Illuminations Holiday Tour: Coming to a Somerville Near You

The Madonna Project 2007 calendars (along with other wares) are still on sale. Somerville residents can grab their very own calendar for a discount and free delivery by the creator for a limited time. It's two bucks more plus shipping for people living outside of Somerville to get their own calendar featuring religious icons in Somerville lawns. Bostonist caught a glimpse of a billboard while heading back into Boston from the South Shore this weekend reminding us to keep the Christ in Christmas – what better way than to celebrate with images of the Virgin Mary herself. Maybe a $10 ticket for a trolley ride around Somerville to some of the most illuminated houses? Probably not, church might be a good answer, but the trolley and calendar can't hurt.

The Somerville Arts Council sponsored Illuminations Holiday Tour will take place on December 16 this year and as of 11am this morning tickets are on sale at McIntyre and Moore Booksellers, 255 Elm Street in Davis Square. If there are any unsold tickets this weekend they'll go to Somerville City Hall for distribution. If past years are an indicator there might not be any tickets left for the procrastinators among us. If you're looking to get a spot on the 45 minute trolley tour traversing Somerville streets and avenues to gawk in amazement at the illuminated homage to the season we advise you act fast. There will, as usual, be a self guided map of the illuminations tour for purchase at McIntyre and Moore Booksellers if you choose to take the tour sans trolley. Last year's tour was run in conjunction with a contest for "Best Holiday House" (winner: 166 Central St.) and "Best Holiday Street" (winner: Preston Rd.). Note to Danny DeVito: you might not be able to see any of these houses from space - but you can still get drunk and go on the view to talk about it.

Image of the Virgin Mary in a Somerville lawn courtesy of Flickr user Josh Michtom, who is also founder of the Somerville Madonna project. Look close at the image, or click for the Flickr photo page - that lawn is just ready to explode with holiday illuminations goodness.