Free nightly light show · Rancho Santa Margarita
Experience the Magic of The Brown Family Lights 2026
Load up the family for a dazzling, free Christmas light spectacular in Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange County. 6 beautifully synchronized homes with over 40,000+ LED pixels dance to festive music — tune your car radio to FM 88.3FM or listen on-site.
Show runs nightly 5:30pm – 9:00pm (until 10:00pm Fri & Sat)
RGB Pixels
Linked Homes
Years Running
Listen On
Crowd favorite
Star Wars Sequence 2024
This Star Wars sequence is part of the light show at The Brown Family Lights in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. It features a collection of iconic Star Wars themes, all synchronized across six homes:
- The Main Theme
- The Imperial March
- The Mandalorian Theme
- and more
A crowd favorite I update each year to keep things fresh for Star Wars fans of all ages. See more on our YouTube channel!
Plan your visit
Where is the show?
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Near Melinda & Santa Margarita Parkway. This is a residential neighborhood — please be respectful of the residents.
- Nightly: 5:30pm – 9:00pm
- Weekends: until 10:00pm Fri & Sat
- Thanksgiving weekend through New Year's Eve.
Stay warm in your car — just tune your radio to FM 88.3FM and enjoy the show.
Classic favorite
Carol of the Bells
One of my favorite sequences — a classic Christmas song that's been a staple of the show for years. The lights synced to the music create a magical experience that brings joy to everyone who visits.
All six homes take part in this one. The lights dance and twinkle in perfect harmony with the music for a mesmerizing, whole-street display — a true testament to music and light working together.
The story
12 Years in the Making
It all started with a Raspberry Pi and a dream — to make my Christmas lights blink to music. No one warned me what a monster it would become.
Join me for a look back at how this project grew from basic… to ridiculous… to completely insane. From a few AC lights to a multi-home, pixel-powered synchronized display — the journey of The Brown Family Lights from 2015 to today.
FAQ
Questions I get asked a lot
Answers to the most common questions about the show.
How long does it take to set up?
I work on the show throughout the year — testing props and sequencing. Physical setup starts November 1st, with the goal to go live by Thanksgiving Weekend. Take down is much quicker.
What about your electric bill?
Surprisingly, it's cheaper than using traditional AC Christmas lights. The pixels are LEDs, they aren't on constantly, and I run them at only 30%.
Where do you store everything?
Rather than renting a storage unit, I built a raised floor in my attic. It provides all the space I need to store my props and equipment.
Are these lights from Home Depot?
Some lights at Home Depot do flash to music, but you’re limited to preselected songs. I built this system so I can design the show myself. Curious? Check out the resources on this site.
What software and hardware do you use?
The show runs on a Raspberry Pi using Falcon Pi Player. I design sequences with xLights, and control the lights with Alphapix, Falcon, Genius, and Differential controllers.
Can I watch it online?
Yes! I have YouTube playlists from 2023 and 2024. But if you plan to visit the show in person, maybe avoid too many spoilers!