See map: Christmas themed homes light up community faces
Your ultimate interactive map to Christmas light displays across Toowoomba.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Toowoomba region, with many residents decking the halls with bright lights and interactive displays.
Here you will find a regularly updated list of Christmas lights across the Garden City and surrounds – keep checking back as the list grows.
8 Grey Gums Dr, Blue Mountain Heights
With only a few short sleeps until Santa Claus arrives, there are few opportunities left to explore the local Christmas light displays on offer.
Merryl and Des Pearce have bringing the festive season to the region and decorating their home in lights since the pair moved to Blue Mountain Heights three years ago.
And with a passion for bringing joy the community, it’s quickly become an annual tradition they cherish.
Mr Pearce said his favourite part of their display this year was the Ford Model T, inflatable decorations and old shed features.
Staying open until 10pm and up until New Years Eve, the public are welcome to check out the display.
8 Arcane Drive, Gowrie Junction
Grandparents love nothing more than spending time with their grandchildren and seeing a smile on their dile.
In fact, just ask David Waldron.
The Gowrie Junction resident has been collecting the lights for his display for about four years and it took him more than a month to set up his 80 sets of 50,000 lights this year.
And while the annual tradition is something the grandfather-of-five looks forward to every year, the aspect he loves the most is how happy his display makes his grandchildren.
“People that stop in to see the lights and the joy my grandchildren have (is what I love),” Mr Waldron said.
“The look on their faces is reward enough for all the hard work I have put in to putting up the lights.”
Mr Waldron said he believed it was the most wonderful time of the year because it was an opportunity to spend time with loved ones and appreciate the freedom and lifestyle of Australia.
While the proud grandfather said his favourite part of this year’s display was the pergola and roof finish.
19 Whichello St, Newtown
It’s been part of her family Christmas tradition for as long as she can remember and her growing collection is so large, that she is often referred to as the ‘crazy light lady’.
Although there’s only four sleeps left until Santa Claus makes his annual visit, there’s still plenty of time to check out the stunning displays across the region.
And Leeanne Cook’s display is a must-see this year.
“Christmas lights have always been a tradition for my family – we started off with a small selection about seven years ago and has grown overtime... I’ve been known as the crazy light lady,” she said.
“As we get older it feels like Christmas loses that spark... (but having a light display) brings life to the street and seeing people pull up, especially the little ones who get excited to see the lights definitely brings that joy to Christmas.”
In fact, the collection has grown so much this year that Ms Cook and her husband, had to install four additional power outlets to help run the new items and still has an entire shed filled with lights and decorations.
Ms Cook estimated her house had more than 120 sets and said ‘the limit does not exist.’
Unable to pick just one favourite, the festive season lover said the 4.5m Christmas tree with presents, four palm trees and disco Santa were her personal highlights.
The home will have its lights turned on every night from 5pm to 11pm.
33 Balfour St, Wyreema
The past two years have not been without its challenges, but one Christmas light enthusiast is hoping to make life a little brighter.
Wyreema resident Nigel Phillips first started welcoming the community to his Christmas light display four years ago.
Putting hours of work into his stunning display, Mr Phillips said all of his props are handmade from scratch.
“It’s great to give the community a reason to smile in what’s been an interesting and challenging year for many,” Mr Phillips said.
“Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces makes the hours of work totally worth it.”
The light fanatic said his roof and fence features almost 3300 LED lights, as well as an additional 50,000 on the display board.
But there’s more to Mr Phillips’ display than initially meets the eye.
“The lights and LED display boards are synchronised to 11 different songs - not just your traditional carols,” he said.
“You tune your radio to 90.2 FM to listen to the songs, or press the button on the front fence if you’re not in a car.
“This year you can login to a special website and choose the next song to be played, just like a jukebox.”
The Wyreema resident said Khe-Santa, a Cold Chisel Christmas and Christmas YMCA had been the most requested songs this year so far.
Lights will be turned on every night from dusk until 9.30pm and until 11pm on Christmas Eve and night.
View and select your songs of choice online by visiting wyreemalightshow.remotefalcon.com/remoteFalcon.
5 Ashby Court, Wyreema
The most wonderful time of the year is just one week away, so there’s no better time than the present to explore the region’s incredible Christmas lights displays.
Andrew Rasmussen and his family have been decorating their house every Christmas for almost two decades and previously won the best new entry award for The Chronicle’s Christmas light competition.
“We love how the lights bring everybody together and you get to meet so many people from your community,” Mr Rasmussen said.
