The festive season is about to arrive, and for the keenest amongst us, it’s time to kick that holiday spirit into high gear. If you’re looking for an early dose of Christmas cheer, you’ll be happy to know the hugely popular Hunter Valley Christmas Lights Spectacular has just returned for its 2024 edition, promising almost three months of festive fancies. Having opened at Hunter Valley Gardens on November 1, this year’s Spectacular is bigger and bolder than ever with an array of twinkling lights along with rides, performances and festive treats, just a 2.5-hour drive from Sydney.
Hunter Valley Christmas Lights Spectacular
Get whisked away to a magical place with millions of dazzling lights on display, as the Hunter Valley Christmas Lights Spectacular has retained its title as the Southern Hemisphere’s largest Christmas lights display for another year. Open from now until January 26, 2025, the immersive displays and illuminated attractions are spread over 8 acres of garden space. One of the most picturesque holiday displays in Australia comes equipped with a 10-metre-tall Christmas tree, a magical illuminated Candyland, a 5-metre-tall Teddy Bear Seat, alongside rides, performances, and plenty of food and drink stalls.
Rides and attractions
Crowd favourites like the 35-meter-long Superslide and the traditional Venetian carousel have made a return, along with the Ferris wheel if you want to enjoy the view from above. Hunt for swing chairs and spinning teacups, too, which will be whizzing guests around from 6-10pm each night. It’s one of the best things to do with kids at Christmas around NSW, since Santa has set up shop at the Igloo Marquee to hear Christmas wishes and take photos, and little ones can write letters to the North Pole.
If you visit on Thursday or Friday nights, you’ll encounter wandering magic displays and character performers, whilst Saturday and Sunday nights will feature Christmas-themed stage performances from 6:30pm. You’ll find photo opportunities galore as you explore the themed zones, and there’s even a special lovers tunnel if you’re keen to head out of town for date night.
If all the walking and exploring gets you hungry, there are a number of delicious food offerings including woodfired pizza, burgers, chips and nachos and sweet treats like donuts, churros, fairy floss, ice cream, waffles on a stick, and more.
Opening hours and ticket prices
This year, a combination of day-night tickets will be available with the entire garden open during the day and the beloved Christmas Lights Spectacular at night. The displays will be open from 5.30pm to 10.30pm with a final entry at 9:30pm, and rides will be open from 6pm-10pm, with last entry to the rides at 9:45pm. It’s open from now until January 26, 2025, but will be closed on Christmas Day.
Night tickets start at $40 for adults, $30 for kids, and $122 for a family of two adults and two kids—for the day-night combo, those prices will be $58 for adults, $47 for kids, and $187 for the family. In both cases, children under 3 go free. Ride tickets are $6 each, but if you’re planning to ride them all, you can get six ride tickets for $30 in the bonus pack.
Get in the spirit of Christmas and start planning a trip with your loved ones; see the full program and grab your tickets here.