Many years ago, my nephew and I started our own holiday tradition—touring St. Louis homes aglow with gorgeous Christmas light displays. Sure, we know, we didn’t start this tradition, it’s just something we enjoy doing together. Through the years we've discovered some very inspiring Christmas displays, but we knew there were more, we just didn't know where, and we also knew other people shared the same frustration.
That's when we got the idea to create a home Christmas and Halloween lights display locator website featuring all the homes in the area we thought were worth the drive, give a brief description, location, along with a photo. The idea took off and we now have over 300 homeowners participating who have allowed us to showcase their homes on our site.
Now we're spreading the word to all St. Louisans eager for a little holiday spirit and inspiration, and for those who simply want to have a fun night out cruising St. Louis neighborhoods enjoying the beautiful Christmas and Halloween lights that add sparkle and warmth to a cold night. It’s great fun to pack the kids into the car—or friends, family and grandma—along with a thermos of hot chocolate and candy canes, and spend special time together during the holiday season. Maybe even make a surprise stop at Ted Drewes.
Enjoy! Happy Halloween, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad and Happy New Year!
Advertisers
With 58,000 views a week, your ad will get noticed. Contact us to be a part of this. I'll even design your ad for FREE!
KWMU-NPR in St. Louis wanted to ask me questions about Light Hopping. In October 2024, Jessica Rogen called with questions about St. Louis traditions. Then I connected her with a home owner who does one of the biggest displays on the website. You can read her article here: https://www.stlpr.org/culture-history/2024-10-31/st-louis-halloween-jokes-lights-tradition-history
In October 2024, Tim Ezell wanted to go Light Hopping, so we visited 3 houses one morning. Here’s a link to the first house:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5R39j6tFIc
In December of 2023, Mike Miller of St. Louis Magazine asked for tips about lighting up a house for Christmas. He covered my suggestions really well! https://www.stlmag.com/news/tips-for-home-holiday-light-displays/
In October 2023, Steve Harris from KMOV Channel 4, did a ride-along night to see Halloween lights with me. Here is a link to his story:
https://www.firstalert4.com/2023/10/21/local-womans-quest-find-best-halloween-decorations/​
In October 2023, The Riverfront Times Jessica Rogen asked for help putting together a Slideshow of some of my best Halloween houses. I was happy to oblige: https://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/these-are-st-louis-freakiest-halloween-homes-this-year/Slideshow/41069570
Aisha Sultan of STL Today contacted me about featuring some Halloween houses in 2022. Here is her story: https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/check-out-what-may-be-the-best-halloween-decorated-houses-in-st-louis/collection_d1312386-dcbb-5c13-99bb-67aaf6afaffc.html
Andrea Smith of Ladue News asked for more information about us. In her article titled 5 Things To Do on Christmas in the St. Louis Metro Area she share a variety of options for Christmas. https://www.laduenews.com/arts-and-culture/entertainment/5-things-to-do-on-christmas-in-the-st-louis-metro-area/collection_b507d106-5df2-11ec-a147-7bc0fc231be8.html#1
In 2021, Laura was interviewed by Garden-Lou.com, the website that brings St. Louis gardens and gardeners to you. The founder of that website has her house on HLH, and asked for an interview about my process. Here's a link, and look at what a great resource this is while you're there. https://garden-lou.com/a-conversation-with-laura-thake-creator-of-holiday-light-hopping/
Thanks to Erin Herberholt and Anthony Simokaitis from Oakville Senior High for interviewing me, then taking a ROUTE and digging in for details. Our story starts at 12:35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khb2WGafos8&feature=youtu.be
​
The Jefferson County Leader Tony Krausz called in 2020 and wanted to talk about Light Hopping. After we chatted, I sent him the names of some home owners in JeffCo to interview for his article: https://www.myleaderpaper.com/news/icymi-county-offers-plenty-of-light-displays-to-see/article_18f5e9fc-3b79-11eb-9b76-b3926b35c656.html
KTRS 550AM The Guy Phillips Show had me on as a guest in 2019 with Heidi Glaus and Josh Gilbert, you can listen to that interview here:
​
KWMU 90.7FM also featured us as a guest on St. Louis On The Air with Don Marsh. We had a call in with one of the home owners as well. The podcast can be found here: http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/affton-woman-drives-hundreds-miles-documenting-seasonal-light-displays
We were featured on KSDK Channel 5: Show Me St. Louis in November of 2017.
Watch above.
​
In October 2018, The Riverfront Times did an online story about our Halloween Lights, you can read it here: https://www.riverfronttimes.com/artsblog/2018/10/25/st-louis-website-shows-where-to-find-the-best-halloween-and-christmas-lights
We were also featured in the St. Louis Post Dispatch in a feature article written by Erin Heffernan. We are most grateful for all the attention.
​
We were featured in the Webster Kirkwood Times in December of 2016. You can read the article here: https://www.timesnewspapers.com/southcountytimes/news/finding-the-best-holiday-home-light-displays/article_af74a859-eaf6-5412-99b7-656fd47f8f63.html