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The Best Houses on The Great Christmas Light Fight

Posted on December 6, 2022
A house full of Christmas lights, and Disney Princesses.

The Stott family house in Fontana, CA were contestants on ABC's Great Christmas Light Fight in 2020. Photography | Daily Bulletin

If you can't see these very-merry homes in person, then a close next-best is watching their stories and lights unfold on the big screen! 

If you love Christmas and enjoy decorating, then you’ve probably watched ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight.

First airing in 2013, it’s an annual favorite for many. Each episode documents the transformation of contestant homes in a nationwide competition based on light displays, choreography, and extravagant design. The winner takes home $50,000! Not bad for getting to have some fun while putting up (thousands) of Christmas lights.

The Best Houses on The Great Christmas Light Fight

We decided to round up the best houses on The Great Christmas Light Fight and break each one down below. As a bonus, if the home can be found in our Built Story Holiday tours, we’ll link it for you in the description! That way you can go and see the extravagance for yourself!

If you’ve ever thought of entering, these are some of the magnificent creations you’ll be up against.

Chelsea, AL

Chelsea, AL
Photography | Bham Now

The Cloutier Christmas Lights of Chelsea, AL has recently been announced as a contestant for 2022’s The Great Christmas Light Fight!

The Cloutier’s had family fly in from around the country to help for over a month to make sure their home was tip-top and ready for the judges. The display was put together in 2021 for this year’s season and airs December 2022.

Laveen Village, AZ

House elaborately decorated with Christmas lights
Photography | Phoenix New Times

Mel and Patti Tasker of Laveen Village, AZ had their house featured in the 2021 season. This was well deserved after decorating for over three decades!

They have an expansive circular driveway that spans their home filled with over 300,000 lights, illuminated zoo animals, and 500+ cutouts of characters ranging from The Avengers all the way to Zootopia.

Find them on the Phoenix West Built Story Holiday Lights Tour.

Phoenix, AZ

Lee Sepanek
Photography | Phoenix New Times

Lee Sepanek of Phoenix, AZ earned the nickname “Christmas Lee” for always putting together such a dazzling display. His home went up against Mel and Patti’s (above) on the 2021 airing of The Great Christmas Light Fight.

His display consists of exterior window animations, massive tree decorations, and even flying reindeer that sit over 70ft in the air!

Lee shared with us, "Lights 100' up in the trees, hundreds of animated characters visible in 6 themed window displays, bubble machine, snow machine, hot cocoa, music, 25,0000 lights. Many animatronics in the yard. Fun for young and old this is our 36th year. Donations welcomed. ... Enjoy!"

With all of this, how can anyone not visit this sparkling home?! 

Fontana, CA

Merry Christmas
Photography | Fontana Herald News

The Stott family of Fontana, CA has been dedicated to spreading Christmas cheer with their immaculate Christmas Light displays for over 20 years! 

Brad Stott wanted to do something special for his kids when they were little and that’s how the tradition came to be. The Stott’s and their 3 sons all get together in October to make the display possible and doing so landed them as contestants of the 2020 season.

Their magnificent home and more can be seen in the San Bernardino Christmas Light tours.

Santa Rosa, CA

Train
Photography | ABC News

As proud winners of The Great Christmas Light Fight, the Berndt family’s display in Santa Rosa is a community favorite.

For over 35 years, Tim Berndt has put together an elaborate life-size railroad display named the “North Pole Express.” They also have a cookie factory vending machine stocked for the kids who are willing to wait in line.

Tim’s favorite part is creating a memorable experience for the younger children to enjoy and lasting memories for many.

Plantation, FL

Plantation
Photography | Plantation Lights Facebook Page

In 2021, the McGonigle-Collins home in Plantation, FL went up against another family in Florida to compete for $50,000 on The Great Christmas Light Fight.

Jennifer McGonigle-Collins said she and her father started this tradition over 30 years ago and they love the joy it brings to members of their community.

A big part of their display is a tribute to the military. Jennifer’s father served in the U.S. Marine Corps and honoring his service is near and dear to her heart.

Enjoy our Broward Christmas Lights tour.

