Annually the Carter Family puts together a large LED light display synchronized to music. Originally started 2014 in Austin Minnesota, the lights were first synchronized to music in 2015.
Growing Lights and Effects
- 2024 – 50,000 lights – added 2 RGB TVs on Garage Roof, 9 Honorary Stars, 10 Jumbo Bulbs, 5 Flood Lights, 1 Mega Deer, 1 Mega Ornament, 1 Light Wall, and Upgraded Middle Tree Lights to RGB
- 2023 – 45,000 lights – added 50 Yard Stakes, 2 Jumbo Candy Canes, 1 8ft Solider, 2 Spinners, 1 RGB Window, 1 Slender Tree and Tripled Yard Lights
- 2022 – 40,000 lights – upgraded 5,000 lights to RGB pixels, Retrofitted Drummer Boy and switched to xLights
- 2021 – – Minimal Display due to work travel schedule
- 2020 – 38,000 lights – added 9 RGB Flood Lights
- 2019 – 38,000 lights – added 4 Jumbo RGB Stockings, 1 Chimney Outline, 1 Mistletoe, 2 RGB TVs on Roof
- 2018 – 34,000 lights – added 5 Jumbo Snowflakes, 3,000 RGB Pixels and also moved to Albert Lea
- 2017 – 31,000 lights – added 12 Mini Trees, 1,800 Pixel RGB sign, 12 RGB Strips to trees and Two Singing Faces
- 2016 – 22,500 lights – added 16-foot Drummer Boy, Two Singing Trees and Colors to trees
- 2015 – 14,000 lights – added Yard Outlines, two Full Trees, Yard Decorations
- 2014 – 7,000 lights
As reported by the Albert Lea Tribune, “Strings of lights adorn the lawn and trees and wrap around the pillars…with larger-than-life snowflakes and a 16 foot drummer boy” with more added every year. Ultimately, their hope is to add a new fun tradition to the Albert Lea Minnesota region during the holiday season.
Typically the display runs from the Friday after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) through December 30th. In general, the show runs from 5-9pm with it running until 10pm on Fridays & Saturdays along with Christmas Eve/Day.
This display has been built very much in the DIY spirit with Mike building or assembling everything you see. Prior to 2022, the software used to create and run the show was built completely from scratch by Mike. In 2015, there were 32 circuits used (different plugs), growing to 272 circuits in 2024. You can see a partial photo of the “guts” of a part of the system to the left.
A donation box is located at the corner of the property. All proceeds are donated to a local Southern Minnesota non-profit organization, varying year-to-year. In 2015, the community generously donated over $170, which helped send a local Boy Scout to summer camp. In 2016, the community raised $455 and $758 in 2017 that helped young Girl Scouts attend summer camp. In 2018 the community generously donated $1165 to upgrade downtown Christmas Lights in Albert Lea, in 2019, the community donated $1046 for JDRF to fund research in the fight to eliminate Type 1 Diabetes and in 2020, the community donated $2900 towards the Albert Lea Salvation Army Food Bank, in 2022 $1600 was donated to SEMCAC for Freeborn County Meals on Wheels. And in 2023, $1402 to Albert Lea’s The Children’s Center.
The display is located at 1905 Brookside Drive, Albert Lea, MN 56007 with the public welcome to come enjoy.
Social Network Connections
Facebook – Carter Christmas Lights Show
