The UK is gearing up for what many hope will be the first normal Christmas in a year. There is no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than spreading joy through dazzling lighting displays among homes all across the UK. Brits have been decorating their houses for the festive season for over a century now, and this year, residents all around the UK have continued the tradition, with even bigger and brighter displays than ever.
Following the race for space this year causing many families to move out of the city and into the regions this year, Christmas lighting displays have become more extravagant than ever, as residents celebrate the holiday season in style – many for the first time since 2019.
If you’re not able to travel this Christmas, we’ve put together 10 of the most magical lighting displays across the UK:
10. Longdykes Road, Scotland
With a massive Christmas display set up outside their home, a family who resides on Longdykes Road have used more than 10,000 lights for their lighting decorations. Each year, they aim to raise money for Mission Christmas and Cash for Kids, and this year, they even have a grotto that is open for visitors that is filled with paintings of Disney characters and even have Christmas movies playing!
9. Pinewood Close, Croydon, London
Dubbed London’s “most festive street”, residents of Pinewood Close have been decorating their houses for Christmas since the 1960s, with the whole street getting involved in this annual tradition. To make things even more extravagant, No. 1 Pinewood Close put on an elaborate lightshow that lasts around 10 minutes, with a Santa appearance, Mariah Carey song to jam to, as well as a Frozen reference with the hit song ‘Let It Go’. It’s the perfect show to get you in the Christmas spirit!
8. Wood Avens Way, Wymondham
For the last 18 years, residents of Wood Avens Way have joined forces during the festive season to light up their street for Christmas. With people who travel miles around just to see the display, houses and trees on Wood Avens Way is filled with bright and colourful lighting, making it a must-see if you’re in the area.
7. Cousens Close, North Walsham
The lights are so bright on Cousens Close that you can see them from North Walsham Road! Houses along this street are Illuminated with not only magical fairy-lights, but also elves, snowmen and many other silly lighting decorations.
6. Malcom’s Way, Stonehaven, Scotland
Known as Scotland’s “most festive street”, residents of Malcom’s Way cover 17 of their houses in lights, snowmen and reindeers, raising thousands of pounds every year. In addition to various inflatables, locals have been lighting up the street since one resident started back in 2009.
5. Peasefield Road, Dovecot, Liverpool
As one of the newest editions to the UK’s most festive residential areas, 2 residents of Peasefield Road decided last year that they would organise 35,000 decorative lights to be put up across the whole street, in a bid to cheer up locals after 2 national lockdowns. With over 125,000 bulbs used in their displays, residents aim to raise £10,000 each Christmas, and have attracted people from all over the country, who have travelled to the street just the see the displays.
4. Trinity Close, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
With over 100,000 colourful lights set up every Christmas, residents of Trinity Close have continued with this tradition for the last 11 years, raising over £100,000 for charities such as BARB Search and Rescue. Now known as a top attraction for British tourists, the display will be lit up every night until early January and is one of the most extravagant, festive streets in the UK!
3. Runton Road, Branksome, Poole
Deemed by some as the “most festive street”, residents have been lighting up Runton Road for 30 years now. With almost 50 houses lit up every year with flashing lights, inflatables, and many Santa’s singing Christmas songs, what started off as a friendly rivalry between 2 neighbours now annually raises money for charity and attracts thousands of visitors per year.
2. Stone Brig Lane, Rothwell, Yorkshire
Residents of Stone Brig Lane started setting up bright displays around 20 years ago, and throughout the years, this has become a momentous communal occasion. Having raised around £15,000 for various local charities in 2019, the residents in this area are looking to continue this trend.
1. Byron Road, New Milton, Hampshire
This famous street has been captivating locals with colourful Christmas lights since 2004 and this year, they switched the lights on for the first time since 2019. With features this year on the One Show and Good Morning Britain, they have raised over £85,000 for various charities since they started. This year, their charity of choice is the NHS, in which founder and organiser Jed Hollyoake said, “with what they’ve done during the pandemic, they deserve it”.