Holiday Lights: The Rombeiro Christmas House

Every December, Marin's power grid is yet again put to the test by the annual unveiling of the Rombeiro Christmas House on Devonshire Drive in Novato. Sure, every neighborhood has its decorated houses, but the Rombeiro house is a different thing altogether. Their home is something that truly has to be seen to be believed, and photos don't really do it justice. There are something like 140,000 lights as well as countless figurines, dioramas, and decorations adorning the front and side yards, walls, and roof of the Rombeiro house. Apparently they start setting the whole thing up in August. 

If You Go

The Christmas House is located at 34 Devonshire Drive, off of Center Road, in Novato. At night, I'd be willing to bet that you can see the place from outer space. Get there by taking 101 to the Delong Avenue exit. Take Delong, which turns into Diablo Avenue, to Center Road, then turn right on Center. Follow Center to Devonshire, which will be on the right. You literally can't miss it.

When we stopped by last Sunday it was already pretty busy, but in a fun sort of way, with a number of families ogling the lights, touring the house, and chatting with the Rombeiros. Closer to Christmas, weekend nights can be pretty chaotic, with difficult parking on neighborhood streets. The house is open nightly from the first Saturday in December through January 6 from 6 to 10 pm, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.

There are a few other nicely decorated houses on or just off the stretch of Center Road from Eucalyptus Avenue to Sutro, too, so it's definitely a worthwhile outing.

If you want to visit the Rombeiro house and other amazing Christmas lights in old-fashioned horse-drawn style, Indian Valley Carriages, located in Novato, stops by during their popular Holiday lights tours.