Chicago Ridge Il Christmas Decorating Contest

ILLINOIS — Haul out the holly, the plastic blow molds, LED lights and synchronized music, because we all need a little Christmas more than ever. We've rounded up the best reader-submitted residential 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.

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 — if you're not signed up to receive your community's Patch newsletter, get started here.)

There's still a pandemic out there, so if you're going to get out of your car to look around or dance to the synchronized lights, please wear a face mask and practice social distancing.

We're still contacting last year's participants 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. Get on the list! Send us a description of your winter wonderland, address and photos to lorraine.swanson@patch.com.

COOK COUNTY/CHICAGO

Alsip

11631 S. Laramie Ave., Alsip — The whole 11600 block of South Laramie Avenue in Alsip decks their yard with lights. Visitors come from miles around to visit this block, which we hear can be viewed from space. Kathleen Reitz, who was featured on our cover a few years ago, has submitted her house and her next door neighbor's. If the rest of the block is anything like these two homes, it's certain to be spectacular.

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

4505 W. 129th St., Alsip | Reader submitted

Bridgeview

7807 W. 74th Place, Bridgeview — Known as the "Clark W. Griswold of Bridgeview," Jim Pavel is a third-generation lawn decorator. His family has been decorating since the early 1960s. Jim's light display is a combination of store-brought and homemade decorations. A computerized light show is synchronized to several Christmas songs, broadcast on a radio station so you can enjoy it from the warmth of your car. This year he's added a quartet of singing Christmas trees. Jim has been decorating for over 40 years helping his grandfather set up lights as a kid. The display runs nightly from 4 to 10 p.m.

ADDED! 7416 S Octavia Ave Bridgeview — Jim Pavel loves decorating houses so much he also does his parents' house. Sadly, Jim's dad, the master who taught him the art of outdoor lawn decorating, passed away in January 2020. We think this is a dazzling tribute! Jim's dad's art lives on.

Chicago/Mt. Greenwood

3629 W. 116th St., Chicago (Mount Greenwood) -- This synchronized light show is a thing of beauty.

Chicago Ridge

ADDED! 10936 S. Lyman Ave. Chicago Ridge — Awesome, awesome, awesome! Definitely worth a drive-by.

ADDED! 6108 Washington St., Chicago Ridge — A magical, whimsical display made with love, including archways, white and red lights, toy soldiers, a Christmas tree farm, and elves and bows galore. There's also a Frozen Castle with Minnie and Mickey for little believers. Don't forget to drop your letters in our express North Pole mailbox. We love Santa dashing away over the roof.

ADDED! Santa's Workshop On Oxford, 11031 Oxford Ave., Chicago Ridge — This winter wonderland offers a musical light show and moving inflatables. We love the jazzy "Greensleeves." The Foertsch family is collecting nonperishable food items for the Chicago Food Depository. The food drive is virtual, so online money donations can also be made directly to the food depository.

Evergreen Park

ADDED! 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 147 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. One of our faves and must-stop on the tour.

Glencoe

725 Apple Tree Lane, Glencoe — This is Steven Santiccioli's favorite time of year and for good reason.

725 Apple Tree Lane, Glencoe | Reader submitted

LaGrange/LaGrange Park

The Nightmare Before Christmas on Homestead, 836 Homestead Road, La Grange Park — "Jack Skellington came here from Halloween Town. You'll notice his handiwork scattered around, This year he's decided to play Sandy Claws, but when Halloween create Christmas, you may see a few flaws." After a popular and successful Haunted Mansion Halloween, Don Coglianese and family set their sights on carefully crafting The Nightmare Before Christmas. Everything is homemade and hand painted. Awesome display.

Hickory Hills

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.

Lemont

Chuchla Family Lights, 12032 Center Drive, Lemont — A fun Christmas light show synchronized to music. The show runs through Jan. 6: from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The show runs until at least 2 a.m. on Christmas Eve so you can enjoy it after midnight church services. Tune your car radio to 95.1 FM to hear the music. The show runs continuously in a 70-minute loop with an eight-minute intermission between each loop.

ADDED! Gingerbread House, 12454 Thornberry Drive, Lemont — We could just eat up Melissa Norwood's gorgeous gingerbread house.

