Nothing sets the tone for the unique Australian holiday season quite like a property that twinkles on warm summer nights. And this year, Raine & Horne is leaning right into the festive spirit.

Our team in Port Douglas/Mossman is again running its much-anticipated Annual Christmas Light Community Event Competition, an initiative that celebrates local creativity, and brings homes, businesses and visitors together. Entries close on Wednesday, 17 December, with winners announced on Friday, 19 December 2025.

Jocelyn Schumacher, General Manager, Raine & Horne Port Douglas/ Mossman, said, “Our residents are encouraged to light up their properties in true North Queensland style, and local shopfronts are also invited to join the fun, helping the Douglas Shire shine bright for both the community and the many tourists who flock north at this time of year.”

To keep the cheer flowing, the competition includes simple, community-minded prizes. The most impressive residential display will take home a $500 reward. At the same time, standout shopfronts in Port Douglas and Mossman will receive $100 vouchers that Raine & Horne Port Douglas / Mossman will purchase and gift to community members to spend with a local business. “It’s a great way to recognise the effort behind the displays while supporting local traders during the busy holiday season,” Jocelyn said.

The best displays don’t need to be visible from space

The best light displays aren’t necessarily the biggest or the brightest, advised Jocelyn. “Winning displays should be creative, maybe a display with an interesting story, a tropical spin on Christmas or something just a little bit different.

“Alternatively, a well-coordinated display, whether it’s lights synced with inflatables such as Santas, elves or reindeer, can also stand out. Maybe it’s a bit funny, or maybe the lights come on and off in a clever way. It’s that feeling you get when you’re standing there, and you can see someone has really put in the effort.”

Jocelyn adds that tenants in units who turn their carports into mini Christmas wonderlands also enter the competition. “It’s all about the thought and creativity that goes into it. You absolutely don’t need your display to be visible from space.”

Christmas light displays work really well in North Queensland, according to Jocelyn, because the sun sets earlier than in the southern states, giving families with young children time to roam the streets before it gets too late. “And because we have beautiful sunny days, solar lights work extremely well up here,” she added.

“We’re also a tourist destination, and for many visitors from the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas lights are one of the best things about the season. If they’re here for Christmas, a great display helps make it feel like the holiday season for them.”

Lighting up Lane Cove and bringing neighbours together this Christmas

A beautifully decorated property is a joy to behold. In Lane Cove on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, Rebecca Mitchell of Raine & Horne Lower North Shore is once again stepping up as the Foundation Sponsor of the 2025 Lane Cove Christmas Lights Competition. Rebecca is generously providing $2,000 in prizes this year.

According to Rebecca, the beauty of the light displays is that they bring communities together. “Watching little kids admire the lights, the awe, the joy, it’s just beautiful."

“There’s a real appreciation for the effort that goes into it. I know families who put lights up even though they don’t have little kids anymore. They do it simply to bring everyone together. In Lane Cove, for example, there are streets everyone knows to visit and wander along at night.”

Here’s how to pick the perfect lights and make a residential property or business shine this holiday season.

Popular types of festive lights

1. LED string and fairy lights

A go-to for trees, balconies and hedges, LED fairy lights are the quiet achievers of Christmas décor. They’re versatile, low-maintenance and incredibly energy-efficient, using around 75% less power than halogen bulbs and lasting 5 to 10 times longer[i]. In other words, they’re made for long Aussie summer nights. Choose from warm white, cool white or multicolour to suit your festive style.

2. Icicle lights for rooflines and eaves

If you love that frosty “snowy” look, even when it’s 36°C outside, LED icicle lights deliver a crisp, cascading effect along gutters, verandas and pergolas. Choose cool white for a modern finish or multicolour for playful charm. Use clips or hooks spaced about 50 cm apart, testing your lights first before threading the cable through. Adhesive or command hooks are suitable for temporary setups, while cup or gutter hooks work for longer-term displays. Prioritise ladder safety and skip the staples – there is no need to pull a Clark Griswold this festive season.

3. Solar-powered lights

Perfect for Aussie gardens, solar lights need no cables and switch on automatically at dusk, ideal for fences, garden beds, palms and pathways. They’re easy to set up, cost nothing to run and thrive on humid tropical nights. While they can cost a little more upfront than traditional string lights, the long-term savings make them a wise choice. And luckily, Australia isn’t short on sunshine in December, so your display will be glowing brightly enough to guide the man in the red suit to your tree.

4. Path & candy-cane lights

Nothing says “welcome” like a glowing path to your front door. Path stakes and candy-cane lights create charming borders along driveways, garden edges and walkways, and can pair beautifully with roofline lighting.

5. Neon rope & silhouette lights

Flexible neon rope is perfect for outlining windows, railings and signage, giving your place that bright, modern “holiday glow-up.” Pair it with silhouette lights, stars, reindeer, or a big, joyful “Merry Christmas” to instantly elevate walls, fences, and balconies. Neon rope bends into almost any shape, while silhouettes come pre-made and ready to shine. Together, they’re the dynamic duo of festive décor, helping you turn even the simplest space into a full-blown Christmas scene.

6. Battery-operated lights

If you’re decorating a rental, balcony or any spot where power points are scarce, battery lights are your best friend this festive season. They’re portable, fuss-free and perfect for adding sparkle to patios, outdoor trees or tight little corners. Choose sets with built-in timers and long-lasting batteries so your display keeps glowing night after night, no cords, no stress, just pure Christmas magic. And yes, they’ll shine bright enough for the jolly man in the red suit to spot you.

For the latest tips on lighting up your property this holiday season, speak with the merry crew at your local Raine & Horne office.

[i]https://www.energy.gov.au/households/lighting#:~:text=In%20Australia%2C%20lighting%20accounts%20for,be%20left%20on%20by%20mistake.