Frequently asked questions about Christmas On Sunset
How do I get directions to your display?
Our address is 309 Sunset Road in West Reading, Pennsylvania 19611. Get Directions to Christmas On Sunset.
What time does the display run?
Sunday through Thursday from 5:00PM to 9:30PM, Friday and Saturday from 5:00PM to 10:30PM. View our Showtimes page for more info.
How many lights are on the display?
This is a tough question to answer because we are always adding more. For 2012 we have around 37,000. Feel free to count the lights and let us know if we miscounted. ;)
How much electricity does the display use?
The display can peak at 115 amps or about 13,800 watts but most often the average draw is around 30 amps. Because the lights flash on and off to the music there are only a few times where 100% of the lights are all turned on at a single moment.
How much is your electric bill?
Not as much as you would think. Because the lights are syncronized to music and are turning on and off constantly we use only about a third of our peak capacity. Our December electric bill is about $90 more compared to other winter months.
When/why was the display created?
The display was started in 2006 by Tim and Katie Macrina to celebrate their son's first Christmas. In 2008 Tim and Katie added a 12 foot mega tree to celebrate their daughters first Christmas.
How do you transmit music over the radio?
We use a low powered FM transmitter made by Ramsey Electronics.
How long does it take to setup the display?
This is a difficult question to answer because our display does not go up all at once. We normally start setup in early November and depending on the weather finish up the weekend before Thanksgiving. On average it probably taks about 100 man hours.
Are you an electrician/electrical engineer?
No but I think I missed my calling. I'm actually a software developer.
What are the songs that your lights are synchronized to?
Santa Claus is coming to town - Frank Sinatra
Jingle Bells - Boston Pops
Faeries -
Rockin around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
Carole of the bells - David Foster
Miracle on 34th Street / Overture
Dominick the Donkey - Lou Monte
The Polar Express - Tom Hanks
Happly Holidays - Bing Crosby
Do you use special Christmas lights?
No, we use your everyday mini lights that you find at Target, Walmart or Home Depot. When we outline our house we use a white set and a multicolor set that can be controlled individually to create the effect of the lights changing colors.
How do you syncronize the lights to the music?
We use software and hardware from Light-O-Rama.
Why don't you use LED lights?
Our number one reason for not use LED's is the cost. Our average cost for mini lights is $1.99 compared to the average cost of LED's which is around $6.