It’s Christmas! Strings of lights are adorning guttering, blow-up Santas are inflating across front lawns, and families are driving very, very slowly through suburban streets pointing out twinkling displays to each other.
A Christmas lights drive is a beloved Central Coast tradition, and our Christmas Lights Map and feature make it even easier to plan your route. You’ll find must-visit homes, full-street displays and loads of sparkling locations to explore.
We refresh the map every year so it’s always up to date, and we keep adding new addresses right up until December 23. Bookmark the page and check back regularly so you don’t miss a thing.
Last year’s guide included more than 280 locations, and this year – thanks to the support of our Christmas feature sponsors Mortgage Choice Central Coast – Nicole Wickham & Alisha Spanidis – we’re bringing you an even bigger and brighter list.
Want to see the Coast’s absolute MUST-VISIT homes? Scroll down for photos and interviews with the families who bring the magic to life. If you’d like your home to be considered, please email photos and details to [email protected].
Merry Christmas, everyone!
WIN a $500 Westfield Gift Card!
Our generous friends at Mortgage Choice Central Coast – Nicole Wickham & Alisha Spanidis are treating one lucky Playing in Puddles' reader to a $500 Westfield Gift Card! That's your Christmas shopping sorted!
Scroll to the end of this feature to enter!
The 2025 Central Coast Christmas Lights Map!
The Playing in Puddles' Christmas Lights Map is a map for all local families and we want you to be involved. If you decorate your house we invite you to include your home on the map. Know of a house in your street that puts on a great display, add them too.
Please add your address to the map below (where it says "Add Your Own Marker").
Click Here for Instructions on How to Use the Map
+ Use the drop-down "Filter" bar above the map to limit your search to individual homes, whole street displays, public displays, or only "Must-visit" locations.
+ Click on a map icon to see the address, description and a photo. Push the X to close the info box.
+ Click on the "directions" arrow to get directions from your chosen location and click "Go" - ain’t that so clever!
Add your own marker
Make your budget merry and bright?
Between fairy lights and festive budgets, finances can feel like a juggle. That’s where Nicole Wickham and Alisha Spanidis from Mortgage Choice Central Coast steps in – a team of local mums with 50+ years of combined finance know-how who genuinely understand family life. Whether you’re refinancing, upgrading or just starting out, they make the numbers make sense so you can focus on the fun stuff (like Christmas lights and stocking stuffers).
Chat to the team today and get your budget back on track.
And because they’re all about making Christmas a little easier, we’ve teamed up with Mortgage Choice Central Coast – Nicole Wickham & Alisha Spanidis to give one lucky reader a $500 Westfield Gift Card!
Scroll to the end of this feature to enter.
The Central Coast's Best Christmas Lights and Festive-Themed Homes in 2025!
Some homeowners go that extra mile to put on the ritz – hanging more than 50,000 lights, creating music-accompanied light shows, window displays, nativity scenes and double-storey blow-up Santas that tower over their homes.
There are the quirky and fun – festive-themed cut outs and Santas made out of tinnies – and those who put on snow machines, fireworks, and invite Saint Nick to join in the fun too!
Each year we chat with the wonderful residents of some of our favourite must-visit homes across the Central Coast – from Wyongah in the north to Woy Woy in the south – to discover their motivation in installing such showstopping displays and about their love for the festive season.
Peckham Place, Green Point: A Must-Visit Wonderland of Lights & Giant Santa Magic
If you love a street that goes all-out, Peckham Place in Green Point absolutely needs to be on your Christmas lights route this year. This joyful little cul-de-sac has become a true community favourite, with neighbours banding together to create a festive wonderland that gets bigger, brighter and more brilliant every season.
It’s a fun one to visit during the daytime, too – the homes have fantastic festive sculptures dotted around their front yards, plus each house features a giant Christmas-themed picture across the garage door. Keep an eye out for Santa in his sleigh, elves juggling presents, “Santa stop here” signs and more.
But at night? The street transforms. Think blow-ups of Santa, gingerbread men, Bluey, sparkling lights, ornaments galore… and, of course, their much-loved hero: Giganta Santa, a six-metre inflatable Santa who towers over the street and has become somewhat of a local celebrity.
Homeowners Ben & Claudia (No. 21), Chris & Nadine (No. 25) and Garry & Jen (No. 27) lead the charge – decorating for years, and really stepping it up since Giganta Santa arrived. The whole street joins in, with more lights, inflatables and ornaments appearing each year… along with a little friendly competition between neighbours. Their kids and grandkids love it, and you can feel that joy spilling out onto the footpath.
