TOUR OF LIGHTS
Here’s the 2020 list of bright lights and happy homes:
Songbird Drive, Covey Court: We didn’t think this neighborhood could get any better, but there are more homes participating. Good for a daytime drive with the kids with an array of handmade wood cut-outs of animals, reindeer and the Wise Men. These large, elegant houses make a great framework for light strings, icicles and floodlights. Don’t go too fast or you might miss the lights-flashing Grinch. This route is one of the best displays of Nativities.
Wild Rose Circle: Head to Keefer and turn on Hereford, winding up on Wild Rose. Big lots and big trees mean plenty of area to string lights vertically, horizontally or scallop-y. Nearly every home has something a glow.
Garner Lane: This area between Keefer and Highway 99 has really come of age. Check out houses on Rio Grande, the “green” house on Augusta, and Nighthawk, where two neighbors linked with light strings overhead and stuffed lawns below.
578 Cimarron Dr.: This family lives for Christmas, and holds a legacy of historic and handmade decorations from Chico’s “Mr. Christmas,” the late Don Corrie. The yard has been reorganized so that many displays are close to the street for drive-by viewing but guests can still walk through the yard. Check on Facebook Tiffany’s Christmas Lights Display for updates about Santa, hot chocolate and cookies.
1518 E. Lassen Ave.: This is one of the “wow” sights because it’s a small yard that doesn’t have a blank inch. This two-story house is known for its glow, coming from a count-down calendar, lawn decorations, glowing mailbox, and synchronized lights that beat a Christmas tune on the radio. It’s worth getting out of the car because there is so much. Check out homes along East Eaton before the next stop.
Ceanothus Avenue area:
The house at 3053 is our featured house, but the whole area is a gift of glow. Find a ton of inflatables at the roundabout. Head down Valley Forge and you can’t miss Marigold and Coachlite. Farther south off Ceanothus, check out Boston, Colonial, and it’s Polar Bear Central on Saratoga. Look up and you’ll see glittery stars overhead.
2794 Lucy Way: There’s plenty here to make you smile. Did someone shimmy up the light pole to get the lights way up there? And check out what’s atop the trailer in the driveway — it’s another trailer.
1170 and 1172 Whitewood Way: Adjacent yards and neighborly decorators make this a massive display of lights and inflatables worth a stop.
2410 Floral Ave.: This decorator has been at it more than 30 years. Bright, glowy blow molds rule this yard in little vignettes of angels or singers or Santas. A number of new blow molds join the merry mix. Because cords and plugs run everywhere, visitors are asked to stay off the lawn.
Baroni Drive: Bright homes are scattered all along the road. The north end of Baroni is home to a couple of sparkling houses, with cutouts, inflatables and lots and lots of lights.
Skymountain Circle, Wildflower Court: Check out the jolly hand-made wooden snowman on Wildflower, huge globes on trees and stunning stars on Skymountain. We’re told the Ho-HoHo atop one house was the work of a 16-year-old elf who did it himself.
New Dawn Circle: A number of lawns have that glowing quality in this neighborhood. Inflatables are popular, especially one yard where there were too many Santas to count.
767 Westmont Court:
Make the kids count the candy canes at this house. The light strands over the arched walkway are a nice touch. It’s a cul-de-sac so look out for basketball hoops.
1206 West Wind Dr.:
The tractor has arrived from the farm and Stewart the Elf is at his post. Upstairs, Santa and Mrs. Claus love to see the scene below. Letters to Santa can go in the mailbox, and if an individually written, return letter is wanted, include a stamped, selfaddressed envelope with the letter. From 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19, Suzanna the 6-year-old golden retriever will be offering kisses, dressed up in a glowing Christmas suit.
2168 Moyer Way: New to the list, here’s another that’s aflood with lights and inflatables of every size and shape. Who needs Disneyland when there are yards like this? Others in the neighborhood caught the spirit too.
980 Durango Way: This house is a little hard to find but it’s fun. See Santa doing chin ups on the basketball hoop, and check out the fun nautical theme. This family must enjoy boats. And that’s our first inflatable unicorn. Check out who’s on the balcony. Neighbors say this couple has been hard at it, and it shows.
130 Zinnia Way: There are more than 20 dog decorations at this house, celebrating the family’s big dogs, along with pooches of all sizes. Not only does this family love Christmas light dogs, they have three furry ones too, including a sweet puppy.
879 Mathews: Can you say Snoopy inflatable overload? Snoopy is in a canoe, flying in a plane, on a Zamboni, not to mention a motorcycle. This decorator counts 45 inflatables in his yard. Drive slow around the block because others are great too.
Amber Grove: Take Yellowstone, Greenfield or Amber Grove to a magic land where nearly every street has some adornment. It’s a great cruise on wide streets. Check out the glowing corner at Yellowstone and Mt. Whitney Court, and don’t miss the humongous snowman at the other end. Other standouts include Silver Lake Drive.