Oh Wow – this is our 19th year for the Christmas Lights Celebration. This is the last of our teenage years. We’re almost in our 20’s and will be an adult – yikes. It’s been so much fun along the way, and the elaborate decorating and mesmerizing Christmas displays continue to get more and better each year. We’re so lucky!
Somewhat safe to say this has become a Rossmoor family tradition. When the Christmas Lights HotSpot Map goes live, the interactive map plus the PDF version been getting more than 50,000 views every year.
That’s no typo. We’re seeing more and more family caravans, driving around, more bicyclists and more golf carts cruising the streets, checking out the Christmas displays!
There are soooo many great homes to tour this year in Rossmoor and some absolutely (brilliant – pun intended) Recognition Award recipients that you don’t want to miss. All the homeowners that made the map have spent days prepping their lawns, changing fuses, replacing burnt out bulbs, and ascending and descending repeatedly on ladders – all to bring a Christmas smile to our faces!
Time to recognize and celebrate their hard work and accomplishments! For our 19th year – Announcing the 2025 RHA Recognition Award winners and the Honorable Mention homes that made the Rossmoor Christmas Lights HotSpot Map!
Time for you to check them out in any and all various modes of transportation and maybe give them a honk or two just before you head to the next winner!
Time to have some fun! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your families from the Rossmoor Homeowners Association!
Note: Recognition Award recipient homes with write-ups are followed by all the Honorable Mention homes and Bright Zones (groups of homes that are worth the trip!) that were selected to be on the RHA Rossmoor Christmas Lights HotSpot Map.
Postcard Perfect Christmas Award – Farber Family (11352 Wembley Road)
The Farber Family home captures the timeless charm of a holiday greeting card, earning the “Postcard Perfect Christmas” award for its elegant and heartwarming display. With crisp white lights tracing the roofline and windows, wreaths adorning each pane, and a warmly lit entrance that beckons visitors in, the scene feels like it was lifted straight from a classic Christmas postcard.
The yard glows with red and white lights wrapped around trees and bushes, while illuminated reindeer and festive figures add a touch of magic and whimsy. It’s a picture-perfect presentation that evokes nostalgia, joy, and the spirit of the season – a true gift to the neighborhood.
Electrical Evergreen Parade Award – Monsen Family (3141 Hillrose Drive)
This is a must stop for families traveling through Rossmoor, seeking Christmas cheer.
Actually, good thing the home is situated on a corner lot because you’re not going to see all the movement and magic at first glance. With the parade of lights and joyous Christmas music, the display brings so many smiles to kids’ (and adults’) faces, much like a well-known Electrical Parade, just a bit east on Katella Blvd.
Only the Monsen’s home has dancing Christmas trees, stars and snowflakes. Tune into FM 88.7 for the full sights and sounds spectacle.
Kids’ Choice Award – Dugan Family (11171 Donnis Road)
The judges didn’t even have to think twice – this house was an instant favorite.
The Dugan Family went all out with a display that’s bursting with color, characters, and pure holiday joy. There’s Santa, snowmen, reindeer, glowing gift boxes, and a giant “JOY” ornament that basically screams Christmas cheer. The lights are everywhere – on the roof, in the trees, across the yard – and it all comes together like the ultimate Christmas party. It’s fun, it’s festive, and it’s got major selfie vibes. The judges were obsessed.
RHA Nomination Award – Den Hartog Family (3212 Hillrose Drive)
Yes – judges can be influenced by participating homeowners. In past years, while the judging caravan drove by, the Den Hartog family members had fun dressing up in Santa and elves’ outfits, handing out candy canes!
Well, this year the Rossmoor neighbors were already super impressed with the family’s display, long before the judges even arrived. In fact the home was nominated multiple times by Rossmoor residents. And it’s no wonder because the house is both charming and hypnotic. This year as the judges visited, the front yard snow making machine suddenly turned on, making the kids even more giddy. Check it out, especially during this year’s Lights Bike Tour next weekend – you might even get a candy cane!
Oh Holy Lights Award – Giddens Family (12651 Foster Road)
The Giddens Family’s display is a radiant reminder of the season’s deeper meaning, wrapped in festive joy.
At the heart of their decorations shines a beautifully lit nativity scene – Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and the Wise Men – glowing with reverence and peace.
Surrounding it, the yard bursts with holiday cheer: Santa, snowmen, reindeer, and sparkling gift boxes, all set aglow in dazzling color.
Candy cane-lined paths and a bold “MERRY CHRISTMAS” sign complete the celebration, making this home both holy and bright. It’s a true “Oh Holy Lights” moment, where faith and festivity shine together.
United We Twinkle Award – Hayes, Hertzog, Harris and Bickerstaff Families (3051 – 3052 Burney Place)
This year, Burney Place proved that when neighbors join forces, the results are nothing short of spectacular. From rooftops lined with shimmering lights to arches stretching across driveways and trees wrapped in glowing color, the entire cul-de-sac sparkles as one unified display.
Every home adds its own flair, yet together they create a breathtaking holiday scene that feels like stepping into a storybook.
It’s festive, it’s collaborative, and it shows the true magic of community spirit. United, Burney Place twinkles brighter than ever.
Dreaming of a Light Christmas Award – Bliss Family (3132 Druid Lane)
Since the weather forecast for Christmas white snow in Rossmoor is rather distant, we’re dreaming about a Light Christmas, and this house offers plenty to celebrate.
We suspect the conversation within the Bliss household went something like: “We’re running out of places on the front lawn to put decorations.
Well, there’s always the roof!” So that’s where the penguin slide went, and we’re sure the penguins up there are thrilled with the decision. It seems like all the Christmas characters on display are enjoying their evening, and we’re certain that anyone traveling by the Bliss family’s Light Christmas will be equally cheerful with Christmas dreams to follow.
Jolly Old Saint Mint Award – Cunningham Family (3342 Cortese Drive)
This house is peppermint perfection!
The Cunningham Family’s display is bursting with holiday cheer, wrapped in red and white lights and topped off with a giant Santa hat glowing from the chimney. Two towering candy canes frame the entrance like a gateway to the North Pole, while the roofline, windows, and bushes sparkle in a swirl of festive colors.
It’s bold, it’s joyful, and it’s got just the right amount of minty magic. “Jolly Old Saint Mint” couldn’t be more fitting – this home is a sweet treat for every passerby.
The Gift That Keeps on Glowing Award – Snapper Family (3331 Huntley Drive)
Every year, the Snapper Family unwraps a little more magic for the neighborhood – and this year’s display is their brightest yet.
From glowing candy canes and cheerful snowmen to angels, reindeer, and a giant lighted arch with a festive bow, their home is a joyful celebration that truly keeps on glowing.
Even the storage pod joins the fun, wrapped like a present with red-and-white stripes and a glowing green wreath. It’s colorful, creative, and full of heart – a gift to Rossmoor that shines brighter with each passing season.
Rookie of the Year Award – Fillmon Family (12411 Kensington Road)
This is an ongoing Christmas Lights Celebration Award that truly encourages us. So many times the home looks incredible the first year, then gets even better years following.
The Fillmon family intend to keep the tradition alive, and their display is already impressive and fun. We learned the decorating process is a family affair, and the youngest son insisted on highlighting Santa’s count-down-to Christmas clock, which is the most prominent feature. Of course, the Grinch and Max, right next to the manger scene are great ways to soak in the Christmas season too.
Young Illuminator Award – Kelsey Family (3222 Copa de Oro Drive)
This year, there are two incredible Rookie entries that inspire us all, especially the organizers of this Rossmoor Christmas event.
The Kelsey Family’s house was completely decorated by the mother and teen-age daughter team, who each year, printed the Rossmoor Christmas Lights Map and toured the beautifully decorated homes. It was always the daughter’s dream to have their house listed on the map, and guess what?
Their home is enchanting with surrounding-colored lights and Christmas figures offering a welcoming glow and playful atmosphere. So much that they earned the Young Illuminator Award! We certainly hope this inspires the young folks in our neighborhood to keep this family fun tradition alive!
2025 Honorable Mentions (all these homes are also highlighted on the Hot Spots Map)
- 2862 Coleridge Dr
- 11302 Foster Rd
- 2942 Hillrose Dr
- 3341 Kenilworth Dr
- 2751 Mainway Dr
- 2761 Mainway Dr
- 11541 Martha Ann Dr
- 11871 Martha Ann Dr
- 12681 Martha Ann Dr
- 12612 Oak Way Dr
- 2762 Salmon Dr
- 2751 St. Albans Dr
- 2681 St. Albans Dr
- 3212 Wendy Way
2025 Bright Zones (this location is highlighted on the HotSpot Map)
- 2682, 2701, & 2731 Brimhall Drive
The Famous Rossmoor HotSpot Map
Thank you for participating in this year’s Rossmoor Christmas Lights Nominating Contest. We had plenty of entries this year. Many people took advantage of nominating multiple homes and increased their chances of winning on of our $50 gift card prizes.
We know that this community tradition is not possible without your help in finding the most spirited, deserving and decorated homes in Rossmoor.
We can only create the incredibly popular Rossmoor HotSpot map that tens of thousands of people enjoy every year.
Thank YOU for letting us know where to look!
Recognition Where Its Due
Continuing the tradition as well, all award winning and honorable mention homeowners will receive an appreciation box of chocolate candy from the RHA – mostly composed of dark chocolate!
Special thanks to all the Rossmoor participating homeowners, who decorated their home for all of us to enjoy.
Another special thanks to Lynette O’Bryan, who followed the judges along the Christmas caravan trail and
took the amazing pictures of the Recognition Award winning homes
And special thanks to Art Remnet for his communication efforts for this event and cranking out the winners on the RHA website.
And a huge THANK YOU to Nia Hartman and Bike Rossmoor for hosting the Lights Bike Tour on Saturday (12/20) and Sunday (12/21) – that’s this weekend! More info on the ride here.
A very special THANKS! to Chris Marshall and Kieran Nolan for organizing, coordinating, and continuing this grand Rossmoor Tradition. You two are the very best of the season.
Hope to see you out there on the streets of Rossmoor!
Lights Bike Tour
What about the Lights Bike Tour you ask?
Many folks have inquired about the traditional Rossmoor Christmas Lights Bicycle Tour, now in its 9th year since 2017. Plans are in place for Nia Hartman with the Bike Rossmoor Bicycle Club to host two Rossmoor Christmas Lights Bike Tours on the evenings of Saturday, December 20, and again on Sunday, December 21.
Check out the details here.
Nomination Contest Winners
Trying to find the very best “lit up” homes one our own each year is nearly impossible to do.
This is is why each year the RHA asks residents and frequent visitors of Rossmoor to share the homes they think are worthy of recognition with us. These Rossmoor Christmas Lights Nominations are the basis for our judging team to visit during the judging weekend.
Each home a person nominates (including their own) becomes an entry into a drawing for prizes, making the process more entertaining and rewarding for everyone.
We periodically and randomly selected winners from those who made Christmas Lights Celebration nominations starting the day after Thanksgiving through the Rossmoor Winter Festival on Saturday, December 13th.
We announce the gift-card prize winners as they are drawn through and Sunday, December 14th. Winners need not be present to win.
The Winners are posted below as they are drawn:
- Scott Den Hartog received a $50 gift card for Mama’s Comfort Food & Cocktails
- Jenn Bliss received a $50 gift card from The Meat Company
- Nathan Dusek received a $50 gift card from California Pizza Kitchen
- Marisa Fillmon received a $50 gift card from The Meat Company
- Shendelle Polk received a $50 gift card to Mama’s Comfort Food & Cocktails
- Anthony Barin received a $50 gift card to California Pizza Kitchen
A BIG THANK YOU to Rossmoor’s own The Meat Company for partnering with us on the nomination prizes.
It’s fantastic when the community comes together to celebrate the great things about Rossmoor. Thanks again!
And of course, we want to thank you, the nominators and home decorators as, without you, there would be no Rossmoor Christmas Lights Celebration.
You made the difference in getting more homes nominated.
THANK YOU!
