Holly's Tacky Christmas Lights in Fairfax County, Northern Virginia
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STAY OUT OF THE DISPLAYS - YARDS !!!!
1. 5407 Francy Adams Court, Fairfax
...The entire house is blinking colored lights.
In my mind I pictured this house as outlined in colored lights but when I turned onto the street I was pleasantly surprised to find colored lights draped over the roof and hanging down the sides covering all but the garage door. Lights blink to music until 10p.
2009-On Dec 13, dark to 9:30p(10:30p weekends).
2. 3309 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax
Display with lots of lights and things in the yard. Entire roof outlined with multicolored icicle lights, give off a pink glow. Giant green tree with star attached to chimney.
House across street not decorated in 2008 & 2009. Road seems a little dimmer.
2007 - Home featured on FOX News Weekend Live segment on Dec. 8th.
3. 8515 Innisfree Drive, Springfield
Animated Light Show. This display worked it way up from Honorable Mention to make the Tacky list in 2008.
Lights ON Nov. 27 thru Jan. 5. Animated light show runs non stop 5-10pm. Tune to 88.3FM.
12/22/08-Met Mr & Mrs Innisfree and son-in-law. Invited me in for Hot Cocoa on a cold night. Had a delightful chat. The son-in-law is the heart and soul of the display but I still think it's nice that his in-laws let him do the display at their home.
4. 6520 33rd Street, Falls Church
Quite a hodge-podge of decorations.
I like the red and white candy/cane tree and the rocking horse and drums against the porch. First home to have landing lights. Blow-up segregated to right side of driveway.
2008-Well, Mr. 33rd Street you finally made it on the list (he's been trying for 3 years). I admire his persistence.
Up Thanksgiving to New Years, on daily 5-9:30pm unless out of town.
5. 7704 Wilbur Court, Springfield
A multitude of lighted white wired deer backed by multi-colored lights including the backyard.
In '05 the neighbor directly across the street has a small herd of deer in his front yard and the neighborhood joke is that it got too crowded at 7704 and some migrated across the street.
12/24/05 - met Mr & Mrs Wilbur Court...delightful people... We counted the figures, there are 28 lighted deer figures, 1 moose, 2 polar bears, and one animated pink flamingo. They even decorate the fire hydrant.
Almost all the homes on Wilbur Ct decorate so the street just glows.
2007-Flamingo is MIA.
6. 10203 Lawyers Road, Vienna
Back for 2008-On Lawyers, directly across from Galloping Way. Hidden behind trees on road.
Very beautiful layers of blueish multicolored lights. Large decorated tree with groupings of animal figures in gated courtyard in front of house and around circle driveway. Love the cactus tree in santa hat.
Must be a great site looking down from 2nd floor windows. Park on Galloping Way and carefully cross Lawyers to view.
Photos do not show true volume of lights. Unless they are LEDs, blue lights just don't photograph well.
7. 7723 Fisher Drive, Falls Church
2008 - 3 story tree is back. Display is more colorful than ever. I love the runway landing lights down sidewalk. Was told were for Santa since he can't land on the roof.
2007-Home featured on FOX News Weekend Live segment on Dec. 8th.
If Pimmit Hills is still having a contest, this one is the winner.
8. 1713 N. Quebec Street, Arlington
The well known 100+ year old "Christmas House" has been decorating for over 25 years. A small yard jam-packed full of lights, inflatables and vintage lighted figures (blow molds) set up in various displays (Many given from older people who can no longer decorate). They also decorate the inside as crazy as the outside!
Yard areas include an Advent calendar, a South Pole, a North Pole and a display house with animated figures and toys.
I like the large Thomas the Tank Engine, an all season decoration, all the multicolored lights on everything and the slew of Santa figures that he arranges special each year.
For 2009 the Santas go skiing.
2008-Santa's Work-out Shop.
2007-Santas and Frostys in a 10K race.
2006-Santas in boat crossing the Delaware.
2005-Santas and Thomas are part of the choir.
2004-Thomas being boarded by a multitude of Santas.
9. 6283 Wills Street, Alexandria
Several groupings of lighted figures backed by multi-colored lights everywhere, synchronized to music. Loved the Penguin and Polar Bear group and the gingerbread group. Love the nutcrackers at the gate. A virtual forest of lighted trees.
2008 - Replaced lots of lights with LEDs - the glow is tremendous!
2007 - adding FM transmitter. Home featured on FOX News Weekend Live segment on Dec. 8th.
