Trevor Allen, known for Allen Family Lights, dead at age 49

Trevor Allen, the man well known in the Regina area for the elaborate annual Christmas light displays on his home, has died at age 49.

In December of 2024, Allen put up about 70,000 bulbs in his front yard as part of the Allen Family Lights display. He said he started putting the project together back in August, sequencing the lights to a Christmas soundtrack he mixed himself. He poured thousands of dollars and many hours of labour into the light display in an effort to share the joy of the holidays.

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Allen said he looked up to Clark Griswold, but noted that his display featured more than twice as many bulbs as the Griswold home in ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.’

He said all the time he spent assembling the display was worth it, with crowds of hundred coming by to see the festive light show during the Christmas season.

“It’s amazing to be able to watch people outside dancing and singing to the music, and everybody has smiles on their faces,” Allen said in a previous interview with 980 CJME.

According to his obituary on Arbor Memorial, the Allen Family Lights was a “beloved tradition that reflected his creativity, generosity, and love for community.”

Trevor Allen had been putting on light shows for the past eight years, but the planning for the display started years before he made his first prop. (Allen Family Lights/Facebook)

In 2019, a truck “slammed into the display” and destroyed much of Allen’s work, which included about 36,000 bulbs.

He said the truck destroyed a large portion of a picket fence, two mini trees, a sign, an arch, three power-supply boxes and multiple cables that connected it all. Debris was sent from Allen’s lawn across his driveway and onto his neighbour’s lawn.

In the wake of the incident, Allen received offers of help from around the world. A company in the United States said it would rebuild the sign that accompanied the display in Regina’s northwest. Other Americans told Allen they would drive up to help him rebuild. Even Australians reached out to him to offer their assistance.

Love of family and community

Allen also loved curling, both playing and coaching his daughter’s league and high school teams.

Chloe, his daughter, posted on the Allen Family Lights social media page to share the news of her dad’s passing.

“He was a man who loved bringing joy to people, whether through our light show, his endless projects, or the way he encouraged everyone around him to try new things and explore creativity,” she said.

“He had a way of making people smile without even trying – and that’s exactly the kind of magic I want to carry forward.”

Team Allen also posted condolences on its social media.

“He was more than a coach, he inspired us with his love of the game, his encouragement, and his dedication to helping other succeed,” the team wrote in the post.

“He had a way of making everyone feel supported, whether on or off the ice, and we’ll always remember his patience, his laughter, and the joy he brought to every practice.

“He was also a talented woodworker, carpenter, jack of all trades, and he took so much pride in his work.”

By day, Allen was a manager of technology and business systems at the Regina airport.

In a Facebook post, the airport said he was an “exceptional person – kind, thoughtful, intelligent, and deeply devoted to his family and community. He was a pillar of our organization, and his presence, leadership and compassion made a lasting impact on all of us.”

“He will be remembered for his kindness, his steady presence, his willingness to help anyone in need, and the deep love he had for those closest to him,” his obituary read.

A celebration of Allen’s life will be held at the Regina Funeral Home and Cemetery on Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. The service will be live streamed.

–with files from 980 CJME’s Gillian Massie and Andrew Shepherd

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to correct the date of Allen’s funeral service.