Hanson Barn
Planning for December 2026

We found the extension cord.

Hanson Barn
Holiday Light Show

More Christmas cheer, with two ways to enjoy Hanson Barn: weekday lights from the street and select special-effects nights with driveway access when staff and qualified operators are available.

Plan your visit

Free admission • Donations appreciated • Presented by Spectrascape

Explore

Plan your visit

Everything you need
for a bright night out.

We want to share the lights with as many people as possible. This December, we’re planning weekday lights and select special-effects nights. Check the confirmed schedule before you visit.

December weekdays

Lights from the street

A lighting-only version to share a little Christmas cheer during the week.

  • Driveway closed
  • Limited view from the street
  • No lasers or fire effects

Select weekends + closer to Christmas

Staffed special-effects nights

We’ll do our best to open the driveway and offer the fuller experience when parking attendants and qualified operators are available.

  • Driveway access on announced staffed nights
  • Special effects subject to staffing and operator availability
  • Check the confirmed schedule before visiting

Dates and hours are still to be confirmed. Please respect road access and neighboring driveways. Do not enter the property when the driveway is closed.

01

Two ways to visit

A free holiday light show with weekday lighting-only viewing and select staffed nights. Driveway access and special effects are only planned for announced staffed nights.

02

When?

Dates and hours are still to be confirmed. We’re planning weekday lights during December, plus special-effects nights on select weekends and additional days closer to Christmas.

04

Admission

Free admission. Donations to Hanson Barn are appreciated, never required. They help cover equipment, power, maintenance, and programming.

More than Christmas lights

Built with a little holiday magic and a lot of engineering.

What began as an ambitious personal project has grown into a large-scale synchronized experience enjoyed by visitors from across the area.

The full production brings together custom-programmed LEDs, theatrical lighting, synchronized audio, projection, lasers, and special effects. This December, lasers and fire effects are reserved for announced staffed special-effects nights, subject to operator availability.

Every part of the experience, from the electronics and control systems to the programming and show design, is developed specifically for Hanson Barn. The weekday version is lighting only, with a limited view from the street.

LED mapping Projection Lasers on staffed nights Synchronized audio Show control
A look at the full show Effects vary by night • Check the confirmed schedule

Make a little music with us

Help choose
the soundtrack.

Have a song you’d love to hear at Hanson Barn? Suggest a favorite, listen to available previews, and vote for songs you’d like us to consider.

Your suggestions help us plan. Voting doesn’t guarantee a song will be included in the show.

Your favorites.
A little brighter.

Explore the song list and add your voice.

Suggest a song & vote

Presented + produced by

Spectrascape Technologies

Creative technology in the wild

Where engineering precision meets spectacle.

Hanson Barn is proudly presented and produced by Spectrascape, a Chicagoland creative technology and engineering company specializing in immersive lighting, projection mapping, LED displays, audiovisual systems, and interactive experiences.

The show is both a community holiday tradition and a living showcase for what can happen when technology, engineering, and storytelling come together.

Know someone planning commercial or custom audio, video, lighting, or interactive experiences? An introduction to Spectrascape is another way to support the team behind Hanson Barn.

Visit Spectrascape Start a project

Support the show

Enjoy the show?
Help us keep it going.

Bringing Hanson Barn to life takes a lot of time, equipment, and support. Donations to Hanson Barn help cover equipment, maintenance, power, and programming. They are always appreciated and help us keep admission free.

We’re also looking for Hanson Barn sponsors to help make the show bigger, brighter, and available more often.

Know someone looking for commercial or custom audio, video, lighting, or interactive experiences? We’d love an introduction to Spectrascape, the team behind the show.

Explore Spectrascape ↗   Start a project ↗

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Frequently asked questions

Good to know
before you glow.

The experience depends on the night. Dates, hours, driveway-access nights, and additional visitor information will be posted once confirmed.

Is the driveway open every night?

No. The driveway will be closed on December weekdays, with lighting-only viewing from the street and a limited view. Driveway access is planned only on announced staffed special-effects nights.

Will there be lasers and fire every night?

No. There will be no laser or fire effects on December weekdays. Special-effects nights are planned for select weekends and additional days closer to Christmas, when parking attendants and qualified operators are available. Dates and hours are still to be confirmed.

How much does it cost?

Admission is free. Donations and sponsorships support Hanson Barn and help keep the show going. Donations are appreciated, never required. Commercial or custom audio, video, lighting, and interactive referrals go to Spectrascape.

Where do I listen to the music?

For the full show on announced staffed nights, tune your vehicle’s radio to 92.9 FM. December weekday viewing is a lighting-only version with a limited view from the street.

How long is the show?

The final runtime for the 2026 production will be announced closer to opening.

Does the show operate during bad weather?

Weather can affect both weekday lights and special-effects nights. Check Hanson Barn’s Facebook page for weather closures and schedule changes before leaving.

Can I watch outside my vehicle?

The driveway is closed on December weekdays. On announced staffed nights, follow parking attendants’ directions and remain with your vehicle unless directed otherwise. Do not enter closed areas or block the road or neighboring driveways.

Can my business sponsor the show?

Yes. Sponsorships support Hanson Barn’s 2026 season. View Hanson Barn sponsor information. For commercial or custom audio, video, lighting, or interactive project referrals, contact Spectrascape.

Stay updated

Check the schedule
before you head out.

Dates and hours are not confirmed yet. Follow Hanson Barn for the weekday-light schedule, announced staffed special-effects nights, and weather or availability changes.