From late November until February my town lights up all of the downtown area. It is a massive tourist event. I usually avoid downtown during this time, but this past year I did the same as you. There is something about getting out at night--makes you feel like a teenager again. Everything looks exciting and new again. Maybe it isn't nighttime so much as just a change in scene. I will check it out again next year.

Your city's lights are prettier. Mine are just a bunch of Christmas lights put together :)