Take The Patch 2018 Holiday Tour 'O Lights

Roll out the holly, the plastic blow molds, LED lights and synchronized music because we all need a little Christmas. We’ve rounded up the best reader submitted residential (and one liquor store) holiday light displays in Chicagoland. From towering reindeer and illuminated pigs to the most outlandish Clark W. Griswold displays that can be seen from space, these spectacular light displays are definitely worth a drive-by.

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Set your GPS and explore displays near your town, or go completely crazy and visit all of them. We’ll keep updating the list through Dec. 30, so keep an eye on your daily morning newsletters and the Patch Facebook pages. (Wait a second, you’re not signed up to receive your community’s Patch newsletter, get started here.)

A few of you got so excited that you forget to include your address, so check your email. Send us some photos and/or links to videos of your Christmas light display. We prefer that the homeowner submit his or her own yard, or an immediate neighbor or close relative.

We do our best to verify each address. Don’t be shy and share your Christmas joy, so the rest of us can enjoy it. Questions? Contact Lorraine Swanson by email at lorraine.swanson@patch.com.

Happy holidays from all us at Patch!

Cook County

Chicago

ADDED! LIghtsON one16, 3629 W. 116th St. Chicago -- We love this psychedelic light show, featuring a singing tree and Christmas bulbs.

Alsip

11631 S. Laramie Ave., Alsip -- The whole 11600 block of South Laramie Avenue in Alsip decks their yard with lights. If the rest of the block is anything like Kathleen Reitz's house, it's sure to be spectacular.

12215 S. 45th Ave, Alsip -- This Grinchy light display is as charming as a bad banana with a greasy black peel -- but in a good way. Joan Wanek and her husband made the Grinch and his dog Max themselves. The light and music show runs from 4:45 to 10:45 p.m. daily, through Jan. 1.

4505 W. 129th St., Alsip -- The Sparks family puts on a lovely display. Residents just go nuts for Christmas in Alsip.

Burbank

Kruk Family Christmas, 7730 S. Mulligan Ave., Burbank -- Planes from nearby Midway Airport have been rumored to mistake the Kruk family's dazzling light display for a runway.

ADDED! 6436 West 85th Place, Burbank -- Jessica Munoz submitted her parents’ home. This light and music show combines an intense array of colors with traditional holiday music, pop songs and a joke-telling Santa. The cosmic color ribbon tree, pixel tree, singing trees, arches, and grinches dance to the music. A virtual Santa waves to young and old who believe. Shows run nightly at 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm. Music plays outside and on the car radio when tuned to 88.3FM.

Bridgeview

ADDED! 7807 W. 74th Place and 7416 S. Octavia Ave., Bridgeview -- This is a three-generation affair! Jim Pavel decorates his own and his elderly parents’ house, both of which are entered in the Bridgeview Park District’s decorating contest. The light show is synced up to a low power FM radio station. Jim also does a Halloween display.

Chicago Ridge

6108 Washington Street, Chicago Ridge - House will be lit up, pending blizzards, on Dec. 5. We love the retro blow mold Santa dashing across the sky with his reindeer.

Crestwood

5249 Arbor Lane, Crestwood -- Self proclaimed "luminary proficiano" Casey Brefczynski covers all the Christmas basics in his holiday yard show, from Frosty and Santa to happy penguins and a Nativity scene. Animated figures add to the charm.

Elk Grove Village

ADDED! Sandburg Christmas Display, 391 Walnut Lane, Elk Grove -- The Sandburgs have lined up a 34-piece singing choir, which you can hear on 106.1 FM. Also featured are hundreds of blow mold figurines, a lighted candy cane tunnel and thousands of lights.

