SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Families gathered at Bright Nights at Forest Park Tuesday, the holiday-themed display is celebrating 30 years in Springfield.

A visit here is a long running tradition for some and perhaps the start of a new one for others.

"Just a family event that we go to all the time," Noah Stone said. We love to come out here and just look at all the lights."

"I just moved to Western Mass two years ago," Cindy Truscott said. "So last year was our first time and this year we had to come back. It was great."

Over the 3-mile drive through the park, more than 750,000 lights gave off a mystical feeling of winter through the forests of Seuss Land and Toy Land.

Just past the massive display lies Santa's Magical Forest, with carousels, teacup rides, plenty cotton candy and, of course..

"SANTA!" Ariana Pietromonaco exclaimed.

The jolly old elf was in Hampden County this week to say what makes this event so special.

"Most of the lights here at Bright Nights were made especially for us and we won't see any of those lights in other places," Santa said. "Some of them are a tribute to Milton Bradley, which started in Springfield."

On top of wishes for quality time with family and friends, Santa may have his hands full with requests for Christmas lists this year.

"A boyfriend," Pietromonaco said.

"I'm gonna ask him if I'm gonna be the best player on my basketball team," Logan Billingsley said.

"It just means the world, just seeing all the lights and it just bringing us all together," Noah's mother Heather Stone said. "Seeing Santa and even just all the other families being out and enjoying life during the holiday season."

More than 7 million visitors have come to Bright Nights over its 30 years, and to celebrate the anniversary, Spirit of Springfield is giving away gift bags to the 30th, 300th, 3000th and 30,000th cars. 

Bright Nights at Forest Park will run nightly through Jan. 5.