The West End is where the Tacky Light tour started in 1985 when Richmond DJ Mad Dog Gottlieb booked a WINN Transportation bus for a “tacky lights” tour of 10 to 12 houses. The tour was a huge hit, and in 1989, the Richmond Times-Dispatch started compiling a list of Tacky Lights houses.
Over 35 years later, the Tacky Lights are still a tradition and you’ll find some of the best, old school “tacky light” houses in the West End.
A Phifer Christmas at 9604 Asbury Court, seen in this 2022 photo, is a Richmond mainstay on the Tacky Lights Tour.
SHABAN ATHUMAN, TIMES-DISPATCH
2334 Thousand Oaks Drive, West End
2334 Thousand Oaks Drive is a favorite on the Tacky Lights tour. The house is covered with 85,000 blue and white lights and has a star with a tail of lights. A flock of reindeer, Santa and a host of holiday characters festoon the yard.
Courtesy of the homeowner
9625 Peppertree Drive
9625 Peppertree Drive
Photo by ALEXA WELCH EDLUND, TIMES-DISPATCH
2302 Wistar Court
Located next door to Mr. Christmas, who is no longer lighting up for the holidays, 2302 Wistar Court has taken up the Tacky Light torch. The owner has been gifted many of Mr. Christmas’ displays and has over 250,000 lights.
photos Courtesy of the homeowner
7610 Sweetbriar Road
7610 Sweetbriar Road features a mix of bright LED lights, blow-ups, and other yard decorations to create a festive Christmas display in the West End.
Around 20-miles will be either completed or under construction by the end of 2025. Those include all of Henrico's portion of the trail as well as a 10-mile section through Chesterfield.
Tacky Lights season is officially here, Richmond. It’s the super bright time of year when local houses decorate with over-the-top, super-bright holiday displays.