Evergreen Park

10046 S Utica Ave. Evergreen Park -- A lovely candy land in the south suburbs by Nancy Deranek.

March of the Pigs, 2708 W. 90th Place, Evergreen Park -- Jennifer Obecunas holds the unofficial World Guinness World Record for the most illuminated pigs in a holiday yard display. This quirky display features 142 illuminated pigs and vintage plastic blow molds from the 1960s and 1970s -- including a rare JOLLY POLK SANTA from 1965. Guinness told Jennifer that to be officially recognized as a world record holder, she needs 1,000 pigs. We think she should start putting pigs on her roof. Watch the 2017 interview.

Glenview

2749 Glenview Rd, Glenview -- Robyn Murov’s husband, Danny, has been decorating since he was 5. New this year is their smaller, but still impressive Christmas tree, palm trees in the nativity, and a whimsical reindeer games flight school, including a reindeer circling the sky. Their house has been featured in Mary Edsy’s best-selling, Best Christmas Decorations In Chicagoland.

Glenwood

ADDED! 624 N. Cherry Drive, Glenwood -- We love Dave and Cindi Hall’s twinkly display, especially the dancing snowman and snowwoman.

Hickory Hills

ADDED! 8137 W 90th St. Hickory Hills -- Ian Chafee has approximately 400 plastic figures on his lawn (where does he store them?), including 100 toy soldiers alone. His 12-year-old son arranges little Christmas scenes. There’s a snowman limbo line, a penguin ski line and a candy cane forest. Oh, and SantaCon. The family is collecting donations for the Stagg High School Music Boosters. Ian is also on Patch’s Halloween tour.

ADDED! 9028 Forest Lane, Hickory Hills -- Wow! Alyssa Puzzo submitted this display created by her two brothers.

Homewood

1327 Olive Road, Homewood -- Ray and Deb Majewski’s towering reindeer are turning heads in the Homewood neighborhood. Their giant reindeer were inspired by the decorations the couple saw at Brookfield Zoo. Also featured are a Christmas card with a tiny fairy sleeping inside, and a nativity scene -- all handmade.

La Grange Park

606 Homestead , LaGrange Park -- We the love the elegant composition.

Morton Grove

Lights of Morton Grove, 8834 McVicker Ave. Morton Grove -- Max Magnelli's mission in life is to spread Christmas joy, in fact, he doesn’t need an excuse to put on a spectacular light show throughout the year. This Morton Grove extravaganza features an 800 pixel megatree with 2,400 LEDs, two leaping arches and thousands of additional LEDs outlining the house and front yard. Three holiday tunes synchronized to the light show running in a continuous loop. We hear Vegas calling you, Max!

Oak Forest

ADDED! 6350 Parkwood Court, Oak Forest -- We love the elegant composition of the Towery family’s display, including the roof covered in blue lights and plastic blow molds marching across the yard for a retro look.

Oak Forest

ADDED! 15215-15221 S. Long Ave, Oak Forest -- Christmas light fan Marie Giblin, or Crestwood, has submitted a pair of Oak Forest homes decked out in thousands of lights down the street from her children’s school at St. Damian. “My kids are mesmerized by these houses every time we drive past! They certainly deserve a mention in the Patch.”

Oak Lawn

Kenwood Liquors, 10750 S Cicero Ave, Oak Lawn -- Try not to get in a car accident when you drive by gaping at Kenwood Liquors, which is wrapped up in blue lights just like a Christmas present. Makes us want to pull in and buy a bottle of Harvey Bristol Cream.

ADDED! 9704 S. Tripp Ave., Oak Lawn -- Clark W. Griswold comes to life in this very bright display in Oak Lawn.

Orland Park
15441 Sunset Ridge Drive, Orland Park -- Every holiday season Ann Quinn and her family add to their collection of inflatables, blow molds and lights. “We are very proud of how it turns out.”

ADDED! 10260 W. 144th St., Orland Park -- We had to coax Aric Talwar into sending us photos of his display. He wants everyone to see it.

