14 Nov 30th–Dec 6th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Christmas features 70,000 lights, plenty of Mickey Mouse (the family are huge Disney nerds) and a mesmerizing synchronized light shows with music happening nightly and jets of bubbles and artificial snow filling the air on weekends. Hours: Runs nightly, 6 to 10 p.m., through Jan. 1. WEST VALLEY Phoenix Winter Wonderland 4237 W. State Ave. phoenixwinterwonderland.com David Chuchla’s voluminous display is like a holiday diorama writ extra large. Each inch of his home’s interior and exterior is covered in joyous revelry, including 70,000- plus lights and hundreds of plastic and animatronic characters. Inside, you’ll encounter rooms filled with ornaments, miniatures and collectibles. Stop by and experience the seasonal sensory overload. Hours: Nightly, 6 to 10 p.m., through Dec. 31. Palacio Residence 7734 N. 41st Ave. Think you’re a big “South Park” fan? Every year, Emilio Palacio’s home becomes an enormous tribute to the infamous cartoon with plywood versions of 75-plus char- acters (including Stan, Kyle, Cartman, Scuzzlebutt, A.W.E.S.O.M.-O and dozens more) decorating his yard, porch and rooftop. Hours: Dusk to 11 p.m., through early January. Laurie Lane 4552 W. Laurie Lane, Glendale Landlubbers of the Valley will want to drop anchor at this pirate-themed display boasting 50,000 LEDs, dancing lights and a Christmas music soundtrack. Sail by on Friday and Saturday nights when bubbles will fill the air and a bounce house will be available. Hours: Nightly starting at dusk through early January. Christmas Winter Wonderland 5315 W. Cholla St., Glendale This charming walk-through display is big on holiday cheer and just plain big. More than 500,000 lights and 140 inflatables are included, as well as a variety of photo ops and an illuminated snowfield. Hours: 5 to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 5 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday, weather permitting. A Molar Christmas 8252 W. Camino De Oro, Peoria facebook.com/amolarchristmas Retired Peoria dentist Charles Gatti creates this joyous display (hence its name) spanning three homes, which boasts 143,000 LEDs, leaping arches, a 25-foot-tall tree and a holiday music mix. Hours: Nightly, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., until early January. Joe Sirakis 8374 W. Meadow Drive, Peoria Disney fans will dig the display created by Joe Sirakis at his Peoria home. This year’s version involves 45,000-plus lights, 65 handmade wooden cutouts of Disney char- acters and a 25-foot-tall mega-tree topped with Mickey Mouse’s outline. There’s also a snow machine and Christmas soundtrack. Hours: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., Friday through Sunday. Lights on Jenan 15627 W. Jenan Drive, Surprise facebook.com/ lightsonjenanaz The Force is strong with this display, which features 20,000 pixel lights synced with music and is largely inspired by “Star Wars.” There are elements shaped like an X-Wing, TIE Fighter, Darth Vader, Grogu (a.k.a. Baby Yoda) and other things from a galaxy far, far away. Hours: Nightly, 6 to 10 p.m., until Jan. 6. The Lights on Maui 13439 W. Maui Lane, Surprise facebook.com/ thelightsonmauilane You needn’t jet off to Hawaii to enjoy the family fun offered by this cheerful display. Instead, make your way to Surprise, where 50-minute-long animated light shows set to music feature singing Christmas trees and a flock of synchronized pixels await. Blankets, lawn chairs and other seating are welcome. Hours: 6 to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 6 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday, through Dec. 31. Laveen Christmas House 8211 S. 63rd Ave., Laveen Village facebook.com/laveenxmashouse Each year, thousands flock to Mel and Patti Tasker’s expansive drive-thru display to revel in a holiday wonderland adorned with 300,000 lights, 35 illuminated animals, and 475 wooden cutouts portraying cartoon and comic book char- acters. It’s a festive spectacle to behold. Hours: Nightly, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., until Jan. 7. The Lights on Evergreen 3131 N. Evergreen St., Buckeye