Mike Sauerbrei

📍 Surprise, AZ
✨ Display: Lights on Mescal
💡 Software: xLights

🌐 Follow Lights on Mescal on Facebook:
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/share/1DNHsCbH1T/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Holiday lighting often starts with a spark of curiosity — and for Mike Sauerbrei, that spark came while scrolling through Facebook. While exploring holiday lighting groups and displays online, Mike discovered the world of synchronized Christmas lights and quickly became interested in building a display of his own. What began as a simple curiosity soon turned into a creative project that would bring holiday magic to his neighborhood.

Today, Mike’s display, Lights on Mescal, features several immersive elements designed to make visitors feel part of the experience. His setup includes coro props, a snow and fog machine, and a light tunnel, giving guests more than just something to watch — it gives them something to walk through and enjoy up close.

One of the upgrades that made a big difference for Mike’s display was adding additional controllers, giving him more flexibility and room to expand his show. As many decorators know, once the lighting bug bites, growth often follows.

A standout feature of Mike’s display — and his personal favorite — is the arches that run over the sidewalk. These arches create a welcoming pathway through the lights and have become a signature part of the experience for visitors.

Like many in the Light Up AZ community, Mike has also enjoyed some memorable moments from sharing his display. One highlight came when Fox 10 visited to film a segment for their morning news, helping bring even more attention to the holiday magic happening in the neighborhood.

When he’s not working on his lighting display, Mike enjoys another passion: collecting Milwaukee Brewers memorabilia. A huge baseball fan, he appreciates the history and community that come with the sport — much like the community that forms around holiday lighting displays each season.

Mike’s story is another great example of how inspiration can start with something simple — even a Facebook search — and grow into a display that brings joy to others.