300K Lights, 400 Figures, 1 LED Screen: TP Christmas House Switched On

TINLEY PARK, IL — It's back—bigger and brighter than ever.

Known as the "TP Christmas House," the display at 17321 Avon Lane switched on Dec. 1 with an additional 100,000 lights, giant LED screen with 1 million bulbs of its own, and a new themed vignette. The whole thing tops off at a whopping 300,000 lights, 400 figurines—and 800 amps needed to power it all.

It took Dominic Kowalczyk and 80 other pairs of hands a month to erect the display that spans three houses on the block, but it's all worth it, the Tinley Park native told Patch.

New this year is the 17-foot by 10-foot LED screen, glowing with 1 million lights inside it rolling clips of classic Christmas movies, with drone footage of their own house mixed in.

"It’s pretty awesome," Kowalczyk said. "Everybody’s been loving it."

Also added is "King of the Hill Does Christmas," a themed display featuring characters from the hit show in Christmas scenes.

Kowalczyk had to upgrade his electric capacity to be able to power the whole thing.

"That was a huge project in itself," he said, laughing. "We probably have more power than any house on the south side of Chicago."

Each year, Kowalczyk encourages donations to a local non-profit, again this year focusing on Tinley Park's Together We Cope. The social services agency is volunteer-driven, serving thousands in need across the south suburbs. With community donations of food, clothing and household goods, and groceries purchased from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the agency typically serves more than 1,500 families each month. Their services reach 27 communities, including Alsip, Blue Island, Bridgeview, Chicago Ridge, Country Club Hills, Crestwood, Evergreen Park, Garden Homes, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Hickory Hills, Hometown, Homewood, Markham, Merrionette Park, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Posen, Robbins, Tinley Park and Worth.

The agency is especially in need this year, after a fire in November 2022 heavily damaged its main building on Oak Park Avenue in downtown Tinley Park. Officials have been working to reopen the facility since, with delays and obstacles continually pushing it back.

Last year's collection brought in $28,000 for the agency, and Kowalczyk said he's hoping to top that this year. A collection box is onsite for contributions, with a Venmo QR code also provided, he added.

Kowalczyk looks forward to seeing new people discovering the display and longtime viewers returning, along with reading additions to the guestbook, where people can sign and leave their hometowns. He's even seen couples get engaged at the home—three last year, alone.

"... It puts a smile on my face, as well as everybody that helps put this display together, knowing that it means so much to people from the community," he said. "The stories that we hear from people while visiting are amazing, and they come from all different walks of life."

Kowalczyk said he hears from people who make an annual pilgrimage to the home, making it a family outing.

"We have people posting on our page already that this is their eighth 10th, 12th year coming out here to visit and that it’s their family tradition," he said. "Some families come here every year to take their Christmas card photos. I spoke to a woman yesterday from Houston, and she comes here every time she visits her family for the holidays. She said they don’t have anything like this around there."

Kowalczyk was quick to thank his wife Alyssa, as well as all the helpers who dedicated time to making the display happen.

"Without each and every one of you, this would not be possible," he said on social media. "Remember, this is not my display. This is a display put on by the collective effort of almost 100 people."

The display is on daily from 5 to 10 p.m., through Dec. 31. Monday through Wednesday, visitors can drive by to view without leaving their cars, which Kowalczyk noted for any elderly or handicapped viewers. Thursday through Sunday, viewers are required to park on 88th Avenue and walk to the display. Tinley Park police enforce traffic control those days, he added.