thelightsonevergreen.com You’ll be mesmerized by the 24,000 LED pixels spanning this two-story home that glitter, flash and dance during hourly audio-visual extravaganzas sequenced to music. Feel free to bring lawn and camping chairs to use while enjoying the show. Hours: 6 to 9 p.m., Friday through Sunday until Dec. 30; and 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 25. EAST VALLEY M & S Lights 11161 E. Starkey Ave., Mesa facebook.com/m.and.s.lights Self-described Disney nerds and Mesa resi- dents Mike and Stacie Parsons build a large structure resembling the facade of “It’s a Small World,” right down to the signature clock face, outside their home each year. After dark, it comes alive with color during computerized light shows that are wired up to glowing displays on five neighboring houses. Your kiddos will also dig a snow machine that shoots faux flakes into the air or mailbox where they can drop letters to Santa and get a personalized letter in return. Like anything Disney-related, it’s a bit magical. Hours: Runs 5:30 to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; and 5:30 to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Mesa Christmas 1610 E. Hermosa Vista Drive, Mesa mesachristmas.com Retired Mesa pediatrician David Kipp built this display to help add some holiday magic to his neighborhood, and it’s just what the doctor ordered. His two-story home becomes a canvas for a palette of vibrant colors and holiday revelry. Animated shows powered by 30,000 lights, hundreds of LED pixels and various video projections take place each evening and feature seasonal tunes by Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Disney flicks. Hours: Runs nightly, 6 to 9 p.m., until Dec. 26. The Keeleys’ Light Show 1851 S. Brighton Circle, Mesa facebook.com/thekeeleyslightshow The Keeley family’s stunning animated light shows may not be the largest in the Valley, but they’ve got plenty of heart. They involve than 25,000 LEDs dancing about the trees, arches and other decorations in their yard, accentuated by a varied soundtrack of pop, rock and even EDM songs. Hours: Nightly, 6 to 10 p.m. Pelky Residence 1335 N. Papillon Circle, Mesa Michael and Shelley Pelky have turned their Mesa home into an enormous annual display for 25 years now. It covers the front of their home and features everything from characters from Rankin-Bass animated specials and choruses of angels to herds of reindeer and a candy cane forest. Hours: Nightly from 5:30 to 11 p.m. Dingman Residence 2329 N. Recker Road, #104, Mesa Kris Kringle oughta consider taking a break and park his sleigh in Danny Dingman’s driveway in east Mesa. It’s hard to miss, as the property boasts 65,000-plus lights, hundreds of glowing decorations and a grip of Disney characters. Landing lights are also available should Santa have trouble touching down. Hours: Operates nightly through Dec. 31. Natal Circle 663 W. Natal Circle, Mesa More than a dozen houses situated around this Mesa cul-de-sac sparkle with scores of glowing bulbs, illuminated inflatables and other electrically powered decorations. Natal Circle residents gleefully participate in the tradition, and each home offers its own lighting scheme and theme. Hours: Nightly, 5 to 10 p.m., through Jan. 1. Santa Rita Ranch Lights 10458 E. Osage Ave., Mesa More than 20 different individually deco- rated houses located in this southeast Valley neighborhood are linked by lights, creating a walkable and driveable holiday experience for locals to check out. Some houses go all out while others are more modest. It’s definitely worth the drive. Hours: Nightly starting at dusk through Jan. 1. Wieser Residence 7733 E. Posada Ave., Mesa The Wieser family geared their display to appeal to both kids and adults. That’s why there’s a playlist of Disney favorites, tradi- tional songs and hilarious comedy bits broadcast over 99.1 FM. Other highlights include projections, a Bottom: Michael and Shelley Pelky’s display in Mesa has been a holiday tradition for 25 years. Right: “South Park” fans will enjoy the holiday display at Emilio Palacio’s house in west Phoenix. (Photos by Tom Carlson and Benjamin Leatherman) The Glow Up from p 13 >> p 17