Nov. 2006 - Met the delightful and graciously couple behind this display. Visit with them every year and they quiz me to see if I know what's new in the yard.
10. 6634 South Kings Highway, Alexandria
A very popular house decorated differently every year but always tastefully over-the-top. I like the soldier display and the very realistic gingerbread house on the porch. Has a small working train (driven by small Santa) for giving the little ones a ride.
Train operating Dec 23 & 24 from 6pm to 10pm.
Also, collecting for Capital Area Food Banks.
2009-Spoke with Mr. S.King. Lights ON Thanksgiving to Jan 7, from dark to midnight. This is his 21st year and is now getting a 2nd generation of train riders. Mostly white display this year, soldiers are on the balcony and the chorus is around the train.
2007-small ferris wheel for stuffed toys.
11. 128 Nutley Street NW, Vienna
At corner with Windover Ave. Very pretty with use of different colors for different objects...lots of blue lights outlining the house, green on garage. The lights are abundant and wide spread but subtle.
I also like the white lights on the shopping center next door(The Village Green). The uneven roof lines look great outlined with the large tree in the center.
13. 2507 Fairview Drive, Alexandria
On 24/7 from Dec 28 to New Years. From 5:30-10pm Jan 1-4.
Another of my top five favorites... You'll see the glow through the trees as you approach. Decorations everywhere - yard, roof, trees, porch. Overdone to the MAX!!! Driveway is lined with inflatable figures. How many can you name? The roof is covered with lighted figures and inflatables, and there is still lots of lights. Love the vintage Three Stooges on the porch steps and the light wrapped trees. Oldest piece is the Santa and Reindeer between house and tree (20+ years).
Has a miniature village in picture window on porch. 2009- picture window contains a photographic history of the family.
2009-This year's display is a loving family's fitting tribute to matriarch Pat Farmer, who passed in November.
2008-On 12/14. Look for new setup/photo op on porch and the path will be back (Please stay out until complete). At least 8 new inflatables in yard. Even with nothing on roof, it's still over the top...
2007-Path back! There are 69 1/2 inflatables. On the porch are 80 animated toys. New count-down clock added this year.
Honorable Mention Hillside Lane (son of Fairview) has moved to 4520 Gage St. Everything Fairview can't fit in his yard is displayed in son's yard. Another son in Chevy Chase, Md. also does a big display. It obviously runs in the family. 12/16/07-Met other Son of Fairview. Such great people!
2006 - added path for walking through yard and on porch...
12/21/04 - Met Mr. & Mrs. Fairview Drive and son. A real pleasure! He's been doing this for over 35 years!
14. 1601 Collingwood Road, Alexandria
My top favorite...Extremely large house and yard with beautifully done lights everywhere! Very classy and tacky at the same time. I loved the ground cover done in green lights with the larger red (berry) lights.
Also, many groups of lighted deer figures. And the homeowner does all this, not a landscape company...
On Dec 1 to Jan 6. 5:30p-10:20p. OFF during rain.
PLEASE, NO U TURNS ON COLLINGWOOD!!
Display Enhancments over the years:
2008 - Look for the stream and pond to be expanded and additional animation surrounding the animated mega-tree. 92 new wireframes have been fabricated and new and revised (with additional animated channels) songs for 2008 will total 10. Also many more lights are now replaced with LEDs.
2007 - added more animation including a flowing stream and pond with leaping fish.
Check out the following videos on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjMHYb0MsLE - 12/15/2007 - 8:15
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOI_x8MgAOs - 12/23/2006 - 1:46
Also see Tacky Humor page for a very humorous YouTube video using Collingwood Lights as backing.
12/21/07-After years of exchanging emails, I finally got to meet the extremely talented man who does this display. I have so much respect for this gentleman and his abilities. He is truly a master of Christmas Light design. We are so fortunate to have him here locally.
2006 - added 28 more leaping deer, 30 shooting stars, 250 strobes and 21,000 led's. Animated to music.
2005 - Leaping reindeer.
For more information on his display specification, visit his website.
This display featured on TLC Invasion of the Christmas Lights on Dec. 6, 2009.
15. E. Juniper Avenue, Sterling
2009-displays substantially reduced but hope this is related to the rain/snow that wrecked havoc on all displays this year. Missing was Spiderman and Simpsons displays. Photos are from 2008 season.
(Loudon Co.) This Sterling neighborhood has great spirit. Everyone on this entire street gets into the act and it's like one of those drive-thru light shows. I loved the variety. One house has large wooden Peanuts characters. Keep an eye out for Santa (Box for canned food donations). BTW: Sterling Blvd has several nice houses.
