There was once a time when finding the best Christmas lights meant piling into the car and following the brightest sparkle in the sky.
For families across the Hunter, that twinkle almost always came from Gracelands, the Belmont North display that became a regional icon and Christmas tradition.
For many years, the house on Violet Town Road transformed into a festive landmark.
By mid-December, you could spot the crowds from the end of the street: children tugging at their parents’ hands, neighbours chatting on the footpath, and a steady stream of cars crawling past with windows down and carols playing.
It wasn’t just a house lit up for Christmas.
It was an experience.
Behind the magic were Margaret and Allan Spence, a couple who spent months planning and two intense weeks building the annual display.
What began as 50,000 lights gradually grew beyond 60,000, spilling out across the yard and into the garage, which became a snow-themed wonderland complete with animated decorations and working trainsets.
Even the interior of the home was transformed, with themed rooms glowing through the windows for visitors to admire.
By 2004, a visit to Gracelands had become a December ritual for thousands of families.
It was the kind of grassroots community event that didn’t need advertising as the lights were bright enough.
The Spences used the display to raise money for charity, but they also created something bigger… a tradition that brought joy, crowds, and lasting memories of magic to the community.
In 2006, the duo made the difficult decision to retire the display.
What could have been the end of the Gracelands story instead became a new chapter.
The entire set-up – from the glowing figures to the elaborate snow scenes – was purchased by Hunter Valley Gardens, where it became part of the iconic Christmas Lights Spectacular.
There, among the Rose and Sunken Garden, the display grew into a half-million-light extravaganza that still attracts huge crowds each year.
Its spirit, however remains distinctly local.
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