A generous Birmingham father has spent a small fortune turning his family home into a spectacular festive attraction, complete with a free Santa's grotto, to spread Christmas cheer throughout his community.
From 'Bonkers' Halloween to Dazzling Christmas Wonderland
Darren Mackenzie, a 55-year-old dad-of-four from Hob Moor Road in Yardley, is no stranger to creating eye-catching displays. After making headlines with his elaborate Halloween setup in October, he has now invested thousands of pounds to transform his property into a Christmas Winter Wonderland. The display is so bright with LED lights and inflatables that Darren jokes it could be seen "from outer space."
The home has been illuminated since Bonfire Night, with Darren admitting he only took a two-day break after his Halloween display, which attracted around 2,000 visitors. The festive music plays nightly until 10pm, creating a joyful atmosphere where children often dance along. "We have to turn the lights off at 10pm because they're so bright," said Darren, who lives with his partner Karen Pearce.
A Free Grotto in the Garage
The centrepiece of this year's efforts is the conversion of his garage into a fully-fledged Santa's grotto. Last year, Darren dressed as Santa and sat outside, but now families can step inside a dedicated magical space. The grotto will be open for visits on Fridays and Sundays between 5pm and 7pm right up until Christmas.
"All the kids will get a Polar Express bell - as long as we don't run out - and also a photo with Santa for free," Darren explained. He sources the bells from online retailer Temu. Darren will portray Santa himself for the first weekend before passing the iconic red suit to a "jolly old fella around the corner."
Spreading Joy in Tough Times
When asked about his motivation for the costly project, Darren's answer is heartfelt. "We do it because we love Christmas and love to put a smile on people's faces," he said. He is acutely aware of the financial strain many families are under. "It's expensive everywhere right now. Grottos are £5-£10 or more. Families can come here and see something without having to pay. They can forget about their bills etc for ten minutes."
The display is a true team effort. Darren credits his partner Karen and colleague Ashley Letts with helping bring his ambitious ideas to life, particularly with the design elements. Karen, while supportive, admits the scale of the display is "a bit mental," noting that buses and cars often stop to look, with horns beeping in appreciation.
And the display is still growing. Darren has ordered more items, including a three-metre-long 'ho-ho-ho' sign, an animated singing reindeer, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse inflatables from the USA.
The community is invited to enjoy the incredible, free festive experience at 553 Hob Moor Road, Yardley, every day in the lead-up to Christmas.
