The Morning Call

TOP 15 holiday lights displays in the Lehigh Valley

- By Derek Bast | Special to The Morning Call

Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite Christmas decoration?

It took several nights and plenty of help to try to answer that question, but thanks to your many nomination­s and a lot of aimless driving with Christmas music blaring, we’ve narrowed down an impressive selection of home decoration­s down to the top 15.

I can’t begin to imagine how much time and dedication these designers put into their work, but from everyone who spends time driving around to check them out, thank you to all who help spread joy this holiday season with the gift of love through lights.

Without further ado, let’s check out who caught our eye with the best holiday decoration­s.

1. 198 FIREHOUSE LANE, BUSHKILL TOWNSHIP

198 Firehouse Lane is a staple of the community when it comes to Christmas decoration­s each December. Seeing it for myself for the first time, I was blown away by the tiny details and unimaginab­le time that goes into creating this masterpiec­e. With a correspond­ing light show on 107.7 FM, Reph’s Family Winter Wonderland should be a bucket list item for anyone in the area looking to get into the Christmas spirit!

2. 3415 OREGON ST., PALMER TOWNSHIP

You can’t talk Christmas in the Lehigh Valley without mentioning Dave’s Pool and Pond Service and their magical display each year at 3415 Oregon St. Even on a dreary Sunday night, cars were lined up to appreciate this stunning display with inflatable­s, icicles and lights that cover every blade of grass and every inch of this setup. I can’t quantify how long it takes to perfect this design, and I bet the designers can’t either, but make sure you honor that effort with a short trip to Dave’s this Christmas season!

3. 2040 GREENAWALD­S AVENUE, SOUTH WHITEHALL

Walk around one of the best light displays in the area at the free to the public light show at 2040 Greenawald­s Ave. Dedicate a full night to the trip to fully appreciate the free food, parking

and concession­s that make this display one of the most popular in the area. The season will end on Dec. 23, so make sure you go check it out from 5-8 p.m. on Friday or Saturday!

4. 5947 LEHIGH LANE, EAST ALLEN TOWNSHIP

After 20 years of decorating and 180 lollipops to show for it, I’m sure the city and neighbors wouldn’t mind temporaril­y changing the street name to Lollipop Lane in this neighborho­od in Bath. In one of the most unique displays in the Lehigh Valley with twinkling lights and yummy treats lining the yard, this festive family comfortabl­y cracks the top five on our list.

5. 950 OAKWOOD ST., PALMER TOWNSHIP

Have you ever seen a real-life gingerbrea­d house? A trip to 950 Oakwood St. in Palmer Township gives you that chance. A marvelous outline of lights on the rooftop and spiraling lights on the poles on the front porch give the home that aesthetic and are a testament to the hard work that goes into it. Be sure to see the shining snowmen and reindeer that complete this sparkling setup.

6. 5685 SULLIVAN TRAIL, PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP

The only word that can possibly do this house justice is spectacle. The Griswolds on Sullivan have been adding decoration­s to their home since 2009 and have outdone themselves this year with lights like icicles dripping from the rooftops and beautifull­y decorated Christmas trees that light up the town. If you haven’t checked out 5685 Sullivan Trail before, this year would be the perfect opportunit­y to do so!

7. 2348 MADEIRA DRIVE, LOWER MACUNGIE

There’s nothing that says Christmas quite like a massive Christmas tree sticking out in a massive window. 2348 Madeira Drive has that and more in Macungie with all of Santa’s reindeer saying hello and a script font “Merry Christmas” projected on the front of the house. Add in the colorful lights hanging from the rooftops and stonework and you have one of the top Christmas displays in the area.

8. 217 AND 220 E. 21ST ST., NORTHAMPTO­N

These two houses deserve the most credit for striking the perfect balance between quantity and quality. Both yards are decked out with more decoration­s than you can count that masterfull­y complement each other with beauty and style.

The luminous wreaths hanging from the rooftops are the perfect finishing touch that make these homes stick out even more.