Added! 17404 Deer Creek Drive, Orland Park — Orland Park’s famous Halloween house, the Shurley House of the Dead, has been transformed for the holidays with an eight-foot-tall gingerbread house complete with giant lollipops and candy canes, with Santa Claus and dancing elf projections in the windows. The yard is packed with holiday decor along with a Santa cocoa booth, plus a giant Nutcracker, ornaments and even a Magical Santa’s North Pole mailbox for the kids.

ADDED! 14601 Poplar Court, Orland Park -- No spot of lawn is left bare in this shiney display, which is covered by over 175 blow molds, ruled by a 10-foot-tall snowman. Check out the Harske family’s 10-foot Christmas tree, too.

Palos Heights

ADDED! 109 Augusta Court, Palos Heights -- Thomas Coffman sent us his neighbor’s artistic display in the Westgate subdivision.

South Chicago Heights

ADDED! "Christmas House,"3332 Lynwood Drive, South Chicago Heights -- Certainly one of the brighter displays we’ve had submitted this year. Santa and Mrs. C want you to stop by.

ADDED! 219 w 28th Street, South Chicago Heights -- Terry and Carla Matthews have decked their house in white and red lights, and green floodlights in this elegant display.

Tinley Park

“Lights By The Lateks,” 7435 Ridgefield Lane, Tinley Park -- This whimsical display by the Latek family includes lots of homemade, hand-painted decorations by Keith Latek and his three sons. Visitors are encouraged to walk through the tunnel of lights and drop a letter to Santa in the mailbox.

ADDED! 17321 Avon Lane, Tinley Park -- Make sure to visit this fantastic Christmas display. Together We Cope Ambassador Dominic Kowalczyk puts this display together with family and friends. There is a donation box out front and all proceeds benefit Together We Cope.

ADDED! Kaminski Holiday Light Show, 18033 Bettenhausen Drive, Tinley Park -- Why do we feel like we’re at Phish concert? Nash Kaminski has created a masterful and extensive Christmas display, featuring 8,000-plus dancing lights performing 8-minute music synchronized light shows. Tune into 89.3 FM. Majestic!

DuPage County

Downers Grove

ADDED! Snowman Holiday Party, 1730 Monmouth Place, Downers Grove -- We absolutely adore the Snowman Holiday Party. Somewhere, Burl Ives is smiling.

Lombard

ADDED! Hughes Digital Christmas, 2S231 Valley Rd, Lombard -- This display features over 27,000 lights connected across 13,000 channel of control synchronized to music. Light shows are 40 minutes long and you can tune into 89.5 FM to hear the music, from 5 to 11 p.m. through Jan.1. The Hughes are collecting donations for the Lombard St. John's Food Pantry. Check out the videos and photos on Facebook.

Naperville

Naper Light Show, 3111 Wolfe Ct, Naperville -- Count ‘em, 20,000 LED lights and nearly 3,000 RGB pixels animated to 24 songs in this elegant display. Visitors can listen to the music in their vehicles by turning into 88.5 Santa FM. “One unique aspect to our show is the ability for visitors to "vote" for the next song played with their smartphones We even have a virtual Santa in the front window,” the homeowner says. Directions, Videos and more information can be found at www.naperlightshow.com

Woodridge

"Mr. Christmas," 2516 Mitchell Drive, Woodridge -- Dave Oldham is constantly adding to his work of holiday yard art every year. He’s currently running a 6-channel “Mr. Christmas Lights and Sounds of Christmas” box. Runs 5 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5 to midnight on Friday through Sunday. He tells us he's added more lights.

Grundy County

Channahon

“Lights of Plainview,” 25314 S. Plainview Drive, Channahon -- A group of neighbors get together every year to decorate their houses (seven) and sync them to music. Hundreds of people drive down the block every evening to look at the stunning display. One neighbor has created a garage North Pole walk-through with a real working fireplace. Elsa and Anna, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be greeting gapers from 5 to 8 p.m., Dec. 7 and Dec. 8.

