16 Stacy Street in Gowrie is one of the many homes adorned with lights you can see across the ACT this Christmas. Photo: Angelie Quitoriano.
There might be mixed views on the Christmas tree in Civic, but fortunately there are plenty of other places in Canberra to get your festive fix this year.
For instance, how does 500,000 lights in Huddy Street in Forde sound? Or a five-metre-tall blow-up Santa in Dunlop? Musical nutcracker figurines, topped off with a snow machine, in Kambah?
Electricity companies must love this time of year. Well, except for the entirely solar-powered display at 13 Ruthven Street, Gowrie.
Many of these displays raise funds for charities such as the Starlight Foundation, Autism Spectrum Australia and MS Australia, so be sure to bring along some change on your tour.
Here are 10 of Canberra’s best Christmas light displays, as rated by the team at Christmas Light Search.
Ben Walker and James Crowther vie for Canberra’s best Christmas light display. Photo: Christmas Lights for MS, Facebook.
1. 13 Ruthven Street and 4 Stacy Street, Gowrie
These two are the result of a rivalry between two mates, Ben Walker and James Crowther, to raise money for MS Australia. The childhood friends were inspired to raise funds for multiple sclerosis after Ben’s grandmother was diagnosed with the disease. James’s display includes more than 150,000 lights, all powered by more than 150 solar panels. Keep an eye out for Bananas in Pyjamas and C3PO too.
The owners have been doing it for more than 15 years to raise money for the Heart Foundation, and there’s an enormous blow-up Santa and reindeer. Need we say more?
No missing this stop on Huddy Street in Forde. Photo: Laura Liu.
There’s more than one on this street – each side is lined with colour. More than half a million lights all up, it’s estimated.
4. 225 Newman-Morris Circuit, Oxley
Speaking of a lot of lights, this one employs more than 46,000 LEDs, all synchronised to a mix of Christmas songs.
Elsewhere in Dunlop, at 18 Hobday Place. Photo: James Coleman.
Bucket-list items to see here include a Christmas avocado, a Christmas pig and Santa in a kayak. We’re down.
‘Disneyland with Christmas lights’ is how it’s pitched. Think musical nutcracker statues, two-metre-high kangaroo and koala inflatables, a family of snowmen, toys under a real pine tree, and a post box to send letters to Santa. Funds raised go toward Autism Australia.
Lights on Eaglemont in Condor. Photo: Lights on Eaglemont, Facebook.
7. 1 Eaglemont Retreat, Conder
Bluey and the Minions will be singing here, alongside laser projections synced to the music. The residents have been turning it on every December for five years “to bring people together”. Funds go to MS Australia.
8. 17 Middleton Circuit, Gowrie
Another in Gowrie, this time boasting handmade gifts and sweets from Kay’s Christmas shop (said to include the best Rocky Road in Canberra). Money goes toward local cancer charities.
The display at Burraly Court, Ngunnawal, raises money for Karinya House. Photo: Laura Liu.
The lights even spread out across the sky here, all to raise money for Karinya House and women in the Canberra region.
10. 36 Ballarat Street, Fisher
There’s no missing this one. Not only is nearly the whole lawn lit up, but there’s also a “giant Christmas Snoopy”.
But wait, there’s A LOT more
This list is far from comprehensive. There are a total of 330 local displays according to Canberra Christmas Light Locations – 60 in Gungahlin, 68 in Belconnen, 19 in North Canberra, 58 in the Woden and Weston Creek area, 95 in Tuggeranong, and 30 in Queanbeyan.
Search for those nearest to you on the website.
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