16. 10715 Shadow Lane, Fairfax Station
A most peaceful and tasteful display that looks professionally done. Very large house and yard (several acres) with property line and all outbuildings outlined front and back in white lights. Several two story light trees. One person wrote "a visit here is good for the soul".
2006 - Got out to take pictures and was surprise by two large horses coming to greet me. They're used to visitors.
17. 5700 Claret Place, Centreville
Corner lot encircled with candle and soldier lighted figures. Lots of vintage blow-molds. Can you find the Woody Woodpecker (hint: he's very little)? Lots of lights and lighted figures some with animation and a few inflatables. I love the snowman group hidden on the far side of the driveway.
2008-Don't know how he does it but it's even bigger than last year. So much animation my eyes get tired. Real-looking Santa film in side window (littlest ones think Santa lives here) and homemade two-story light tree.
Featured on The WETA Guide to Christmas program.
12/14/07-Finally met Mr. Claret. Such a generous man!
2006 - Animated to music. Tune to 105.7 FM. New dancing-lights skating rink.
Check out 14702 Cranoak for a example of great use of rope lights (love the mailbox).
18. 9804 Kirktree Court, Fairfax
Well-lit pink gingerbread house with lots of colorful and unusual things in yard and on house. They have packed there small yard with stuff. BTW: they seem to be big fans of the Grinch. for 2009-big fans of Snoopy
House right next door outline in white.
19. 6226 Stonehunt Place, Clifton
A mass of multicolored lights. These lights took my breath away. These photos don't begin to show the true volume of lights, it's blinding!! I've never seen so many light strings going in so many directions. Reminds me of a spider web. You've got to see this to believe it.
On Dec. 5 thru Dec. 31, 6p-10p(12a on weekends). Off during rain. Please do not enter the yard, too many wires laying around!
21. 11303 Stones Throw Drive, Reston
A beautifully done home in twinkling white lights. Very tasteful and extravagant at the same time. The entire property and home is encircled with white trees and bushes. Every window of the house is perfectly outlined in white lights.
Love the single pair of white wire deer in back yard and two-story Christmas tree visible through side window.
Has large, unique Santa and reindeer to the left of front door and a life-size Manger to the right.
2008-Santa is in backyard with deer. It's snowing at the front door.
2007-Lighted snowman has joined the deer in the back yard. The trees seem brighter than ever. I bet they switched to LEDs.
22. 13897 Ferrara Court, Chantilly
Large collection of very unique lighted wire-frames. Includes a Texas-shaped one. Yard encircled with red lights. House outlines in large white lights. They use lots of C-9s. Tasteful and Tacky...Love it!
24. 11610 Henderson Road, Clifton
On to Jan 4th, lit 5:30p-11:30p.
Layers of multi-colored lights and wireframe figures. Hard to see and photograph because behind trees from road. I like the moose with his antlers caught in the lights. Owners say use small circle drive which goes behind trees for better viewing. Definitely slows traffic on Henderson Road.
12/9/08-Met Mr. & Mrs. Henderson outside still decorating. Lovely people. Been doing this 15 years with no end in sight.
25. 8209 Lorton Road, Lorton
Large display of unique lighted wire-frames, many animated, with more added every year. The yard is getting quite crowded with lights. (Love it!) House has white icicle lights lining roof and lighted wreaths on windows.
Hard to see from road because yard is below street level. Park and get out to see best. Be cautious of fast moving traffic on Lorton Rd.
26. 9806 Sharon Court, Fairfax
Entire house outlined with multicolored lights. Also, Multicolored wrapped trees and small light trees marking driveway. Some blow-molds and inflatables scattered throughout yard. Santa and sleigh leave skid marks on the roof.
Can see the lights from #18 Kirktree (one block over).
2009-Lights on Dec 6 to Jan 6, 5p-11p, Inflatables off when windy.
28. 1072 Rocky Run Rd, McLean
2008's biggest hit is back for 2009!
For 2009- 20,000 more lights, 150 more channels, added a second mega tree, a dancing frosty, and a dancing grinch.
