The Great Christmas Light Fight

See the Weaver family’s 58’ castle in their Winter Wonderland replete with hand-painted Disney cutouts in Rohnert Park, California; the Barnard family’s live animal Nativity with 2 million lights sprawling across 8 acres in Lebanon, Tennessee; the Bagwell family’s impeccably synchronized musical masterpiece in Springfield, Missouri; a “talking house” you have to see (and hear!) to believe at the home of the Belcher family in Rowlett, Texas who make a high-tech house party with projected images that make their house seem to come alive. Judge Sabrina Soto awards the $50,000 and the coveted Christmas Light trophy.

The philanthropic spirit of the season is spotlighted (literally!) with a rooftop searchlight that required FAA approval atop the Daigle family's display in Paincourtville, Louisiana, that helps attract spectators who are asked to donate toys to needy children; the Loyas, along with their grandson, Jorge, in El Paso, Texas, have a magnificent creation they've built as a thank-you to the community that's given them so much since their humble beginnings; Tyler Horrocks and Joe Conway of Coventry, RI, are the youngest contestants ever to compete in the series. They usually have separate displays, but now combine their resources to pull together a DIY extravaganza. And the Apruzzi family of Old Bridge, NJ, honors their history and their monster truck with a dazzling display of wire frames. Judge Michael Moloney make his toughest decision yet.

See the Lashbrook family from Owensboro, KY, whose display is a nostalgic wonderland with real pine trees planted specifically for Christmas decorating; the BetGeorge family from Newark, CA, have a musical extravaganza with live performances that they hope will earn them more than a standing ovation; down in San Antonio, TX, the Johnson family’s synchronized light show is “not your Grandma’s Christmas display,” complete with a neighborhood dance party and dubstep soundtrack – this family’s enthusiasm will be tough to beat; and, the Alexander family who live on Christmas Tree Lane in Fresno, CA, have been topping themselves and their like-minded neighbors for 24 years with innovations such as their light mural.

Everything is bigger and quirkier in Dallas, TX, where Liz Simmons’ “Electric Lizzy Land” is chock-full of festive critters and homemade crafts; three generations of the Ludy family in Columbus, GA, show their originality with one-of-a-kind wire frames that create an animated wonderland; the Huffty family of Jacksonville, FL, welcome onlookers with a life-size animatronic snowman named Sunny; and Vallejo, CA’s Taylor family enlists their local fire department, and aluminum foil to blind the competition with their eye-popping display. See what happens when the fire department is called after a display suffers a blackout during judging.

Everything’s bigger in Texas, especially when it comes to the Thames family’s display in Midland, which showcases their larger than life, homemade display featuring enormous poinsettias and a “flame shooting” sleigh! In Davie, FL, the Hammel family specifically bought their home because the front yard is large enough to accommodate a sea of Christmas decorations and even an outdoor movie theater. Down in Clayton, NC, the Fuller family’s attention to detail is hard to miss – just follow the shooting star to the orchestra of trees! In Windsor, CA, the Mortensen family transforms their home into the world’s largest gingerbread house, complete with a personalized cast of cookie-themed characters and an over-the-top, holiday Cuckoo Clock.

Sanger, CA, “America’s Christmas Tree City,” is home to the Canizales family, who pay homage to their humble beginnings while simultaneously highlighting how far they’ve come with an explosion of light and color. “If you can’t see it from space, it’s not worth it!” is the Roberts family motto who kick up the traditional nativity several notches by adding a laser beam! Dover, FL, is home to “Christmas Lane,” a magical holiday midway outfitted with everything from a skating rink to a “teddy-go-round,” thanks to the hard work of the Wetherington family. Finally, after 26 years of wowing visitors from near and far, the Setti family in Norwalk, CT assembles their fantastical, hand-crafted Christmas village one final time before retiring their display for good, but the community won’t let them go quietly.