Rolling through the streets and looking at the lights in December, leading up to Christmas, is a time-honoured tradition, and the hills are no exception.
From big to small, the lights are getting set up and here are a few of the top spots you can visit from Upwey into the outer east, leading into the foothills and beyond.
Coasting down Glenfern Road, Upwey will all see a number of houses all lit up in time for Christmas, and if you head into the township, the two regular solar fairy tree lights will soon be a little more Christmas themed.
Falls Road in Mount Dandenong, Wicks Road in The Basin, Forest Park Road and Moxhams Road in Monbulk, and Bayview Road in Emerald are also top spots.
A few trips to the local hardware store and the back of the shed will see yards and houses slowly fill with the creative bonanza of the Christmas Light display, and there may also be lights at Amphlett Avenue in Cockatoo, Fernglade Drive in Emerald and Harrison Street and Verbena Avenue in The Basin.
Further down the Mad Mile, Ferntree Gully is a bit of a hot spot, with lights on Hope Court, multiple houses on Blucher Street, Salina Rise, Paringa Drive, multiple on Blackwood Court Road, Cutler Close, Rona Street, Chestnut Avenue, Hutton Avenue, Pearl Place, Kelvin Drive, Clyde Street, Richborough Grove and multiple on Cinerea Avenue.
Many houses pledge their displays to good causes, so it’s worth stepping closer to either scanning a QR code or donating a gold coin or two.
Some residents have been doing their displays for over 20 years and love every minute, with the lights on every year throughout the whole of December.
In Boronia, the places to be are Gertonia Avenue, Rathmullen Road, Medway Crescent, Denby Court, Army Road, Rawdon Court, Beresford Drive and Torresdale Drive.
From inflatables, walk-in displays, Christmas statues and more, head for a drive around the Hills to get into the spirit this year.
The lights can be programmed to music, so for some houses you can tune your radio in to listen from your car or walk up and listen from the street!
Look out for the light bulbs that actually sing along to the songs too!