120,000 lights/550 channels all animated and choreographed to music
Beautiful! A must see! House, roof and windows outlined with white lights, white icicle lights on roof line. Trees around crescent driveway change from white to red to green to a mix of those. Large multicolored, multi-layered light tree out front. A multitude of light arches. Small blueish Christmas tree in 2nd story window. Wire frame chimney with Santa's legs kicking out of it. Toy-making factory and, my favorite, wire frame Santa in sleigh with full reindeer complement climbing into the trees during Springsteen's "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Accepting donation for "Make a Wish". Light show repeats continuously with brief break with all lights lit.
On Dec. 6 to Jan. 3, 5:30-10:30p(11p on weekends).
Please pull to the side of the road in order to allow neighbors to pass and turn around at the end of the cul-de-sac rather than in our neighbor's driveways.
29. 13915 Rock Brook Court, Clifton
Go see the dancing forest! This exquisitely decorated all white display is amazing. You can see the lighted forest as you approach on Compton. 155,000 lights in display. Front yard left tree has 32,000 lights with every little branch outlined. Light show in backyard runs every hour/half hour from 6pm to midnight. Tune to 89.1 An exceptional effort! On Nov. 26 thru Jan. 6. 2009-Teaming with Paisano's Pizza and St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Clifton for a food drive.
30. 5604 Hereford Court, Alexandria
Described as "Dueling Tackiness on Hereford Ct."...
One of two homes on this cul-de-sac that go over the top.
Has lighted figures, inflatables, candy canes, multicolor, purple/pink and white lights. House covered in white lights on all sides. Garage (man cave) outlined in blue with trumpeting angel on top. Look for the flamingo (wife hates it, I love it) and new homemade star in the tree decorated with ornaments. Also look for inflatable flamingos pulling Santa in sleigh. Santa is watching from front window (you better watch out, better not cry!)
#34 on the list is across the street.
BTW: This neighborhood has great Christmas spirit with lots of decorated homes.
12/09/08-Spoke with Mr. 5604Hereford and he's still planning to put up more lights though I don't know where else they can go. Next door neighbor when away one Christmas so Mr. 5604Hereford decorate his front yard with inflatables and sent them a picture. Too funny...
2007 - Santa sitting on a boat, titled Trolling for Toys. Toys will be donated to Coles closet so, pitch in if you can!
2009-Santa and Reindeer roasting marshmallows over the fire. Pigs fly (joining the star and flamingo in the tree).
31. 6512 Hanover Heights Trail, Clifton
Another top favorite. A great deal of effort has gone into creating this animated lights display and its absolutely beautiful. One of the most unique display yet and a must see.
Animated scenes include: a fox chasing a rabbit from one hole to another (my fav); two kids having a snowball fight; a skier going down a ski jump; a skating snowman who takes a tumble at the end (inspiration from neighborhood child); a toy-making factory with elves; a juggling snowman; a penguins area with penguins sliding down a hill and swimming in a pond (another fav); girls walking up and sledding down a hill; Santa, his sleigh and reindeer taking off from the North Pole, landing on his roof, going down chimney, and returning back to North Pole;
and his animation coup de grace, a nativity scene with Joseph and Mary riding in on the donkey, dismounting and entering the manager, the birth of the Christ child, a heavenly host of angels appearing before the shephards, the three kings arriving on their camels, dismounting and walking up to and one kneeling before the baby Jesus and shepherds with their sheep coming down from the hills.
For some scenes each third cycle of the animation will result in a slightly different outcome. There are many more figures sprinkled throughout of deer, snowflakes, ornaments and some 3D wooden figures. Two nutcrackers mark the long driveway which is lined with candy canes.
11/10/07 - I met the wonderful gentleman who does this extraordinary display and spent an hour with him as he describe to me how his display functions. He creates and animates all his light displays similar to what you see at light shows and adds more every year.
He has a homemade, animated Christmas village inside with some pieces over 40 years old.
33. 7338 Wayfarer Drive, Fairfax Station
All new for 2009, bigger and brighter than ever. New stuff: Santa Town inhabited by a multitude of blow mold Santa, grouping of inflatable characters, over 50 lighted deer spread throughout, Santa in balloon floating between trees. Excellent effort!
Has a life-size talking, waving Santa, a stocking tree, a pond of flamingos in Santa hats and a multicolored sleigh full of lighted presents.
For 2008 they have upgraded the display wattage substantially. Blueish multicolor lights now outline house (looks great!) and added music. New scenes - Snowballs downhill skiing, three small Shriner polar bears. Waving santa is sitting under a multicolored tree surrounded by presents with toy solider guards. Great glow as you approach.
34. 5601 Hereford Court, Alexandria
One of two homes on this cul-du-sac with great Christmas spirit.
