No house lights up at Christmas and New Year’s the way that Joseph Nguyen’s does in King Square, where a countless number of bulbs adorn the front yard at 392 Adams St., with the Wise Men, Santa Claus and trumpeted angels mixed within a cavalcade of Christmas cheer. Thousands from the neighborhood and beyond have enjoyed the spectacle each holiday season for the past 18 years.

Though the 63-year-old Nguyen has rarely spoken publicly about his dazzling display, there are few in Dorchester who don’t know the “Christmas Light house on Adams Street.”

“I first put it up because I wanted kids in the neighborhood to have joy in the holiday season,” Nguyen said in Vietnamese, with his daughter Caitlin translating. “I never thought so many people would come from different parts of Boston to see my lights…I feel very emotional, and I feel a lot of joy seeing little kids come here and feel so much excitement just looking at my lights.”

When asked if he loves Christmas, he had a one-word reply, in English: “Yes,” that was accompanied by a big smile.

The Mayor’s Office recently noted Nguyen’s presentation to the community, when City Hall’s Dorchester liaisons, Anthony Nguyen (no relation) and Maddie Foley, gave the “Light King” a certificate of appreciation for all he has done to make the holiday seasons special over the years.

Joseph Nguyen, the Christmas “Light King” of Dorchester, is shown (second from left) in front of his expansive display at 392 Adams St. with his daughter Caitlin Nguyen, (left) and Dorchester Mayoral Liaisons Anthony Nguyen and Madison Foley. Photo courtesy Mayor’s Office

“It was an honor to present a citation to Mr. Nguyen for 18 years of bringing spectacular lights to Dorchester. You cannot help but smile and feel cheerful when you pass his home,” said Nguyen. “He is a beacon of joy in the neighborhood.”

Last Friday, Nguyen spoke to The Reporter in his front yard, which he invites the public to walk through each year from just before Thanksgiving until he turns the lights off in January. As he spoke in Vietnamese, he was already thinking about next year’s display.

“I want to do something a little different next year,” he said. “I’m already thinking about maybe taking big strands of lights from the roof to the gate.”

His daughter said the effort makes her father very happy. She said her mother is shy about the display but loves seeing her husband so happy, and the rest of the family kind of lets him do his thing.

“We actually don’t talk about it really at all,” Caitlin said with a laugh. “We help him if he asks, but I think he likes to do it his own way. He has his own mental picture, and I really think it’s his passion project. He often says it brings him back to when he lived in Vietnam because Christmas there was a really big thing and it’s important for him to bring a little of Vietnam to Dorchester.”

Though Joseph works in embroidery now, he was trained in Vietnam as an electrician. He said he crafts a mental picture of the display year-round, and constantly thinks about how he’ll organize things. He starts buying new items in July or August. By October and November, he is putting everything in the yard and testing out the connections before he flips the switch for real.

His favorite display this year is a large tree by the house that displays a New Year’s greeting for 2025, something Nguyen wanted to echo to all his neighbors in this article.

“I just want to wish everyone a joyful, happy holiday season and I hope we can bring more peace and harmony to the world,” he said. “I want everyone to forgive each other and there would be no more regrets, and people can be happy in 2025.”

Top: Joseph Nguyen’s light display at his home on Adams Street has become a holiday tradition in Dorchester. Seth Daniel photo

Bottom: Joseph Nguyen, the Christmas “Light King” of Dorchester, is shown (second from left) in front of his expansive display at 392 Adams St. with his daughter Caitlin Nguyen, (left) and Dorchester Mayoral Liaisons Anthony Nguyen and Madison Foley. Photo courtesy Mayor’s Office