Where to find Murray Bridge’s best Christmas light displays in 2023
The winners of the local council’s annual Christmas lights awards have been announced.
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At the end of one of Murray Bridge’s most brightly-lit streets, in front of the most brightly-lit house, you’ll find Des and Mim Warner.
You’ll also find reindeers, snowmen, well-wishes and even a coat of arms, studded with LEDs of every imaginable colour.
It’s a stunning display – and one that won the couple the traditional display of the year award at Murray Bridge’s Christmas lights awards on Wednesday.
Christmas at the Warners’ place is often celebrated weeks early, when upwards of 30 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren roll up to help set everything up for the festive season.
“They’re pretty well organised,” Mr Warner said with a smile.
“They’ve been doing it for a few years now.”
The Warners had long put up a Christmas display when they lived at Jervois, and have done the same at their home on Robinia Court for the past 22 years.
In time, their neighbours have all joined in; and the street’s annual Christmas party is quite the occasion.
“One house changed hands 18 months ago and the first question asked was, ‘You’re going to continue with the lights, aren’t you?”” Mr Warner said.
The Warners, and the other winners of this year’s Murray Bridge Christmas lights competition, were announced by council CEO Heather Barclay and Deputy Mayor Andrew Baltensperger at the Round House on Wednesday.
The winners were:
Traditional display: Des and Mim Warner, Robinia Court
Small display: Luke Williams, Roper Road
Large display: Jiron Blacket, Garden Crescent
Mayor’s award: Michael and Maxine Swansson, Ridge Road
No award was given out in the best business display category, as there were no entries.
Ms Barclay expressed her gratitude to the people who had set up Christmas lights around the district.
“These people are doing something in their private space, but they’re sharing Christmas with the rest of the community, so this council wants to recognise those contributions over this Christmas and New Year period,” she said.
“Some families are more disadvantaged than others, and it’s a great family outing – you just get on your bike and get around and see some of the properties or jump in the car and take the kids out and see some of the properties.”
“It makes community happy.”
Cr Baltensperger said he hoped the Murray Bridge Christmas lights would one day rival those of Lobethal.
Where else can you find Christmas lights in Murray Bridge?
The admins of the Murray Bridge Christmas Lights Facebook group provide a list of addresses each year.
Scroll down to see the list as of December 21.
Or, better yet, click here to see every address on a Google map created by Murray Bridge News.
303 Adelaide Road
29 Alma Avenue
44 Cawte Street
7 Corella Place
7 Darling Avenue
13 Finch Road
1 Garden Crescent
53 and 76 Hill Street
9, 22, 31 and 58 Homburg Drive
7 Ian Douglas Court
35 Ida Street
37 Industry Road
50 Joy Crescent
12 Knight Street
27 Lorikeet Avenue
192A Mannum Road, Northern Heights
27 and 30 McHenry Street
104 Mulgundawah Road
3 Oxford Street
31 Owl Drive
3 Peart Crescent
6, 9, 28 and 29 Raymond Road, Riverglades
29 and 59 Ridge Road
95 Standen Street
10 Starling Street
68 Thiele Road, Murray Bridge East
40 Weigall Avenue
If you fancy a drive, there’s also a nice display at 24 Railway Terrace, Wynarka; the Christmas teddy on the corner of Mypolonga and Woolshed Roads at Mypolonga, and a selection of lights around Tailem Bend and other towns.
Happy Christmas.