There’s no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than to visit Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular. It’s a wonderful feeling to wander through the Christmas lights displays and this year’s event is incredible with even more light displays!
You’ll be dazzled by the more than 4 million lights of the Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens. We visited yesterday on a Saturday night and here are our tips for a great family night out!
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.
It’s a new route this year and you’ll find some Christmas light displays arranged differently. There seems to be more paths to wander down which is great when it’s busy, and there are lots more places to take interactive photos with your family.
The mesmerising display encompasses 5 hectares of breathtaking gardens so be ready for lots of walking.
Tip: Take a photo of the map on your phone that’s located near the entrance or keep the map below on your phone as you tour around during your visit.
Here’s the map of the 2024 Christmas Lights Spectacular so you don’t miss a thing!
Wondering if you should go on a weekday or a weekend? That depends on you and your family’s schedule. If you can visit on a day other than Friday or Saturday, do so – it’s definitely less busy if you avoid the weekend.
This year, we visited on a Saturday night and it was busy with lots of families enjoying the lights and lineups when we wanted to get on a ride.
In previous years, we’ve visited on opening night (great time to visit as it wasn’t that busy) or on a Sunday night (lot less crowds).
However, there’s entertainment on the weekend and it’s definitely a buzzy atmosphere with lots of people. Enjoy an energetic live show complete with classic Christmas Carols performed by the Scallywagz and friends every Saturday & Sunday in November.
If you visit in December, there will be special performances by the Scallywagz, The Pretty Amazing Jono, Bravissimo and the amazing Christmas Fairy every Saturday & Sunday in December until Sunday 22 December.
Then you have to decide what time you want to get there. We recommend getting there a bit earlier to enjoy the whole event. Christmas Lights Spectacular opens at 5:30pm giving you time to enjoy some food and the amusement rides.
Organise with friends and family to go on the same night. The event is a great place for a catch up and we saw lots of friend and family groups.
Don’t worry about dinner. Just get there early for a bite to eat when the gardens open at 5:30pm. There’s a range of food stalls including including woodfire pizza, Mexican, Greek, Indian, and desserts, as well as plenty of seating. The food stalls are open daily from 6pm – 10pm.
You can also get your photos taken with Santa at Hunter Valley Gardens. Santa photos are available from 6:30pm – 10pm every night until Christmas Eve in the events area. Santa photos cannot be pre-booked. but Hunter Valley Gardens recommend arriving early when there is minimal wait. Price for packages start at $37.50.
Amusement Rides
As well as Christmas light displays, your family can enjoy the amusement rides which run from 6pm to 10pm (weather permitting).
We love going on the Ferris Wheel which gives you great views of the gardens from above.
There is also the Swing Chair which is popular for those who love a thrill.
For those with younger kids, take them on the brightly coloured Teacup Ride or the beautiful Venetian Carousel.
For those who want a thill, slide down the spectacular 35-metre-long Super slide.
These activities incur an extra cost. Single ride tokens will be available for $6 each, or you can purchase a Bonus Ride Pack, 6 ride tokens for $30. Height and age restrictions apply.
Christmas Lights Displays
The main event though is the Christmas Lights Displays. Wait until it’s dark and then wander through the gardens and experience the true magic of Christmas Lights Spectacular.
This year’s event is truly magical with a reconfiguration of the light displays as well as lots more Christmas lights.
Each year at Christmas Lights Spectacular, there are brand-new displays which provide plenty of photo opportunities including Mr & Mrs Claus by The Big Red Chair, and lots more light displays in Candyland including doughnuts!
Candyland is a must-see. There are so many fun and colourful displays to look at.
Another family favourite is the 12 Days of Christmas music and light display in the Border Garden. Spend some time here watching the images light up while singing along with everyone else to this much loved Christmas carol. Last year, the light display was upgraded with screens which display the different elements including a partridge in a pear tree.
If you need to get the song out of your head, venture over to the waterfall and enjoy the synchronised music.
Here you’ll find lots of amazing light displays including Minions.
There are so many interactive light displays that are perfect for Instagrammable family photos or selfies like The Big Red Chair.
Don’t miss Santa playing cricket.
We love the parade of Christmas wreaths.
And the prancing reindeers are a new addition this year.
We always enjoy Story Book Garden but seeing it lit up with lights creates a truly magical environment.
Nearby, is the giant Red Chair which is always fun for doing photos.
On your way out from Christmas Lights Spectacular, enjoy the Mega Trees.
