Carnes 'Christmas House' Once Again Open for Viewing

Festive light displays outside the Carnes house at 30035 Calle Pompeii are only part of the attraction.

Holiday lights outside Menifee homes are visible throughout the city, but few can compete with the Carnes Christmas House when you look both inside and out.

In addition to decorating the outside of the house with thousands of lights and decorations, Christopher and Mary Carnes open the inside of their home to guests to view thousands of figurines, miniature Victorian villages and other colorful decorations in every downstairs room.

This is the 18th year the Carnes family has opened up their home to share holiday cheer with others. Last year, they set a record with 15,000 visitors in December. They also collected 3,260 pounds of non-perishable food items, which they ask visitors to contribute as a donation to the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard.

The Carnes family offers every guest a cup of holiday cheer and a bowl of either chili, seafood chowder or broccoli cheddar soup, depending on what is cooked that night. It is common for guests to linger in the driveway around a fire to visit and admire the decorations.

The house is available for viewing and open to the public every night through Dec. 31 beginning at 6 p.m. It is located at 30035 Calle Pompeii, cross street Newport Road.

The Carnes house is entered in the Menifee Christmas House Decorating contest, which you may enter until Dec. 15 to showcase your decorations and for the chance to win a prize. Details are here. Per rules of the contest, the Carnes house will be judged only on its outside decorations. Even so, it's certainly worth a visit, inside and out.