In the classic TV special "A Charlie Brown Christmas," Lucy Van Pelt spells it out for Charlie Brown.

"Look, Charlie, let's face it," she says. "We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It's run by a big eastern syndicate, you know."

Despite Lucy's pronouncement, Christmas doesn't have to be commercial. You can have big holiday fun - without spending a lot of money.

Here are 10 events that are $10 per person or less - and more than half of these suggestions are free.

1. Lights on Temple Square

(Free) Downtown's largest light display is so familiar to locals that it is sometimes taken for granted, but the millions of lights transform the square into an incredibly beautiful winter wonderland. Nightly through Dec. 31 from dusk-10 p.m. at Temple Square, 50 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City

2. Live Nativity at Liberty Park

(Free) More than 50 volunteers, along with sheep, donkeys and camels, retell the Christmas story at seven stations, each featuring an original song. The walking tour begins every five minutes and lasts about 35 minutes. Dec. 16-17, 19-22; 7-9 p.m.; Liberty Park, 900 S. 700 East, Salt Lake City

3. Dickens Christmas Festival

($7 adults; $5 seniors 65+ and children 4-12; free children 3 and under) Imagine stepping back into 19th-century England for this annual event that's part crafts show, part shopping excursion, part costume extravaganza, capped by the chance to visit Father Christmas. Dec. 8-10 and 15-17; Utah State Fairpark, 155 N. 1000 West, Salt Lake City; 435-688-2990; dickenschristmasfestival.org

4. Christmas Carol Sing Along

(Free) Just you and a few thousands of your friends in an intimate arena singing Christmas carols accompanied by a 30-piece orchestra, Generations of Sound. This year's guest will be singer/actor Alex Boyé, who will perform throughout the night. Monday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m.; EnergySolutions Arena, 301 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City; 801-325-2000; energysolutionsarena.com

5. Trees of Diversity

(Free) This annual event features Christmas trees, nativities, gingerbread houses and other items from a variety of cultures. Through Dec. 27, Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 South, West Valley City; 801-965-5100 ; wvc-ut.gov

6. Christmas Cruise

($7 per person; $28 per family) For a change of pace, how about a lighted riverboat ride on the lower Provo River? Enjoy thousands of lights reflecting off the water and Christmas scenes on the shore during the 25-minute cruise, which departs on the hour and the half-hour. There's holiday music, and Santa paddles by in his canoe. Through Dec. 26; Monday-Thursday, 6:30-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; 3606 W. Center St., Provo; clasropes.com; 801-373-8897

7. Light displays

Several big light displays electrify Wasatch Front venues:

>> ZooLights ($6 adults; $4 seniors and kids 3-12; free kids 2 and under) Walk through Hogle Zoo, festively decorated with 250 animated light displays. Also, you can take a ride on the Conservation Carousel (weather permitting), and visit Santa in the EdZoocation Station. Through Dec. 31; Sunday-Wednesday and Christmas Eve, 5:30-8 p.m. (grounds close at 9); Thursday-Saturday, 5:30-9 p.m. (close at 10); closed Christmas. Hogle Zoo, 2600 E. Sunnyside Ave., Salt Lake City ; hoglezoo.org

>> Fantasy at the Bay ($9 per car) Drive through the animated light display at Willard Bay State Park, and then park so you can enjoy a horse-drawn wagon for no additional cost. Food and beverages available. Through Jan 1; 5-10 p.m. nightly at Willard Bay State Park; just off I-15 at exit 357 in Box Elder County. Call 435-734-9294 or 435-237-9506 for more information.

>> Spanish Fork Festival of Lights ($5 per car) This drive-through display features dozens of enormous exhibits - Santa's house, the American flag, bears, sea serpents, swans, penguins, dinosaurs and a nativity. Through Jan. 1; 6-10 p.m.; Canyon View Park, 3300 E. Powerhouse Road, Spanish Fork; spanishfork.org.

>> Holiday Lights at Thanksgiving Point ($8 per car)

Drive on this mile-long, winding path past more than a million twinkling lights, animated displays, decorated trees and a nativity scene. Through Dec. 31 (closed Sundays and Christmas day); nightly 6-10 p.m. (6-8 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 31); 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi; 801-768-2300; thanksgivingpoint.org.

8. Ogden's Christmas Village

(Free) This downtown display features decorated and lighted Christmas cottages, Santa's Castle, entertainment and shopping. Through Jan 1. 5 p.m.-midnight; Ogden Municipal Gardens, 2549 Washington Blvd., Ogden; 801-399-4357; ogdencity.com

9. Jazz Vespers

(Free - but donations accepted) The First Unitarian Church's Jazz Vespers series features local jazz performers, interspersed with "reflective and often amusing commentary" by Rev. Tom Goldsmith. On Dec. 11, it's a tribute to the Beatles; on Dec. 18, it's Christmas Kool. Dec. 11 and Dec. 18; 7:30 p.m.; First Unitarian Church, 569 S. 1300 East, Salt Lake City; 801-582-8687; slcuu.org

10. This Is the Place Candelight Christmas

($10 adults; $7 seniors 55+ and children 3-11) Step inside a Currier & Ives card - for a holiday celebration out of the 19th century with carolers, crafts, sleigh rides, a live nativity, reindeer and Father Christmas. Through Dec. 27 (closed Sundays and Dec. 24); Monday-Thursday, 6-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 6-10 p.m.; This Is the Place Heritage Park, 2601 E. Sunnyside Ave., Salt Lake City; 801-582-1847; thisistheplace.org

spierce@sltrib.com

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Seasonal savings

Do you have any favorite seasonal outings or adventures that don't cost a lot of money? Send the details in an email to features@sltrib.com - write "seasonal savings" in the subject line - and we'll consider your suggestions for a future story. —

Tell us your ideas

Do you have any favorite seasonal outings or adventures that don't cost a lot of money? Send the details in an email to features@sltrib.com — write "seasonal savings" in the subject line — and we'll consider your suggestions for a future story.