Midlothian

ADDED! Cohlton's Holiday Light Show,14327 Maple Lane, Midlothian — One word: Majestic.

Oak Forest

Achter Acres, 5901 Liberty Square, Oak Forest — Achter Acres debuted on Patch's scary yard tour this year, and was named one of the top ten Halloween towns. Since then, George and the little woman have been busier that Santa and Mrs. Claus turning their yard into the North Pole. The display features 9,000-plus lights, 14-ft tall mega tree, 12-ft arches, and some twinkling lights. "Just as on Halloween, we hand make most items including our 6ft talk candy canes that line the driveway."

Oak Forest

4436 Lisa Lane, Oak Forest — Thirteen-year-old Parker Tade put up most of his family's Christmas display. We think he has the makings of greatness. The lights are synchronized to a variety of Christmas songs. Lights are on 4:30 to 11 p.m.

Oak Lawn
5364 Kimball, Oak Lawn — This homeowner is going large for the holidays. Nightly 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

9704 S. Tripp Ave., Oak Lawn — Hurry over to Brian Mayo's wonderful display in Oak Lawn featuring thousands of twinkling lights.

9704 S. Tripp Ave., Oak Lawn | Reader submitted

ADDED! Snowman House, 9929 Harnew Road West, Oak Lawn — Burl Ives would love the Lionberg family's "Snowman House." Over 80 snowman cover the Lionbergs' yard and their neighbors' yard, People can stop by from 6 to 10 p.m. and even take pictures with snowmen.

A DDED! 10111 S. Kildare Ave., Oak Lawn — John and Tracy Schorle's display features a towering light tree. The lights are all RGB computer controlled lights set to music. Tune to 88.1 FM to listen. Check out the pair of 10-foot tall trees that talk to each other. Three songs are featured in a 10-minute light show.

ADDED! Thompson-Kuenster Funeral Home, 5570 95th St, Oak Lawn — Our first year on the South Side we almost got into a car accident gaping at Thompson-Kuenster's majestic display. Each year Bob Kuenster drapes the exterior of the funeral home with lights, some years blue, this year white, centered around a gold Nativity. Reindeer dash away over the rooftop. Worth a drive down 95th Street to see this glorious, 103-year-old family owned business. Bob really loves Christmas, and also really loves putting up a display every year so the community can enjoy it. If you ask Bob why he does it, he'll tell that that the funeral home is his home. He does a lot for the surrounding community and never refuses when Scouts, churches, senior centers, schools and other groups ask for his help. Families stop in the parking lot to take in the lights and say a prayer. Hat tip to Debbie Janicke for the submission. Yes, Patch features businesses too on the holiday tour o' lights.

ADDED! 9408 Parkside Ave, Oak Lawn — Lovely.

ADDED! Christmas Corner, W. 94th and S. Mobile, Oak Lawn — The Herpich family always go large on decorating their corner lot. Nice.

ADDED! 10329 S. Knox Ave., Oak Lawn — A glittering display by Matt and Jessica Tranowski. Love the kid.

Orland Park/Orland Hills

10260 W. 144th St., Orland Park — Colorful lights circle around the entire property, front, back, and both sides, the highlight being the 50-foot evergreen tree in the front.

10260 W. 144th St., Orland Park | Reader submitted

14601 Poplar Court, Orland Park — No spot of lawn is left bare in this shiny display, which is covered by over 175 blow molds, ruled by a 10-foot-tall snowman and Christmas tree. This is the Harske family's and is up to 300 blow molds. The newest addition is a 8-person choir. Lights are on every day from dusk to 11:30 p.m.

14601 Poplar Court, Orland Park | Reader submitted

Palos Hills

ADDED! 10357 Broadmoor Dr, Palos Hills — Mark Piersma hits all the Christmas symbols in his bright, cheerful collection of holiday blow molds.

Palos Park

13000 S. 83rd Court, Palos Park — This gorgeous, elegant display features trees wrapped in lights.

Posen

Santa's Corner, 14846 Whipple St., Posen — Dean Sortarican has a simple and very bright light display featuring the one and only Santa.

