‘Tis that time of the year again when home and business owners go completely over the top with Christmas lights and displays. With the passing of each year it seems there is an unspoken competition with oneself to top last years displays and visitors are constantly delighted with new innovative and interactive Christmas displays. All over the world this tradition takes place, although most notably in the United States where some entire towns transform their houses, buildings and streets. From inflatable characters to dressed up dolls to millions of lights and robots, here are six absolutely crazy over-the-top Christmas displays around the world:
6. Garabedian Family Christmas House -Pelham Gardens, New York
It is known to many as “The Christmas House” and once pulling up to this house, you will understand why. It is one of the craziest Christmas displays in all of America. There is a traditional nativity scene of course but along with that comes nearly 200 animated figures, all dressed up in old-school Hollywood-style gowns. These figures dance to upbeat holiday music all night long. Think Disney princesses, occulted angels, and dolls dolls and more dolls. The Garabedian family is in the fashion business throughout the year but it is the holiday season when they really get to work, having to assemble and take down the dolls each and every single night (weather depending). Although other houses in the neighborhood are decorated, this is a must to anyone looking for a unique, crazy Christmas display.
5. Richmond, Virginia
The city’s mayor has deemed Richmond as the “tacky lights capital of the world”, whether that makes this city more attractive to future residents or not, they have some of the craziest Christmas displays in the world. The Tacky Light Tour has been created here, a registry that lists houses with more than 40,000 lights that people can visit. A tacky Light Tour is a trip made by family and friends from one insanely decorated home or business to the next in the city of Richmond and here people go all out, even renting a limousine to ride in. Expect timed musical lights, giant inflatable characters, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus and more than 70 million lights in total.
4. Jamaica Estates, New York
This property is so massive it takes up an entire block and owner Anthony Gurino has made it his mission to celebrate Christmas to the extreme. Not only is this property fun to look at but the house is also interactive. Included here is a coffee and hot chocolate station, free cookies for all and holiday music playing. Expect to see carolers, donation boxes and sometimes even Santa and Mrs. Claus show up and pay a visit to unsuspecting visitors. The wires are covered so walking through the property is easy and there are plenty of benches for you to sit on for the incredible photo opportunities. Make sure to get close to the windows to see the incredible displays inside as well. From flashing lights to reindeer on the roof to more colors than you can imagine, this is one light display you wont want to miss.
3. Policarpio Street -Mandaluyong, Philippines
This street screams Christmas, despite the obvious lack of snow as a collection of neighbors have made it their collective goal to decorate their houses to the extreme to celebrate the holiday season. Millions of sparkling lights seem to cover every inch of the houses while rooftops and gardens are adorning with figures, toys, holiday décor and nativity scenes. The House of Santa Claus is worth checking out as it boasts the largest Santa Claus collection in Metro Manila. From twinkling lights to neon strands to food stalls that line the street to fill your belly with goodness, Policarpio turns into a whimsical Christmas village for the entire month of December.
2. Hyatt Extreme Christmas -Plantation, Florida
The Hyatt family has taken things to the extreme when it comes to Christmas displays and although the city of Plantation does not support this cause and has even threatened fines of up to $7,000, for now this house is completely decked out and the tradition continues. Think snow-blowing machines, a whopping 200,000 lights, visits from Santa and his live reindeer, a movie screen showing holiday films, a Ferris Wheel of stuffed animals and endless moving characters. Starting preparations in August, this family and its team adds new excitement every year including a complete Santa’s workshop, M&M candy disco and 24-foot sign celebrating the magic of Christmas.
1. Robolights -Palm Springs, California
This sci-fi holiday spectacle has been tradition since 1986, when Kenny Irwin Jr. decided to do something a little different for the holidays. This year-round event can be viewed from the street but Christmas time is when Robolights really comes alive. Free to the public, with donations accepted there are millions of lights that twinkle in some pretty epic sci-fi ways. This landscape of art includes Nuclear Elves in the tennis court while Santa’s sleigh (or battle wagon as it’s referred to) is pulled by 12 robotic reindeer. Think wise men laden with microwaves, robots standing over 50 feet tall, animal heads on toilet seats, solid colored rooms and more alien like art. The property is over 4 acres and provides more unusual and crazy looking things than you have ever imagined, and all lit up in Christmas lights.
