It’s that magical time of year again! The Rusty Griswold Light Display returns for its 10th anniversary — brighter, smoother, and ready to bring holiday cheer to Burlington once more. We’ve been busy behind the scenes making improvements, rebuilding parts of the show, and fine-tuning everything to make Opening Night one to remember.
A Warm Welcome Back
We’re excited to officially kick off the 2025 season on Friday, November 28. Every year, we look forward to seeing familiar faces (and meeting new ones) who stop by to enjoy the lights, music, and Christmas spirit that make this tradition so special.
The Rusty Griswold Light Display isn’t just about lights — it’s about community, joy, and giving back. This year, we’re proudly supporting Halton Women’s Place, a local organization that provides shelter and support for women and children in need. Your generosity makes a real difference every year.
Behind the Scenes Upgrades
While you might not notice all the technical changes, a lot has been rebuilt and re-engineered to make the 2025 show more reliable and efficient.
- The electronic sign out front has been completely rebuilt from scratch. It is now larger, providing better visibility and smoother animations.
- All of my computers and controllers were reprogrammed this year to use a more efficient communication protocol (called DDP). It’s faster and more stable than the old system I used in the past — meaning a cleaner, more synchronized show for everyone watching.
Even though we didn’t add new props or major new features this year (thank you, tariffs!), these behind-the-scenes updates help ensure the lights run better than ever.
New Music in the Works
I’m working hard on adding a brand-new song (maybe two) to the lineup this year! Whether it makes it in time for Opening Night or appears later in the season, keep your eyes (and ears) open for something fresh on the playlist.
The rest of the soundtrack will still feature your holiday favourites, perfectly timed to the dancing lights.
New Way to Listen: PulseMesh
This year brings one of the biggest changes to how you experience the show — PulseMesh replaces the FM radio station!
Instead of tuning in on your car radio, you can now connect right from your smartphone. Simply scan the QR code on the sign or download the PulseMesh app from the App Store or Google Play (available for Android and iOS). You’ll instantly hear the show perfectly in sync with the lights — no static, no weak signals, and no more fiddling with the dial.
If your phone is connected to your vehicle’s stereo, enjoy the music through your car speakers. Just walking by with headphones? No problem — you’ll still hear every beat and sparkle.
It’s an easier, clearer, and more modern way to enjoy the music — especially for families walking by or watching from different spots on the street.
Continuing to Give Back
As always, this show is about more than lights — it’s about supporting our community and spreading kindness during the holiday season.
Over the past few years, your donations have helped us make a meaningful contribution to SickKids. After a few seasons of “competing with Ryan Reynolds,” we’ve now chosen to partner with Halton Women’s Place!
We wanted to focus on supporting those closer to home while continuing our tradition of helping children during the holidays. This incredible organization provides shelter and support to women and children in crisis, and we’re proud to stand behind their mission.
This year, we’re hoping to beat our record of $2,220 in donations!
Please note that we do not accept cash on-site — donations can be made directly through the Halton Women’s Place website, ensuring that every dollar you give goes to Halton Women’s Place. And as a bonus, Canadian donations of $20 or more are eligible for a tax receipt.
Every bit helps — thank you for your continued generosity and kindness!
Plan Your Visit
Show Runs: Friday, November 28, 2025 – Sunday, January 4, 2026
Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada – View on Google Maps
Show Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM, and Friday & Saturday from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM (weather permitting)
How to Listen:
Music plays outside until 9:00 PM on weekdays, and until 9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday nights.
Connect right from your smartphone by downloading PulseMesh from your app store (available on Android and iOS).
If you’re within 0.5 km of the display, the show should automatically load in the app.
If not, enter the code ZCQ5 to connect.
Neighbourly Reminder:
Please be courteous to our neighbours — keep your volume low, avoid blocking driveways, and turn off headlights when parked.
Thank You for Being Part of the Magic
From my family to yours — thank you for supporting our display year after year. Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, you’re part of what makes this tradition shine.
See you on Opening Night — let’s make 2025 our brightest year yet!
(Images generated with the help of DALL-E AI.)
