Wrap your head around this number – two million, plus. Now close your eyes and imagine. A switch is flipped and all those Christmas lights burst brilliantly upon the night sky.

It’s called Illumination at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, the property’s community kick-off to the Christmas season. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23 at the resort’s main lobby entrance, with the lighting ceremony set for 6 o’clock.

We spoke with the Grand’s Skip Harless, managing director, about the 2025 version of the Christmas in the Country celebration, which runs through the beginning of January. The Illumination lighting ceremony starts it all, and he calls it “my favorite night of the year.”

The full extent of the evening’s show extends beyond the actual lighting. Here’s what visitors – which normally number about 2,000 annually – can expect.

When visitors arrive at the main lobby they will see the new Grand Tree, a 12-foot beauty with all-new decorations for 2025. The perfect place for a Christmas family photo, Skip advises.

Starting at 5, visitors can take in a big ballroom filled with things for kids, including giant inflatables, games, candy land and more. The Badger High School Jazz Band will be performing, and Skip urges visitors not to miss “the most amazing balloon artist I’ve ever seen.”

On the second floor is the Gingerbread Walk, which each year attracts around 80 entrants who make their own creations for the judged contest. Winners are named in three categories – adult, teen and youth – and announced during the lighting ceremony. The unique display extends throughout the holiday season.

A highlight for kids, in the lobby, is the Santa Letter Writing Station. Kids can write to Santa, telling him their heart’s desire. Letters are answered and mailed to the children. Note to parents: Be sure to include a mailing address.

Trolley Tours are back, traversing the grounds to take in the full displays across the Grand’s expansive grounds. Don’t miss the 12 Days of Christmas displays, with narration and sing-alongs during the 30-minute trip.

Of course, Santa and Mrs. Santa will make an appearance as part of the lighting ceremony – complete with man-made snowfall, if necessary, courtesy of the Mountain Top ski hill.

And stick around to the end of the ceremony, because the Grand is sponsoring one of its big fireworks shows to cap off the evening. Visitors might even want to relax afterwards with a cocktail or dessert in one of the seasonal igloos located on the pool deck.

Festivities are not exclusive to guests staying at the resort. The community is invited. In fact, Skip says resort staff view Illumination as something they do first and foremost for the people of the Lake Geneva region. Attendance is free but visitors are encouraged to bring a child’s toy to donate. The Grand Geneva partners with the Walworth County Deputy Sheriffs toy drive. There’s also a raffle with proceeds going to buy more new toys.

Another partner is United Way of Walworth County, with donations being raised during Illumination. Proceeds for concessions – like hot chocolate and hot cider – go to United Way.

New to the Grand this year is Tinsel & Tonic, the “pop-up” bar taking over Evolve nightclub space. (If you’re wondering, as we were, pop-up is a trendy term for “just creating something new,” Skip explained.) “We completely transformed (Evolve) into Tinsel & Tonic. It is decorated over the top in a retro Christmas theme,” he said. “There are great picture spots. It’s really festive with over the top drinks and little food bites. It’s a great fun atmosphere for people to come together.”

One opportunity seemed particularly fetching. The day after Illumination – and every Saturday and Sunday during the holidays – families can have Breakfast/Brunch With Santa. It’s very popular; make reservations online.

“It’s decked out with fun decorations. Santa and Mrs. Santa are up on the stage. The key to the whole thing is the chance to have that Santa visit. To get on Santa’s lap, much more of a one on one experience,” he said, without the big lines typical at shopping centers.

Over the holidays Santa may show up anywhere, by the way. Skiing with patrons at the Mountain Top. Or in a waterpark cabana at Timber Ridge Lodge.

The Grand Geneva is a huge property that goes all-out for the holidays. Skip encourages folks to come and explore, whether as guests or local visitors. Then we asked him to put into words what it all means to him, as the guy in charge of the place. He took a beat before answering.

“It is the same thing that has driven me for 35 years in this business, just more intense this time of year,” he told us. “There is a spirit about hospitality. I love standing on a Friday afternoon and watching all the guests come in the door. The kids go ‘Wow’. There’s an energy about it, and from the staff, too. It’s a big production and I feel such a sense of pride seeing it all come together. I love it and I will never stop loving it.”