During the holiday season, Brian Mitchell’s Claremont home is a sight to behold.
There are more than 50,000 lights; over 100 plastic creatures including toy soldiers, penguins and snowmen; and around 24 also handmade wooden figures. The lights blink on and off in an animated display set to Christmas music, and Santa makes weekend visits. For around 25 years, people (myself included) stopping by 16 Francis St. for Mitchell’s Magic Christmas are sure to be delighted by one of the most impressive light displays in the Upper Valley.
“It used to be more for me and what I was looking for in my vision and since I accomplished that, it’s been more about what I can do for the community,” Mitchell said. “People who were coming here when they were kids (are) now bringing their kids. I get tons and tons of stories.”
This year will be the last for Magic Christmas in its current form. As part of a countdown to the display, Mitchell has been posting videos of past years’ light shows on the “Mitchell’s Magic Christmas” Facebook page.
“The biggest thing is we can’t go anywhere in December,” Mitchell said, adding that he and his wife are excited by the prospect of seeing the Trans Siberian Orchestra perform once the musical ensemble returns to New Hampshire. “With the size of the display, we’re tied to the house.”
He starts working on the display Columbus Day weekend to get it ready in time for Thanksgiving weekend. Then, every night from 4:30-9:30 p.m. through at least Christmas, people are welcome to wander his yard.
There are minor tweaks this year. Visitors are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing. Santa will stop by on weekends, but children cannot sit on his lap. People can also tune in their car radios as the lights animate to the Christmas music streaming through.
“I still love doing it and I don’t want to stop, but I want to bring it down to a more manageable level,” Mitchell said.
He’ll take next year off — save for a few strands of lights. After that, he said, he might put up a smaller display. While he plans on keeping most of his decorations, others he will sell, give away or throw away if they are in poor condition.
Mitchell is also looking forward to visiting neighboring states to look at other animated light displays to see setups put together by other Christmas decorating enthusiasts he’s connected with through the years on Facebook. In recent years, people have gone away from animated lights toward pixels and projection mapping.
“Mine is still old school, seven or eight years out of the new technology now,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell’s Magic Christmas also serves as a fundraiser for David’s House, and visitors are asked to contribute what they can.
“It’s a little busier than normal, and our donations are up,” he said. “It seems like people really need it this year.”
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
