A residential corner in Long Beach, California, has become a seasonal attraction thanks to a Halloween display that blends music, animated figures, projected film clips and elaborate lighting effects. Jeff and Ann Haberman open their decorated home to the public free of charge, giving neighbourhood families a chance to experience a synchronised Halloween show without buying tickets or visiting a theme park. Located at 3343 Chatwin Avenue, near Wardlow Road and St. Cornelius Catholic Church, the property has developed a following over the years. The Long Beach Press-Telegram has documented the couple’s elaborate holiday displays, while the Habermans’ own Haberman’s Holiday Magic project shares information about their seasonal productions. The latest Halloween setup uses 28 computers to coordinate the different elements, turning an ordinary residential property into a carefully programmed spectacle.
A neighbourhood home becomes a Halloween attraction
The display runs nightly during the Halloween season, drawing visitors who gather outside to watch the lights, music and animated characters move in sync. Singing pumpkins, skeletons and spooky figures provide the visual centrepiece, while smoke effects and projected clips add to the atmosphere.One of the most distinctive features is Zero, the ghost dog from The Nightmare Before Christmas, which appears to fly around the house’s chimney. The film also features prominently on a screen facing the street, including its familiar Halloween-themed musical sequence.The display includes skeletal versions of Disney princesses and other recognisable characters, alongside villains from the Harry Potter series. Photo opportunities and additional decorations along the Wardlow Road side of the property give visitors more to explore beyond the main performance. The show is free, making it an accessible seasonal outing for families who want to enjoy Halloween decorations without paying admission. Visitors are encouraged to watch from outside the home rather than enter the private property.
The technology behind the spectacle
What separates the Habermans’ display from a typical decorated house is the amount of coordination involved. Twenty-eight computers control the lights, moving spotlights, music, video clips and atmospheric effects, allowing the different elements to work together as a single production.The Press-Telegram reported in December 2022 that the couple were already using 18 computers for their holiday displays. The more recent Halloween setup reflects how the project has expanded, with technology allowing Jeff to create increasingly elaborate scenes rather than relying solely on static decorations.The Halloween performance runs from 6:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, according to the published schedule. Visitors should check the couple’s official holiday display updates before travelling, as seasonal timings may change.
An engineer and a Disneyland veteran
The elaborate production brings together the couple’s different professional backgrounds and longstanding interests. Jeff Haberman is a retired controls engineer who worked at McDonnell Douglas and Boeing. His experience with technical systems, combined with his interest in music, sound production and theatrical lighting, helped shape the display into a computer-controlled show.He is also a musician who has performed with brass ensembles and played instruments including bagpipes. His background in recording and editing sound has contributed to the way music and visual effects are integrated into the production.Ann Haberman spent decades working at Disneyland’s Blue Bayou Restaurant, located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Her long association with the theme park adds another connection to the world of immersive entertainment. Both are Long Beach natives, and their annual displays have become a shared creative project. New decorations and effects are added over time, giving returning visitors something different to discover.
Why families keep coming back
The appeal extends beyond the elaborate technology. For nearby residents, the display has become part of the neighbourhood’s Halloween routine, with families walking over after dark to see the decorations together. Children are drawn to the skeletons, spooky characters and music, while adults can appreciate the engineering and planning required to synchronise the entire show. The fact that it is free also makes it easier for families to return throughout the season.The couple’s work demonstrates how a private home can become a community gathering point without turning into a commercial attraction. Their display relies on creativity and technical expertise, but its wider appeal comes from giving people a reason to step outside and share a seasonal experience.
A Christmas show is next
Halloween is only one part of the Habermans’ annual tradition. According to their Haberman’s Holiday Magic updates, the couple plan to follow the Halloween production with a Christmas display beginning December 1. Their charitable efforts also extend beyond the decorations. The Press-Telegram has reported on the couple’s support for For the Child, an organisation that provides mental health services for children, through their fundraising efforts.For now, the focus remains on Halloween, as the animated skeletons, singing pumpkins and flying ghost dog continue to draw visitors to their Long Beach corner. What began as a home decorating project has grown into a seasonal attraction powered by dozens of computers, years of experimentation and a shared desire to bring a little theatrical magic to the neighbourhood.