Lights of Lobethal

Set in Adelaide Hills, the town of Lobethal first began this tradition as a community in the early 1950’s. Business owners used coloured lights to promote retail and business for the Christmas and New Year season, while homeowners decorated to enjoy the community feel. The Lights have become a festival and is the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Key Events

A live nativity is performed in the evening at about 8:50pm by the local community church. It is a great opportunity to enjoy with family and friends as well as Instagram moments.

Social Media

If you are after Instagram spots, ideas for Instagram stories, TikTok or YouTube, then allow plenty of time, at least two hours, to get around. As mentioned before, this is the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere. When visiting you will find there is traffic, bus tours, people everywhere.

The Christmas Market is in an Art Deco heritage building on Main Street, parts of Main Street are blocked off for traffic. Food Trucks are also in the general area, getting into the back streets a car is generally needed as it would take over an hour to walk and is hilly because it’s in the Adelaide Hills. If lights are something you want to get photos of, sunset is generally around 8:30pm with a bit of twilight/golden hour 30-60 minutes before that. This is normally a country village, so apart from the main strip which is fairly good for street lighting you won’t get that once the sun goes down. A little bit of lighting behind buildings that are decorated will create the best images for posts or stories.

Below is a YouTube video to give you an idea before you go if social media is important.

The Light of Lobethal website has a map on this page for you to plan your night.

Food and Drinks

There are food and drink options available. Some close by 9pm, others might be open later. My friends and I used to spend up to 6 hours walking around and chilling. Hopefully, you all have a good night, too.