Christmas Light Tour Bus Highlights Holiday Displays Across Southern New Hampshire

A Christmas Light Tour Bus, operating in southern New Hampshire, is giving residents and visitors a dose of Christmas cheer. 

Kelly M. Socia, the bus driver, organizes the tour. Socia, a retired U.S. Postal Service mail carrier, decorates the bus and guides tours showcasing the elaborately decorated homes in southern New Hampshire.

"Keeps me active. I'm entertaining people," Socia said in a statement shared with News 9 WMUR. "The people get such an enjoyment of having their venue appreciated — the work they put into it. Some people have two months leading up to doing this, so it's ready by Thanksgiving."

The tour began on Friday, Dec. 12, in Derry with riders calling themselves the Lovely Ladies of the Lake, who ride, enjoy snacks, and sing carols along the route. During the tour, passengers view elaborate light displays — Santa and his sleigh on rooftops, blinking tree branches, and LED-lit lawns — with some lights choreographed to music. Other home light displays on the route are set up to raise money for charity.

Homeowners go all out with impressive displays, such as Mike Blanchard's installation of 52,340 lights. Blanchard is one of the homeowners who value the tour for bringing visitors and Christmas spirit to the community.

"I love Kelly's light tour. He comes every year. He always brings great people here, and they all have the spirit of Christmas like I do," Blanchard said to News 9.

The tour concludes with the group singing "Silver Bells" and planning to revisit favorite homes with their families.