Use This Map to Find an Awesome Christmas Light Show Near You

'Tis the season for extravagant Christmas light shows. You can use the map below to find a spectacular Christmas light show close to where you are.

First, we talked to a local expert about what goes into creating a magnificent Christmas light show.

Bruce has been a resident of Grand Blanc for the last 20 years and has been showing off his Christmas decorating prowess for the last four years. (There's a video of this year's light show embedded below, if you can't make it in person.)

Bruce also shares festive light shows for Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, and to show his support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. He's also hopeful that he'll be able to put together a special light show to celebrate a Detroit Lions Super Bowl victory.

Keeping the Neighbors Happy

Cars 108:  What do you do to guarantee that your neighbors won't be upset by your light show?

Bruce:  Talk to your neighbors about your display and invite them for a preview BEFORE you start your show. I held a preview with lawn chairs set up and served wine, beer, pop, and snacks. I can control the show right from my phone, so I picked a group of songs that fit the audience I was entertaining. I also invited them to share input if they saw any problems with the show. Mainly, I wanted them to know I respected their privacy and the peacefulness of our neighborhood and assured them I had no intention of turning it into a drive-in theatre.

I live across from parking access to our lake, and since there's no home there, it's a perfect place for people to pull over for viewing without blocking the road and disrupting the flow of traffic.

Cars 108:  What about noise pollution and light pollution?

Bruce:  My display consists of approximately 5,000 pixels, which are individually controlled colors that when closely spaced actually resemble a TV screen. They are VERY bright, so I set mine at about 30% brightness.

I also broadcast music with a small FM transmitter to sync with the lights, and people can pull up in front of the house and listen to the music and watch the lights from the comfort of their own car over their car radio.

I post a graphics sign with basic instructions about being courteous - I ask people to stay in their vehicles and be aware of how loud their car radio is. I ask them to turn their lights off but leave their parking lights on. I use traffic cones to keep traffic flowing and have a designated area for those who want to park for a while and watch the show. 

Find a Christmas Light Show Near You

Cars 108:  Tell us a little bit about your light show.

Bruce:  The show consists of about 23 songs so it takes about 90 minutes. But I have a website that people can go to and pick the songs they want to hear, so they don't have to stay for the entire 90-minute show. 

You can see a preview of Bruce's show in the video player below. You can follow this link to a Michigan map where you can find individuals who host light displays near you.

Since I live in Grand Blanc, I only advertise my show on the Grand Blanc Uncensored Facebook page. I'm not looking to be the next Clark Griswold.