ADDED! 26158 Oak Ridge Court, Channahon -- This synchronized spectacular has added a talking Mrs. Claus head. The talking Santa and Mrs. Claus figures are synchronized with the custom animated characters being projected on the side of the house. One side of the house is a projector synchronized to the lights on the other side of the house. “We have moving spot lights, RGB LED strips on the house, Santa in the window, Grinch in the window, Santa’s workshop in the garage, inflatables and various other decorations. The snow machine runs Fri – Sun and on holidays.” Wow.

Morris

Added! 116 Meadors Circle, Morris -- The Trammel family spends all year getting ready for their spectacular Christmas light show, soldering and programming each light individually. The show is open from Christmas to New Year’s, 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Set to epic music, the multi-colored light show has Christmas trees, stars and more more. “We put so much love, time, money, and efforts only for families to have a free holiday experience and bring them together to sing and watch this as a family,” Sandra Trammel told Patch. “I’d just love for more people to know we are here.” If you go, tune in to 92.1 FM and follow along with the music.

Minooka

ADDED! O’Tooleville Lights, 401 O’Toole Drive, Minooka -- Dena and Jason Sternquist have been decorating for years with thousands of lights. Dana has been decorating yards since she was ten. The couple have hand-crafted an entire Whoville village on their front lawn synchronized music.

Kane County

Batavia

“Lights on Ekman,” 969 Ekman Drive, Batavia -- Brett and Heather Foy have been busy this past year building props for their Inaugural holiday light and music extravaganza, including a 10.5-foot-tall mega tree. Check out their videos on Facebook.

Carpentersville

ADDED! 3109 Erika Lane, Carpentersville -- Tune to 104.5 and watch Dennis and Melissa Johnson’s light show extravaganza synced up to eight Christmas songs, plus the song from Trolls. The johnsons are also collecting non-perishable food items for the D300 Food Pantry. Cousin Eddie, Clark and the Grinch are also sure to please!

Kendall County

Oswego

307 Taft Drive, Oswego -- Classy and elegant, we love the use of white and red lights in the Sidio Family’s display.

603 Forest Ave., Oswego -- James and Susan Svehla moved to Oswego 19 years ago and they have been decorating all 19 of them. Their display includes several Christmas scenarios. The lights will beon through Dec. 28 from 4:45 to 10:30 p.m. A lot of people pass by or stop and take pictures. Love it!

Yorkville

2389 Iroquois Lane, Yorkville -- Nothing captures the Christmas spirit more than a light show synced up with Andy Williams belting out “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Big Lou’s display does not disappoint. So great we included a picture and a video.

Lake County

Grayslake

Messinger Light Show, 218 Braxton Ct., Grayslake -- Majestic.

2880 Hillsboro Lane, Lake In The Hills -- The lights twinkle from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Between 6 and 9 p.m. the synchronized light show comes up. We hope Der Bingle is in the mix.

5515 Chantilly Circle, Lake in the Hills -- This beautiful display is lighting up those dark Lake County nights.

Antioch

Added! 1256 Bradford Ln., Antioch — On Google Maps, just say, “Take me to the Tarkowski Family Light show” and you’ll be directed to this display with more than 16,000 LED lights. Tune in to 88.7 FM and follow along with the music. Last year, the Tarkowskis handed out more than 1,000 candy canes, and they’ll be at it again this year.

McHenry County

Algonquin

Peanuts Christmas, 1851 Broadsmore Drive, Algonquin -- Good grief, we LOVE this display featuring good old Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus and Snoopy surrounded by hundreds of candy cane borders. We love Kevin and Jenny Christian's display so much, we're including two pictures to get the full effect.

Crystal Lake

1793 Queensport Drive, Crystal Lake

1489 Woodscreek Circle, Crystal Lake -- Michael Libricz has a nice light show synced with Christmas songs.

6001 Hawthorne Lane, Crystal Lake -- Holiday light spectacular synced to music.

Will County

Bolingbrook

230 Carol Lane, Bolingbrook

544 Porter Ln. Bolingbrook -- Katie Vanek-Wilson says her husband puts on a wonderful light display every Christmas, and we couldn't agree more. This residential winter wonderland features LED lights, vintage blow molds, a screen showing clips from some of the best holiday movies, and MORE lights.

