It’s that magical time of year when Christmas lights begin popping up across our neighbourhoods, and families head out after dark to discover the brightest, twinkliest displays.
From sparkling rooflines to front-yard showstoppers, exploring local Christmas lights has become a much-loved tradition for Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Hunter Valley and Port Stephens families.
Here’s where to find the biggest and best in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter this year, from a major ticketed attraction to some much loved local favourites.
Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular
There’s no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than to visit Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular in Pokolbin. It’s a wonderful feeling to wander through the Christmas lights displays and this each year gets bigger and better with even more light displays! You’ll be dazzled by the more than 4 1/2 million lights of the Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens.
What to expect: Illuminated walking trails through the Gardens, light tunnels, animated displays and photo opportunities scattered throughout. It’s a proper night out, so plan for at least a few hours on site.
Best for: All ages, though the walking distance and evening timing suit school-age kids better than very young toddlers who might be ready for bed by the time you arrive. Bring a pram or stroller for little ones who might be tired.
Practical tips: Wear comfortable shoes. You can buy tickets at the door (subject to availability) or to save time waiting in line to purchase tickets, you can book online tickets for a specific date in advance. (We recommend checking the weather forecast first). If you can visit on a day other than Friday or Saturday, do so – it’s definitely less busy if you avoid the weekend.
Our Favourite Home & Community Light Displays
These local displays usually come back year after year and are well worth building into your Christmas lights drive. We’ll confirm these displays closer to Christmas.
Minmi Road Light Show
For a truly epic light show, head to Minmi Road in Fletcher. Over 17,000 lights sync to music, with a few moving elements thrown in too. Tune your radio to 92.1FM to hear the soundtrack. The show runs for 20 minutes on a continuous loop, so you can arrive any time within the viewing hours.
Address: 295 Minmi Road, Fletcher
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Griswold’s of New Lambton
Fun for the young and the young at heart, with new lights added most years. Friday to Sunday nights from 7pm to 9.30pm you’ll also catch twin snow machines and Christmas music playing, weather permitting, plus a photo bench set up for family pics.
This is a private household and entry to the display is by invitation of the owners only. Please keep little ones close, and avoid running, climbing or touching the display.
Address: 70 Chiplin Street, New Lambton
Christmas Wonderland Stockton
A large outdoor display featuring a mini ferris wheel, giant inflatable Santa, reindeer and a light-up tunnel, plus an indoor Christmas village and an antique post box where kids can post a letter to Santa and get a reply.
Address: 2 King Street, Stockton
Jobling Street Lights
28,000 lights fully programmed to 17 Christmas tunes. Tune to 99.1FM or scan the QR code on site to hear the audio on your device. Kids’ tunes play 8pm to 9pm, adults’ tunes 9pm to 10pm.
The show is best viewed from the footpath on the other side of the street. Feel free to park and walk up with your device, and if you stay in the car, please turn off your engine and headlights out of consideration for others.
Address: 9 Jobling Street, Cameron Park
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Portsea Parade Christmas Lights
Portsea Parade lights up for the festive season and the Grinch usually makes an appearance. Drive down or walk along and take in the houses, and keep an eye out for Jimmy’s Ice Cream Truck parked at the bottom of the street on select nights.
Address: Portsea Parade, Cameron Park
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Gee Family Light Show
A holiday favourite, synchronised to music you can listen to on 91.1FM. The Gee family also uses the display to raise money for Fight for Connar, which supports families at John Hunter Hospital with children facing terminal illness.
Address: 52 Sandpiper Circuit, Aberglasslyn
Facebook page
Nelson’s Plains Christmas Lights
A paddock lights up with thousands of twinkling lights, viewable from the road, halfway between Raymond Terrace and Seaham. It’s become a local tradition that brings out families from all over the area. Last year, the display raised funds for ASPECT (Autism Spectrum Australia).
Address: Noongah Road, Nelson’s Plains (viewing area off the road)
Clarence Town Christmas Lights, Niki’s Gifts
A massive display with a walkthrough section, a life-size horse and sleigh, snow machine and inflatables. The display is a fundraiser dedicated to the late Tenieka (Niki), with proceeds raised each year under the name Niki’s Gift.
Address: 48 Sheriff Street, Clarence Town
Facebook group | Facebook page
Maitland City Council’s Christmas Lights Competition
Every year, Maitland households go all out for Council’s Christmas Lights Competition, and the result is some of the best home displays in the Hunter, completely free to visit.
Council judges entries across the local government area, and the competition gives keen decorators a reason to go bigger each year. For families, it means a stretch of streets worth cruising with the windows down, kids on lights-spotting duty, no ticket required.
Check Maitland Council’s website closer to the date for this year’s list of entries and judging dates, then plan your own driving loop around the standout streets.
Christmas Lights Displays in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock and Port Stephens.
New home displays pop up every year, and the best place to find the most current, community-updated list is the Christmas Lights in the Hunter Facebook page. Locals post addresses, photos, videos and updates all season, so it’s the most reliable way to find what’s lighting up near you right now.
Newy with Kids Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt
Driving around and spotting Christmas lights is a holiday tradition for many local families and to make it extra fun, download our scavenger hunt. While you’re out enjoying the lights, you can make it a game to see how many items can you check off.
Tips For Seeing Christmas Lights
Choose one or two neighbourhoods to explore
For those with younger kids, choose a smaller area to explore on foot. On this list, we’ll be including streets that have lots of houses decorated on them so you can enjoy the lights all in one area. You can also drive around suburbs which have a lot of houses decorated with lights. In the past, this has included the suburbs of Cameron Park, Edgeworth, Ashtonfield, Thornton and Fern Bay.
Dress in Christmas-themed clothes
Get into the Christmas spirit with Christmas-themed clothes. You might find that the light displays provide some great photo family ops, especially at dusk.
Pack food and drinks
Pack some food and drinks with you in case your family gets hungry. Some Christmas-themed choccies or baked goods are always a treat to eat.
Play some Christmas tunes
As you’re driving around looking at the Christmas lights, listen to some Christmas tunes. Make a family playlist and fill it with your favourites. Need inspiration? We’ve included our favourite Christmas singles in the Newy with Kids Christmas Spotify Playlist.
Make sure that you don’t miss any of the fun and family-friendly Christmas events in Newcastle and the Hunter, visit the Newy with Kids Guide to Christmas.