Richmond often presents itself as a refined city: historic architecture, cobblestone streets, leisurely Sunday brunches and thoughtfully curated holiday decor in the downtown district. Strolling through the historic core during the holidays, you’ll still find tasteful displays and a sense of old-world charm—like the elegant little tree shown below.

But Richmond’s festive scene has a second personality, one that appears around this time of year and gleefully rejects subtlety. Outside the polished downtown area, many neighborhoods lean into maximalism with an all-out embrace of bright, busy and unapologetically tacky holiday displays. That exuberant side of the city is the reason the Tacky Light Tour has become a local tradition and a regional attraction.

The Tacky Light Tour is not a single guided route so much as a community-curated list of homes and yards that go big with their Christmas lighting. The challenge — part tongue-in-cheek, part friendly competition — is to outdo your neighbors and lighting aficionados. To be listed among the tour-worthy displays, homeowners typically meet a very high bar: some organizers expect displays to include tens of thousands of individual bulbs. In local conversation the benchmark is often cited as a minimum of 40,000 lights, which makes clear that this is not about a modest strand wound around a porch banister. Rather, participants string lights across trees, roofs, hedges and fences, layer animated elements and synchronize music, creating spectacles that are meant to be experienced from a car or a bus.

Because of its sheer visual excess, Richmond’s tacky holiday tradition has sometimes drawn national attention. Media outlets have featured stories about the area’s over-the-top displays, and some individual houses have been highlighted on nationwide lists celebrating spirited places to see lights. That kind of coverage has only increased public interest, turning certain streets into evening destinations for families, neighbors and visitors from out of town.

Attendance during peak evenings often swells; each season groups of friends, families and organized tours will bundle into rented buses, limousines or cars to view the displays in comfort. For some, the outing is an opportunity for festive socializing; for others, it’s simply about appreciating the creative energy and craftsmanship that goes into building such elaborate scenes. Either way, part of the joy is communal: viewers laugh at the gaudiness, marvel at the technical displays and compare favorites as they drive from house to house.

Like any local tradition that leans into eccentricity, the Tacky Light Tour inspires mixed reactions. Some people love the maximalist approach and applaud the enthusiasm that lights up entire blocks; others prefer the quieter, classic decorations found downtown. Both reactions are part of what makes Richmond’s seasonal character interesting — the city can be refined and cozy in one neighborhood, while exuberantly over-the-top a short drive away.

If you plan to visit these displays, a few practical tips can enhance the experience: pick a route in advance, bring a charged phone for photos, mind the neighborhood’s parking and respect private property and posted signs. Go prepared for slow traffic and crowds on weekend nights, and bring a sense of humor—part of the fun is embracing the spectacle, eyes squinting against the glow as you search for the next outrageous detail.

Ultimately, Richmond’s holiday offerings capture a wide range of festive tastes. Whether you prefer elegant downtown trees or yards that sparkle with every possible bulb, the city provides memorable seasonal experiences. Sip your cocoa, keep an eye on the road and enjoy the show—after all, during this season Richmond shines in more ways than one.