Steger

ADDED! 3220 Peoria St., Steger — Anthony Foushi submitted his neighbors Paul and Melissa Leimer's house.

Tinley Park

O'Connor Lights, 7414 162nd Place, Tinley Park — Scott O'Connor Jr. has definitely channeled his inner Clark Griswold. People are welcome to get out and look around at his dazzling display. He's taking donations for Together We Cope, which is helping all kinds of folks impacted by the pandemic. Lights are on from 5 to 10 p.m. daily, Tune into 105.7 FM in your car to watch the synchronized light show.

6240 167th St., Tinley Park — A cheerful, happy display.

ADDED! 7414 W. 161st St., Tinley Park — This is the Monreal family's first Christman in Tinley Park. They are definitely making a splash with their display. We love the snowman face on the garage.

ADDED! Kaminski Holiday Light Show, 18033 Bettenhausen Dr., Tinley Park — A winner in the Tinley Park home decorating contest, featuring over 20 musical shows with over 9,000 lights and RGB color effects bouncing across the Kaminskis' home and their neighbor across the street. Tune into 89.3 FM. Here's the opening number from 2017.

ADDED! 7805 Nottingham Dr, Tinley Park — Jorilyn Hanna sent us five photos of her amazing display, each a knockout. Finally, we selected this photo, which looks like candy Dots covering the house.

ADDED! 8706 Kathleen Lane,Tinley Park — This is a walk-through display, so get out of the car and prepare to be dazzled. Wear a face mask.

ADDED! 8719 Kathleen Lane, Tinley Park — Another of the many great light displays on Kathleen Lane.

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, and 5 p.m. to midnight Friday through Sunday. The lights will be on round the clock Dec. 24 and Dec. 25. Dave likes to keep his display "old School" to conjure up adults' memories of riding around with their parents looking at lights.

Worth

11149 S. Worth Ave., Worth — Another fine collection of blow molds.

DUPAGE COUNTY

Addison

ADDED! Holiday Cheer On Pioneer, 218 N. Pioneer Drive, Addison — A cheery display by Christmas lover Ginger Giralamo. Lights go on at 5 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus (find out what her first name is) visit on select nights when they can get away from Santa's workshop.

Carol Stream

ADDED! 1214 Easton Drive Carol Stream — This year, the show will feature 9,033 lights, sequenced to Christmas classics and other popular songs. Be sure to look out for the Singing Christmas Tree, Singing Light Bulbs, and the 16-foot tall mega tree.

ADDED! Candy Cane Canyon, 371 Canyon Trail, Carol Stream — An elaborate display featuring a life-sized Gingerbread House, 9-foot-tall nutcrackers, 20 trees decorated by elves and snowmen, and synchronized lights. Tune into 1010.5 FM. You gotta see it!

Elmhurst

ADDED! Candy Lane House, 586 W. Belden Ave., Elmhurst — Flock over to the Flock family's home to see the homemade reindeer flying across the yard, arches, Mickey and Minnie and lots of snowmen.

Candy Lane House, 586 W. Belden Ave., Elmhurst

ADDED! 674 S. Saylor, Elmhurst — Every year Tom Hanick changes up his display. His corner lot offers a wonderful display with the house on southwest corner. Wonderful display with a penguin house, polar bear park, Nativity , reindeer, and an ice rink with the Peanuts gang playing hockey. Santa dangles from the basketball hoop.

Naperville

1264 Harvest Court, Naperville — It's a small world after all on the Torres family's front yard. Lights will be up and running until Jan. 3 from 5 to 11 p.m. Lots of Disney inflatables including a 10-foot Santa Mickey.

Naper Light Show, 3111 Wolfe Ct., Naperville — This is an interactive light display synced to music, where viewers can vote on the next song played via their smartphones. In addition to the lights and music, there is also a virtual Santa in the window to wave hi to kids. Thanksgiving night through New Year's Eve. Sun. - Thur. 4:30 to 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 4:30 to 11 p.m.

Villa Park

ADDED! 39 W. Madison St, Villa Park — The Fillipp Family Exterior Illimuninations have put up an outstanding display. This year they're teaming up with Toy Express, which distributes toys to approximately 2,500 underprivileged children in the western suburbs. Come up and drop off a new unwrapped toy in the wishing well. Lights are on from 5 to 11 p.m.

