The Full Story
Why We Light
Up Christmas!
What began as a love for Christmas has grown into a holiday tradition shared with thousands of families throughout Cary and the Triangle.
For Rick Grandinetti, Christmas lights have always represented more than decoration. Growing up, his family didn’t have much, but his father found ways to make the holidays feel special. Each year, he would add a little more to their Christmas display — sometimes only a few additional strands of lights — creating memories that stayed with Rick long after the season ended.
That tradition eventually followed Rick into adulthood.
Over the years, the display at Council Gap Court has grown from a neighborhood Christmas project into an elaborate holiday experience featuring hundreds of thousands of lights, towering illuminated trees, colorful characters, and the signature waterfall of lights suspended high above the property.
But as the display grew, so did its purpose.
More Than a
Christmas Display
Rick’s father had a deep admiration for the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the vision of its founder, Danny Thomas. That connection, combined with Rick’s gratitude for his own family and two healthy daughters, inspired him to use the Christmas display as an opportunity to give back.
Today, the Grandinetti Christmas Lights are created not only to bring joy to the community, but also to encourage generosity in support of children and families facing childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
For us, the lights have become a way to turn a simple holiday tradition into something capable of making a much greater impact.
Built by Hand.
Powered by Tradition.
Creating the display begins long before the Christmas season.
Installation can start months in advance as lights are carefully placed across the property and suspended high into the surrounding trees. One of the most recognizable features — the cascading canopy of lights overhead — is created using a fishing rod and line to place individual strands over branches far above the ground.
Year after year, the display evolves, but the goal remains the same: Create something memorable. Bring people together. Give families a reason to smile.
What visitors experience for a few minutes on a December evening represents months of preparation — and decades of Christmas tradition.
