12 Brian Street, Fairy Meadow is lit up and ready to party – owner Nick Triantafillou has also pulled together a map of the best light displays in the Illawarra. Photo: Nick Triantafillou.
Pop on the matching pjs and queue up your favourite playlist, because it’s time for the annual Christmas lights drive.
But beware, this tradition can be Hallmark-worthy or end in tears with overtired, squabbling kids in the back seat.
If you want to see the most Christmassy houses with the least fuss, Fairy Meadow’s Nick Triantafillou has got you.
Not only does Nick have one of the best light displays in the Illawarra, he also pulls together the annual Christmas Lights in the Illawarra map.
Nick’s foray into Christmas lights sprang from his passion for tech, and it’s turned into a seriously impressive setup.
It all started just before COVID, when a friend told him about new LED lights that could be controlled with computers.
“I took that and covered the outline of half my house with LEDs and the next year I did more, then more, then I hit the limits of the software I was using,” Nick said.
“I peaked at about 80,000 LEDs.
“Everything is individual, so I push individual bulbs into decorations and then hook them into a computer lighting controller with software for effects, sequencing and synchronising.
“There are spotlights on my roof you can see from 10 km away, there’s an interactive QR code on the mailbox so people can vote on what song my house plays next.
“Each song has a synchronised light display created by me or someone else around the world who uses the same software.”
Tunes from pop to Metallica are available to choose from, but Nick said Bluey was usually the fan favourite.
This year, however, Bluey must contend with the power of K-Pop Demon Hunters.
Nick’s display also includes angel wings and pixie wings that can be customised via another QR code for the perfect Christmas selfie, and a tree bigger than his house.
He’s built everything himself, and said it now takes “only about a week” to put up.
Nick initially joined the Christmas Light Displays in the Illawarra Facebook group to encourage people to check out his efforts.
When they put the call out for someone to create an online map he saw another opportunity to put his IT skills to use.
He said the top spots to visit in the Illawarra were first of all, his place at 12 Brian Street in Fairy Meadow.
Stubbs Road, Albion Park; St James Crescent, Dapto; Rosina Street, Kembla Grange and Robins Creek Drive, Horsley are all guaranteed sources of Christmas cheer.
A special mention goes to the backyard Christmas maze at 9 Brisbane Place in Barrack Heights, where good kids get a Zooper Dooper.
Nick’s other top tip for Christmas lights viewing is to get out there before Christmas Eve, to avoid gridlock on the most popular streets.
To create your own Christmas tour check out Nick’s map below, or head to the Christmas Light Displays in the Illawarra Facebook group.
