Every year there are some neighbourly neighbours that go above and beyond with their Christmas lights, meticulously planning their displays days, weeks or even months in advance as the best designers do, and when the time strikes they get to work setting up and decorating. In Brisbane, we also have our city Christmas lights to look forward to.
We love it as much as we love this time of year, when we can marvel at all the bright lights flashing and twinkling in the night. But, to save you from searching for bright beacons of light in the distance, we’ve done a bit of digging to find some truly special setups that are well worth the visit. Take a look below at some of the confirmed displays in Brisbane and add them to your Christmas light tour for 2024.
Of course, you can also choose to escape the heat and bask in warm lights in an intimate musical setting with a Christmas Candlelight concert.
1. King George Square & City Hall
Join the Lord Mayor for the lighting of Brisbane’s famous 22-metre Christmas tree, officially kicking off the holiday season. The tree is one of the largest Christmas trees in the Southern Hemisphere, so be sure to catch it in all its glory! And you won’t want to miss a performance by Dami Im!
City Hall will also become illuminated with lights, projections, festive sounds and a heart-warming story, written by Brisbane-based author, Rebecca Sheraton, for the whole family to enjoy. Santa’s SOS: A Christmas Rescue, invites you on a magical adventure as Santa’s sleigh crash-lands in Brisbane and is sure to delight the little ones!
King George Square, Brisbane City
🕓 Tree lighting at 6.30pm, November 29.
🕓 City Hall Lights every 15 minutes from 7.30pm – midnight, December 6 – December 24.
2. The Enchanted Garden
Lighting up an iconic Brisbane venue for another magical season, The Enchanted Garden will be open to visitors in the lead-up to Christmas. The spectacular sensory experience envelops the plants, trees and gardens in a kaleidoscope of colours and light for an incredible trip.
Visitors this year will be guided through the parkland and experience an immersive magical storyline, following Willow and Marigold, two extraordinary beings on a mysteriously special night, named the Enchanted Eve.
Roma Street Parkland
🕓6.30 – 9.15pm, dates coming soon.
3. Government House
The Fernberg Estate, official residence of the Governor of Queensland since 1910, will feature a spectacular light display every night for the public, who can even go inside the Government House and pose for photos next to the magnificent Christmas tree. Entry is free so you can simply show up and enjoy the colours and the live music accompanying them!
Government House, 168 Fernberg Rd, Paddington
🕓 6.45pm – 8.15pm, December 13 – December 19
4. Benhiam Street, Calamvale
If you don’t mind a bit of a drive, these next few options promise delightful displays that’ll leave you open-mouthed. Exhibit A is this stunning setup at 211 Benhiam Street with its beautiful archway, unique homemade decorations and even a snow machine!
211 Benhiam Street, Calamvale
🕓 6:30pm – 10pm, November 27 – December 26
5. Bordeaux Street, Eight Mile Plains
This walkthrough display located in 16 Bordeaux Street will transport you to a magical Christmas land with music and beloved characters such as Elsa and Bluey.
16 Bordeaux Street, Eight Mile Plains
🕓5.30 – 10.30pm, December 1 – December 26
6. Larwood Place, Ferny Hills
This wondrous array of lights, complete with laser projections, inflatables and a nativity scene will have you turning your head to catch every detail. The good news is, Larwood Place’s full display is so spectacular, that it’s even viewable from the road, for those who prefer their lights on-the-go.
Larwood Place, Ferny Hill
🕓 6:30pm – 10pm, December 2 – January 6
7. Cottonwood Street, Caboolture
You’ll be feeling the merriment at this Caboolture abode, with its lights, figurines, inflatables, and even a banner! It takes about a month to put up a display like this, and the hard work definitely shows!
32 Cottonwood Street, Caboolture
🕓 6:00pm, November 9 – December 24
8. Lindwall Street, Upper Mount Gravatt
Feel the Aussie pride at this Australia-themed light display! After more than 20 years of putting up a display this impressive, it’s no wonder that the seasoned pros at 74 Lindwall Street attract crowds with their interactive and walk-in displays, lasers and Christmas statues!
74 Lindwall Street, Upper Mount Gravatt
🕓 6:30pm – 10:oopm , December 1 – December 25
9. Farr Court, Daisy Hill
Have you been naughty or nice? This massive display is like a choose-your-own-adventure experience, with themed areas, interactive, remote-controlled lites, a play corner to decorate felt trees and even a Santa chair!
9 Farr Court, Daisy Hill
🕓 6:30pm – 9pm, December 1 – December 25
10. Nemarra Street, Wynnum West
The proud home of, allegedly, the largest inflatable Santa in Australia, this display has over 100,000 dazzling lights, lasers, and even an imposing angel statue. Rumor has it there are even special guest appearances from The Grinch and Santa.
19 Nemarra Street, Wynnum West
🕓 6:00pm – 10pm, December 1 – December 25
11. Stanley Road, Carina
The best thing about this whimsical display are the photo ops. There is everything from a car, to Santa’s chair and, of course, a sleigh for you to get your Instagram best!
242 Stanley Road, Carina
🕓 6:30pm – 11pm, December 1 – December 25
12. Gilrey Street, Toowong
Feel transported to a world of magic and colour at this enchanting display with thousands of automated fairy lights. Let the changing hues and silhouettes mesmerize you and bask in their glow!
8 Gilrey Street, Toowong
🕓 6:30pm – 10pm, December 1 – January 1
13. Minimine Street, Stafford
With dazzling programmable lights that twinkle and dance in perfect harmony, plus a wave wall for Surfing Santa, this luminous house truly has it all. Plus, from December 15, there will be nightly 7:30 PM snow parties!
27 Minimine Street, Stafford
🕓7:00pm – 10pm, December 1 – December 26
14. Sono Lumo, The Star Brisbane
Over the course of a total of 10 nights and as part of The Star’s Sono Lumo event, a brilliant audio and lighting performance will sweep over The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf precinct. A display fusing a dazzling light show with an electrifying reimaging of Christmas classics, Carols Rewired is a spectacle you won’t want to miss!
33 William St, Brisbane CBD
🕓7:30pm, 8:30pm, 9:30pm, December 4 – 8, December 11 – 15