Winter Park, FL

Winter Park
Photography | Orlando Sentinel

Eric Johannessen’s home earned a spot on the 2016 airing of the Great Christmas Light Fight by making sure every nook and cranny was filled with holiday spirit. Not to mention the 250,000 lights.

With everything from a hand-made wooden sleigh, a bounce house, and dozens of various inflatables, it’s a must-see. They did such an impeccable job that Santa even made this home his summer retreat.

Discover this home and may like it with the Orlando Christmas Lights Tour.

Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw
Photography | Travel Cobb

Richard, Sherrie, and Andrew Taylor of Kennesaw, GA earned a contestant spot on The Great Christmas Light Fight with their brilliant Lights of Joy display. With the biggest and brightest home in the area, it’s no surprise they were featured.

The immaculate setup has over 230 trees filled with lights, 40 of which are musical. They make use of over 1 million lights and it’s free to visit. Although they do encourage and accept donations for charity!

Boise, ID

Boise
Photography | Christmas in Boise FB

Roger and Sally DeBolt of Boise, ID pulled on heartstrings and dazzled their community with their impressive Boise home.

Decorating for over 30 years, these lights have been a long time in the making. The kicker? Roger is colorblind and relies on his family and computers for color coordination.

The display is close to their hearts as Roger and Sally are both cancer survivors who fought side by side. They accept donations for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho and having raised over $7400 combined between 2020 and 2021, they hope to continue to give back.

Raleigh, NC: Part 1

Raleigh
Photography | Happyland Christmas Lights

Bobby Moore and his family were winners in 2016 (season 4) with their brilliant Happyland display in Raleigh. Making them the second family in the Triangle to win the Great Christmas Light Fight.

The yard consists of vintage figurines Bobby grew up with. As a kid, he saw them throughout the 1950s and 60s around the city. He decided to purchase and restore dozens of them to place in the yard and add to their holiday feature.

Their display is dedicated to the memory of Rick Moore (1986-2004) who always wanted their family to keep putting up more lights.

Discover Raleigh’s Best Christmas Light Tour of south and west Wake County.

Raleigh, NC: Part 2

Raleigh
Photography | Piper Lights

Another 2016 winner, Piper Lights of Raleigh, NC features a unique 7-acre display.

Although these attractions won’t be running this year, their Christmas destination typically has a candy shop that sells old-fashioned treats, coffee, and hot chocolate. Not only that but they get a visit from Santa and built a train for the kids to ride.

2022-2023 will be a drive-through-only stop.

Explore more of Raleigh’s Best Christmas lights.

Boerne, TX

Boerne
Photography | Hinojosa Family Lights Facebook

Beto and Mariana Hinojosa of Boerne, TX took home the trophy and a $50,000 prize in 2021 for their beautiful display! 

Beto is a middle school principal who takes pride in the community and loves to give back. As a family, they love to donate Christmas trees to those in need.

The Hinojosa’s have been setting up their house for over 8 years. Their 3 children love the holiday tradition and have been adding to it every year.

Find their house as part of the San Antonio Built Story Holiday Lights Tour.

San Antonio, TX

San Antonio
Photography | KENS 5

Brenda and John Wilson of San Antonio, TX set up a dazzling winter wonderland and took home the grand prize in early December 2021.

Their Windcrest home is decorated with over 120,000 LED lights and the theme was The Chipmunks and Chipettes. Brenda plans the unique designs and her husband John makes them come to life! John says they need to use 17 outlets at the front of their house just to make it possible.

Check out this dazzling home and more with a festive San Antonio Christmas Lights tour.

Want to discover more Christmas lights like these?

Check out the Built Story App for the most incredible Christmas light tours around the country!

We give you the low down on exactly where to go. We’ve designed each route to ensure maximum light viewing, with the least amount of driving. Turn-by-turn navigation is integrated into the app—making each light tour easy-breezy, cozy, and brilliant. 

Hear a holiday joke or read the stories of the people who decorate throughout the self-guided tour, too. You’ll have unlimited access to each route for 30 days—break up the tour if you’d like and enjoy it on your time! 

It’s the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

All tours will be live on December 1 – and some earlier than that! Add yourself to the email list and we’ll be sure to send you updates on all Christmas light festivities.

Happy touring!

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