“It also encourages your neighbourhood to put up lights … so many people tell us we have given them the Christmas light bug.”
For the family of 10, which includes eight children, the summer school holidays and lead up to Christmas is always a special time for the Rasmussen clan.
“Christmas to us means quality time with family – it’s a time to spend as much time doing anything my children want me to do,” Mr Rasmussen said.
And with a growing collection of about 15,000 lights, it’s all hands on deck in the lead up to the festive season each year.
Mr Rasmussen said his favourite pieces this year were the fireworks which appeared on the right fence line and rainbow curtain that lit up the opposite side.
The display at 5 Ashby Court, Wyreema, will have its lights turned on every night up until Christmas.
11 Milford St, Westbrook
Dads give the best piggy back rides, build sturdy forts and pull the funniest faces, but one Toowoomba parent has found a unique way of bringing a smile to the faces of his two young children.
Father-of-two Aiden Ferguson has been decking the halls of his house in festive lights for the past three years.
And while getting into the Christmas spirit and expanding the display each year is all part of the fun, his real motivation stems from making his two daughters happy.
“The look in my daughters’ eyes when they see the display … that’s the main reason I participate,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Christmas is all about family to me.”
This year the roof of the Westbrook house is covered in bright lights, while the windows are filled with strands of delicate curtain globes, and the dedicated dad has also installed a ho ho ho display.
But the highlight this year is undoubtedly the two newest additions – a large tree with a glowing ball sitting on top and a large, handmade star.
The Milford St display will have its lights on every day this festive season, between 6pm and 10pm.
1 McGee Drive, Kearneys Spring
One family will be offering a two-for-one deal at their Christmas display this year, featuring a static light show synched to funky tunes.
John Scarborough and his family-of-four love getting into the spirit of Christmas and have close to 11,000 lights on their house to prove it.
But this year the family are doing things a little different and have upgraded their static light display with a variety of complimentary tunes, that are set to pump up the neighbourhood.
“You can expect to hear a good mix of classic Christmas songs and not so Christmassy songs that showcase our spectacular light show,” Mr Scarborough said.
“Every song is (one of) my favourites, brings something different and leaves you feeling amazing or wanting more.”
But that’s not the only surprise up his sleeve.
Mr Scarborough said visitors could also expect to see festive characters Santa Claus, The Grinch and Emmet Brickowski from the Lego Movie franchise.
The three characters who will appear in Lego form, will appear in their own storyline within the light show.
“Christmas is everything in our family,” Mr Scarborough said.
“Hearing children cheer and laugh at our display is the greatest (feeling).”
The Scarborough family’s display will light up every night this month, between 6.30pm and 9.30pm.
7 Lockyer St, Kleinton
Nothing has brought Christmas spirit to the suburb of Kleinton, quite like the jolly man in his red suit, riding his sleigh, alongside his trusty deer Rudolph.
Kelly Iseppi and her family have been decorating their home with Christmas lights and spreading joy in their neighbourhood, with Santa Claus making a special guest appearance to their display, for the past five years.
The festive display features almost 100 sets of lights, with a mix of both solar and electrical-powered lights.
Putting their creativity to the ultimate test, the family have also used a variety of handmade pieces, including large candy canes made out of PVC pipes, a timber elf cutout and Christmas tree, using just a tomato vine cage from Bunnings Warehouse.
Weather permitting, Ms Iseppi’s husband Scott will also dress up as Santa Claus, hop into his bright red sleigh and distribute candy canes, closer to Christmas.
“Our display isn’t the biggest or best, but we are proud of what we have achieved,” Ms Iseppi said.
“Last year we had a few of the local neighbourhood kids that would come by every night just to see our display and that is nice and makes us happy that we can create something special for them to look forward to.”
The home will have lights on every night this month from 7pm.
29 Bailey Street, Southbrook
After their property was flooded in 2014, the Kimball family were forced to put their annual tradition of hosting a Christmas light display, on hold.
But the display will return this year with the added bonus of music and a drive through viewing option.
Resident Kristy Kimball said the family only began collecting their new bunch of lights months prior in August, but they have already reached the 50,000 mark.
“We decided to start decorating again as we now have a few kids and grandkids in the house,” she said.
“Our main attraction is the music lights in the front of house (and) our farm blow ups as we are a running horse property.
“We also have a main wall which faces the Gore Highway for all people to enjoy the lights, we love leaving these lights on for the late night truck drivers, who supply (goods) to the entire world.”
The display is open every night from 7pm to 9.30pm.
