WINDCREST, Texas — The City of Windcrest is shining bright this time of year.
Friday night was expected to be the busiest night of the season to catch the city's iconic holiday lights.
This year, there will be more to see. As KENS 5 learned, the 2023 Windcrest Light-Up might have made history.
'Twas The Night Before Christmas is the theme this year for the Windcrest Light-Up.
This year's contestants brought the Christmas poem to life.
"There's a whole lot of wow's, there's a whole lot of joy," said Dan Reese, the Mayor of Windcrest. "The application called Yelp has named us as the number one place for Christmas lights."
From sugar plum fairies dancing to the sound of jingle bells, to thousands and thousands of lights sparking more joy with every blink, this year's Light-Up is one for the record books.
"We have had more entries this year than we have in the past," said Reese, whose cul de sac showcased 'Twas The Night Before Christmas poem with excerpts in each yard. "The amount of time and effort to put those lights up is just enormous."
One yard off Waycrest Drive is considered famous by many neighbors. The home of John and Brenda Wilson earned national recognition in 2021 for their extravagant Christmas light display.
This year, in place of the traditional Christmas chipmunks, holiday train and Santa's sleigh, was a yard sign. It read, '2021 WINNER. The Great Christmas Light Fight. NOW WE'RE TIRED!'
"It was a lot of work!" said Brenda, who typically starts decorating for Christmas in July. "For a while before we put the sign up, people were wondering, 'Did something happen to them?'"
John is also recovering from knee surgery. He said he's seen quite a few people stop in front of their home to take a picture of the new sign.
He said, "We're not getting any younger. It becomes quite a feat... We don't move quite as fast as we used to."
The good news for loyal Windcrest Christmas visitors is the Wilsons will be back. They tell us they still have their Mr. and Mrs. Claus costumes which may make an appearance before Christmas Day.
In the meantime, their more modest Christmas display will have to do.
"We had to do a little something. The neighbors would hate us," Brenda said, jokingly.
"We're always gonna do something. It's in our blood!" added John, with a smile.
Friday at dusk, cars began rolling through the Windcrest neighborhood. Two families who stopped to chat with KENS 5 say it's a favorite holiday tradition.
"When you're together with your kids seeing lights, we got hot chocolate going in the back, Christmas music going, there's nothing better during Christmas time. It gives you that warm feeling!" said Archie Archambault from Universal City. "We want to move here just so we can decorate!"
Erica Arredondo, who also drove through Windcrest Friday evening with her family, was excited to say her daughter came up with the idea to see the lights.
"My kids were super stoked and excited," she told us. "It's just those [family] moments. My daughter was like 'Mom, let's do it again this year!'"
A new addition this Christmas in Windcrest is a new LED display on the city's water tower, known as 'the biggest candle in the State of Texas'. The light designs will change year-round, the mayor said.
Christmas lights will stay on in the City of Windcrest through January 31, 2024. If you're planning to attend, it's recommended you go early and on a weekday.
For more information on Windcrest Light-Up and to see locations where you can pick up a map to see all contest entrants, visit https://www.windcrest-tx.gov/190/Windcrest-Light-Up.