252 Laurie Circle, Bolingbrook -- If you're in Bolingbrook, cricle over to Laurie and check out this charming display. We love the candy cane border and wintry scenes in the windows.

ADDED! 511 N Ashbury Ave., Bolingbrook

Braidwood

ADDED! Funky Christmas, 916 N English St, Braidwood -- Get down and get funky at this fun light show by Roy Mack and Nicole Kuykendall. The holiday display includes miini light trees, driveway arches, leaping arches, and a huge 18' light tree that has pictures. Hours are 5-9pm through the 20th and then 5-11pm through Christmas night.

Monee

25658 Kensington, Monee -- This stunning display features an arch of lights with toy soliders welcoming visitors to Eugene Reyna’s winter wonderland. Lights are on from 5 to 10 p.m. daily.

Plainfield

Added! 5301 Meadowbrook St., Plainfield — Known locally as “the castle,” this Plainfield home has been decked out for the holidays as the Meadowbrook Winter Wonderland. Come see Frosty the Snowman, a reindeer pulling a sleight, candy canes lining the driveway, a minion waving “Hi” and even a Christmas puppy that wants to come out to play. The upstairs windows of the home are even lit up to match the snowflakes on the trees and the icicle lights. And you’ll want to keep an eye on the front window, where the show constantly changes. The display will be up through Jan. 6, 2019.

ADDED! The Holiday Castle, 5301 Meadowbrook St., Plainfield -- Stop by “the castle” come say hi to Frosty, reindeer pulling a sleigh, candy canes and a minion. There’s a Christmas puppy that wants to come out and play. The shows are constantly changing in the front window. There’s lots to see, so come on by.

Frankfort

7344 w Benton Drive, Frankfort -- Dan the Holiday Man thinks that not enough people decorate their homes in Frankfort. His home is draped with icicle lights with an arch over his driveway, We can think of a one person in Frankfort who should take a cue from Dan Nickleski. He keeps adding lights. As a kid, Dan and his father used to decorate and compete with each other at his childhood home. “So it has been fun to start decorating my own house the past few years." The display will be synced to music in 2019.

Joliet

3111 Evergreen Dr., Joliet -- Tune into 105.3fm and watch 31,000 lights dance to 18 different songs in this spectacular display. Scot Kintz wants his house to be seen from space. We think he’s accomplished that goal.

Lockport

Lit Lockport Light Show, 16702 W Arbor Terrace, Lockport -- This high-tech Griswold mashup features four singing lighted trees belting out Christmas tunes, contemporary, party and children’s songs. Massimo DiSabato has increasing added lights and props throughout the years. A pixel tree made of 400 RGB(1200 channels) lights makes dazzling lighted designs choreographed to music. Visitors can stop by from 5pm - 9pm Monday through Thursday and til 10pm on Friday and Saturdays. Pull up and tune to 92.9FM and enjoy the show. Visit the DiSabatos’ Facebook page.

Manhattan

ADDED! 24361 Shawnee Lane, Manhattan -- Through the magic of video mapping, Michael Hesser has created a gingerbread house and Christmas movie montage on his house. “Every piece of my house is drawn in a computer, and then a photo or video effect can be mapped onto it.” People can listen along on FM radio.

Mokena

9512 Birch Ave., Mokena -- We expect Bing and Danny to step out of this Winter Wonderland and start singing. The lights are on evernight from 5-10 p.m.

New Lenox

424 W. Francis Road, New Lenox -- The Radtke family did a great job decorating their New Lenox home. Their neighbors did a great job too. “I have noticed recently a lot of people slowing down when driving past to look.” We love the camera work on this video.