OUR 13TH YEAR · CHRISTMAS 2026
Christmas music. Millions of colors.
A little holiday magic in Mechanicsville.
A NEW SEASON OF COLOR
A smaller display this year, with everything in multi-color RGB and two new mini trees—all synchronized to popular Christmas music.
A special tribute this year to Dolly Parton and the 250th Anniversary of the United States.
Each capable of producing 16 million colors.
WHERE & WHEN
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Get directionsRegular hours: 5:30–10:30 p.m. nightly
December 24, 25 and 31:
5:30 p.m.–midnight
THE SHOW, WHEREVER YOU ARE
Choose a season to watch the lights and music.
2026 videos will appear here as they become available. Choose an earlier season to revisit a past show.
A FAMILY TRADITION
Our venture into automated Christmas lights started back in 2013.
While cleaning out the attic at my parents’ home I found an old Christmas display that was built by my dad when he was a teenager. It was a hand made box about four feet long with individual lighted cells.
He then hand painted glass inserts for each cell that spelled out "MERRY CHRISTMAS" and by changing the glass inserts after Christmas he could spell "HAPPY NEW YEAR".
The lights were "automated" (see picture) with a small motor and a series of cams and switches to turn on each letter in sequence and then flash the entire message three times before starting over again.
I spent many hours refurbishing the sign and repainting the letters but I was never able to get the little timer motor to work again. My brother suggested I connect the bulbs to a Light-O-Rama controller to get the same effect. I took his advice, bought two controllers and automated the sign and a few other Christmas lights and the first show in 2013 was born.
Since then I have added lights and controllers and upgraded software each year. The 2026 display features 4000 multi color RGB LEDs each capable of producing 16 million colors. I hope you enjoy the show.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Light-O-Rama software and controllers synchronize the lights with music. Each song is programmed as a sequence that tells the lights when to change color, brighten, dim or flash.
Coordinated changes in color and brightness create patterns that follow the music, including on the two new mini trees.
Explore the artists whose music brings the display to life.
Light-O-Rama provides the controllers, RGB pixel devices and software used for the show.
Creative Displays provides LED strings and some props.
Make an evening of exploring holiday displays around Richmond.
Richmond.com’s 2025 Tacky Light TourPrevious season’s guide.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU
We enjoy bringing the Blue Spruce Christmas light show to those in the Richmond, Virginia area and beyond. We hope that you have enjoyed the show. We have folks across the country who anxiously await the latest videos when they can’t see the show in person.
If you are able to stop by in person or have watched the videos, we would love to get your feedback and comments about your experience. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season.
You can email your comments or suggestions to: