Trans Siberian Orchestra- Houses with Christmas Lights Set to TSO Music

As a fan of both Christmas decorations, especially Christmas lights, and Trans Siberian Orchestra (TSO), I am bringing them together for you! 

I first saw TSO in about 2004.  They have become a Christmas tradition.  I have seen them about four times during the holidays.  The band was formed in 1993.  I first heard of them about 2002.  They were playing a small venue in downtown San Antonio.  Now they fill basketball arenas, sometimes for two shows! 

TSO marries classical with rock music.  They bring a huge show wherever they go.  They have several guitarists, a violinist, two keyboardists, and numerous vocalists.  They also bring in members of the local area orchestra.  They always donate a percentage of the ticket sales to the local Food Bank. 

TSO has grown in popularity and visibility, especially over the last six or eight years.  Videos have started popping up all over the world of houses decorated with Christmas lights, timed to one of TSO’s numbers.  I have pulled together a collection of these for you! 

Growing up, one of our family traditions during the Christmas Season was getting in the car and riding around to see the Christmas lights.  Certain neighborhoods, and eventually certain houses became favorites, because they always put on a great light show.  Sometimes we even drove to neighboring towns, because friends or relatives told us about other great finds. 

I remember a few years that we would drive 20 or so miles to a small town where my father had a auto shop, and my mother worked in the mill.  My dad knew a local businessman who had a large yard brimming with lighted decorations.  Even as a child, the irony of the crazy mix of religious and secular scenes was striking to me.  Santa and Jesus were in crazy proximity to each other! 

Other favorite houses had less emphasis on figures and scenes, and were primarily just multi-colored lights or white lights around the windows, doors, and roof line of houses, and lights in various trees and shrubs. 

When I moved to Texas it was a jackpot for Christmas lights. Texans go all out! You can take a drive around most any neighborhood in Texas and enjoy wonderful Christmas decorations. I especially love the icicle-style drape lights from the roof line of houses.

I came home from work one day to find that my across-the-street neighbor had put Santa and his sleigh on his roof. This included the wire reindeer with white twinkle lights, one to represent each of the eight, with Rudolph leading the way. I thought it was charming, and among my favorite Christmas decorations. Then over the next few days he continued to add decorations to his house and yard. And add. And add. It kinda ruined the whole effect. My other neighbor told me the reindeer neighbor had added another power box to his house to accommodate all the Christmas lights! I live in a different neighborhood now, but maybe I’ll take a drive to see if Santa and the reindeer are on the roof!

One of my new Christmas traditions is visiting Santa’s Ranch off of Interstate 35, between San Marcos and New Braunfels, Texas. There are over 100 religious and secular displays done in over 1 million lights, which you enjoy from your drive through in your vehicle. I have been to Santa’s Ranch three or four times. Pricing is per vehicle, and sometimes there is a discount for Food Bank donation. Season passes are available for the cost of two trips. Visit my Christmas hub and see my personal photos of Santa’s Ranch.

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