Candy canes are distributed before 8.30pm.
60 Gouldson drive, Kearneys Spring
Seeing his wife’s face light up even in dark times is what motivates Peter Black to decorate his house every Christmas.
His incredible Christmas light display, which has been running for about a decade, even features a ride-on sleigh, snow machine and a cubby house converted into Santa’s workshop.
“My wife has just been diagnosed with another cancer – her fifth one since 2007,” Mr Black said.
“Watching the smile on my wife’s face when she hears the kids get excited, laugh and cheer every time the snow machine comes on (brings me the most joy.)”
Drawing in quite a large crowd each year, Mr Black said he loves seeing buses filled with retirement village residents, tourists and kindergarten students turn up to view his festive display.
“That’s what Christmas should be about and it’s nice to give people the chance to forget about all the unhappiness in the world for a few moments each night.”
Running up until New Year’s Eve, the 60 Gauldson Kerneys Spring home will be open until 9pm weekdays and 10pm weekends.
Scan the QR code (right) for more Christmas light display addresses.
2 Victory St, Newtown
They say teamwork makes the dream work and for one bunch of dedicated scouts, their Christmas lights vision has come to fruition.
It took just one Sunday afternoon for a team of six adults and eight young scouts to finalise their Christmas display this year at their Newtown headquarters.
“With Covid, we have not been able to fundraise, but we would usually spend a few hundred dollars each year to improve the display,” assistant region commissioner for the Darling Downs Scouts Barry Keleher said.
“I would say we have hit the 5000 mark (number of lights), so it’s probably been our biggest year yet and we have received a lot of compliments from neighbours.”
Mr Keleher said the highlights of the display included the nativity scene, flag pole-turned Christmas tree and the new Scouts Australia logo which lights up.
The public can view the display throughout the month of December, between 6pm and 9pm.
63 Hoepper St, Kearneys Spring
Trisha and Peter Botten have been sourcing Christmas lights and decorations for their annual house display for the past eight years, with the help of their daughter Isabella.
The collection which started with just one inflatable Santa Claus, has grown substantially over the years and Ms Botten estimates thousands of lights will feature in what will be their biggest year yet.
“We chose an Australian theme this year because we wanted to do something different,” she said.
“Christmas is about family and friends and bringing people together and we love seeing the joy on people’s faces.”
This year, the Botten family’s display will also feature a Home Alone house and the new addition of a nutcracker statue, as attending the ballet production each year is Isabella’s favourite Christmas tradition.
2021 Toowoomba Christmas light displays:
11 Milford St, Westbrook
5 Ashby Court, Wyreema
2 Victory St, Newtown
1 McGee Drive, Kearneys Spring
29 Bailey St, Southbrook
60 Gouldson drive, Kearneys Spring
63 Hoepper St, Kearneys Spring
19 Whichello St, Newtown
7 Lockyer St, Kleinton
Cloake St, Rockville
Carmen St, Kearneys Spring
Payne St, Newtown
Campbell St, East Toowoomba
9 Roderick Dr, Cotswold Hills
5 Heller St, Rangeville
Bailey St, Southbrook
10 Melita Cres, Wilsonton Heights
4 Atkinson St, South Toowoomba
Waverley St, North Toowoomba
254 Long St, South Toowoomba
Moncrieff Close, Middle Ridge
39 Gowrie Birnam Rd, Gowrie Junction
4 Vann St, Wilsonton
25 Gordon Ave, Newtown
31 Barambah St, Glenvale
Ladner St, Drayton
Sprott St, Wilsonton
33 Balfour St, Wyreema
18 Lendrum St, Newtown
8 Grey gums drive Blue Mountain Heights
8 Arcane Drive, Gowrie Junction
98 Curzon St, East Toowoomba
3 Ansett Ct, Wilsonton
Rowes Furniture - 58 Russell St, Toowoomba City
Botanical Gardens - Queens Park
Wash Depot Toowoomba - 461-463 Tor Street, Newtown
To include your house in our interactive map, please fill out the online form below or email rhylea.millar@news.com.au.
More Coverage
Originally published as See map: Christmas themed homes light up community faces
Premier’s early phone call after critics slam ‘pathetic’ speech
Defiant in a speech to party faithful on Saturday night that critics labelled ‘pathetic’, Steven Miles has this morning called his successor.
Greens’ wishlist wipe-out as minor parties lose power in savage election slump
All three of Queensland’s bigger minor parties have gone backwards in a shock result few saw coming, with One Nation’s future as a political force now in question.