Our story
A family tradition, lit up.
Franconia Lights is the Smith family's front yard on St. John Drive, and we started it for each other.
From 2004 to 2012 I was a DJ and lighting guy in Virginia Beach: clubs, weddings, school dances, all of it. That's where I learned to beat-match, and to make a room feel something with color and light. In 2020 we put up a traditional display. Then I saw the family light shows Kevin Cobb and Steve Ni run. They answered hundreds of my questions and kept encouraging me, and by 2021 our lights were dancing to music.
It takes the whole family. My dad engineers how everything hangs, and his system for the window frames makes them quick to put up and take down every season. Our kids pick the songs and judge every new sequence. Our daughter was 2 when we started and is 7 now. Her favorites are the cats at Halloween and the big tree at Christmas. Our 3-year-old son simply loves the lights. My wife loves the excuse to host: every October we throw a party, and most years there's an early December night with hot chocolate.
Now it's yours too. Our favorite sight is kids coming out in the cold to dance on the driveway. Visitors pick the songs, so no two nights are the same. Come back as often as you like and bring friends. We're on a dead-end street, so telling people about us is how they find us. It's always free, and this year we're raising money for Blood Cancer United.
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2020
Where it began
Red and white lights on every window, a row of candy canes, and Santa's sleigh out front. No music yet, just a house we loved lighting up.
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2021
The lights start dancing
Halloween was still simple: orange and purple floodlights, a glowing BOO on the balcony, and a few friendly inflatables. That Christmas, the lights synced to music for the first time.
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2022
The show takes shape
Halloween joined the synchronized show, with a pixel spider on the garage, outlined windows, a ghost on the balcony, and plenty of fog. That Christmas brought a Christmas Vacation opening, a walk-through video, and a few songs that hooked us. Watch the 2022 opening
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2023
On Fox 5 DC
The lights on St. John Drive made the local news. See the segment
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2024
Featured on Doug's Holiday Lights
NBC4 Washington's holiday lights series came out to St. John Drive. Watch the feature
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2025
You took over the playlist
Visitors started choosing songs from their phones, and the show raised money for blood cancer research. Santa even stopped by to visit with the neighbors.
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2026
Season six: Halloween, then Christmas
A full Halloween show this October, with Christmas to follow. Follow along on Facebook for the build.