Oregon stands out with a diverse range of long-standing holiday light displays throughout the state. Among them, Portland's Christmas street, Peacock Lane, attracts a large crowd and is a classic. However, Schilling Lights on Lark in Milwaukie presents something unique. With 50,000 lights that synchronize to holiday music requested by visitors, it offers a one-of-a-kind experience.

Unlock the Magic of Oregon's Holiday Lights with Schilling Lights

Peacock Lane: A Crowded Classic in Portland

Portland's Peacock Lane is renowned for its holiday lights, becoming a must-visit destination during the Christmas season. The street is filled with an array of beautifully decorated homes, creating a festive atmosphere that draws people from far and wide. It's a place where families gather, children laugh, and the spirit of Christmas is in the air. The lights here are not just a decoration; they are a symbol of the holiday season, bringing joy and warmth to all who pass by.

Schilling Lights on Lark: A Single Home's Extraordinary Show

At 15909 S.E. Lark Ave. in Milwaukie, Oregon, Matt Schilling has created a holiday light display that is truly extraordinary. With 50,000 lights that move in sync to holiday music, it's a sight to behold. For example, when you request Frank Sinatra's rendition of "Jingle Bells," illuminated candy canes flash red and white stripes to the beat of the music. A glowing Santa hat on top of the garage comes to life with eyes and a mouth that moves as if it's singing along. The focal point of the display is the giant garage "matrix" that covers the front of a two-car garage with 19,000 lights, showing dancing cartoon characters and clips from movies like "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." It's a visual feast that leaves visitors in awe.

The Journey of Schilling's Holiday Light Passion

Matt Schilling has been in love with Christmas lights since childhood. Growing up in Hermiston, a small town in eastern Oregon, he would help put up lights at his parents' house and continued to do so during his college years. In 2017, he bought his own home and decided to go all out with his light display. Since then, he has been buying 10,000 lights every year. In 2019, he discovered lights that could be programmed to music, and he never looked back. He spent time watching YouTube videos and chatting in online Christmas light communities to learn how to set up the electrical components and use free software called xLights to sync the lights to music. "Basically, you choose a song, load it, and then apply different effects to your props to make them dance to the music," he explained. Technology clicks with him, and he loves tinkering with stuff like this.

Enhancing the Experience with FM Transmitter and QR Code

Visitors not only get to enjoy the lights in person but also have the option to listen to the same synced-up songs from the comfort of their cars. Schilling has an FM transmitter in his garage that broadcasts to 88.1 FM within a mile or two around the neighborhood. Additionally, they can scan a QR code shown on a TV screen at the front gate to make a song request. With more than 100 songs to choose from, there's something for everyone.

Managing the Electricity Cost

When it comes to the electricity bill, Schilling assures that it's not as bad as one might think. Considering the 50,000 lights he has, which are at only 10 percent brightness, the power consumption is relatively low. If the lights were at 100 percent brightness, they would take a lot more power and electricity. He works in accounting for New Seasons grocery store, but the lights are always on his mind. He spends all waking hours thinking about the display, fixing songs and adding things that people would like to see.

Schilling's Involvement in Community Events

In addition to the Christmas lights display, Schilling also has light displays for Halloween, New Year's, and Veterans Day. He is actively involved in various community events, such as Portland's Starlight Parade, Milwaukie's Porchfest concert series, and Milwaukie's 'Bing' in the New Year cherry drop event. He also hosts donation events for LoveOne, a nonprofit that serves people experiencing homelessness in Clackamas County. His lights bring joy not only to his neighborhood but also to the community as a whole.Schilling Lights on Lark: 5909 S.E. Lark Ave., Milwaukie, 5-10 p.m. nightly through Dec. 25. The New Year's light show begins Dec. 26. Song requests available until Jan. 12. Stay up to date on all the holiday lights shows on Instagram.