As Christmas fast approaches take some time away from the hectic shopping and entertaining to soak up a few quiet moments in the warm glow of the most amazing Christmas light displays in the Tri-Cities.
We've compiled a growing list, complete with addresses, short descriptions and photographs to help you plan out your route and take it all in.
Did you go above and beyond with lights this year? Send in a picture, description and address of your display to [email protected] and we'll put you on the map.
COQUITLAM
• 2988 Forestridge Pl.: Marlene Bilesky once again has her display ready to go and running daily from 6 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 10. She's collecting donations for Variety The Children's Charity and you can even drop off a letter for Santa Claus.
• 1417 Garibaldi Pl.: John and Trudy invite you to enjoy their homemade Christmas — this is the 35th year. More than 100 hand-painted display pieces on the house and in the yard. Two themes: traditional Christmas with manger scene, shepherds, wise men and angels; and contemporary Christmas with Santa, reindeer, toy trains, nutcrackers and singing snowmen. Lit up with more than 6,000 lights that are on daily from 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. If you enjoy the lights, they ask that you consider an online donation to Share Family and Community Services (sharesociety.ca).
• Cable Court cul-de-sac: 15 houses decorated for Christmas — this is a little street with lots of Christmas spirit.
• 2638 Brewster Dr.: Dangville, the Christmas village, is back. Dangville, which takes an entire double garage, features 191 miniature houses, most of which are lit up, and 41animated pieces as well as several hundred elves, people and animals. The elves are busy working in the North Pole while the townfolk living below go about their merry business getting ready for Santa’s arrival. The choirs are singing and church bells ringing, the town in alive and bustling and waiting for you to visit. Open to the public nightly from Dec. 13 to 26, 6 to 9:30 p.m. (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas day). If you are lost or looking for direction, call 604-464-0382 and ask for Joe or Julie. Admission is free, donations accepted for CKNW Kids' Fund.
• 1440 Cambridge Dr.: Bruce and Barb Murphy's house features 20,000 lights, an electric tram, eElectric train with bells and whistles, a nativity scene, a huge wreath, hot air balloon, and snowman and family. It's open daily through Jan. 6 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Donations are collected for BC Children;s Hospital.
• 1422 Smith Ave.: Shane Miller's display features about 25,000 lights — and 5,000 feet of extension cords. This huge display is set to music, with different sequences running in a different order every night, with shows starting from 5 to 9 p.m. daily. For more information, visit facebook.com/Miller-Lights-2019-117486456329971.
PORT COQUITLAM
• 3631 Flint St.: Go big or go home, is the motto for Shannon and Jay, who've added yet more huge blowups to their light display. And this year, the lights flash to Christmas music. Keep in mind this is a display best seen from in front of the property as there many cords to hold it all up.
• 2167 Grant Ave.: Don describes his display this way: "A few thousand lights brightening up a very dark street." He's been working since before Halloween, he said, noting: "The trick is do setup as much as possible in better weather and while you still have daylight to work with, then turn it all on when you want. This setup took several days over three weeks. It's never really done. Constant tinkering. It puts a little stress on the marriage. Good thing Christmas is only once a year."
• 1314 Paula Pl.: 13-year-old Gabriel Hyvarinen Bentzen and his grandfather, Digby Bentzen, have for the fifth consecutive year decorated the front and back of their townhouse: more than 7,500 lights, 30 candy canes, an illuminated archway with bells and stars, four blow-ups (Santa, a penguin, reindeer and a puppy), a snowman, Icicles hanging from a tree and tree made up with lights and decorated with miniature ornaments. They're collected non-perishable food items for the food bank (there will be a box on a bench on the porch) from Dec 13 to 20. Lights will be on from 5 to 10 p.m., and until midnight from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1.
• 752 Capital Crt.: The Fortier family's display — which friends call "lights of elegance because we live on a large property… [with a] long driveway with lights all up it to our home" — features some 9,000 lights, reindeer, snowmen, wreaths, Santa and even Mickey Mouse. Lights are on daily from 5 to 11 p.m. Donna Fortier notes: "Our neighbours two doors down have really stepped it up this year, too, and should be on the map."
• 1228 Oriole Pl.: Thousands of lights synchronized to nine songs — just tune your car radio to 92.3 FM. Donations are accepted for the Royal Columbia’s Hospital NICU. Lights on daily from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
• 3313 Rae St.: Miracle on Rae Street is a magical experience of more than 200,000 lights synchronized ed to music, plus ground displays. A highlight is the 90-foot decorated tree. Open Dec. 1 to Jan. 5, Sunday to Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 5 to 11 p.m. Contributions to the Share food bank are gratefully accepted. On Sunday, Dec. 15, Starbucks will be hosting and serving hot chocolate. (Note: Due to high volume, Rae Street will become one way only; please enter off Prairie Avenue and exit onto Fremont Street. As a courtesy to neighbours, please don’t block or turn around in driveways.)
• 1929 Tyler Ave.: You like penguins? The Hansens' display has 75 of them — some handmade out of wood and painted, some inflatable.
