Best Christmas lights Sydney: Top 10 dazzling festive home displays and how to find more in NSW

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 Sydney 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.

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 Sydney. 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 Sydney (in no particular order)

1) 7 South Street, Tempe

At 7 South Street, Tempe you’ll find a massive Christmas light display “the whole family will enjoy”.

“With donations supporting Maggie’s Rescue, this display offers a Santa chair and photo-ready setups that are perfect for capturing some epic Christmas selfies,” Kennedy said.

“We love the variety on display, not focusing on one specific theme. Kids will be thrilled by the snow, bubble, and smoke machines starting December 20, while grown-ups can enjoy strolling through the display, spotting beloved characters like Bluey and the Minions illuminated in Christmas lights.”

Kennedy said the owners “love putting up the Christmas lights because it brings joy and smiles to people”.

The display in on show until December 31.

2) 36 Childs Circuit, Belrose

A mega Christmas lights display synchronised to music awaits at 36 Childs Circuit, Belrose.

Kennedy said this display can be enjoyed from the comfort of your car, if you prefer.

“We love the epic light shows,” he said. “Tune in to 99.5FM and marvel at 95,000 LED lights dancing across the façade of the house, along the giant tree and up the driveway. Of course, you can still get out and enjoy up close. There’s even a lit-up archway to take a photo under.”

Supporting the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, this light show has been running every Christmas for over 20 years and takes over a month to set up.

“The owners love putting up their Christmas light display because they get to see the little kids and grown-ups’ smiles,” Kennedy said.

3) 39 Alice Street, Rooty Hill

Come see the Le Roux Christmas lights display at 39 Alice Street, Rooty Hill, from 8pm each night.

“Take a photo in Santa’s chair or sleigh, or walk up the driveway to see the thousands of dazzling light sculptures covering the entire front of this property,” Kennedy said.

“With music playing, a snow machine, inflatables and various imagery, there’s plenty of fun to be had finding the hidden decorations.

“The owners are also raising donations for Lights for Kids — make sure to place them in the box before the Grinch grabs them!”

4) 4 Troon Court, Glenmore Park

The two adjacent properties at the end of Troon Court, Glenmore Park, dazzle with their colourful lights displays and inflatables.

“From Santas to candy canes to snowmen and Christmas trees, these truly are pretty displays,” Kennedy said.

“Walk up one driveway to inspect the inflatables and hanging lights above — and covering the house — to then walk up the one next door where you must be sure to look up!”

Taking over a month to set up, Kennedy said the houses have been lighting up the night with their decorations for a couple of years now.

“We love the two side by side properties! Nothing else like it in Sydney. No rivalry we are aware of so far (well, not yet!),” he said.

“The owners love putting up their Christmas lights as they love to see the kids happy.”

5) 57 Swansona Avenue, Mount Annan

At 57 Swansona Avenue, Mount Annan, the Christmas lights are winding and colourful, making them great to take photos with.

Kennedy said this massive display takes over a month for the owners to set up, and it’s easy to see why.

“Walk through the arches and stars to see the lights sparkling around until you get to the dazzling presents and photo location for some Christmas memories,” he encouraged.

Along with a giant lit-up Christmas tree, Santa’s hat and star, the owners have even set up a 2024 bauble.

“Be sure to snap a shot with the festive Santa hat and shimmering 2024 bauble for the perfect holiday moment with family and friends,” the owners said.

6) 5 Waratah Street, North Bondi

Stand out on the street of this 5 Waratah Street, North Bondi home to take in the display of Christmas lights hanging from the house, filling the front yard and decorating the garage.

“While the house may be small, the owners have clearly made the most of their space — filling it with colourful hanging lights, statues of Santa, reindeer, a gingerbread man, Christmas trees, candy canes, snowmen and plenty more,” Kennedy said.

“Running for 22 years, this year, there’s even an English village inside the front windows, a sled being pulled by sausage dogs, plus new items to see!”

Kennedy said he loved “the colour co-ordination and creativity”.

“The space is not over burdened with lights,” Kennedy said. “Just the right amount!”

He said the owners “love putting up their Christmas lights because it brings joy to the area”.

7) 28 Hixson Street, Bankstown

For the owners of 28 Hixson Street, Bankstown, setting up Christmas lights is a family tradition running for more than 20 years.

This year, all donations go to supporting SCHF Lights for Kids.

“Visitors will enjoy the full Christmas nativity scene lighting up the front fence and house, plus light statues, including Santa’s sleigh being pulled by reindeer,” Kennedy said.

“The drop lights make the house look like magic glittering in the night, and there’s even a huge dove to take photos under.”

Kennedy said “the best thing about this display for the owners is seeing people, especially the little kids”.

8) 12 Concorde Place, Saint Clair

A display that is a local favourite — famous almost — the lovely 12 Concorde Place, Saint Clair display is back again after more than 20 years of Christmas mania.

“Everywhere, literally, is filled with Christmas fun at this house — life-sized animated statues, archways to walk under and lots of lights,” Kennedy said.

“It will definitely give you a Christmas smile,” the owners said.

The display runs until January 1st for two hours each night until 10pm — the snow-like lights decorating the entire front of the house are definitely photo-worthy.

“The best thing about this display are the LED Christmas stars levitating from the roof and the mega LED tree,” Kennedy said.

He said the “owners love putting up their Christmas lights as it brings so much joy to the community”.

9) 18 Ryan Avenue, Hornsby Heights

For four hours each night, 18 Ruan Avenue, Hornsby Heights transforms into some exciting Christmas magic.

After a month of dedicated preparation, the owners take pride in their show-stopping flying Santa, who takes to the skies at 9 pm, 9:30 pm and 10 pm.

“We love flying Santa! Nothing like it anywhere else,” Kennedy said.

“When Santa’s grounded, there’s still plenty to look in awe at—over 25,000 twinkling lights and a towering four-meter white Christmas tree make perfect backdrops for photos.

“Add in cheerful Chrissy music, friendly reindeer, and a chance to support the Shirley Cuff Cancer Research Foundation in honour of the owner’s aunt — and you’ve got an evening to remember.”

He said the owners love putting their Christmas lights up because it “brings joy to everyone who sees them”.

10) 64 Chatsworth Road, Saint Clair

This insane display at 64 Chatsworth Road Saint Clair just keeps “getting bigger each year”, says Kennedy.

“Walk down the drive under the double inflatable archways and check out this mega house up close,” Kennedy said. “A grand mix of lights, roof decorations, inflatables and cute Christmas characters on display provide heaps of awesome photo ops.

Kennedy described it at as “one of the best displays in Sydney”.

“It’s easy to see why it takes the owners over a month to set it all up,” he said.

“We love the layout, walk in and enjoy. There’s even a tram on the roof! Never seen that before.”

There’s plenty of fun to be found at the best Christmas lights Sydney 2024. For more ‘Christmas lights near me,’ check out the Christmas Lights Sydney Map.