Lights are usually on from 5pm–11pm nightly (wind permitting – nobody wants to see Giganta Santa make a dramatic escape into the night!). They’re also hoping to add Christmas music in the week before Christmas, so keep your ears out for carols drifting down the street.
It's a "Must-See" location on our map.
Where: Peckham Place, Green Point
When: Lights are on 5pm–11pm nightly (wind permitting – nobody wants to see Giganta Santa make a dramatic escape into the night!)
A Coast Christmas Icon: Now Bigger, Brighter and 100,000 Lights Strong - 77 Watkin St, Woy Woy
This house has long been a stand-out favourite for Coast families — the kind of place kids beg to revisit — and each year the Richards add a little (or a lot!) more. But this year they’ve gone insanely bigger than ever, officially hitting the 100,000-lights mark for the first time!
Their display is pure Christmas joy: umpteen twinkling lights, lasers, inflatables, candy canes and a whole collection of brilliant interactive elements. Kids can dance under falling snow from their snowmaker and pop their faces through wooden cut-outs of Santa, the Grinch and a snowman. There’s a Thomas train and a LEGO village glowing away in the front window.
The Richards have been decorating their family home for more than 30 years. Sharon laughs that every year they set a budget “that we never stick to,” picking up new treasures from Boxing Day sales and crafting many of the large pieces themselves — including their giant snow domes.
But the magic isn’t just in the lights. “We enjoy doing it,” Sharon says. “My daycare kids from 20 years ago still show up. They come every year, so we get to watch them grow up.”
Collecting for Ronald McDonald House at Gosford Hospital: They have a donation bucket out the front with all proceeds going to Ronald McDonald House.
It's a "Must-See" location on our map.
Where: 77 Watkin Ave, Woy Woy.
When: Lights are on 7.30pm-10.30pm. The snow machine will be switched off at 10pm.
MORE DETAILS: Follow the Richards Xmas Lights Facebook page for updates.
Woongarrah's number 7 Redwood Street Lights Up for the Little Ones
This sweet Woongarrah home has been twinkling for about a decade, and it’s all thanks to Sarah Henderson's family who knows the joy of piling kids into the “mum bus” and going hunting for Christmas magic. Now they’re creating that magic for other families too.
Their display is full of lights and inflatables, and the lights are on every night from 6pm right through to midnight. Even better – a bunch of neighbours have started decorating too, so Redwood Street is quickly becoming a lovely little drive-by destination for families doing their evening lights loop.
It's a "Must-See" location on our map.
Where: 7 Redwood Street, Woongarrah.
When: Lights are on 6pm-midnight.
Meet Santa, puppies and join in the "count the Santas" competition at Booker Bay's Lights Display
For more than 26 years, Shirley and her late husband Noel have filled their Booker Bay home with Christmas cheer, delighting families from across the Coast. Though Noel sadly passed away last year, Shirley is continuing their beautiful tradition – just as Noel wished – and will once again be lighting up their home this Christmas.
“We were married for 61 years and courted for five years before we were married,” says Shirley. “We have been doing these lights for 26 years and each year it grew. My wonderful husband made all the houses and characters and I did the painting of all the work that he produced. We were a great team.”
Visitors can look forward to her much-loved “Count the Santas” competition (with prizes for those who get closest!) and plenty of candy canes for the kids.
And this year brings an extra-special treat: Vision Australia will be bringing along some of their adorable Seeing Eye Dog puppies on Friday 20 December, when Santa will also be visiting from 7pm to 9pm. It’s a wonderful opportunity for children to see firsthand where the donations go – helping to train these clever pups to assist people who are blind or have low vision.
Collecting for Vision Australia: Each year Shirley collects for Vision Australia for their training of Seeing Eye Dogs for people who are blind. Last year, visitors to the house generously donated and raised $3,260!
It's a "Must-See" location on our map.
Where: 380 Booker Bay Road, Booker Bay
When: Lights will be turned on on 28 November 2025, from 6.30pm.
65 Georgia Drive, Hamlyn Terrace The Beloved “Christmas House”
If you’re after a Christmas lights stop that radiates pure joy, 65 Georgia Drive in Hamlyn Terrace absolutely belongs on your must-visit list. Known locally as “the Christmas House”, Shaun and Sharon Cullen have been decorating their home for 14 years – all with one goal in mind: to bring happiness to the community. “The smile on kids’ faces is so worth the effort,” Sharon says… and when you see this display, you’ll understand exactly what she means.
The lights flick on around 6pm each night and shine until 10pm (stretching to 11pm as Christmas draws closer). Expect a colourful, joy-filled display with thousands of lights, inflatables and festive touches that make this home a standout year after year.
