Christmas is a time for giving. For spending quality time with family. For watching Christmas movies. For over-indulging in food. And of course, for seeing the Christmas lights!
Hold onto your tinsel as we’ve made a list – and checked it twice – of where to see all the pretty, sparkly lights this festive season.
The Christmas Lights Spectacular has larger than life light displays.
(Instagram)HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS
Christmas Lights Spectacular: The Hunter Valley Christmas Lights Spectacular is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest lights display. Over four million lights illuminate the Gardens, with over 20 impressive displays for all ages to enjoy. As the name suggests, it’s pretty spectacular!
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New displays this year include the Twinkle Tree Trail, Mr & Mrs Claus, Giant Dandelions, Santa’s Arch & Candy Cane Tunnel. But don’t worry, light displays from previous years are back too.
Aside from literally millions of lights to see, there are loads of amusement rides, roving entertainment, hearty food and beverages too.
Opens each night at 5.30pm to 10.30pm from November 3, 2023 to January 28, 2024.
Can you imagine putting up and then packing away the 110,000 lights on the Martin Place Christmas Tree?
(City of Sydney)SYDNEY
The Martin Place Christmas Tree: This enormous tree is decorated with more than 110,000 LED lights, a 3.4-metre colour-changing star and 330 specially created glossy baubles. The tallest Christmas tree in NSW is available to visit all day everyday from 30 November to 1 January. They also have a multi-sensory sound and light experience every 15 minutes, from 8pm until midnight everyday!
Christmas shop windows: The David Jones Christmas window displays at the Elizabeth Street store is a must-see.
QVB Swarovski Christmas tree: The 24 metre Swarovski Christmas tree is Sydney’s tallest Christmas tree and can be found under the famous QVB dome.
Lights of Christmas: St Mary’s Cathedral is illuminated by an impressive light show every night between 5.30pm and 10.30pm every night from December 14 to Christmas Day. There’s also different performances on the cathedral steps every night.
Get your festive fix at Federation Square, Melbourne.
(City of Melbourne)MELBOURNE
Federation Square: Christmas Square at Federation Square is the home of the Christmas Festival. The centrepiece of the festival is the striking 17.5 metre LED Christmas tree that lights up every evening.
State Library Victoria: See the stunning new light show on this iconic landmark. The State Library will be covered in projections that celebrate Christmas in Australia.
Bourke Street Mall: Dressed in dazzling decorations, shoppers can have a happy snap with Myer’s incredible window displays which feature everyone’s favourite cartoon character – Bluey.
Southbank: Wander along the Yarra looking at the lights, and don’t miss the amazing Christmas River Show that’s coming this year! The new instalment will feature water fountains, lasers, light projections and a festive soundtrack of course.
The Enchanted Garden in Brisbane is the perfect place to view Christmas lights!
(Instagram)BRISBANE
The Enchanted Garden: Brisbane’s magnificent free lighting display, The Enchanted Garden returns to Roma Street Parkland with extended dates, from the 23 November – 20 December.
Lord Mayor’s Lighting of the Christmas Tree: Decorated with thousands of glittering lights, the 22m Christmas Tree in King George Square is stunning. The annual Lord Mayor’s Lighting of the Christmas Tree took place on 1 December at 6.20pm.
Adelaide’s Giant Christmas Tree features 13,616 individually programmable LED lights.
(City of Adelaide)ADELAIDE
Giant Christmas Tree: Held in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, Adelaide’s Giant Christmas Tree is back this year and lights up daily at 8.30pm until 2.30am. Enjoy the dazzling light displays every night of the city’s Christmas festival from 18 November 2023 – 2 January 2024.
The Lights of Lobethal: The long tradition of lighting up homes and businesses in this Adelaide Hills town has become one of the largest Community Christmas Light displays in the Southern Hemisphere. It makes for one festive festival!
Riverbank Christmas Display: Formerly known as the West End Brewery Christmas Riverbank Lights Display, the free light display kicks off on Friday 24th November and runs until New Year’s Day. The lights display will go from 3pm until 11pm from Sunday – Thursday, and 3pm until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Lights turn on at dusk.
Perth’s Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail will be running from 17 November 2023 – 2 January 2024.
(Visit Perth)PERTH
Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail: Choose to wander a mapped route through Perth CBD and Northbridge or go your own way and discover the lights, decorations, projections and festivities that brighten malls, streets and parks.
You can walk the full trail to see all 22 installations or take the new family-friendly route, ‘The Merry Mile’. Enjoy festive entertainment and performances throughout the City every Friday and Saturday night, including weekly visits from Santa Claus!
