It's that time of year: bust out the Mariah, slap on a (seasonally inappropriate) Christmas sweater, load up on mince pies and pause your cheesy Christmas movie binge-fest because it's time to head out for some Christmas lights.
The Best Christmas Lights In Sydney's CBD
NOËL Sydney
Botanic Gardens And Macquarie Street
The team who have done the unmissable light show at St Mary's for the past decade or so are setting their sights on an even bigger Christmas spectacular this year, bringing a brand new and magical Christmas celebration to Sydneysiders across 16 nights in December. Running 6pm–11pm between 9 and 24 December, The Royal Botanic Gardens will host enchanting Christmas markets, a digital Christmas forest with pop-up bars and food stalls, a light trail sharing the tale of The Nutcracker and nightly entertainment. There'll even be a spectacular nightly dancing drone show. Learn more here.
Pitt Street
Once again, Pitt Street Mall will light up underneath a canopy of Christmas trees. Expect thousands of LEDs and nothing short of an extravaganza of photo opportunities.
Martin Place
With a jewelled light installation, bring the fam down to see thousands of twinkling lights that adorn NSW’s tallest Christmas tree. If past years are anything to go by, it'll be decorated with more than 110,000 LEDs, a 3.4-metre star (which changes colours) and a casual 300+ shining baubles.
The QVB
The QVB is known for its massive indoor Christmas tree—a stellar spot to take a few snaps and of course, take in all the lights. Last year’s tree was Wollemi Pine decorated with over 130 ornaments. The main entrance at The QVB will also be pinned with 7000 lightbulbs.
The Best Christmas Lights In Sydney's North
Farmhouse Ave, Pitt Town
Ryan Ave, Hornsby Heights
Excelsior Avenue, Castle Hill
Lockwood Street
Special Mention: Christmas Lights Spectacular
Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin
Jump in the car to experience the Southern Hemisphere's largest display of Christmas lights, with over 3 million lights illuminating 14 hectares of breathtaking gardens. As well as the light displays, the Christmas Lights Spectacular has a traditional Venetian carousel, a 35-metre-long slide, 1 14-metre-tall Christmas tree, and spinning teacups and a Santa's letterbox for little ones. Don't miss the rocking elves performing Christmas bangers on Thursdays and Fridays, and singalong carols on Saturdays and Sundays, and treat the fam from the pop-up food and beverage stalls. The Christmas Lights Spectacular runs until January 26, and you can get tickets here.
Magic Grove, Mosman
This mega light display has inflatables up and about during the day for kids to play with, including their famous massive Santa (depending on wind conditions). At night, there's lights ,music and cheer for all, with festive contraptions, bubble machines, and lasers also in the mix. This one starts at 6pm and goes until 10:30pm nightly.
The Best Christmas Lights In Sydney's East
Waratah Street, North Bondi
Avoca Street
It's the street that put Bondi on the map for banging Christmas lights in Sydney and it does not disappoint. Around 50 houses join in and light up (yes, 50!) with some even synchronised to music. It’s an amazing spectacle you don’t want to miss that's well worth the car trip.
The Best Christmas Lights In Sydney's South
Mt Annan
Walseley Crescent, Gledswood Hills
Holt Road
South Circuit, Oran Park
Jubilee Avenue
Chamberlain Road, Padstow Heights
Featuring a gigantic blow-up Santa Clause, LED candy canes and an endless display of fairy lights, this house is one to hit on your nighttime Christmas light safari. The owners take a month to set up and just love doing it to make families happy and raise money for the Cure Brain Cancer foundation. If you’re keen, you’ll just need to message the owner for the details here.
The Best Christmas Lights In Sydney's West
South Street
Palena Cres, Saint Clair
This street sure is a feast for the eyes! Lights and decorations cover front lawns, wrapping around trees and slithering up the sides of multiple houses. The owners have spared nothing here with Nativity scenes, moving characters and music.
Bishop Street, Cabarita
If you’re looking for a street with multiple displays then we recommend Bishop Street where many householders are getting into the Christmas spirit for 2022. Our favourite house here has its lights synchronised to music.
Cumberland Road
There’s only one place you’ll need to look at here, and it’s number 72. This house sports a medium-light display with nativity scenes, roof decorations and window displays.
If you’re a Christmas lights fanatic and keen to make a night of it, make sure you head over to Christmas Light Search website where you can find loads more to explore this festive season on their Sydney Christmas Lights Map.
Planning Chrissie lunch? Here's our top pick of restaurants open on Christmas Day so you don't have to cook.
Image credit: Christmas Lights Spectacular, City of Sydney, Christmas Light Search