Best Christmas lights Brisbane: Top 10 dazzling festive home displays and how to find more in Queensland
It’s the most wonderful time of the year — which means it’s time to be dazzled by houses lit up with festive cheer.
Colourful, jolly displays are already spreading joy across Brisbane neighbourhoods. But when it comes down to looking for homes decked to the nines in decorations and walk-through displays, it can be a bit tiresome if you don’t know where to go.
Thankfully, to save you from driving around in circles, the duo behind the Christmas Light Search website have made it all a little easier by putting all the holiday lights in the ‘burbs onto an interactive map — where you can search your neighbourhood and find the best spots.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Co-founders Lachlan Kennedy and his cousin, Chris, had always enjoyed getting into the festive spirit and visiting Chrissy lights when they were kids, so when they decided they wanted to develop a website, they had a light bulb moment.
The duo kicked off the Christmas Light Search directory in Melbourne in 2008 with 40 light displays, driving around and adding all the best Chrissy lights to the site manually. Until, it became so popular, people started sending in their displays, and it quickly expanded nationally.
“Once the website got going after a few years it became apparent that we had created a really useful platform for homeowners to promote their displays on and this has motivated us to keep it going ever since,” Kennedy said.
The website now boasts 2,700 confirmed Christmas light locations across Australia, with hundreds to see in Brisbane. The site is user-friendly and allows anyone to add their Christmas display to the map for free.
“Despite cost of living being the ‘theme’ this year, we haven’t noticed a drop in the number or quality of Christmas Light displays around the country,” Kennedy said, adding many owners take months to put together their magical displays.
“We are finding homeowners embrace elements like snow and bubble machines, opening up their driveways for kids to dance in (with music, lasers, and projections), giant moving LED characters and inflatables, and sit in Santa Sleigh’s for photo ops.”
Kennedy said popular trends this year were light arches and garage door projections. He added that it was always special when homeowners got involved by dressing up as Santa or other popular characters or hosting community raffles, BBQs and fundraisers.
“We find Christmas displays these days have evolved to be much more than just about the lights.”
The 10 best home Christmas light displays in Brisbane (in no particular order)
1) 86 College Way, Boondall
You’ll love this fun musical light show at 86 College Way, Boondall.
“Tune your car radio into 103.3 to watch the lights groove to the tunes, or step out onto the dancefloor and dance with them!” Kennedy said.
Kennedy said the best thing about this Christmas light display is the dancefloor.
“You had us at three singing gnomes, a fairy and 30,000 lights dancing to music!” he said.
Be sure to scan the QR code to vote for the next song.
2) 242 Stanley Road, Carina
Head over to 242 Stanley Road, Carina to experience more than a decade of Christmas magic.
“A cumulation of years of work, this interactive display is perfect for kids and families alike,” Kennedy said.
“Take a seat in Santa’s chair, hop onto his sleigh for a festive photo op, or snap a picture with Bluey and friends by the cheerful ‘Merry Christmas’ banner.”
The property is packed with fun, from inflatables and Christmas statues to sparkling trees and twinkling lights that blanket every corner of the property.
“We love how this display is just made for the kids,” Kennedy said. “The owners let you walk through and get into items in the display, such as a car and Santa’s sleigh and chair for photo opportunities.”
3) 211 Benhiam Street, Calamvale
For a standout Christmas light experience, head to 211 Benhiam Street, Calamvale, where this award-nominated display is “back and better than ever.
“After earning a spot as finalists in the Kiis97.3 Kissmas Lights competition in 2022, the creators have gone all out, adding thousands of extra lights, dozens of new features, and some incredible homemade creations like Santa Jaws and the smoke-blowing Treezilla,” Kennedy said.
“This walk-through display immerses you in the magic of Christmas, starting with a 30-metre driveway lined with a canopy of 12,000 twinkling lights and individual features that set the scene for the grand finale: the main display.”
Explore themed areas that include dinosaurs and dragons, a vibrant rainbow section, Australiana highlights, and playful nods to Christmas pop culture.
“The best thing about this display is how well thought out and how much effort has been put into it,” Kennedy said. “The owners love putting up their Christmas lights because it brings people together.”
4) 71 McPherson Road, Sinnamon Park
You won’t see anything else like 71 McPherson Road, Sinnamon Park, the owners have — literally — draped the entirety of their roof and walls with lights.
“So much you’ll struggle to see the house!” Kennedy said.
It takes the owners over a month to tack up 100,000 LED’s but they just love doing it for the community spirit it brings.
“There’s more to this house too — dance to the music as you walk around and explore the nativity scene and window displays, before checking out the Australian land and sea animals and landmarks, plus seven lip palm trees!
