Iconic Canning Highway house lights up again as part of Christmas spectacle
One of the City of Melville’s most iconic Christmas lights displays has ‘switched on’ for 2022, lighting up busy Canning Highway and the hearts of captivated children.
Long-time stalwarts of Christmas light displays in the area, Maree and Craig Carle started the tradition of illuminating their Alfred Cove home 16 years ago, sharing the magic of Christmas with their five children and the greater community.
Since then, what was meant to be a token display, has snowballed into a festive delight that draws thousands of children and families each year to revel in its beauty.
The Carle’s two-storey home at 613 Canning Highway holds prime position on the arterial road and is loved by locals and visitors alike for its rooftop and balcony lights, laser show and magical miniature village, which can be viewed through the front window.
“Each year it just got bigger and bigger and bigger,” Maree laughed.
“The house got a bit bigger with an extension so we got a balcony, which meant we could put more lights and decorations up there. Then, my eldest son became an electrician, which helped things along too.”
Maree said the time-consuming process of installing the lights and bouts of vandalism in the early days had not deterred the family’s desire to share some Christmas cheer and they ensured the home was lit up nightly from December 1.
“It normally takes four of us two weekends and a few hours every night after work to put them all up. There’s a lot of hours that go into it,” she said.
“But every year we get cards and letters in the mailbox from kids and their families saying thank you – and I’ve kept every one of them. That’s what makes it worth it.
“Last year and the year before were more important to me. I really wanted to do it then because with the bad 2020 and 2021 because of COVID, it brought some more magic, joy and normality back to the community.”
Maree said with her first grandchild born this year, she won’t be retiring from her Christmas lights tradition any time soon. She hopes others see the reward and happiness it brings and join the festivity to light up more homes in the neighbourhood.
“Our children are all grown up so we do it for the community now. They expect it and I really get great satisfaction when we receive all the letters and the cards in the mail thanking us for putting it on,” she said.
“Even adults send cards and notes thanking us, it’s not just children. Every time we get one, I bring it in to my kids and say” ‘See, this is why we do it’.”
Here are some other sensational Christmas lights displays in the City of Melville:
72B McCallum Crescent, Ardross
The handiwork of a self-confessed “glorified tech nerd”, this Ardross display has been created from more than 5000 lights, a projector and specialised computer controller. It is synced to music with five singing decorations, including singing Christmas trees, and is broadcast on speakers as well as via the FM radio station listed out the front.
339 Preston Point Road, Attadale
This impressive display has been curated by a family of five who say they do it all for the kids, but confess they actually love it too. The bright spectacle includes an Aussie-inspired wooden Santa on a sleigh with kangaroos instead of reindeers, a Christmas Day countdown and plenty of inflatable Christmas characters.
11 Curruthers Road, Mount Pleasant
Inspired by the cult festive flick National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, this illuminating display has gone next level with an incredible experience that includes accompanying music broadcast through your car radio on 88.9FM. The owner’s annual obsession started with a single strand of lights to decorate his parents’ house. Now more than 30 years later with a wife and his six children, the dazzling display heralds more than 10,000 lights, and an 8m high computerised tree.
2C Gimber Way, Melville
Created by a family of four who simply love sharing Christmas cheer, the impressive display takes more than 40 hours to set up, stretching from rooftop lights to illuminated reindeers and inflatable characters.
Perth Christmas Light Trail
And don’t forget, the city’s 6km Christmas Light Trail through Northbridge, the CBD and Elizabeth Quay is on until January 2 with 35 unique light installations from Christmas icons to Australian animals. The city lights up between 6pm and 3am, with entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. Projections start at 7.45pm and finish at midnight.
https://visitperth.com/events/christmas-lights-trail-2022
https://xmaslightstrail.synergy.net.au
From our Mont family to yours, we wish you a safe and happy festive season, and look forward to helping you with your property needs in 2023.
