STORY: A big red button sits outside a residential house in Germany's Cologne, with the tempting words: Press me.

And with one push, the house lights up with a festive Yuletide display, cheery music and cheeky comments.

Twenty thousand LED lights are spread out across the house façade and front garden, flashing in sync with a library of 16 songs.

Simon Biela is the man behind the on-demand Christmas light show.

"The main motivation is that I'm a nerd,’ Biela told Reuters. "I just enjoy tinkering, and I saw it in YouTube videos from America and thought, I want to be able to do that too."

Last year, Biela developed a 30-minute programme that he had to operate himself – something he didn't feel like doing this year. As a stopgap solution, he developed the buzzer. Now visitors can decide for themselves when the music starts.

According to Biela, his neighbours are not bothered by it, "I have to say, I have the best neighbours in the world. The neighbours are actually really happy about it, most of them really, and they come over with a glass of mulled wine and dance to the music and press the buzzer themselves."

The button has been pressed around 500 times so far, about 30 to 60 times a day, said Biela.

Among those pressing it was eight-year-old Matilda, who was watching the spectacle with her mother.

"It is cool and it always makes funny comments," said the girl.

Christian Naujoks, who was out walking his dog, was also enthusiastic, "I've never seen anything like this in Cologne before."

Biela said that he hopes passers-by who enjoy his project will also donate to the Cologne-based project Himmel und Ääd – a children's establishment offering hot meals and other opportunities for children in need – during this festive period.

The button can be buzzed until Boxing Day.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: COLOGNE, GERMANY (DECEMBER 9, 2025) (REUTERS - Access All)

1. EIGHT-YEAR-OLD MATILDA PRESSING BUTTON LABELLED "PRESS ME"

2. HOUSE WITH MUSIC AND SYNCHRONIZED LIGHT SHOW / MATILDA STANDING IN FRONT

3. (SOUNDBITE) (German) VISITOR, MATILDA, SAYING:

"I pressed the button three times and I think pressing it is cool and that it always makes funny comments."

4. MATILDA PRESSING BUTTON

5. MATILDA LAUGHING AS VOICE SAYS "THAT WASN'T THE SELF-DESTRUCT BUTTON"

6. MATILDA AND HER MOTHER SUSANNE ALTEHRATH STANDING IN FRONT OF HOUSE

7. CHRISTIAN NAUJOKS AND HIS DOG IN FRONT OF HOUSE / DOG

8. SINGING CHRISTMAS TREES

9. (SOUNDBITE) (German) VISITOR, SUSANNE ALTENAHR, SAYING:

"We don't live that far away, but you can hear it throughout the neighbourhood. And it's nice that there are still such kind-hearted people who do such beautiful things, simply to bring joy to children."

10. (SOUNDBITE) (German) VISITOR, CHRISTIAN NAUJOKS, SAYING:

"And it's wonderful. I have never seen anything like this in Cologne. Honestly, it's mesmerizing for the eyes. Also for Christmas now, wonderful. It really makes me happy."

11. "PRESS ME" BUTTON / SIGN READING "KIRCHENHOF LIGHTS"

12. (SOUNDBITE) (German) VISITOR, CHRISTIAN NAUJOKS, SAYING:

"I didn't even know that, I think I'll press the button now too, definitely."

13. NAUJOKS WALKING TO BUTTON AND PRESSING IT / HOUSE

14. (SOUNDBITE) (German) ORGANISER, SIMON BIELA, SAYING:

"The main motivation is, I'm a nerd. I simply enjoy tinkering, and I saw this in YouTube videos from America and thought, I want to be able to do that too."

15. CHRISTMAS HOUSE WITH MUSIC

16. (SOUNDBITE) (German) ORGANIZER, SIMON BIELA, SAYING:

"That's the most common question: What do the neighbours say? I have to say I have the best neighbours in the world. The neighbours are actually mostly very happy about it, and they come with a glass of mulled wine and dance to the music and press the button themselves."

17. "PRESS ME" BUTTON

18. SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE

19. VISITOR SIMON GROSS WITH YOUNG DAUGHTER IN FRONT OF HOUSE

20. (SOUNDBITE) (German) VISITOR, SIMON GROSS, SAYING:

"Yes, beautiful, really good. Especially the little one loves it, it's fun and always new songs, that's really nice."

21. VARIOUS AERIALS OF HOUSE WITH MUSIC AND LIGHTING