Kennedy said the best thing about this Christmas light display are “the twinkly lights, river and waterfalls”.
“It’s interesting to see how the owners have used the lights to fit the landscapes of the animals — it’s truly a creative and dazzling display,” he said.
5) 48 Daisy Street, Grange
Spot Olaf on the roof with other Christmas characters here at 48 Daisy Street, Grange, in Brisbane’s inner north.
“The house is decked out in Christmas lights and motifs, including Christmas trees and Santas on the roof, reindeer in the windows, plenty of snowflakes and signs to get you excited that Christmas is coming,” Kennedy said.
“Walk around and check out the inflatable koala and snowman, Christmas statues and nativity scene, along with the window display of a miniature Christmas town.
“This is truly one you’ll want to bring a camera for!”
6) 9 Farr Court, Daisy Hill
Grinch’mas or Christmas!? That depends if you’ve been naughty or nice, according to the owners at 9 Farr Court, Daisy Hill.
“On one side is The Grinch house — an interactive display where children control the lights via remotes, or decorate felt trees on the wall of the play corner,” Kennedy said.
“The other — a Santa type grotto with Santa chair (for photos), lollipop tree, a gift basket and bubbles.”
This is way more than just a traditional Christmas Light display, Kennedy explained, one that both the kids and parents will love.
“Amazing, amazing, amazing. So impressed by the level of effort and detail, thank you so much!” Said a member of the public.
Kennedy said the owners love putting up their Christmas light display because they want to make kids happy.
“We love the Grinch theme! Awesome.”
7) 2 Brochet Street, Mansfield
Check out this massive display at 2 Brochet Street, Mansfield, where music, lasers and Christmas lights combine for a display that could be seen from streets away.
“This display — which used to be at Coopers Plains — lights up December nights using solar power. Visitors can walk through to see just how spectacular it is,” Kennedy said.
“Follow the twinkling lights to enjoy the elaborate displays, where each corner tells a story of joy, love and the spirit of Christmas — whether it be the light statues dotting the front fence, the giant ‘Merry Christmas’ sign on the roof, the giant inflatable reindeer, Santa’s sleigh and reindeer in the shed or the large Santa’s village.”
“We invite you to join us on this enchanting journey as we continue to spread the magic of the holiday season,” the owners said.
8) 74 Lindwall Street, Upper Mound Gravatt
Bringing outback to the city, this Christmas light display at 74 Lindwall Street, Upper Mount Gravatt, has been running for over 20 years and “just keeps getting better!”
“Enjoy the glittering lights above you as you walk underneath the Christmas light arches,” Kennedy said. “There’s a canopy to take a Christmas photo under, a large range of Christmas statues and lots of lights too.
“The owners love setting the display up each year as it brings joy to the kids.”
Kennedy said the best thing about this Christmas display is that it’s Australian-themed!
9) 27 Minimine Street, Stafford
Giant displays take the stage here at 27 Minimine Street, Stafford, whether it is massive inflatables, Christmas Trees or LED projections towering up from the roof.
“Setting up each Christmas for about a decade, this year, all donations go to supporting Guide Dogs Queensland, with the owners loving that it makes the community smile and spreads joy,” Kennedy said.
“The lights are brighter and shinier than in previous years, with programmable lights dancing to music, plus a new wave wall for Surfing Santa where you can take a great photo. Frosty the Snowman hosts nightly 7:30pm snow parties, too.”
Kennedy said the best thing about this Christmas light display is the unique design.
“The owners spend a lot of time designing things that are their very own and that can’t be seen anywhere else.”
10) 20 Curragundi Road, Jindalee
An insane 401,350 lights (yes, they counted every one!), accumulated from over 23 years of decorating, occupy the property here at 20 Curragundi Road, Jindalee, says Kennedy.
“This is a classic and magical Christmas display, plenty bright and colourful, complete with a Kids maze and 10m long polar express train. There are HEAPS of photo opportunities to be had as you explore the front yard — who will be first to find the rare Tinkerbell ornament?” Kennedy said.
“Santa even pops in for a visit on various nights, so bring the kids, grab a lollipop and enjoy the festive season with this display that takes over a month to set up.”
Supporting Mater Little Miracles, it’s easy to see why this display takes over a month to set up, if the number of decorations are anything to go by.
“The owners love putting up their Christmas lights because of the joy it brings to the whole community,” Kennedy said.
For more of the best Christmas lights Brisbane 2024, including to see the lights in Brisbane’s northside and southside, check out the Christmas Lights Brisbane Map at Christmas Light Search.