"The decorator is the artist, and the house becomes the canvas."
So says Dean Krimmel, curator of local history at the Baltimore City Life Museum, who this weekend is leading a pair of bus tours to area homes with fabulous Christmas decorations.
"Deck the Halls . . . and Streets & Alleys" leaves from the Peale Museum, 225 N. Holliday Street, at 6 p.m. today and tomorrow. The cost for the four-hour tour is $15 for BCLM members and $20 for nonmembers. Seating is limited, so call 396-3279 for reservations.
Mr. Krimmel says there seem to be more people doing more things with lights this season. His tour includes displays in in Hamilton, Parkville, Ruxton, Roland Park and Hampden.
Three other lavish light displays this season are worth a view:
* The "Symphony of Lights" at Symphony Woods in Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia offers one of the largest holiday light displays on the East Coast. From 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily, through Jan. 1, visitors can view the more than 40 larger-than-life illuminated displays as they drive a 1.4-mile route. Tickets cost $12 per vehicle and $50 per bus. For information, call (410) 740-7677.
* Light sculptures depicting luminous animals highlight "Zoo Lights," a holiday display at the Baltimore Zoo, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily. Admission is $4, $2.50 for ages 2-15 and seniors, and free to children under 2. For information, call (410) 396-7102.
* The annual dazzling display at Valley View Farms, the nursery and landscape company at 11035 York Road in Cockeysville, slows traffic on York Road. The lights go on about 5:30 p.m. daily and stay on until 9 p.m., through Christmas. For information, call (410) 527-0700.