Albury-Wodonga Christmas lights: Region’s best displays revealed

Locals are lighting up their homes to spread some much-needed Christmas cheer – here’s where you’ll find the most magical displays.

Robert Van Gelder's Wodonga Christmas lights display.

It’s become a tradition for many Albury-Wodonga residents to head out and explore the many festive light displays in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

And while these stunning displays play an important role in bringing Christmas spirit to the border throughout December, they often take months to set up.

Wodonga’s Robert Van Gelder has one of the biggest light displays in the area, which draws a large crowd every year because of its 8m tall inflatable Santa and snowman.

Mr Van Gelder said he has spent thousands of dollars on his Christmas light display, which usually takes him about three months to put together.

“I had (the inflatables) specially made in China, they’re one of a kind, you won’t find them anywhere else in Australia,” he said.

“I started off very, very, small, and I did a lot of research on YouTube to find out how to make a better display.

“I had the snowman last year and I had the Santa the year before that.

“I’ve been doing Christmas lights for seven or eight years.”

Robert Van Gelder's Wodonga Christmas lights display.

Of Dutch heritage, and with 11 children of his own, Christmas holds a very special place in Mr Van Gelder’s heart.

“I was a foster child myself and I had a rough upbringing, and I have 11 children, and I just enjoy it and my children enjoy it,” he said.

“The Christmas spirit just isn’t there anymore like it used to be, and I thought it’s just lights, but it puts a smile on the kids’ faces.”
Mr Van Gelder said he normally dresses up as Santa every night in the lead up to Christmas and hands out lollies at his Christmas lights displace at 9 Lawrence St, Wodonga, but this year he couldn’t due to coronavirus restrictions.

“(My kids) all know dad dresses up as Santa, but they think I’m Santas’ helper,” he said.

ALBURY-WODONGA CHRISTMAS LIGHT LOCATIONS

ALBURY

92 Warrenlee Dve

Gulpha St

44 Ringwood Cres

415 Logan Rd

355 Woodstock Crt

958 padman Dve

1 / 303 North St

198 Alexandra St

19 Johnson Crt

GLENROY

732 Union Rd

880 Union Rd

1/124 Wright St

26 Wright St

76 Wright St

71 Sarson Rd

12 Marimba Circuit

3 Cooper Close

LAVINGTON

Michelle Ave

Colleen Place

449 Kotthoff St

4 Baxter Crt

Darke St

6 Watt Place

5 Brent Crt

359 Parnall St

410 Vista Crt

418 Reservoir Rd

367 Poplar Dve

600 Heath Wood Ave

360 Parkland Cres

Sutherland St

Corner Dale and Cheyenne Dve

578 Heathwood Ave

SPRINGDALE HEIGHTS

26 Chafia Place

THURGOONA

WhiteBox Circuit

Nottingham Rd

Stanton Dve

Winnell Crt

Wellington Dve

Cambridge Dve

Mahogany Crt

11 Osprey St

Felstead Circuit

59 Lobbe Rd

49 Corriedale Crt

HOWLONG

10/11 Fairway Close

WODONGA

9 Lawrence St

8 Marshall St

3 Roper St

11 Lindsay St

4 Twomey Crt

5 Twomey Crt

22 Parkfield Dve

33 Mayfair Dve

7 Camp St

1 Avoca Crt

Fisher Crt

Ware Ave

14 Mann St

1 Elsa Crt

11 Delatite Crt

21 Watson St

Garnet Circuit

Ambrose Cres

55 Avondale Dve

48 Iron Way

31 Birdie St

Koetong Cres

Hogan Crt

1 Morrison St

Condamine St

4 Roseland Rd

Prendergast St

Twomey Crt

Buckland Crt

JINDERA

2 Pech Ave

BARANDUDA

Whiteley Circuit

LENEVA

Craig Circuit

KILLARA

38 Esposito St

Corner Thorpe Ave & Klim St

8 Hanson St

19 Sargeant St

CHILTERN

1 Gordon St

BONEGILLA

Rapseys Rd

Murray Valley Hwy

KIEWA

12 Kiewa Valley Hwy

TANGAMBALANGA

37 Kiewa Rast Rd

BEECHWORTH

11a John St

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