Writer Joseph J. Airdo

When the sun sets in Mesa, magic rises at the Parsons family home. What started as a modest 2,000-light display in 2016 has evolved into an enchanting Disney-inspired wonderland that illuminates not just their property but the entire neighborhood’s holiday spirit.

“We quickly got hooked after seeing how much our neighbors loved it,” says Stacie Parsons, who creates the spectacular display with her husband, Mike. “Now we’re up to 24 controllers and tens of thousands of lights, and we’re still finding ways to add more each year.”

The numbers are impressive: 50,000 lights adorn the Parsons’ property, with an additional 30,000 twinkling across four neighboring homes.

But it’s the attention to detail that truly captures the imagination. Hand-painted Disney character cutouts dot the landscape, while a custom-built arch pays homage to Disneyland’s iconic “It’s a Small World” attraction. Each element is carefully chosen and positioned to create an immersive experience that transports visitors straight into their favorite Disney memories.

The technical wizardry behind the display begins when temperatures are still soaring well above 110 F.

“Mike begins programming songs and building props in July,” Stacie explains. “We start decorating the weekend before Halloween and continue every weekend through Thanksgiving. Altogether, it takes about 150 hours to set everything up.”

The complexity of coordinating such an elaborate display requires extensive planning and precision. Each song in the musical lineup must be carefully programmed, with every flash and twinkle timed to perfection.

“It’s like conducting an orchestra of lights,” Stacie notes. “Mike spends countless hours making sure every element moves in harmony with the music.”

Visitors can experience the show in two ways: standing out front to immerse themselves in the full sensory experience, or tuning their car radios to 88.1 FM for a cozy drive-by viewing. The synchronized light show features atmospheric effects including smoke geysers and, to the delight of young visitors, an interactive snow machine they can activate themselves.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Parsons take their hospitality a step further, sitting outside to personally greet visitors and distribute candy canes to children. This personal touch has helped forge lasting connections with families who return year after year.

“We’ve watched some of our regular visitors grow up,” Stacie reflects. “They started coming as toddlers, and now they’re helping younger siblings press the snow machine button.”

For 2024, the Parsons have added several new elements, including blinders, mini strobes and 3-foot-tall C9 bulbs throughout the display. Their opening night celebration has become a community event in itself, featuring free churros, hot chocolate and candy canes, along with raffle prizes that add to the festive atmosphere.

The display has become such a beloved local attraction that even neighboring homes have joined in the festivities. The collaboration among neighbors exemplifies the true spirit of the season, creating a magical experience that extends beyond a single property. This community participation has transformed the street into a destination for holiday memory-making.

The impact on the community extends beyond the holiday season.

“The kids especially get excited and have their own nicknames for us, calling us either ‘the Christmas house’ or ‘the snow house,’” Stacie says.

Perhaps most rewarding are the young visitors who dream of creating their own displays.

“We absolutely love when young kids come up to us asking how we create the light show, telling us they want to do something similar at their own houses. It’s especially meaningful because we hope to inspire others to discover the joy of this hobby too.”

M&S Lights Holiday Display
Through Dec. 28 // Sunday–Thursday 5:30–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 5:30–10 p.m. // 11161 E. Starkey Ave., Mesa // Free