Best Tacky Lights Tours & Driving Route In Richmond, VA

The Best Tacky Lights Tours & Driving Route in Richmond, VA

We all know Richmond, VA has a world-class food and beer scene. But did you also know Richmond boasts some of the country’s brightest and tackiest lights displays during the holiday season? Don’t just take our word for it – two local displays have taken home the grand prize on ABC’s reality show “The Great Christmas Light Fight.”

Below, we’ll share the optimal driving route to see the best tacky lights tour in the Richmond region. The route makes a roughly 2-hour, clockwise loop, starting and ending in the West End.

Don’t feel like driving? Grab your friends, your family, or your co-workers, and book a Discover Richmond Tacky Lights Tour! You and your group will ride in our comfortable, climate-controlled bus to see all the best holiday light displays in Richmond and the surrounding area!

*Updated for 2022

2300 Wistar Court, Richmond, VA 23294

Frank Hudak – better known as Mr. Christmas – owns “The Christmas House” at 2300 Wistar Court. With more than 100,000 lights, 100 illuminated figures, and more than 4 miles of wiring, “The Christmas House” is the perfect jumping off point for your Tacky Lights Tour. Every year for the last 51 years, Hudak has sat outside dressed as Santa, welcoming folks to his gorgeous holiday display. His display has also raised more than $170,000 for the Virginia Home for Boys & Girls over the years. Unfortunately, 2022 will be the final year for Mr. Christmas, but he will be passing the torch to 2302 Wistar Court starting in 2023. 

9716 Wendhurst Drive, Glen Allen, VA 23060

Christmas on Wendhurst is a must-see on your Richmond Tacky Lights Tour. The house boasts more than 180,000 lights, nearly 1,800 homemade decorations, and has been featured on countless TV shows, including winning an episode of “The Great Christmas Light Fight” in 2016! It takes Al and Esther Thompson months to set up the house, often starting in early September. Trust us when we tell you that you don’t want to miss Christmas on Wendhurst!

7396 Kelshire Trace, Mechanicsville, VA 23111

This interactive display is known as Hadley’s Winterland. With more than 150,000 lights, you’ll feel immersed in the holiday spirit as you walk through the driveway and play. You can even write a letter to Santa here (maybe you’ll just get one back!). Hadley’s Winterland was also featured on “The Great Christmas Light Fight” and raises money yearly for The Fallen Firefighter Foundation.

408 S. Laurel Street, Richmond, VA 23220

You’ll find Christmas in Richmond, right in the heart of Oregon Hill! More than 100 hours go into making the lights display, which is old-fashioned, mismatched, and totally asymmetrical. The RTD described it as “the kind of house that you need to stand in front of and stare at for a while.” Kids can write a letter to Santa, and the homeowners say they will write back, complete with Santa’s seal (if you leave a return address)!

3209 Hanover Ave., Richmond, VA 23221

This Museum District home is the epitome of Richmond, with a giant, bright RVA sign on the roof! Also included are plenty of inflatables, Darth Vader, Elf, a Yeti, and tons more. It’s really a can’t-miss, “Where’s Waldo” of tacky lights displays!

12618 Dawnridge Court, Midlothian, VA 23114

The ENTIRE Dawnridge Court cul-de-sac in the Walton Park subdivision gets in on the Tacky Light fun! For more than 10 years, each house has set up their individual displays – some with dancing lights, some with white and multi-colored lights, and some with figurines galore. One of the most festive homes on Dawnridge Court is 12618.

8720 River Road, Richmond, VA 23229

For more than 20 years, Richmonders have been enjoying the tackiest (but tasteful) light displays at the Whitlocks’ home on River Road! This drive-through display features more than 250,000 lights with a life-sized nativity, a gingerbread playground, tons of blow ups, and Santa himself. The display serves another purpose as well: the family collects donations for JDRF with a text-to-donate option and a secure cash collection box at the end of the drive through. Since 2013, they’ve collected more than $30,000 for JDRF!

9604 Asbury Court, Richmond, VA 23229

End your Tacky Lights Tour with the grand display at 9604 Asbury Court, better known as “A Phifer Christmas.” Since 1974 (with the exception of 2020 due to COVID-19), The Phifers have been amazing folks with their grand display, which boasts more than 1.5 million lights. During the holiday season, crowds gather en masse to get a look at the old-school display. And typically, you can purchase hot chocolate on site (to help them pay their electric bill – phew!). The Phifers won “The Great Christmas Light Fight” in 2017!

Book Your Tacky Lights Tour Today!

We provided this route as the best tacky lights tour starting and ending in the West End, but you can of course start at any of the locations listed and go in order from there!

If you don’t feel like driving the 2-hour loop (plus adding in some time to stop and gawk at lights!), book a Tacky Lights Tour with Discover Richmond Tours! We’ll chauffeur you and your friends around on our climate-controlled, delightfully holiday-spirited bus! Check out our availability here!

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