In a quiet suburb north-west of Sydney, a spectacular annual tradition illuminates the December nights, drawing crowds and spreading festive cheer far and wide. What began as a single string of lights has, over eight years, blossomed into a breathtaking community event centred on one family's dazzling Christmas display.
From Humble Beginnings to a Dazzling Spectacle
For Mike de Beer of Hornsby Heights, the journey started modestly eight years ago with just one set of icicle lights. "The following year we added a bit more and then a bit more and it slowly grew into something much bigger than we ever imagined," he recalls. That initial spark has now ignited into a major production featuring a staggering 30,000 bulbs and a show-stopping centrepiece: a flying Santa sleigh that magically circles the roof of their family home.
The display on Ryan Avenue has become a cornerstone of the de Beer family's Christmas. "It's become a huge part of our family Christmas tradition," Mike says. The effort involved is substantial, with preparations beginning in early November. The family spends around a month testing, repairing, and installing the display, which requires nearly 500 metres of extension leads to power. While the nightly electricity cost is surprisingly low at under 80 cents, the real investment is in the continual maintenance and annual upgrades to the setup.
Lights with a Purpose: Raising Funds for a Vital Cause
Beyond the visual wonder, the display has taken on a profound, charitable significance. The de Beer family now uses the event to raise crucial funds for colorectal cancer research, a cause close to their hearts in memory of Mike's aunt, Shirley Cuff. Donations are directed to the Shirley Cuff Cancer Research Foundation.
The fundraising element began organically. "We never started doing it for fundraising... then one year someone asked us whether we were raising money... they were like, 'oh, you should'," Mike explains. Taking the suggestion, they put up a sign reading, 'Love Christmas lights but hate cancer? Donate here'. That first year they raised $600, and over the subsequent years, thanks to the hundreds of visitors, they have raised thousands of dollars for the foundation.
"It's incredibly meaningful for our family to turn something we started just for fun into something that helps others," Mike states, highlighting the dual joy the project brings.
A Community United in Festive Spirit
The de Beer residence is not alone in its festive fervour. The wider Hornsby Heights community embraces the season, with neighbours also investing time and creativity into their own displays. Colleen Dancer, who has been decorating her Sydney Road home for two decades, notes the area's reputation. "You can say that you're on the Christmas lights street and everyone will know where you are," she says. "It's become a part of people's Christmas traditions."
Across the road, the Joiner family dedicates three days to decorating their home. Dave Joiner echoes the communal sentiment, saying, "It's very exciting to be a part of this and it's really for the joy that it brings the kids."
For Mike de Beer, the true reward lies in the reactions of the visitors. "What we love most is hearing kids squeal with excitement, seeing adults in awe and watching families gather together out the front of our home to share a moment of wonder," he shares. His own three boys are deeply involved, running outside every night to see who is visiting their luminous creation.
Each year on the 1st of December, the grand switch-on sees Santa take to the sky and the entire display spring to life. From a simple string of lights to a beacon of community, charity, and pure festive magic, the de Beer family's Christmas light show continues to grow brighter with every passing year.
