The festive season is in full swing across Maitland and spectacular displays have been put up in front yards across the city.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Mercury has compiled a list of the best suburbs to visit that would put even the Grinch into the Christmas spirit.
Dean Howarth, from Friarbird Ridge, Aberglasslyn, said his family has been putting up Christmas lights for around seven years and their display gets bigger and better every year.
In the news:
- First photos from inside Maitland's big new hospital
- Independent Philip Penfold extends lead in Maitland mayoral primary vote
- Flood evacuations might be needed in Hunter, SES warns
- League's future is as bright as we want to make it: Fittler
- Mustangs coach Leilani Mitchell named in Opals World Cup squad
- Holly is illustrating her Maitland heartland
Mr Howarth said he puts up the lights to give the community a free light show and something everyone can enjoy.
"I remember growing up seeing houses all lit up and wished that one day I could do the same and here I am doing just that," he said.
Mr Howarth said he has three children and a beautiful wife to be, and the joy the lights bring to the household is unbelievable.
"This year has been a horrible one and I think putting up lights will bring joy and happiness for the end of the year," he said.
"I want my family and neighbourhood to feel the love and feel merry."
Ebony Draffin and her family have put up a light display at their home in Whitetip Street, Chisholm to bring joy to passers by.
Ms Draffin has been decorating the house with lights since 2016 for some excitement for her children and to get into the Christmas spirit.
This year, the family is raising money for the John Hunter Children's Hospital toy appeal by selling LED Christmas and Santa wands for a gold coin donation.
"The kids love the lights, they also help with the decorating and they get right into it," she said.
"Every year we get more decorations and it just gets bigger and bigger."
Ms Draffin created a Google map called Christmas lights in Chisholm which highlights all the houses with lights in the area.
FLASHBACK: Christmas lights in Maitland from previous years:
Linda Pepperall's spectacular display takes five to six weeks to put up, but she has it down pat at this point after going all out for about 15 years.
"It's totally addictive," she said.
"I like seeing people happy, I like seeing everybody smile and all the kids come around and they just love them."
Ms Pepperall said her great niece and nephew are the ones she does it for now, and they love it.
"All the kids in the street come down most nights to see the lights before they go to bed," she said.
"We've got a full sized sleigh in the drive way for photos, and we have Santa here the last two weekends before Christmas."
The best suburbs to drive through on your Christmas light-looking drive are:
- Aberglasslyn
- Thornton
- Gillieston Heights
- Rutherford
- Chisholm
- Morpeth
- Woodberry
Check out Christmas lights in the Hunter's Christmas light map here.
Send pictures of your Christmas light display and your address to chloe.coleman@austcommunitymedia.com.au to feature in our gallery.
Do you know you can subscribe to get full access to all Maitland Mercury stories? Subscribing supports us in our local news coverage. To subscribe, click here.