By Sara Beth Williams–
Voting for the Best Lights in Citrus Heights opened on Monday will close Saturday at midnight.
The city announced more than two dozen homes have been nominated for the annual Best Lights in Citrus Heights Christmas lights contest.
The 27 houses were distributed through six categories, with the Griswold category receiving the most nominations with nine houses listed.
Other categories include Sleigh the Theme and Winter Wonderland, which each have three nominations, Snow Globe which has six nominations, and Santa’s Favorite which has five nominations. Creekcrest Circle, which includes multiple houses, was the only street nominated in the Holiday Village category.
The 2024 categories for this year’s event have been updated slightly, compared to last year. Three popular categories are returning, including Griswold, which recognizes the brightest and most impactful display of shining lights, Holiday Village, which celebrates the best-decorated block or neighborhood, and Santa’s Favorite, which honors the house or display with the most outstanding overall appearance and decoration.
The city also released a map online which shows pinpoints of where houses are located. The nominated homes are scattered throughout the city, with several near city limits, including one on Whyte Avenue to the north, a handful close to Mercy San Juan Medical Center, and a handful of other houses located on Old Auburn Road near the northern border with Orangevale.
Last year’s winners included: a home on Creekcrest Circle, which won the Griswold award for the brightest display of shining lights, a home on Celestial Way was awarded the best multi-house display on the same street or neighborhood, and another home on Moss Oak Avenue won the Hollywood Holidays award for best use of popular Christmas/Holiday characters.
Additionally, a home on Rinconada Drive was recognized for having the best decorated tree in a yard or outdoor space, another home on Cross Drive won in the Jack Frost category for best use of chilliest display of icicles and white lights, and a home on Ansbrough Drive won in the Santa’s Favorite category for best overall appearance or theme.
Voting for the Best Lights contest will remain open until Saturday, Dec. 14 at midnight. Residents can find a slideshow of houses and the form to vote for favorite houses in six categories on the city’s website. Winners will be announced next week, according to the city.