The Mega Trees with their synchronised lights and sounds are always fun. The music just makes you move and you’ll laugh seeing the image of Santa dancing!
As well as the thousands of Christmas lights, stop by Christmas World, near the stage and food stalls.
Here you’ll find a miniature city along with animatronic Santa and Mrs Claus. Kids can write a letter to Santa and post it to the red Santa’s mailbox. There’s also a sleigh in which you can pose for family photos.
With many more lights and reconfigured displays, it’s worth a visit to Hunter Valley Gardens to experience Christmas Lights Spectacular 2024.
No matter how old your kids or grandkids are, they’re sure to love the lights and magic of this annual Christmas event! We’re fortunate to have this gem on our doorstep.
The Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens at Pokolbin runs from Friday 1 November 2024 to Sunday 26 January 2025 except Christmas Day.
The Gardens open for Christmas lights viewing at 5:30pm and close at 10:30pm. Last entry at 9pm.
What does it cost for Hunter Valley Garden Christmas Lights Spectacular?
2024 Christmas Lights Spectacular tickets are on sale now:
Adult $40
Children (4-15 yrs) $30
Children (3 yrs & under) FREE
Family (2 Adults + 1 Child) $99
Family (2 Adults + 2 Child) $122
Family Pass Extra Child $27
*Single ride tokens will be available for $6 each, or you can purchase a Bonus Ride Pack, 6 ride tokens for $30. Height and age restrictions apply.
Day + Night passes are also available.
TIP: If you visit Hunter Valley Gardens throughout the year for different events including Christmas Lights Spectacular, Snow Time in the Gardens and Easter, save money and purchase a Family Annual Pass for $309 (2 Adults & 2 Children). Additional child $81. These annual passes cover all events as well as general garden entry.
For more details on tickets and program, visit the Hunter Valley Gardens website.
Top Tips for a Visit to Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular
Newy with Kids has been attending Christmas Lights Spectacular for many years. Here are our tips for a great visit:
- Book online for tickets to save time. You can buy tickets at the door but if you buy tickets in advance, you go in a separate line upon entry (if they’re operating a separate line for pre-paid tickets).
- If you can visit on a day other than Friday or Saturday, do so. In past years, the crowds have been larger on the weekends with lots of people travelling from Sydney, the Central Coast and elsewhere to view the lights. We find less crowds in November as it does tend to get busier closer to Christmas.
- Check the weather forecast before booking a ticket to avoid disappointment. If there is adverse weather like storms, heavy rain or lightning, the Christmas Lights Spectacular might be cancelled or the rides will cease operating. Check the Facebook page for the latest updates.
- Bring mozzie spray in case the mosquitoes are biting.
- Bring the pram or stroller if you’re not sure that your young child will be able to walk for the whole time. The Christmas Light Spectacular covers a large area (5 hectares). Comfortable shoes are a must for everyone.
- Bring another layer of clothing as it can get a bit cool at night once it gets dark.
- If your kids want to go on rides, get there early and go on the rides. Then once it gets dark, you can tour the Christmas light displays. If you plan on doing lots of rides, buy the $30 pack for 6 tickets as it works out better value than buying single tickets at $6 each.
- Check the height restrictions for rides to avoid disappointment.
- Take your time and enjoy all of the lights. It’s a wonderful event that the whole family will enjoy.
- If you don’t want to purchase food at Hunter Valley Gardens, bring a picnic and eat it outside of the Gardens. It’s a fun low-cost family food option and saves you spending money buying food in Hunter Valley Gardens. There is a picnic and play area as you come into the Hunter Valley Gardens complex from the highway. You cannot bring food or drinks into the Gardens with the exception of bottled water.
- Prepare for possible traffic snarls when you leave the Gardens if you’re visiting on a busy night. It was busy when we visited last night on a Saturday and it took about 30 minutes to get out of the parking lot. We left when the event ended and everyone was leaving at the same time.
- If you want to extend your time in the Hunter Valley, book in a special accommodation package. Mid-week is cheaper. Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens and Harrigan’s Hunter Valley are located only minutes away from Hunter Valley Gardens and are offering special accommodation packages both mid-week and weekend. These include accommodation, family entry, ride tickets and breakfast. Find out more about about the accommodation offers at Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens and Harrigan’s Hunter Valley.
Disclaimer: Newy with Kids received free entry to Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular for review purposes. All opinions are our own.
🎄 🎅🏼 Make sure that you don’t miss any of the other fun and family-friendly Christmas events and activities in Newcastle and the Hunter, visit the Newy with Kids Guide to Christmas.