ATTLEBORO -- The lights are up and the exhibits are ready for Thursday's opening of the annual Festival of Lights at LaSalette Shrine.

Based on the theme, `` We Are the Light of the World,'' the festival will begin at 5 p.m. Thanksgiving night and will run through Jan. 1.

The season will offer visitors more than 250,000 lights nightly from 5 to 9 p.m. on 17 acres of religious and secular displays, plus special indoor features such as 150 international Nativity sets, and concerts with the Rev. Andre Patenaude, known as Father Pat.

An opening ceremony will be held daily at 4:55 p.m. at the outdoor manger before the lights go on.