Somerset welcomes the holiday season with dazzling lights displays
Published on 11 December 2025
Best Shopfront and Additional Space Display – Category B: Esk Caravan Park on 16 Hassall Street, Esk.
SOMERSET’S top festive decorators have been named as the annual Somerset Christmas Lights Competition reaches new, bright heights.
Somerset Regional Council’s annual competition sparked creative minds across the region for the holiday season, inviting homeowners, businesses and community groups to light up for bragging rights and their share in a $3,500 prize pool.
Somerset Councillors Brett Freese, Michael Bishop and Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke were appointed as the 2025 judges, and toured Somerset’s displays in the first week of December.
The judges joined Mayor Jason Wendt in presenting the winners with awards on Thursday, 11 December at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk.
Cr Freese said the judges had a tough time picking the winners.
“We thoroughly enjoyed visiting each of the 35 displays,” Cr Freese said.
“It was great to see so many people getting involved this year, including 15 first time entrants.”
Cr Freese said entries were creative, showed ingenuity and prioritised accessibility for the public.
“We saw displays made from scratch, giant candy canes, and themes and narratives woven into many decorations,” Cr Freese said.
“Some places incorporated vehicles like caravans, boats and lawn mowers into their decorations, or used garage spaces for walk-through displays.
“Importantly, displays were also considerate for visitors, keeping clear of powerlines, removing trip hazards and keeping well maintained gardens.”
Winner for Best Urban Display was awarded to Matt Franz of 101 Honeywood Drive, Fernvale.
“This house was neat as a pin, a really modern and balanced display which perfectly suited the street and used its space to great effect,” Cr Freese said.
Winner for Best Rural Display was awarded to Geoff Beattie of 7 Beattie Road, Glamorgan Vale.
“Beattie Road is just an immaculate wonderland of lights, you can consume hours looking at this display,” Cr Freese said.
Winner for Best Shopfront Display – Category A was awarded to Tarampa Assist on 40 Railway Street, Lowood.
“This shopfront display had stories in every window, and the lights really brought a pop of colour to the Lowood town centre,” Cr Freese said.
Winner for Best Shopfront and Additional Space Display – Category B was awarded to Esk Caravan Park on 16 Hassall Street, Esk.
“This was an incredible display within the caravan park, with beautiful reindeers, laser lights and carols music playing,” Cr Freese said.
Somerset Regional Council thanked its sponsors for supporting the 2025 Somerset Christmas Lights Competition: A&M Civil Contracting, Allstate Linemarking, Brisbane Valley Hire & Sales, Freedom Fuels, Fulton Hogan, Kilcoy Global Foods, King & Company Solicitors, River City Asphalt and Somerset Health & Fitness.
Residents and visitors are invited to tour the region’s displays with the 2025 Somerset Christmas Lights Trail, with lights on until 10pm each night all the way up to Boxing Day.
More information on the Christmas Lights Trail, including locations, can be found on Council’s website: somerset.qld.gov.au/ChristmasLights
Major Awards
Best Urban Display Winner: Matt Franz of 101 Honeywood Drive, Fernvale.
Best Urban Display Encouragement Award: Brian Miller of 4 Shanon Road, Lowood.
Best Rural Display Winner: Geoff Beattie of 7 Beattie Road, Glamorgan Vale.
Best Rural Display Encouragement Award: Mitch Evans of 20 Davis Court, Hazeldean.
Best Shopfront Display – Category A Winner: Tarampa Assist on 40 Railway Street, Lowood.
Best Shopfront Display – Category A Encouragement Award: Two Galahs Gallery on 14 Fulham Street, Toogoolawah.
Best Shopfront and Additional Space Display – Category B Winner: Esk Caravan Park on 16 Hassall Street, Esk.
Best Shopfront and Additional Space Display – Category B Encouragement Award: Toogoolawah Tyre and Battery on 34 Fulham Street, Toogoolawah.
Best Street
3, 7 and 9 Pine Tree Drive, Kilcoy.
Bonus Categories
Best Solar Display: Sharayn Bichel of 36 Wade Street, Kilcoy.
Best First Time Entrant: Joanne Fenwick of 103 Burns Street, Fernvale.
Best Small Display Under 5,000 Lights: Allan Bullock of 20 George Street, Toogoolawah.
Best Medium Display Over 5,000 and Under 10,000 Lights: Fernvale Lions on 6 Clive Street, Fernvale.
Best Large Display Over 10,000 Lights: Judy and John Seppanen of 116 Voss Road, Glamorgan Vale.