This ‘Christmas House’ in Illinois Has Over 200,000 Lights, Displays

It always amazes me the effort people put into Christmas light displays. When my girlfriend make our yearly trek around the Tri-States to cruise different neighborhoods and subdivisions, I'm always in awe of how detail-oriented some get. Consider too that people often brave the cold in order to make their house stand out in their neighborhoods.

My good friend and his girlfriend were out looking at Christmas lights over the weekend. He sent me some photos of what is known as the "TP Christmas House," a home in Tinley Park, IL with massive Christmas lights and displays for all to see. When I say "massive," I mean it. Per ABC 7 Chicago, the house has more than 200,000 lights!

The house belongs to Dominic Kowalczyk, who has been crushing the Christmas lights game in Tinley Park (and frankly the state of Illinois) since 1996. The owner of a contracting business, Kowalczyk starts setting up the lights around Thanksgiving. He told ABC 7 Chicago that it typically takes about two weeks to fully set up.

A testament to his contracting prowess, Kowalczyk's displays are mostly handmade from typical household items. There are giant lollipops constructed from pool noodles. There are candy canes made out of PVC pipes.

It's truly a one-of-a-kind village built with a vision.

Dominic's mother, Donna Wagner, stated that her son became fascinated with decorating since he was a kid. Each year, the TP Christmas House gets bigger and bigger. In 2013, Kowalczyk won ABC's "Great Christmas Light Fight," one of the highest honors you can receive for Christmas decorations, per Kowalczyk himself.

Kowalczyk can't take all the credit, however. He has friends, family, and sometimes more than 80 volunteers help him get his Christmas lights and displays strung up.

If you're in the Tinley Park neighborhood, you're encouraged to stop by and stroll through the Winter Wonderland yourself. He keeps a large book he calls "Santa's List," where he logs where people are visiting from.

Get our free mobile app

Furthermore, any donations Kowalczyk receives go right to Together We Cope, a Tinley Park organization that provides families with financial help, meals, toys, and more during the holiday season and beyond. Last year, the family gave the organization over $35,000 to the charity with the goal to raise even more this year.

The TP Christmas House is located at 17321 Avon Lane in Tinley Park, IL. It is open every night from 5pm - 10pm through December 31st. You can find out more about Dominic Kowalczyk's handmade Winter Wonderland on Facebook!