Lisa Scheid: Here are 5 free light displays in Berks you can drive by

Lisa Scheid, Reading Eagle, Pa.
·3 min read

Dec. 22—Maybe it's Christmas Eve and your kids are a little antsy waiting for Santa's arrival. Maybe the baby won't sleep and a nice drive would be soothing. Maybe you haven't gotten in the spirit and need to cheer yourself up a little.

The Facebook group Live and Online Entertainment in Berks and Lebanon counties compiled a list of great light displays created by generous people in the community to share the spirit of the season. You can access it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/706588232775203/.

We checked out a few of the more public displays. Here are five plus one that will re-open after Christmas.

Lights on Albert: 505 Albert Drive, Sinking Spring. From 6 to 10 p.m. Rain may cancel. This light display has more than 25,000 lights. This display by Kristy and Mike Barrett has been going for eight years, and each year they add a little more to it.

"I get my decorating obsession from my dad," Kristy said in an email. "He has a nice display in Exeter. My dad always decorated our houses growing up, so once I got my own house I started doing one as well. I enjoy the smiles it brings to everyone's faces."

Lights on Elwyn: 216 Elwyn Ave., Sinking Spring. With approximately 30,000 Christmas lights, a walk-thru Christmas lane and several other displays, this display benefits the Animal Rescue League of Berks County. Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzIc4Yc2p4M

Christmas on Lincoln: 2031 Lincoln Court, Wyomissing. More than 60,000 Christmas Lights dancing to music that can be heard on your car's radio. The light display was started in 2008 by Tim Macrina and his wife, Katie. In 2013 the Macrina Family was the champion of ABC's "Great Christmas Light Fight." Hours for the display are 5-9 p.m. through New Year's Eve. They ask that you pull your car to the side of the road, keep windows closed and radio at a reasonable volume so as to not disturb neighbors.

Lights on Lake Street: 9 Lake St., Lower Alsace Township. A home with a lot of flair and fans on Facebook. It's a dead-end street so be aware if you choose to drive by. They also have a walking path through the yard for people to enjoy the decorations throughout the entire yard.

"Even the hidden ones behind our house!" said homeowner, Lindsey Robinson, in an email. "We will have our display up until January. And we normally leave our lights on for Christmas Eve all night into Christmas Day. We leave them on all other nights until 9:30 p.m. on weeknights and 10 p.m. on weekends."

Christmas Candyland in Wyomissing: Greenwich and North Sixth streets, Wyomissing. Display is on from 5 to 10 p.m. Check its Facebook page for weather cancellation.

Post Christmas Encore: 'Twas the Lights Before Christmas, 4891 Penn Ave., Lower Heidelberg Township. Calvary Bible Fellowship Church's annual synchronized Christmas lights set to music runs from Dec. 2-22, but it holds a special encore the week after Christmas. Daily 5-10 p.m.