Ohio 'Griswold House' Christmas Light Display Echoes Popular Holiday Movie

A home in Wadsworth, Ohio, nicknamed “the Griswold House” did not fail to delight locals on November 25, as it revealed once more a holiday lighting display echoing the beloved movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

In footage by Clifton Franks, homeowner and host Greg Osterland can be heard encouraging the crowd to drumroll, before the house’s estimated 25,000 lights turn on all at once.

Franks told Storyful that the ceremony takes place every year on the day after Thanksgiving. The display then lights up daily, between 5 pm and 11 pm until New Year’s Day.

In the video, Osterland can be heard saying that the family is celebrating 10 years of tradition. Osterland, who has cystic fibrosis, pledged to continue the light show “as long as my health was great.” He said that he and his wife were ready to stop mounting the display in 2017, when his health “took a turn for the worse,” but that people’s donations helped the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation develop a breakthrough medication.

The house’s elaborate decor includes an RV and mannequins dressed as the movie’s characters. Credit: Clifton Franks via Storyful

Video Transcript

- Can I have a drum roll please?

[DRUM ROLL NOISES]

Music to my ears.

(SINGING) Joy to the World.

[CROWD CHEERING AND CLAPPING]

- Is your house on fire, Clark?

- No, Bethany. Those are Christmas lights.

GREG OSTERLAND: Five years ago, Rachel and I were ready to be done with this. Because of donations that we received going right to Great Strides, they took that money, they created a pill that not only helped me, but improved me beyond when I first got diagnosed. So now I have enough energy to go forever, I hope. OK?

[CLAPPING]

And that said, this is our 10th year of lighting. Yes. Thank you so much. Merry Christmas.