Where to See Christmas Lights Brisbane

by
Brighton Homes

The holiday season is a time of joy, wonder and plenty of festive spirit. Even though we don’t get the winter wonderlands of our neighbours in the Northern Hemisphere, there’s still nothing that captures the magic of Christmas quite like a dazzling display of Christmas lights. Brisbane and its surrounds transform into a sparkling wonderland every December, with neighbourhoods and landmarks lighting up to spread holiday cheer.

Whether you’re a family looking to create lasting memories, a couple on a festive date night or someone who simply loves the magic of Christmas, Brisbane’s Christmas lights have something for everyone. From amazingly decorated houses in the suburbs to elaborate displays at iconic CBD landmarks, Brisbane has some of the best Christmas light displays in Australia.

So it’s time to make the most of your festive outings! We’ve put together this ultimate guide to the best Christmas light spots and events around the city. Grab your Santa hats – it’s time to explore Brisbane’s best Christmas lights.

Brisbane's Best Christmas Light Displays by Region

The sprawling suburbs and surrounding areas are home to some truly incredible Christmas light displays. Here’s a breakdown of the best spots by region to help you plan your route around Brisbane Christmas lights.

Exterior of house decorated with colourful Christmas lights

North Brisbane

The northern suburbs are a hotspot for Christmas lights in Brisbane. These homes and streets go all out, so make sure you add these places to your Christmas lights maps.

  • 11 Stonycroft Street, Aspley
  • College Way Lights: 86 College Way, Boondall
  • 34 - 38 Sugarloaf Street, Wavell Heights
  • 26 Village Way, Bracken Ridge
  • 36 Swan Street, Shorncliffe
  • 3 Malgoa Street, The Gap
  • Grandma’s Christmas Garden: 4 Huron St, Banyo
  • Kakadu’s Colossal Christmas: 68 Kakadu Circuit, Zillmere
  • Minimine St Christmas Lights: 27 Minimine Street, Stafford

Keep an eye out for synchronised light shows, festive music, interactive displays and gigantic blow-up Santas! You’ll no doubt have a magical experience with the entire family.

Moreton Bay

Looking for that picture-perfect Christmas light display? You’re likely to find it around the Moreton Bay area, with plenty of homes and streets completely transforming into vibrant wonderlands of twinkling lights. From Caboolture to Albany Creek to Redcliffe and beyond, there’s a festive display waiting to amaze you. Check out:

The vast majority of these displays are very family-friendly and include walk-through experiences. You might even get a chance to meet Santa!

House decorated in colourful lights

South Brisbane and Logan City

Cross the Brisbane River and head southwards, where incredible light displays blend traditional and creative set-ups for a mix of nostalgic charm and at least one crazy Christmas lights display. Add the following spots to your to-see list:

  • Daniel and Roo’s Christmas Wonderland: 101 Kempsie Road, Mt Gravatt
  • 191 Mortimer Road, Acacia Ridge
  • Jingle Bells All the Way: 9 Victor Street, Holland Park
  • Rachel Street, Moorooka
  • 9 Avondale Crescent, Parkinson
  • 18 Terowi Street, Sunnybank Hill
  • 3 Ferndale Street, Boronia Heights
  • 13 Catherine Street, Beenleigh
  • 6 Epson Court, Daisy Hill
  • 23 Ernestine Circuit, Eagleby
  • 58 Macadamia Court, Flagstone
  • 21 Pink Alder Court, Flagstone
  • 28 - 34 Equestrian Drive, New Beith
  • 34 Narelle Crescent, Rochedale South
  • 20 Belinda Crescent, Springwood
  • 36 Birun Street, Woodridge

House decorated for Christmas with giant blow-up santa

East Brisbane and Redlands

The eastern suburbs and Redlands area are also home to some of the most imaginative Christmas lights in Brisbane. These spots will make your holiday outing something very special (and memorable), so head over to:

  • 52 Birkalla Street, Bulimba
  • 86 Adam Street, Wynnum
  • 47 Scanlen Crescent, Wynnum West
  • 12 Heffernan Road, Alexandra Hills
  • 18 Strahan Street, Belmont
  • 34 Greenup Street, Capalaba
  • 20 Hermitage Crescent, Thornlands
  • 16 Arbour Terrace, Wellington Point

