12/07/2025
From the new issue of 365ink. We couldn't print all the photo, but you needed to see them!
Mr. Christmas Kicks of his Annual Holiday Tour 2025
Story by S. Eliot Steuer
Photos by Ron Tigges—DigitalDubuque.com
MR. CHRISTMAS ANNUAL HOLIDAY TOUR
DECEMBER 7, 13, 14, 20, AND 21 @ 5 PM
191 W KROLL RD, EAST DUBUQUE, IL
563-503-1462
Nestled in the Frentress Lake area of East Dubuque, IL lies a home that on the exterior looks like any other but inside hides a wonderland. This is the home of the Tri-States’ very own Mr. Christmas.
For decades, Larry Regan, aka Mr. Christmas, has been amassing holiday decorations, currently boasting 70 decorated trees, 700 nutcrackers and loads of retro and vintage Christmas-related items throughout every room, spanning three floors. While Regan has been collecting and displaying his collection since he was a teenager, many have never heard of this magical home that’s been right under our noses for years. Until I went to interview him, I’d never heard of it either, but I can attest, it is a holiday spectacle not to be missed for those harboring a love of all things Christmas. For Regan, this is a true passion that brings him enjoyment through collecting and seeing the happiness his work brings to the people who tour the display each year.
Originally from Dubuque, but having lived all over the country, Regan brought his holiday display along to each of the places he lived in. But since moving to East Dubuque in 2012, he has seen his collection grow to occupy almost all of his 7,000-square-foot home, necessitating the construction of outbuildings for off-season storage.
“The first year was just the main floor because the house wasn’t finished, but now with the basement finished, it’s moved down there, where many collectables stay up year round, and also up to the second floor,” said Regan. “There’s a lot of the old lights, old ornaments, stuff we had as kids. Things that bring memories and comfort to me, and to many others.”
As an example of how much Regan loves the holiday, his small brood of Dachshund are all named after characters from the iconic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and Regan even greeted me at the door adorned in sequined holiday blazer and coordinating shoes. It became clear quickly upon speaking with him that his work, something mostly self-funded, is more than just that—it’s his calling.
“I’ve don’t have kids, so this is something that fulfills me,” he said, his voice full of emotion. With help from his godson, siblings and mother, Regan begins the setup in October in preparation for private tours throughout the month of December.
When I tell you that every square foot of the home is festively decorated, I’m not exaggerating. Stepping into the entryway, then the living room, guests are greeted with a grove of enormous, decorated holiday trees towering to the top of the vaulted ceiling. The more rooms you wind your way through, the more there is to behold, from trees to automatons, curio cabinets filled with collectables to holiday sheet music, scrapbooks, and small objects that will undoubtedly bring up memories of your grandparents’ house, eliciting feelings akin to a warm nostalgic hug.
Perhaps the biggest marvel is that Regan continues to live in the home the entire time, sitting on the living room sofa next to a plethora of lit, decorated trees, and sharing his office space with more trees, collections, and life-size characters from holiday films, all while basking in the Christmas cheer that his decorations bring.
“I love it,” Regan stated, “and every year we change it up. It’s not the exact same set up so that people have something new to see. I move things around, I add things, but you got to do it in layers.” Located at 191 W. Kroll Rd., in East Dubuque, IL, the space is open for guests to visit the first three weekends in December prior to Christmas: Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21, starting at 5 p.m.
While collecting and curating is a mostly self-funded passion project, donations are greatly appreciated to help continue this tradition.
According to Regan, he averages 1,000- plus visitors each year and has had up to 200 people tour the space in a day’s time. Always on hand to mingle with his visitors, his passion palpable in his enthusiastic speech, he also offers private guided tours on Friday nights, hosts larger groups who want to tour together, and has even added an office party option this year, all of which require an RS VP and, like the regular tour, culminate in the lower level, where guests can enjoy a grand selection of holiday treats.
“My next manifestation is getting a mansion,” said Regan, forever dreaming of an even larger space to share his fantastical holiday displays with the community, while putting the magic back in Christmas for all those who pass through his doors.
For larger groups, to reserve a private guided tour, an office party, or for more details, please make inquires and RS VP at 563-503-1462. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult.