KANE COUNTY

Gilbert

ADDED! Going Griswold Holiday Light Show, 214 Glenbrook Ct, Gilberts — New in this year of Going Griswold show is "Hamildolph," a holiday Chicago parody, as well as several new songs. The Johnson family is collecting non-perishable food items for the D300 Food Pantry.

Hampshire

15N800 Pheasant Fields Lane, Hampshire — Jeffrey Lawnicki has decked out his yard entire in over 10,000 LED lights. Even the pool and pool house in the backyard are left. His display features numerous figures such as reindeer, Noel candles, spiral trees, candy canes and manger. The 11 sidewalk arches in pixel lights are stunning. A must-see.

KENDALL COUNTY

Montgomery

1634 Timber Lane Drive, Montgomery — We love the dreamy blue lights.

Oswego

Oswego Lights, 701 N. Sparkle Court, Oswego — Scott and Emily Bialas have taken their light show on the road, moving from Des Plaines to Oswego, which is even more sparkly! They do light shows for the Fourth of July, Halloween and Christmas. Their 30-minute light show with 20,000 RGB lights are synchronized to music with snowflakes, icicles, arches, mini trees, a panel, and a mega tree. Their neighbor certainly seems to enjoy the show.

Yorkville

ADDED! The Arch's Christmas Light Show, 2389 Iroquois Lane, Yorkville — This light show, featuring synced with music, is majestic and can be seen from space. Lou is nowhere near done adding lights. Tune into 88.1 FM.

ADDED! 2724 Alan Dale Lane, Yorkville — We think the Dolans' house looks just like a gingerbread house.

ADDED! 2848 McMurtrie Way, Yorkville — Whispering Meadows Subdivision at dusk.

LAKE COUNTY

Fox Lake

ADDED! 39 Poplar Ave., Fox Lake — Mr, and Mrs. Clark Griswold have been hard at work on their display. They loved putting on their light show every year. Clark loves seeing the excitement in everyone's eyes. Being in the entertainment industry, the pandemic has not been kind to these cheery homeowners. There is a donation box but don't feel obligated, even a kind note would brighten the Griswolds' day. Grab a candy cane off the candy cane tree by the gate.

Lake Forest

ADDED! 1541 Kathryn Lane, Lake Forest — The Redding family's twinkling tree-lit lights are wondrous.

Round Lake Beach

Friedrich Family Light Show, 124 S. Channel Drive, Round Lake Beach — Heather and Brian Friedrich have discovered new uses for tomato cages. Their yard is bedecked with homemade light props made from repurposed items, such as lighted trees made out of tomato cages, light arches, and weatherproofed cardboard. "We have about 14,000 lights in our display that are synchronized to music." Show runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sun. - Thurs. and 5-11 p.m. Fri. and Sat. from Nov. 28 to Dec 31.

McHENRY COUNTY

Fox River Grove

Mack Manor, 1010 Algonquin Rd, Fox River Grove (cross road is Hill Top Lane/Algonquin Road), Fox River Grove — This is an over-the-top drive-through display that takes visitors through an amazing winter wonderland of lights, inflatables and other holiday delights. A legendary display that draws hundreds of visitors each year. Turn off your headlights, stay in your cars and tune into 106.9 FM for a magical Christmas experience. Lights are on daily from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6 to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday, weather permitting. Extended hours are planned for Christmas Eve from 5 p.m. to midnight; Christmas Day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and New Year's Eve from 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. To avoid long lines, Mack Manor is best viewed at 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. NOTE: Google is using various addresses on Algonquin Road (10t66 and 1050); per the homeowner's advice we googled "Mack Manor" and came up with 1010 Algonquin Road. Visit the Mack Manor Facebook page for more directional info.

Lake in the Hills

2880 Hillsboro Lane, Lake In The Hills — A lovely, well-composed display in McHenry. Synchronized music runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The lights are on from 4:30 to 11 p.m.