(There’s also a rumor that if the kids are nice enough, Santa comes out to hand out candy canes at

220 E 21st St.)

9. 1053 8TH ST., WHITEHALL

Our first journey around the valley concluded at this gorgeous home out in Whitehall. These decoration­s turn the corner of

8th Street with my personal favorite of Polar Bear Santa with more wreaths hanging from all the windows and beautiful white lights outlining the rooftop. This family tradition has been ongoing for more than 20 years and now features the additions of lights and support from three generation­s of this festive family.

10. 4431 COPLAY CREEK ROAD, NORTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP

This home radiates with shimmering lights of all colors hanging from the trees and snowflakes that change colors lining the fence from the backyard. With

tons of cute decoration­s, including an adorable snow globe with two snowmen inside, this house brought Christmas to life in more ways than one.

11. 41 N GREENWOOD AVE., PALMER TOWNSHIP

I spent my entire childhood deathly afraid of the Abominable Snowman from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, but 41 N. Greenwood Ave. completely shifted my stance on this yeti. While it isn’t the same exact character, the gentle giant displayed by this family will certainly change your stance on the abominable and warm your heart with a tremendous display.

12. 503 MORAVIAN AVE., PALMER TOWNSHIP

Not too far from the previous home, 503 Moravian Ave. gives you the chance to see all your favorite Christmas characters in one yard! The front yard glows with many of the holiday’s favorites, from a giant Santa Claus to the cutest little cactus (with a Santa hat so it counts as a Christmas character) to raise your spirits this holiday season.

13. SOUTH 18TH STREET, ALLENTOWN

To fully appreciate the decoration­s lining South 18th Street in Allentown, we had to include the entire block. The entire street shines bright with Christmas spirit and features families who make the most of tiny front yards with lovely little designs. The

home at 220 uses just about every square inch of the yard with lights that’ll make you squint while

217 and 325-327 each make your heart melt with charming inflatable­s and lights.

14. 3022 BIRCH ST., WHITEHALL

While other homes seem to slap you in the face with as many lights as possible, 3022 Birch

St. captures the eye with its symmetry and thoughtful design. From two little penguins riding Rudolph to trios of candy canes lining the yard and Mr. and Mrs. Claus from “The Year Without a Santa Claus” overlookin­g it all, this Whitehall home is more than worthy of cracking the list.

15. 4371 WAGNER DRIVE, BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP

Much like 1053 8th St. in Whitehall, this home in the Wagner Farms developmen­t shines brightly with a beautiful outline of white lights lining the rooftop. There’s something to be said for the simple, yet carefully constructe­d designs that glisten in the night without sending your neighbors into a rage with more bright lights than the eye can see. A short drive along this road will find you several lights displays well worth your time.

 ?? MONICA CABRERA/THE MORNING CALL ?? The holiday lights display at 950 Oakwood St. in Easton. Ray and Kristen Whitaker put up a super bright Christmas light display. The display stands out because they only use cool white and colored LED lights.
MONICA CABRERA/THE MORNING CALL The holiday lights display at 950 Oakwood St. in Easton. Ray and Kristen Whitaker put up a super bright Christmas light display. The display stands out because they only use cool white and colored LED lights.
 ?? AMY SHORTELL/THE MORNING CALL ?? The holiday lights display in the front yard of 5947 Lehigh Lane in Bath.
AMY SHORTELL/THE MORNING CALL The holiday lights display in the front yard of 5947 Lehigh Lane in Bath.
 ?? AMY SHORTELL/THE MORNING CALL ?? A holiday display takes up the front yard of 3415 Oregon St. in Easton.
AMY SHORTELL/THE MORNING CALL A holiday display takes up the front yard of 3415 Oregon St. in Easton.
 ?? MONICA CABRERA/THE MORNING CALL ?? Nichol Cafone, at 5685 Sullivan Trail in Nazareth, has been decorating since 2009. More lights are added every year, the current light count is over 28,000.
MONICA CABRERA/THE MORNING CALL Nichol Cafone, at 5685 Sullivan Trail in Nazareth, has been decorating since 2009. More lights are added every year, the current light count is over 28,000.
 ?? AMY SHORTELL/THE MORNING CALL ?? A holiday display takes up the front yard of 1053 8th St. in Whitehall.
AMY SHORTELL/THE MORNING CALL A holiday display takes up the front yard of 1053 8th St. in Whitehall.

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