The Boulevard Christmas Lights

Next date: Friday, 18 December 2026 | 07:30 PM to 11:00 PM

In December each year, The Boulevard in Ivanhoe glows with a display of lights, decorations and Christmas spirit.

We support this resident-led tradition by focusing on balancing traffic management, resident access and the safety of those who visit.

While some resident decorations start appearing from early December, traffic management, toilets and selected community food stalls will be in place during the peak visitation period from 18 to 24 December.

Planning

Residents of The Boulevard in Ivanhoe go to great lengths to create magical light displays. Decorated houses can be found along various sections of The Boulevard and Warncliffe Road, with additional displays in some surrounding streets.

Arriving and parking

Light displays start appearing from early to mid-December. By the weekend before Christmas, most participating houses are illuminated and on full display.

Please respect residential noise levels and leave the area by 11pm.

There is no dedicated car park in the immediate area. Vehicles may be parked in surrounding residential streets. However, all parking signs and road rules must be followed.

Ensure your vehicle is not parked across driveways and leave at least 3 metres of road width clear for emergency vehicles and traffic.

Consult our traffic management map(PDF, 297KB) .

By car

This is one of the best ways to experience the lights. The Boulevard is 1.8km long, with decorated houses spread intermittently along its length.

Visitors can drive in both directions. You may choose to drive in one direction, turn around, and return to view the displays on the opposite side of the road.

You can enter The Boulevard from both Burke Road and Lower Heidelberg Road as well as from any side street. Entry to The Boulevard from Burke Road is left turn only; you cannot enter The Boulevard while travelling south on Burke Road.

However, we highly recommend entering The Boulevard from Burke Road if you are travelling north, as most visitors approach from the opposite direction and traffic is generally less congested. We will provide a traffic map to guide you closer to the date of the event.

From 18 to 24 December, a 20km/h speed limit will apply along The Boulevard and No Parking restrictions will be in place from 7.30pm to 11.30pm.

Walking The Boulevard

On foot, you can take your time viewing the displays; however, pedestrians must stay on footpaths and are encouraged to walk in a one-way direction to help ease congestion.

• Wear appropriate footwear. The Boulevard is 1.8km long, with decorated houses spread intermittently along its length.
• For your safety, stay behind the water-filled barriers, bollards and safety tape installed along sections of The Boulevard between the footpath and road.
• From 18 to 24 December, assisted crossing points will be available along The Boulevard.

Footpath accessibility

While the footpath along The Boulevard is accessible for prams and wheelchairs, the peak visitation period attracts large crowds and paths can become increasingly congested. We recommend planning your visit outside peak periods and earlier in the evening where possible.

We have also made several improvements to footpaths near Vasey Street along The Boulevard. Footpaths have been extended, crossing points upgraded and street lighting improved, making the area safer and easier for everyone to navigate.

When

Location

The Boulevard Christmas Lights are easy to reach by public transport. Ivanhoe Station (Hurstbridge Line) is the closest train station and is about a 15-minute walk to the displays. PTV bus routes 546 and 548 run past The Boulevard, with stops on Lower Heidelberg Road near The Boulevard, providing convenient access to the eastern end of the lights.

Designated footpath, The Boulevard, Ivanhoe, 3079, View Map