Village of Lakewood

5840 Highland Lane, Village of Lakewood — Jen and Tom Allen's stunning Currier and Ives display. Lights are on 4 p.m. to midnight

WILL COUNTY

Bolingbrook

Gwin House, 419 Callery Drive, Bolingbrook — Thousands of twinkling lights and an 7 ½-foot inflatable snow globe with projections of Christmas scenes deck the Gwin's house and yard. Lights on 4 to 10 p.m.

Gwin House, 419 Callery Drive, Bolingbrook

ADDED! 3 Redspire Court, Bolingbrook — This Nutcracker-inspired lawn display makes us want to get out of the car to dance with the sugar plum fairies and waltz with flowers. Cindy Rella (we don't know if the name is a gag) said her daughter just danced in her first production of 'The Nutcracker.'

Channahan

ADDED! The Ortiz Family Lights In The Ravine, 26010 W. Ravine Woods Drive, Channahan —Show runs on a loop from 6 to 10 p.m. daily and is currently 45 minutes long. They're still adding props! Tune into 90.5 FM. "This is our second year and we have added 22 additional props to the show so far from last year. With more to come."

ADDED! 26158 Oakridge Court, Channahan — This year, Jerry Kosek is going for a Twilight Zone at Ground Zero theme, appropriate for weird 2020. Animations are projected on one side of the house, synced with talking and singing faces on the front of the house, with lights on the other side of the house. Jerry's also added a fog machine this year to make DMX lasers and moving head lights stand out. On weekends and the holidays, he runs a snow machine over the garage. "We try to keep things a little unusual and comical as far as Christmas displays go, which seems like a good idea this year." Display runs 6 to 10 p.m.

Frankfort

ADDED! 20652 S. Graceland, Frankfort — Synced lights dance across every square inch of this house.

Homer Glen

Festive Fiskows, 13115 Sage Ct Homer Glen — It doesn't get anymore festive than the Fiskows house. The lawn is decked out with 200 blow molds and a tree with covered in 4,600 lights. They put on a terrific Halloween display as well, so you know it's going to be wild.

Joliet

1402 Tiger Lily Lane, Joliet — Scott the Crazy Halloween Guy turns into the Crazy Christmas Guy every December. The rest of the year he's a normal guy. This display features around 20,000 lights, numerous blow molds, and a light show synced to your favorite Christmas songs. Just tune your radio to 95.3 F.M to see the lights dance with the music.

3711 Thoroughbred Lane, Joliet — A beautiful composition of color and lights by Rick and Katie Ruby.

Smith's Christmas Candy Land, 3433 Pandola Ave, Joliet — Who can take a sunrise, spring it with dew, cover it with choc'late and a miracle or two — Ramona Smith can! We could just eat this display up!

1318 Foxford Lane, Lockport — Dan and Cindy Tobin's are back for the 2020 tour o' holiday lights, featuring vintage blow mold pieces, trees set to music, and the latest addition four 5-foot-tall soldiers. Lights are lit seven days a week from 5:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Manhattan

24361 Shawnee Lane, Manhattan — The Hessers have a charming 3-D projection display that gets a fair amount of traffic. (They were also on Patch's tour of scary yards.) The display is designed on a computer by hand. Runs nightly from 6 to 10:30 p.m., with audio broadcast on FM radio.

Mokena

11508 Ashbury Ct. , Mokena —For 30 years Joe Smolinski has been adding something new to his Christmas display in front of his one acre-lot. Between 2017 and 2019 he converted everything to LED so it's brighter and certainly more energy efficient. But this year his techie wife, Mary Ellen, got really involved. They've set this fabulous old-fashioned Christmas display to MUSIC! We've started small with only five songs. But tune your car FM to 88.1 and enjoy.

ADDED! 11040 Elmwood Court, Mokena — Kellee Uelman's house took third place in Mokena's 2020 Christmas house contest.

Monee

ADDED! 6924 Trisha Court, Monee — Both sides of the driveway are decorated for a span of 240'. There's a path that you can walk to see it all up close. An amazing display. We love the blue light sea.

Plainfield

23833 W. Dayfield Dr., Plainfield — Last year a neighbor sent in Melissa Sasak's dad's house to the tour o' lights. People not only enjoy the awesome light display, but the house plays Christmas music as well.