It's time to light up the Gunnedah Shire for the festive season.
Council's annual Christmas Lights Competition is now open, and judges will be on the look-out for creativity and flair.
There are six categories, including the much-touted title of Santa Street, taken out by Hinton Drive in 2024.
Categories:
- Best Decorated House - Winner $200 Gunny Money Card
- Best Farm Gate or Paddock Display - Winner $200 Gunny Money Card
- Best Christmas Theme in a Village - Winner $150 Gunny Money Card
- Santa Street - Winners Plaque & $200 Gunny Money Gift Card
- Judges' Choice Award - Winner $50 Gunny Money Gift Card
- Best Dressed Shopfront Window - Winner $100 Gunny Money Gift Card
Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller said the annual lights competition was a great way to instil the festive spirit in the lead-up to Christmas.
"It has been a difficult year for many due to rising living costs and the two flood events in August, so it is my hope that this lights competition will bring some Christmas cheer to our community," she said.
"I'm excited to see a new category in the 2025 competition - a Best Farm Gate or Paddock Display. This is a great opportunity for our rural landholders to use their ingenuity to put on a fantastic display that is visible from the roadside.
"I look forward to seeing what our residents create this year."
The 2025 Christmas Lights Competition closes at 12pm on Monday, 8 December. Judging will take place on Wednesday, 10 December and Thursday, 11 December, depending on the number of nominations. The Best Farmgate or Paddock Display category will be judged on Tuesday, 9 December 2025 during daylight hours.
To read the terms and conditions, and enter the competition, visit www.thecivic.com.au/live-theatre--events
The presentation for the Christmas Lights Competition winners will be held in The Smithurst forecourt on Monday, 15 December at 5:30pm.
Caption: Gunnedah Shire's annual Christmas Lights Competition is a fun way to celebrate the festive season.
