Lights of Lobethal

9 – 23 December 2023

The Lights of Lobethal have been an intrinsic part of the community for over 70 years, when local business owners hand- painted light bulbs with paint, thinned down with turpentine, to decorate their shops and businesses. What began as a simple tradition by local businesses and homeowners to spread the true meaning and joy of Christmas throughout the Lobethal community soon started attracting visitors from surrounding towns, Adelaide and eventually, the world.

Lobethal Lights Fast Facts

• Did you know that the Lights of Lobethal are the largest community Christmas light display in the southern hemisphere?
• Did you know they’ve been happening since the early 1950’s?
• In the early 1990’s it became a festival all of it’s own. The Lights of Lobethal Festival with markets, performances and activities organised over the 10 days.
• Over 700 houses participate.
• 2015 was one of the biggest years on record for the festival where over 250,000 people visited Lobethal!

Driving the streets of Lobethal this time of year is an essential festive pilgrimage making for the perfect date night or family tradition. There are so many decorated homes to discover that will evoke childhood wonder and make memories for life. There are penguins, elves, Christmas dragons, Father Christmas riding a motorbike, Christmas sleighs and reindeers galore! Not to mention the town’s special new addition two-metre tall Koko koala who has been generously donated by Costco long with Dusty the Snow Man. Koko and Dusty are part of the Lobethal Lights committee’s new lending program and will be moving around throughout the festival so make sure you keep an eye out for them!

Not to be missed is a visit to local town heroes Bill and Peg’s house on 5 Christmas Lane, Lobethal who have once again outdone themselves with over 50,000 lights twinkling into the night. Make sure you walk their veranda and enjoy peering into their spectacular Christmas windows with miniature Christmas villages and other Christmas treasures collected over a lifetime.

What’s On in 2023

In addition to the historic and ever-popular Christmas Light Displays, and insta-worthy driving trails, the Lights of Lobethal Festival in association with presenting partner, RAA, are looking at making this year’s event even BIGGER and BRIGHTER with a full schedule of events to inspire and delight.

Visit the main street’s Christmas lights | 9 – 23 December – Experience the charm of Lobethal’s main street adorned with Christmas lights and explore local businesses offering delightful food and drinks. A true picture book country town experience!

Lobethal Pageant & Opening Night | Saturday 9 December | 7PM 

Christmas Markets | Saturday 9 – 29 December (closed Christmas day) | Nightly from 4 pm – 10 pm – Get into the festive spirit at the Lobethal Centennial Hall Christmas Markets, where the air is filled with the delightful scent of holiday treats and the stalls are adorned with festive decorations. Explore a winter wonderland of crafts, gifts, and local goodies, making it the perfect place to find unique treasures for your loved ones. Join us for a heart warming shopping experience that captures the magic of Christmas!

Carols in the Valley | Sunday 10 December | 7PM – Get into the festive spirit at the Lobethal Centennial Hall Christmas Markets, where the air is filled with the delightful scent of holiday treats and the stalls are adorned with festive decorations. Explore a winter wonderland of crafts, gifts, and local goodies, making it the perfect place to find unique treasures for your loved ones. Join us for a heart warming shopping experience that captures the magic of Christmas!

Lobethal Living Nativity | Opens on the 10th December and then nightly until 23 December – Nightly performances at 8:50 PM & 9:20 PM, featuring a traditional re-enactment of the events of the first Christmas.

Valley of Praise Christmas Maze – Free kids activity | 17 – 18 December

Closing Night Street Party | 23 December

Kids in Adelaide Lights of Lobethal Tips

1) Have dinner in Lobethal. Support the local eateries on Main Street before you hit up the lights. If you get there to eat around 7ish, the timing should be spot on to look at the lights for dusk at 8:30pm

2) Park at the top near Lobethal Bakery and walk down to explore the town. We found more parking up that end, but you really can’t go wrong which way you start.

3) Food trucks are scattered down Main Street. There isn’t a huge range, so unless you want a hot dog and donuts, plan your meal at a venue in town.

4) Bill and Peg’s house at 5 Christmas Lane is the must see house, but due to Covid restrictions they have a 30 person limit on the property so expect to line up. Took us an hour on opening night and it might be longer as we get closer to Christmas. It is a beautiful display and worth the wait.

Photo credit: Chantel Harding Photography