'Something So Magical': Buffalo Grove Resident Lights Up The Holidays

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Like anyone, when an ambulance showed up outside his Buffalo Grove home "many years ago," resident Tim Jahn was a little concerned. It turns out, there was no reason to be alarmed that night because the ambulance was doing the same thing countless others have done at 5 Ashford Court — checking out Jahn's Buffalo Grove Christmas Music & Light Show.

Since 2005, Jahn has transformed his home every holiday season with more than 10,000 synchronized lights and a playful mix of holiday songs. Jahn says the entire show can be "enjoyed from the warmth of your car."

"I think there's something so magical about lights and music during the holiday season, especially for kids," Jahn tells Patch. "When you see a holiday light display that is so much bigger and taller than you are, with so many colors and strands, and it's all choreographed to songs that make you dance....that is such a great feeling."

The free show will go every night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. starting Thanksgiving weekend through New Year's.

Jahn said this year’s lineup includes sing-along hits for the whole family, from the Minions singing "Jingle Bells" to "The Polar Express's" "Hot Chocolate" and even a Frosty the Snowman throwback parody to Smash Mouth’s "All Star" and the Backstreet Boys. All the songs in the show are geared toward kids and families, with a healthy mix of songs all will recognize.

According to Jahn, "the seed for embarking on this journey" was seeing a holiday musical lights display almost 20 years ago. After seeing the lights, he realized that he could do his own show.

"I'm the type of person that loves learning new skills, and learns by doing....so I just did it," Jahn said.

Jahn said construction of the display starts right after Labor Day and takes over 60 hours spread across the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.

"Programming the lights to sync to the various songs takes another estimated 40 hours," Jahn said. "And then there are countless hours of planning, experimenting, and shopping during the off-season in preparation for next year's show."

Jahn said his neighbors are very supportive of the show and often walk over to check in to see how things are going during the weeks of setup.

"The reaction from people watching the show is the absolute best part of it all," Jahn said. "Their joy and laughter reminds me of the positive impact the lights and music can have on each of us."