If you’ve ever found yourself inching through a Glen Allen cul-de-sac, kids in pajamas pressed to the car windows while your GPS insists “you have arrived,” you’ve probably experienced one of Richmond’s most delightfully over-the-top traditions: the Tacky Light Tour.
Tacky Lights Richmond VA
Every December, our quiet neighborhoods turn into full-on holiday spectacles—40,000+ lights per house, inflatable Santas as far as the eye can see, synchronized music, and traffic that absolutely does not exist any other Tuesday night at 9 p.m.
But how did Richmond, Virginia earn a reputation as the place for gloriously gaudy Christmas lights—and why do we wear the “tacky” crown so proudly?
A Little History: From “Highly Illuminated” to Full-On Legend
Richmond’s love affair with tacky Christmas lights really took shape in the mid-1980s, when local radio DJ Barry “Mad Dog” Gottlieb launched what was then called “Richmond’s Tacky Xmas Decoration Contest and Grand Highly Illuminated House Tour.”
What started as a tongue-in-cheek contest quickly turned into a full-blown event. Gottlieb piled people onto buses, drove them around to see wildly decorated homes, and leaned hard into the idea that more lights, more Santas, and more inflatable reindeer were absolutely the point—not the problem.
By 1990, the Richmond Times-Dispatch picked up the idea and turned it into the now-famous Tacky Lights List, printing the best (or worst, depending on your wattage tolerance) displays in the paper so families could create their own driving tours.
Over time, bus and limo companies got in on the fun, offering chauffeured Tacky Light Tours complete with playlists, hot cocoa, and sometimes…adult beverages. The tradition grew so big that in 2010, the city even issued an official proclamation declaring “Richmond Tacky Light Tour Day,” referencing national articles that had called us everything from a “Christmas beacon” to “the capital of the lighting universe.”
Honestly? That’s a title we’ve more than earned.
What Makes Richmond’s Tacky Lights…So Richmond?
Lots of cities decorate for the holidays—but Richmond’s version has a very specific flavor. We didn’t just put up pretty lights; we embraced the tacky part on purpose.
Here’s what sets RVA’s tacky lights apart:
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There’s an unofficial “minimum” of 40,000 lights to be considered for some of the classic lists and tours. This isn’t your “a few icicles along the roofline” situation.
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They’re hyper-local and neighbor-driven. These aren’t commercial displays—they’re regular (and slightly extra) Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, and Hanover-area homeowners who start planning in September or earlier.
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It’s become a full family tradition. Kids grow up visiting these same houses year after year, then bring their own kids back to the exact same cul-de-sac 20 years later.
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We’re talked about nationally. Travel and lifestyle outlets have highlighted Richmond as the origin of the modern “tacky light tour,” cementing our reputation far beyond Central Virginia.
In other words: it’s loud, it’s bright, and it’s very, very RVA.
The Famous (and Infamous) Houses
Every Richmonder has “their” house or street they go back to year after year. A few local legends:
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Christmas on Wendhurst (Glen Allen) – One of the most iconic homes in the region, often boasting well over 180,000 lights and hundreds of handmade decorations. It’s been featured on TV and regularly tops recommended Tacky Light Tour routes.
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Henrico & West End Classics – Streets like Asbury Court, Wistar Court, and Ridgecrest Drive have become must-stop destinations, often appearing on regional lists and guides.
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Massive Mega-Displays – Some homes now feature hundreds of thousands of lights, synchronized shows, and even charity tie-ins—raising money for local nonprofits while they light up the night.
By early December, families are trading route tips, tour bus companies are fully booked, and social feeds are full of glowing houses you can practically see from space. It’s campy. It’s chaotic. It’s community.
How the Tacky Light Tour Became a Richmond Holiday Ritual
One of the reasons the Richmond Tacky Lights Tour has endured is that it hits the sweet spot between tradition and adventure.
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It’s affordable. You can do it self-guided with just a car full of people, snacks, and a good playlist—no tickets required.
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There’s something new every year. Displays change, new homes make the list, others “retire,” and you never see the same tour twice.
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It builds neighborhood identity. Certain streets become known for being “the tacky light street,” and people actually choose to live nearby because they love the energy and tradition.
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Small businesses benefit. From RVA TukTuk tours to limo companies and local restaurants, plenty of Richmond businesses build special holiday offerings around tacky lights season.
At this point, the Tacky Light Tour is less of an event and more of a season. It’s right up there with the first real fall weekend and the start of river season in terms of “RVA cultural calendar” moments.
So…What Does This Have to Do with Real Estate?
Quite a lot, actually.
Real talk: when you’re choosing a neighborhood in the Richmond area, you’re not just buying a house—you’re buying into a way of celebrating.
Some people want:
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Quiet streets, where the most festive thing on the block is a tasteful wreath and a candle in every window.
Others want:
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Full “Clark Griswold energy,” with neighbors who high-five each other over extension cord counts and plan their December social calendar around the Tacky Light Tour schedule.
The beauty of the Richmond metro area is that you can genuinely have either. From classic West End and Northside streets that glow every December, to newer neighborhoods where HOA rules keep things a bit more restrained, there’s a holiday vibe to match your personal wattage level.
If you’re relocating to RVA—or thinking about moving across town—pay attention to how a neighborhood feels during the holidays. Do people gather outside with cocoa? Are there kids running around in fuzzy pajamas? Is the block completely dark by 7 p.m., or do you need sunglasses at night?
Those little details tell you a lot about what living there will feel like in June, not just December.
Thinking About Your Next Move in “The Capital of Tacky Lights”?
Whether you’re dreaming of a quiet, candlelit Fan rowhouse or a cul-de-sac in Glen Allen with enough yard space for 50,000 lights and a 14-foot inflatable Santa, Richmond has a neighborhood for you.
If you’re:
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Moving to the Richmond area and want help figuring out which neighborhoods match your lifestyle (and your holiday personality), or
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Already here, but craving a change in scenery—and maybe a different kind of December…
…I’d love to help you find your spot.
Send me a message, and let’s talk about:
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Your wish list (tacky lights optional),
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Your budget, and
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The kind of community that makes you excited to pull into your driveway—no matter how bright your neighbors’ house is.
In a city that proudly claims the title of “tacky light capital of the world,” there’s a corner of RVA that’s just waiting to feel like home. (And if you want my tacky light map for 2025, stay tuned, and follow on social media!)