House covered in blue and white christmas lights

West Brisbane

If you’re a local or looking to hit all the top spots at once on Christmas Eve, the festive displays in the west are something you have to experience up close. Find some Christmas cheer by taking a drive to:

  • 6 Rise Place, Heathwood
  • 4 Burwick Close, Middle Park
  • Everard Street, Westlake
  • Raeside Street, Westlake
  • 26 Raeside Street, Westlake
  • 36 Hinchinbrook Circuit, Forest Lake
  • 9 Renoir Crescent, Forest Lake
  • 30 Brush Box Place, Heathwood
  • 14 Mistral Street, Jamboree Heights
  • 8 Gilrey Street, Toowong

Exterior of house decorated with colourful Christmas lights, and blow-up Bluey and Minoin characters

Ipswich

Further afield, the Ipswich and Logan areas are full of family-friendly neighbourhoods that take the title of best Christmas lights very seriously. Keep an eye out for a few out-of-the-box festive displays, including must-see spots at:

Don’t miss the Ipswich Christmas Lights Bus Tour, which is a super fun (and convenient) way to see the best lights in the region. Tickets start at $40 for adults, $35 for concession, kids up to 12yrs $30, and family $125. 

Planning Your Christmas Lights Tour

Make the most of your Christmas lights adventure by being prepared. With so many incredible displays across Brisbane jam-packed with the Christmas spirit, a little planning can go a long way to making the experience as enjoyable as possible. Here are some tips to get the most out of your best Christmas lights Brisbane tour:

  • Visit during off-peak hours: Weekdays and later evenings are often quieter and more relaxed compared to weekends or early evening hours. Peak times mean heavy traffic, crowded and noisy streets and difficulty finding parking near popular displays. That’s not to mention cranky and overstimulated kids! Instead, start your tour during off-peak hours to enjoy the lights without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by crowds. Plus, fewer people mean better photos opportunities.
  • Plan your route in advance: With Brisbane being such a sprawling city, you’ll want to map out your route beforehand so you aren’t wasting time or doubling back and wasting petrol. Group displays by region (like the northern suburbs or Moreton Bay) to save on travel time and make the tour more speedy. Google Maps can be your best friend in creating the ultimate optimised route. Also keep an eye on websites and Facebook pages that will share interactive maps with pinned Christmas lights locations.
  • Bring the essentials: Bring a camera with a good night mode feature or just your smartphone for capturing those magical moments with the family. If you’re planning a longer tour, pack snacks and water bottles, as well as a few things to keep the little ones entertained on longer drives. Don’t forget comfy shoes if you’ll be doing a lot of exploring on foot.
  • Be mindful of parking: Parking near popular displays can sometimes be a bit tricky, especially in built-up residential neighbourhoods. Respect parking restrictions and don’t block driveways. If parking is a nightmare, it doesn’t hurt to park a little further away and walk to the display. You’ll be less stressed and also have a chance to fully take in the festive atmosphere of the whole neighbourhood.
  • Prepare for the weather: Brisbane’s warm summer evenings can be quite cosy if you like the heat, but the weather can also be unpredictable – especially as summer means storm season. Throw an umbrella or rain jacket into the boot just in case rain decides to make an appearance. Also remember the bug spray to stave off those nasty mosquitoes.
Brisbane City Annual Christmas Tree

 

Must-Visit Christmas Events in Brisbane

Beyond the spectacular light displays, Brisbane also plays host to a variety of Christmas events that add even more magic to the festive season. Here are some of the highlights:

  • Lord Mayor's Christmas Carols: This famous annual event features live music, community carols and plenty of holiday spirit.
  • The Enchanted Garden: Located at Roma Street Parkland, this glowing garden experience is an immersive wonderland of lights and greenery.
  • Brisbane City Christmas Tree: Visit King George Square to marvel at Brisbane’s tallest Christmas tree, adorned with thousands of dazzling lights.
  • BrisStyle Twilight Markets: A must-visit market experience where you’ll find lots of handmade gifts, food trucks and live entertainment.

Check out the Brisbane City Council’s Christmas events page for more information on dates and venues.

Celebrate the Festive Season with Brisbane’s Best Christmas Lights

Brisbane is where you’ll find some of the best Christmas lights and festive events in the country – there truly is something for everyone. Whether you’re admiring the city’s most elaborate light displays or enjoying an evening of carols and markets, the festive season in Brisbane is one that’s always filled with magic and joy.