CLEVELAND, Ohio -- You know the houses: the holiday light displays that make you feel like a gleeful little kid, in awe of the glowing splendor.
Whether you pass them by happy accident or search them out each year, the displays stop traffic with their thousands of colored bulbs and waving snowmen displays and menagerie of blow-up characters. (I wave at Hank, the grouchy octopus from “Finding Dory,” every time we drive by.)
So where are the best amateur the light displays? The yards you can’t miss this Christmas season?
We checked out Seabury Avenue in Fairview Park Monday for the first time, and were wowed by the sidewalk garland lights. Nearly every house for several blocks partakes in the fun, which has been growing since 2010. And my kids happily ran under the glowing, color-switching arches like they were in their own personal parade. On weekends, there are carousel rides and reindeer-food-making for kids.
In Rocky River, 22200 Lake Road in Rocky River has an entire runway full of lights and a 32-foot-tall, computer-controlled Pixel tree.
The Crown Point Parkway Festival in Lights in Strongsville is supposed to be fantastic. (Putting it on my list to check out.)
So is Candy Cane Lane on Miner Road in Mayfield Heights, which is synchronized to music on 107.1 FM. Even Santa Claus occasionally checks out the fun.
In 2016, cleveland.com’s Best Of team hosted a contest for the best holiday light display, and crowned the winner 8636 Brandywine Road in Northfield Township. The display includes flag poles, wise men and a Christmas countdown sign.
Check out all sorts of homes here.
What are your favorite holiday light displays? Leave them in the comments!