This is when Retford's dazzling 'Christmas House' lights up - and everyone's invited
Lights, music and festivity are on the agenda at one Retford home as Ordsall's 'Christmas House' prepares for its big switch-on.
Christmas fans are invited by Leanne Calvert and family to join their annual celebration to raise money by donations for a great cause - the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance.
The free November 13, 6pm count-down and switch-on at the house on Ordsall Road will kick off festivities including a visit from Santa, snowy scenes, children's activities, and hot tea, coffee, hot chocolate and mince pies.
There will also be a pop-up stall run by volunteers from Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance, with charity merchandise available to buy.
Leanne said: "This is our fifth year doing The Christmas House in Ordsall. We’ve collected the lights bit by bit over the years, and we put the display up together as a family.
"It looks a little different every Christmas because we add new lights and move some of our favourites around. It’s become a Christmas tradition for us, and it’s lovely seeing local families make it part of theirs too."
The reason they opted to support Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance is because it was the chosen charity of her grandparents, said Leanne. "When my grandad sadly passed away towards the end of 2024, we decided to dedicate our Christmas lights display to the memory of both my grandad and my grandma.
"Fundraising for the air ambulance felt like a lovely way to remember them both and carry on supporting a cause they cared about."
The effort was well supported by the charity last year, and donations reached a grand total of £2,100 - about half of an air ambulance mission as each one costs around £4,000.
"Last year was also the first time we opened the switch-on to everyone," added Leanne. "Before that, we’d turned the lights on with just our families.
"We also put on free events on selected weekends throughout the festive season, and Santa and the Grinch are regular visitors.
"One of my favourite evenings last year was when the Ordsall Primary School choir came to sing Christmas songs and their parents came along to watch."
Leanne, her husband, daughter and father assemble the stunning displays, with extended family lending a hand.
Local businesses sometimes sponsor the celebration too.
Visit the Christmas House from 6pm, November 13, at Ordsall Road, Retford DN22 7PW.
Anyone who would like to support the air ambulance charity with Leanne and family can do so at
The Christmas House Facebook group can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1511301026595022