foot Liberty Tree, 1757 S. Park, is lit all month, with a food drive party on Dec. 3 with Santa and a team of superheroes.

Frosty's Winter Wonderland, the Avenues: A display of Santas, snowmen and glowing trees so intense that you can see it from the valley (and probably from space).

• Lights are on nightly from 6pm–11pm at 805 E. 18th Ave.

Miracle Cove, Magna: Spectacular. Plan for traffic, particularly after the first weekend of December.

• Santa visits after dusk on Dec. 17, with lights all night on Christmas Eve.
• Nearby: See the annual Seussian homage at Whoville, 4249 S. 6485 West.
• The glittering lane at 3549–3555 S. 5450 West also is worth a stop.

Taylorsville Christmas Street: 3325 West, south of Royalwood Drive

• Each house displays a verse from The Night Before Christmas!

Nearby: Cedar Breaks Drive has two great displays east of Hugoton.

Carousel Street, Rose Park: This street got hit by thieves two years ago, but the neighbors aren't letting a few grinches steal their Christmas spirit.

• About 90% of the homes participated last year, and the displays keep getting better.

Professional displays, free to see

Temple Square: Always amazing.

The Gateway: Look for window displays in addition to the usual lights.

• Explore the decor tonight at a gallery stroll and market with live music, 6pm–9pm.

More Christmas light displays

Utah's population increased by 61,242 residents between July 2021 and July 2022, according to data released yesterday by the Kem C. Gardner Institute.

• Utah is now home to more than 3.4 million residents, the report showed.

Details: Migration accounted for 62% of that growth or 38,141 residents. It's the largest net migration growth seen in state history, researchers noted.

• Natural increase, which is births minus deaths, accounted for ​​an additional 23,101 residents.
• All Utah counties, except Daggett County, experienced growth from net migration.

What's happening: Utah is experiencing high net migration due to job opportunities and college students and seniors moving in, Kem C. Gardner Institute director Natalie Gochnour told reporters during yesterday's news conference.

Why it matters: Utah, one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, is experiencing complications as a result of the rising population.

• The state's housing inventory has not met the demand, which is driving up home prices and rental costs.

Zoom in: Salt Lake County's population was fueled more by natural increase (6,818) than net migration (3,180), adding nearly 10,000 new residents combined.

• Utah County added the most new residents (23,980) and accounted for 39% of the state's population growth.

What they're saying: "In a world where the pandemic is still unwinding, where we're really going through a housing correction right now, for the state to realize its highest level of net in-migration in modern record-keeping — it's a big deal," Gochnour said.

💧 Lake Powell is back down to just one boat ramp for houseboats and other large vessels, as the lake shrinks toward record-low water levels. (KSL.com)

⛽ Average gas prices in the U.S. may dip below $3 by Christmas, an analysis shows. (ABC4)

A 32-year-old man was arrested after police say he allegedly set up two hidden cameras inside all-gender restrooms at the University of Utah's gym and recreation center. (The Salt Lake Tribune)

👋 Erin here! Sugar House waited with bated breath for months after the "By the Bucket" spaghetti sign went up earlier this year at 2100 South and 700 East.

• When it opened this fall, I braced for the worst but was overcome by morbid curiosity. Has anyone ever had good fast-casual restaurant spaghetti, much less by the bucket?

The verdict: It's good!

• The noodles have a nice starchy quality — not the watery, too-thick kind you almost always get at restaurants, but also not the gunky, clumpy mess served by harried parents the world over.
• The sauce also is nice and rich.

How it works: You choose the bucket size you want and order snowball-sized meatballs individually, at $2 per ball.

• A bucket for 4–5 people costs $19.95 and comes with marinara and a half-loaf of garlic bread.
• The only other things on the menu are cheesy bread, cheesecake and soda.

The bottom line: It's tastier than anything this easy and cheap has a right to be.

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There are a lot of events happening in Salt Lake City this weekend. Here are some top picks.

1. Go to a Jazz game

What's happening: The Utah Jazz will face off against the Indiana Pacers and Portland Trail Blazers this weekend.

When: Today and Saturday at 7pm

Where: Vivint Arena

• Tickets start at $11

2. Tracy Aviary Lights

What's happening: Tracy Aviary and Lightwalk SLC are lighting up Liberty Park and featuring a Christmas maze and food trucks.

When: Now through Jan. 1 from 5pm–9pm

Where: 589 East 1300 South

Tickets: $14.95–$19.95

• Tip: Bring a canned food donation to save $5 Monday–Thursday.

3. Vivaldi by Candlelight Concert

What's happening: This is the 40th anniversary of the annual Vivaldi by Candlelight fundraising concert, which will feature classical music written by the man himself, Bach, Corelli and Handel.

When: Saturday, 8pm–9:30pm

Where: First Presbyterian Church of Salt Lake City

Tickets: $50–$75