The Hunter Valley is set to sparkle once again as the beloved Christmas Lights Spectacular returns to Hunter Valley Gardens, promising a dazzling festive experience for families across New South Wales. The event, which has become a cherished annual tradition, will run from November 7, 2025, until January 26, 2026, offering nightly magic under a canopy of millions of twinkling lights.
New Attractions and Dazzling Displays for 2025
This year's spectacle promises to be bigger and brighter, with organisers introducing several brand-new attractions to enchant visitors. A major highlight is the HO HO Harvest, which will open the Italian Grotto Garden to the public for the very first time during the lights festival.
Other fresh additions designed to spread Christmas cheer include Merry Meadow, Santaville, Shimmering Falls, and Holiday Hollow. Guests can also look forward to new displays featuring playful Garden Elves, a radiant glowing Poinsettia, twinkling Mistletoe, and an impressive giant Christmas tree.
The heart of the event remains the breathtaking walk-through experience, featuring over four and a half million individual lights arranged in stunning themed displays. The gardens transform into a luminous wonderland, perfect for creating lasting family memories.
Festive Fun, Food, and Entertainment
Beyond the lights, the Spectacular offers a full suite of holiday entertainment and delights. The nightly program is packed with roving performers, including elegant stilt walkers and the captivating Lollipop Lyra aerial act. The popular Felix Quinn Band also makes a return, playing lively festive tunes to get everyone in the spirit.
For the little ones, interactive Nutcracker Storytime sessions will captivate their imaginations, and the chance to meet Santa for a photo is available right up until December 26.
No festive outing is complete without great food, and the event delivers with a wide array of stalls operating from 5:30pm to 10pm. Options range from hearty burgers and woodfired pizza to sushi, hot dogs, gelato, donuts, and snow cones. The new Evergreen Tavern, located inside the gardens' marquee, provides a relaxed spot for adults to enjoy a cold drink until 10pm amidst the festive atmosphere.
Thrilling Rides and Practical Visit Information
Adding an extra layer of excitement, a selection of amusement rides operates nightly from 6pm to 10pm. Families can enjoy the Carousel, Tea Cups, Superslide, Ferris Wheel, and Swing Chair. Rides can be purchased individually for $6, or visitors can opt for a cost-effective 6-ride pass for $30.
The Spectacular is open nightly from 5:30pm to 10:30pm, with the exception of Christmas Day when the gardens are closed. A special New Year's Eve fireworks display at 9pm will provide a brilliant send-off to the year.
Located conveniently within a roughly one-hour drive from Newcastle and just over two hours from Sydney, the event is an ideal mid-week or weekend escape. Group discounts are available for parties of 12 or more adults, but must be booked ahead of time. For those wishing to make a night of it, accommodation packages are offered at Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens and Harrigan's Hunter Valley.
With its incredible scale, new attractions, and festive atmosphere, the Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular is the premier destination for Christmas fun in the region. Tickets and full details on displays and pricing are available on the Hunter Valley Gardens website.