One of the things that makes this home extra special? Most nights in December, a food vendor sets up right in the driveway. And in the week leading up to Christmas, Shaun and Sharon hand out lollies to visiting families – a tradition loved by locals big and small.
It's a "Must-See" location on our map.
Where: 65 Georgia Drive, Hamlyn Terrace
When: Lights are on 6pm-10pm; 11pm as Christmas draws closer).
Santa, The Grinch & a Giant Christmas Village: Jody’s Iconic Display in San Remo
Jody Heterick's home has been a must-visit home for many many years. Some years ago her window display outgrew the window and now takes over the entire garage. It's full of Christmas village homes, plush reindeers, Santa statues and more.
Plus, you can have a photo taken with Santa on his big red chair every weekend in December! The Grinch, a walking gingerbread, Santa and one of their very busy elves make an appearance to hand out candy canes at Jody's house every Friday and Saturday night (7.30pm-10pm).
Where: 57 Katoomba Avenue, San Remo
When: LIGHT UP DATE: 1 December 2025.
Big Santa, Bright Lights and Sweet Treats at Chittaway Bay
Vanessa and her family have been decorating their home at Chittaway Bay for the past 15 years. Each year the family decks out the front lawn & house in lights and a giant six-metre tall inflatable Santa – the largest on the Central Coast along with Green Point's Giganta-Santa.
And in 2025 they're happily bringing back the sweet treats. and will be handing out lollies every evening throughout December (weather permitting)
Tis year they're fundraising for MND Australia, a charity that supports people with Motor Neurone Disease and their families.
It's a "Must-See" location on our map.
When: From 1 December 2025 (7.45pm-10/10.30pm).
Where: 9 James Watt Dr, Chittaway Bay.
MORE DETAILS: Follow their Chittaway Christmas Lights Facebook page.
Reindeers of cans in Saratoga – one of the Coast's most creative displays!
Have you seen the tin can Christmas display in Saratoga? It's garnered a bit of a cult following as it's grown over the years.
We spoke with owner Shelly about how this all began.
"In December 2016," Shelly says, "we had to move out of house for the 2 weeks leading up to Christmas as we were renovating our house. We were staying in a hotel and to make it feel like Christmas for the kids, I used the only thing colourful to build a Christmas tree – my husband's VB cans. LOL".
Shelly says, "The following year one of our friends wanted to see a bigger and better can tree, so 400 cans later we had a bigger and better tree. Then the year after that they wanted to see something different, so I challenged myself to building Rudolf. We placed him out the front of the house and everyone loved him. Throughout the night you'd hearing people sneaking up to him to have their photo taken with him and run off giggling".
Since then, each year, Shelly adds a new addition to the display. Her new addition in 2025 is a gingerbread man made out of ginger beer cans!
It's a "Must-See" location on our map.
When: From 1 December 2025.
Where: 10 Mimosa Avenue, Saratoga.
The Christmas Winter Wonderland’s Final Encore: A Magical Farewell to Saratoga’s Fireworks and Snowball Home
After six incredible years of snow, sparkle and community joy, this December marks the final Christmas Winter Wonderland Central Coast event at Andrew’s home in Saratoga.
What began as a passion project to lift spirits during the COVID years has grown into one of the Coast’s most beloved festive traditions – with more than 3,000 visitors attending last December alone, and over 900 people dropping by on the 23rd and 24th to join the much-loved annual snowball fight!
This spectacular display features an 8,000+ piece LEGO Christmas village, multiple snow machines (including the epic SNOW5000 that blasts snow over 20 metres!), and Andrew’s incredible 5-metre Cold Spark Fireworks that light up the street at 9pm every Friday and Saturday night.
For his grand finale year, Andrew has pulled out all the stops – adding an extra fireworks machine, “The Twister”, to send this final Winter Wonderland off with a bang!
Andrew says he’s proud to have achieved what he set out to do – to bring joy, connection and a little piece of the North Pole to the Central Coast. “I just wanted to make people forget about COVID and bring the snow to the Coast,” he says.
While the display has grown beyond what the small cul-de-sac can manage, Andrew remains deeply thankful to the community for their support – and for the many families who’ve made visiting his display part of their annual Christmas tradition.
As always, Andrew will be collecting donations for Coast Shelter.
It's a "Must-See" location on our map.
When: From 1 December 2025.
Where: 1 Colin St, Saratoga.
MORE DETAILS: Follow their Blog here.
The Christmas Tree Home in Wamberal
Monica always puts on a wonderful show with her Christmas lights and, after a front yard update this year, she's gone even bigger and better in 2025! Make sure you add this one to your tour!
It's a "Must-See" location on our map.
Where: 8 Ghersi Avenue, Wamberal
When: From 1 December 2025.
