Taking an evening drive to admire Christmas lights is a much-loved festive tradition, and across the Hills, Yarra Valley and Outer East, neighbourhoods are once again glowing with colour and cheer.
From modest front-yard displays to large, eye-catching installations, residents have been busy transforming their homes in the lead-up to Christmas. Whether it’s a short drive close to home or a longer journey through several suburbs, there are plenty of streets lighting up the region and spreading the Christmas spirit.
Upwey and the Dandenong Ranges
In Upwey, Glenfern Road is shining with several festive homes, and within the township the familiar solar fairy-lit trees are expected to take on a more Christmas-themed look as the big day approaches.
Across the Dandenong Ranges, popular viewing spots include Falls Road in Mount Dandenong, Wicks Road in The Basin, Forest Park Road and Moxhams Road in Monbulk, and Bayview Road in Emerald, all of which are known for reliable and creative displays each year.
Emerald, Cockatoo and surrounds
Further into the Hills, visitors can find Christmas lights at Amphlett Avenue in Cockatoo, Fernglade Drive in Emerald, and Harrison Street and Verbena Avenue in The Basin. Several homes in these areas feature large inflatables, walk-in displays and detailed decorations that are particularly popular with families.
Festive favourites can also be found along Chum Creek Road, Warreena Grove, and Mount Lebanon Road, with some long-running displays continuing to draw visitors year after year.
Ferntree Gully’s “Mad Mile”
Ferntree Gully remains a standout destination for Christmas lights, particularly along the well-known “Mad Mile”. Displays can be seen at Hope Court, multiple homes on Blucher Street, Salina Rise, Paringa Drive, multiple houses along Blackwood Court Road, Cutler Close, Rona Street, Chestnut Avenue, Hutton Avenue, Pearl Place, Kelvin Drive, Clyde Street, Richborough Grove, and multiple homes along Cinerea Avenue.
Boronia and Surrounds
In Boronia, residents have again gone all out, with festive displays at Gertonia Avenue, Rathmullen Road, Medway Crescent, Denby Court, Army Road, Rawdon Court, Beresford Drive, Torresdale Drive, Teak Court, Bursten Road, Forest Road, and Hovea Court.
Nearby Kilsyth South also features displays along Watermore Avenue, while Mount Evelyn includes lights at Hordern Road and Swansea Road.
Lilydale and the Yarra Valley
In Lilydale, Grandview Grove is well worth a visit, with multiple houses decorating each year. Other festive streets include Mangans Road, Earlswood Place, Vance Street, Barlow Road, Queen Road, Rockys Way, and Lakeview Drive.
In Badger Creek, a number of streets are lighting up, including Hannover Road, Omonia Drive, Wallaby Way, Roma Avenue, and estates off Don Road, where friendly competition between neighbours often results in impressive, coordinated displays.
Across the Upper Yarra, Christmas lights can be found at:
4 Patricia Street, Millgrove
3 Tarhilla Drive, Launching Place
71 Eileen Grove, Woori Yallock
77 Mount Riddell Road, Healesville
8 Ellis Road, Yarra Glen
21 Forest Street, Yarra Glen
4 Celia Court, Yarra Glen
38 King Street, Yarra Glen
Connors Flat Road, Wandin North
Keith Court, Wandin North
6 Stephen Road, Wandin North
Greenglades Court, Wandin North
331 Clegg Road, Wandin North
Additional festive stops include 5 Edward Street, Belgrave, 12 McClaran Street, Upwey, 34 Forest Park Road, Upwey, 25 Mount View Road, Upper Ferntree Gully, 25 Ferndale Road, Upper Ferntree Gully, 39 Hunter Street, Ferntree Gully, 10 Teak Court, Boronia, 17 Verbena Avenue, The Basin, 2 Harrison Street, The Basin, 83–85 Barlow Road, 67 Queen Road, Lilydale, 45 Rockys Way, Lilydale, 280 Swansea Road, Mount Evelyn, 70 Falls Road, Mount Dandenong, 22 Moxhams Road, Monbulk, and 389 and 362 Glenfern Road, Upwey.
From Upwey through the Dandenong Ranges and into the Yarra Valley, the Christmas lights trail offers a festive way to celebrate the season. So pack the family into the car, take a drive through the Hills, and enjoy the sights.
