A Riverside family’s homegrown Christmas celebration is on again this year.
For more than 30 years, Alan and Susan Kopatz have decorated their house and yard with a stunning array of glowing lights and handmade decorations.
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Christmas decorations are seen Nov. 24, 2025, at the Kopatz family’s Riverside home. (Courtesy of Alan Kopatz)
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Christmas decorations are seen Nov. 24, 2025, at the Kopatz family’s Riverside home. (Courtesy of Alan Kopatz)
As if the display wasn’t enough, they also do an annual gifts celebration for area youths each year — complete with Santa Claus. Last year, nearly 1,000 people showed up, Alan Kopatz wrote in an email.
“We are not a business,” he wrote. “I put this together years ago and it has grown beyond our wildest dreams.”
The free Pictures with Santa and Friends Night is set for 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Kids will receive a toy, coloring books and crayons, candy canes and other items. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served for all.
In addition to the hundreds of decorations, children can get their names placed on wooden scrolls that adorn the yard.
The display will be featured on ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight” on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 10 p.m., Alan Kopatz said.
The Kopatz’s house is at 134 Gracefield Way, Riverside.
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