Tonight was the first night for the 2014 edition of the Menashe Family’s big, bright Christmas lights (5605 Beach Drive SW). You can certainly admire the densely decorated display from down the block, or driving by, but you’ll want to walk right up to see and hear it all.

That includes listening to your fellow light-watchers, who might be heard asking such questions as “Where do they store all this during the year?” But mostly, what we heard were exclamations of wonder. See why, ahead:

It’s partly about who you’ll see – faces familiar …

And friendly …

And of course, iconic …

The original Christmas story is told by the creche:

There are features to transport a sense of holiday joy, like a plane:

And a train:

If you’re coming to visit, don’t forget the letter for Santa – the mailbox is right there by the sidewalk:

As mentioned in our preview earlier this week, that’s new this year. You can even see Santa himself there on the Saturday night before Christmas – December 20th, 6-10 pm – bring a can for the West Seattle Food Bank.