SeeCalifornia.com

Pictured is Ring of Lights winner Gay Wassall Kelly (left) and another winning entry (right photos) that includes penguins golfing in fields of snow and a concession stand called Candy Shack (a take off on the movie, Caddy Shack) operated by a penguin.

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. — Balboa Peninsula connects to Balboa Island via a ferry boat, but the neighbors can see each other across the Newport Harbor. That makes for a jolly holiday for locals as well as the thousands of international visitors who get a glimpse into the lifestyles of some rich, some famous and some who feel blessed having a home in one of the most treasured destinations anywhere. Among the traditions that include tree lighting ceremonies on both the peninsula and island, the two neighbors compete in the Ring of Lights, an annual holiday contest to decorate your home in the most exciting, unique, colorful or whimsically entertaining decor designed to shine after the sun goes down. In 2014 there were some spectacular Ring of Lights winners that you can see till people begin pulling down the displays around the new year. Back for another winning year was Mathematician Marcy Cook’s Teddy Bear house on Balboa Island’s South Bayfront. Decorated with more than 3,400 stuffed bears, the crowd pleaser is an annual treat many anticipate. For those who want to see Ring of Lights entries normally out of reach on gated islands, Newport Landing offers boat tours (christmasparadeboats.com) nightly throughout December.