25 Years of Christmas Magic: Tuggerah’s Much-Loved Cut-Out Wonderland
Mel and Pete have been decorating their Tuggerah home with Christmas lights for 25 years and counting!
Over the years they've created multiple cut outs of kids' favourite characters, such as Elsa from Frozen, Peppa Pig, Bluey and Bingo, Dora the Explorer, a Minion and even a snow man and gingerbread man that you can put your head through for a selfie. Kids just love this.
Their favourite feature this year is the light arches across their driveway. They want to give a special shout-out to their adult kids who love helping out with new cutout designs to keep the tradition fresh and exciting!
It's a "Must-See" location on our map.
Where: 4 Anniversary Place, Tuggerah
When: LIGHTS TURN ON: 1 December 2025. Weekdays 7.30pm-10pm; later as it gets closer to Christmas. The cutouts are not put out on the lawn if it's raining.
Stan Johnson - Hamlyn Terrace's much-loved Christmas Lights street
This street is a pull-over and walk-style street. Multiple homes go all out decorating their homes every year and the whole place has a fun festival vibe.
It's a "Must-See" location on our map.
Where: Stan Johnson Drive, Hamlyn Terrace
When: Throughout December 2025.
More must-visit homes to add to your driving route this year!
A few of our favourite families have retired their lights in 2025
Christmas Lights at Wyongah
For more than 15 years, Michelle Gribble’s Wyongah home was one of the Coast’s most magical Christmas stops. Her display grew bigger each year – from giant inflatables and sparkling reindeer to snow machines, fairy lights and even Santa meet-and-greets on the lawn. Families adored her creativity and the joy she brought to the neighbourhood.
Michelle has decided to retire her lights, but we want to extend a huge heartfelt thank you for all the Christmas magic she shared with the community for so long. Her home has been a favourite for countless Coast kids (and grown-ups!), and we’re so grateful for the sparkle she brought to Wyongah.
A few favourites are taking a break in 2025!
A few favourites are taking a well-deserved year off from decorating in 2025, but they promise to return in 2026.
+ Christmas Lights on Bayberry, Woongarrah.... but they've moved, so expect to see some fun in Crangan Bay next year.
+ Christmas Lights at Killarney Vale (38 Thomas Mitchell Road, Killarney Vale).
Thank you to all of the wonderful locals mentioned above and to the many others who turn on fantastic light displays each year. Thank you for your generosity and time and for bringing so much joy to so many people.
Enjoy your Christmas Lights drive this festive season!
And above all, please remember that these are people’s homes and they’re putting all of this on for everyone’s enjoyment. As always, please be kind and respectful.
Do you decorate your home each year and want to be featured as a must-visit destination? Please email us some images to [email protected], so we can be in touch.
WIN a $500 Westfield Gift Card!
Want to win a $500 Westfield Gift Card! Of course you do!
Buying a tree, juggling presents, planning holidays – December can send any family budget spinning. That’s where Nicole Wickham and Alisha Spanidis from Mortgage Choice Central Coast come in. This team of local mums understands real life (and real Christmas chaos), and they bring decades of finance experience to helping Central Coast families find practical, stress-free financial solutions that actually fit.
Chat to the team today and get your budget back on track.
And because they’re all about making Christmas a little easier, we’ve teamed up with Mortgage Choice Central Coast – Nicole Wickham & Alisha Spanidis to give one lucky reader a $500 Westfield Gift Card!
To enter, simply subscribe to our free newsletter by popping your details in below*. Already subscribed? Just add your details again so we know you want in on this fabulous comp.
*COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS
PRIZE: A $500 Westfield Gift Card.
COMPETITION OPENS: 11am 14 November 2025.
COMPETITION CLOSES: Midnight 15 January 2026.
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PRIZE TERMS: This prize is valid for Westfield Gift Cards to the value of $500. The Winner will be notified by email. The Winner has 5 days to reply to redeem their prize. If the winner does not reply in that time, Playing in Puddles reserves the right to choose another winner. The Winner agrees to have their name published as the Winner on Mortgage Choice Central Coast - Nicole Wickham & Alisha Spanidis and Playing in Puddles' social media platforms and websites. Prize is not redeemable for cash and not transferable. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram or Facebook. Click here.
Written By: KATIE STOKES
Founder & Editor
After working in print and online media for more than a decade, Katie launched Playing in Puddles in 2017. A mum of three young boys and local of the Central Coast, Katie loves discovering and sharing all that’s happening in our region.
Header Photo: Playing in Puddles. All images, unless otherwise noted, are © Playing in Puddles. Please do not use, reproduce or share without permission.
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