LATHROP – There are those who hang Christmas lights because they enjoy the festive atmosphere that it brings to the neighborhood.
And then there are the people at “The Happy Holiday Home” – located at 569 Cold Springs Drive in Lathrop – and their amazingly detailed display that changes every year.
For the better part of a decade the residents at this Lathrop Christmas staple have been putting their own unique spin how to decorate one’s home for the holidays – incorporating technology and creativity into a fun-filled event that draws people every night to see the unique creation.
This year, thanks a Pokemon Go themed display, the house is likely a contender to win the city’s annual Holiday Lights judging competition. Every night from 5 to 9 p.m. (10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights) the light show choreographed to music that can be picked up in vehicles that pass by lights up the night sky thanks to a series of elaborately laid out controllers and even an LED screen with a holiday message.
But if you’re in the Manteca/Lathrop area and you’re searching for houses you want to view with your family, the Cold Springs house isn’t the only one worthy of your time.
Here are a few places you might want to check out in elaborate and detailed decorations are your thing:
uDell’Osso Farms – They may have an unfair advantage because of the space that the Holidays on the Farm attraction provides, but there isn’t a better light show anywhere else in the Northern San Joaquin Valley. While it costs $10 per vehicle to view the displays, a 200-foot long light tunnel is just one of many custom-designed light attractions that draw people from throughout San Joaquin County who appreciate the effort.
The display opens on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m. From Sunday Dec. 18 through Thursday Dec. 22 the show is available nightly from 5:30 to 9 p.m. On Friday, Dec. 23, the hours extend from 5:30 to 10 p.m. and on Christmas Eve returns to the 5:30 to 9 p.m. timeframe. For more information visit www.holidaysonthefarm.com.
u1236 Mariner’s Drive, Lathrop – While this isn’t quite to the level of the famed Brock family display in Manteca, these homeowners have done things up right with 15-foot tall candy cane poles, three suspended stars in the sky and a pair of suspended hot air balloons. The entire display is anchored by multi-colored LED icicles and lights, and a Santa countdown clock ticks away the time left until the man in the red suit makes his appearance in homes across the globe.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.