While this year’s Christmas lights bus tours have been cancelled due to covid, you can still marvel at the amazing lit up houses with a bit of planning in the comfort of your own car.
Ipswich Festivals have a list of all this year’s Christmas lights entrants and finalists online that you can print out as well as a handy interactive map so you can plot your own trail.
Some of the finalists are located in Raceview, Pine Mountain, Yamanto, Deebing Heights, Ripley, Flinders View and Silkstone.
Why not make a night of it with dinner also!
We recommend grabbing a bite to eat on your journey at some of Ipswich’s best restaurants to make a night of it. Start off or finish your night with an special candy cane or Christmas pudding gourmet ice cream from Ungermann Brothers, they’ve also decorated the store.
You could even grab a cold one from the nearby Pumpyard Bar and Brewery.
Head off on your journey through town and you might end up out near Marburg where you can stop in at the Marburg Pub or Tommy Smith Cafe for dinner.
If you’ll be near the CBD for dinner check out the Cottage Restaurant, Indian Mehfil, Fourthchild Cafe, Heisenberg Haus, Bakehouse Steakhouse, Memories of India or Essence of Indya.
Also in the CBD is Club Services Ipswich, Ipswich Jets and the Retro Diner which is opening for dinner and cocktails on Friday nights.
The Prince Alfred Hotel in Booval is another great place to grab dinner as is the Racehourse Hotel, Brothers Ipswich and Casa Mia.
If you’re checking out lights in Springfield head over to Ballistic Brewery Bar and Kitchen, Indian Tadka, Brookwater Barista, Brookwater Golf and Country Club or Moselles Cafe and Restaurant for dinner.
And if your in Redbank the Commercial Hotel is the place to go.
Just remember to check opening days and times when you’re planning your trip.
And with many restaurants now offering takeaway as well as eat in there’s more than one way to indulge in gourmet food on your Christmas lights tour.
For more dining options visit our Eat and Drink page.