The house, roof, windows, columns and trees are outlined with multi-colored lights and there are wreaths on every window.
Lighted presents and a trees are sprinkled throughout the yard and the largest-I've-ever-seen Santa and reindeer team occupy the roof.
A giant 7ft nutcracker figures stands in the front yard and the front door is guarded by a pair of 4ft toy soldiers.
Animated to music - Tune to 106.2 FM - It was blinking up a storm when I saw it.
Across the street is house #30 on the list
BTW: This neighborhood has great Christmas spirit with lots of decorated homes.
35. 5406 Fremont St., Springfield
Very unique, colorful, animated light show that starts with Charlie Brown asking Linus the meaning of Christmas and featuring a Looney Tunes Christmas with lighted characters. House, roof, windows, trees strung with red, yellow, blue, green and white lights (& icicle lights) and throughout show varies and combines those colors. Large multicolor wreath hangs between windows. Arches over driveway are terrific. Inside multicolor tree visible through window. On Dec. 11, 5:30-10p(11p weekends), until 1st week of Jan 2009. DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAYS!!
36. 7815 Birnam Wood Dr, McLean
Mother and Son decorating effort. Multicolored lights cover the entire front of the house. Roof outlined with white icicle lights. White 3 rail light fence around yard. Two giant multicolored trees and some unique inflatables (nutcrackers and snoopy in plane on roof).
12/15/08-Met Ms. Birnam Wood and son. Most of decorating is son's handiwork. Already thinking about what to do next year. Mom doesn't like the term "tacky", son loves it. Banter between the two is hilarious.
Display lit 5:30-10pm, 11pm on weekends through Jan 1. Off during rain.
37. 1752 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church
Red rope lights outline roof and with green on fence, collection of multicolor wire frames in yard, helicopter on roof and giant green lit tree with red star. Love the gold top, green bottom muffin bushes.
38. 1925 Leonard Rd, Falls Church
Multicolor tangle of lights everywhere-above yard, outlining roof, on bushes, with sprinkling of inflatables and white icicle lights on fence.
39. 1610 N Abingdon St, Arlington
Small very colorful house from street with a yard full of decorations. But the real treat is on the porch. Large scale train occupies right side of porch, Christmas tree occupies left side. On the roof, Santa stands in his present-filled sleigh as six lighted reindeer climb into the sky. Big lighted wreaths on dorm windows. Large snow globe sits in driveway. Yard view is blocked by multicolored bushes behind garland draped fence.
40. 4520 Gage Rd, Alexandria
2008-Son of #13 Fairview (used to live on Hillside around the corner) moved here in 2007 and is deserving of his own spot on the list. Has blow molds, lighted figures, many inflatables covering the yard. Roof has multicolored drum-like pattern and white icicle lights outlining roof. He takes his father's old decorations and is instrumental in his father's roof display.
41. 8433 Washington Ave, Alexandria
Roof outlined in blue icicle lights. Multicolored lights on iron fence encircling yard. Inflatables cover every square inch. Has the biggest Snow globe I've ever seen, one story tall. Even decorates into the neighbors yard. Does it for the kids. Up late in December. On 24/7 from 12/28 to New Years. On until Jan. 2-3
42. 8505 N Roosevelt St, Falls Church
One block over from #4 on list. All white display, even bigger, prompting move up from honorable mentions.
1/3/09-Met owner of 8505,all white display, an active 82 years young woman whose children help with the decorating. She lost a daughter this year and said making it on the Honorable Mention list was a huge pick-me-up. We shared a delightful chat about Christmas' past and wildlife.
43. 12708 Kettering Dr. , Herndon
New for 2009-A most unique display with handmade wooden figures, several display boxes with animated characters and one with a working train, twinkling white icicle lights hang from roof, roof line outlined in multicolor C9 bulbs, multicolor lights surround each window. Porch railing decorated with lit multicolor pine garland and white snowflakes. Yard surrounded by two strings multicolor lights attached to painted wood candy canes. Unique pond (blue tarp with white lights underneath) surrounded by North pole characters (and one lost penguin). Very colorful display in Fox Mill neighborhood.
12/29/09-Met Mr. Kettering-been doing his display for years-was considering stopping but now that he's on the list, is invigorated for next year. Is now getting 2nd generation visitors.
I think folks have tried to submit this display for the last two years but did not give me enough info to find it. Glad I finally found it as they are most deserving of a spot on the list.
STAY OUT OF THE DISPLAYS - YARDS !!!!