A Bristol home has once again captured the festive spirit in spectacular fashion, unveiling a Christmas display that features more than 150,000 lights.
Ricky and Chrissie Fenning’s annual Winterbourne Wonderland is renowned for its dazzling array of holiday decorations and innovative light sequences, an extravagant spectacle that has the whole village of Winterbourne Down brought to a halt.
This year’s display combines multiple themed zones, including animatronic butterflies, a magical forest scene, a life-sized wishing well, and a snowy wilderness inhabited by polar bears and penguins.
Covering their house in vibrant blue and purple illumination, the Fenning family’s creation includes a roof adorned with ‘Ho Ho Ho’ lights, and an extra 50,000 bulbs compared to last year, making it one of the most illuminated private displays in the UK.
The effort involves a meticulous two-month setup, with last year’s spectacle attracting over 10,000 visitors.
‘Last Christmas Eve was crazy; we gridlocked Winterbourne,’ Ricky Fenning said, reflecting on the display’s growing popularity.
The event is designed to raise funds for local charities, specifically The Grand Appeal, a Bristol children’s hospital charity, and Suicide Prevention UK.
This year’s display pushes the boundaries of holiday magic with innovative features such as interactive buttons, voice-activation, and motion sensors that trigger various festive scenes.
The North Pole area includes a delightfully lit array of figures, a colourful pixel tree reaching 13 feet, and a 43-foot pixel wall, while the enchanted forest boasts a life-sized unicorn and a colour-changing water fountain.
The nativity scene, set within a wooden stable, features 2ft Gromit and Shaun the Sheep figures, adding a charming local touch.
The official switch-on took place on Saturday, November 22, with three separate countdowns scheduled at 5pm, 6pm, and 7pm to manage the crowds.
The lights will shine daily from 4.30pm until 9pm until January 4, with special events including Christmas music sessions and visits from seasonal mascots.
Over the past four years, Winterbourne Wonderland has raised nearly £26,000 for The Grand Appeal, with this year’s efforts aiming to push the total to £40,000.
Donations are encouraged through a dedicated station, coin boxes, and QR codes strategically placed around the display area.
The Fenning family’s dedication to bringing joy and supporting local charities continues to make their Christmas display a cherished community event.
Visitors are advised to plan their routes carefully due to ongoing road closures and roadworks in the vicinity.
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