Sentinel staff report–
For those in search of the most extravagant Christmas light displays in Citrus Heights, here’s a list of some of the top displays in town — including several new locations for 2018:
Arriving before 9 p.m. is recommended to ensure displays are still lit, as some residents turn off their lights overnight.
Orelle Creek Ct. The annual displays on Orelle Creek Court are always a sure bet in Citrus Heights, where nearly every home on the entire street is annually decorated with thousands of multicolored lights, candy canes, manger scenes and more. The dead-end court is located off Old Auburn Road towards the Roseville border and draws a significant crowd of light-seekers each year.
Ansbrough Drive. A home at the corner of Ansbrough Drive and Winlock Avenue likely has the largest and most colorful display for a single yard in the city, taking up an entire corner on a quiet residential street with huge inflatable holiday characters, motorized decor, tons of lights, and a large “Merry Christmas” sign mounted atop an inflatable arch. A Facebook page has been set up for the display, where the owners post photos and announce which evenings feature hot cocoa and visits with Santa. While nearby, it’s worth a drive past the light display at 6821 Cobalt Way.
Farmgate Way. New to the 2018 list is a home at 7600 Farmgate Way. The display at the intersection of Mariposa Avenue and Farmgate Way features thousands of flashing lights in the yard and rooftop, along with deer and plenty of Christmas spirit.
Pratt Ave. Also new to the list is a home at 7605 Pratt Ave., which features an artfully decorated front yard with the word “JOY” lit up along a fence, a Grinch character climbing up to the roof, and a “Humbug Extermination” inflatable truck.
Creekcrest Circle. Lighting displays at several homes on Creekcrest Circle are also impressive, with inflatables, lights, angels, and more, viewable on the half-circle loop off Oakbrook Drive, near the Mercy San Juan Medical Center. While nearby, drop by Celtic Cross Presbyterian Church at 5839 Dewey Dr. to see what may be the largest manger scene display in the city.
Auburn Blvd. Annual displays are also viewable at 6965 Auburn Blvd., across from Walmart, featuring snow-covered lawns, inflatables on the roof, and a large lit-up airplane hung from a wire above the street. While nearby, another home a few doors down on the 6900 block of Auburn Boulevard features several large inflatables, a plane on the roof, a digital countdown to Christmas, music, and creative projection displays. The access road to view the homes is a frontage street that parallels Auburn Boulevard, with entry at San Tomas Drive or near Carriage Drive.
Whyte Ave. The large yard at 7001 Whyte Ave. is once again filled with lights, inflatable characters, minions, and more. A nearby home at 7304 Whyte Way is also worth dropping by if you’re in the area, as the entire front lawn of the small yard is jam-packed with lights and nearly every character imaginable.
Bitterbush Way. The home at 6544 Bitterbush Way is also again lit up with thousands of bright flashing lights, a herd of reindeer-shaped light displays, several inflatables, and a manger scene.
Golden Rain Court. Located just off Sunrise Boulevard near the PetSmart shopping center, 6617 Golden Rain Ct. features a creatively lit front yard, with a lit nativity scene at the corner, a light-projection display on the garage door, dangling icicle lighting on the roof, brightly lit trees, and a large star mounted above the roof.
City Hall. The city’s Christmas tree can be viewed outside City Hall at 6360 Fountain Square Drive.
A home on Sampolo Court that was featured in a story on The Sentinel last year for its elaborate display appears to not be set up this year.
*Know of other locations in Citrus Heights you think should be on this list? Click here to let us know, or post it on The Sentinel’s Facebook page.
