A Church in Buderim is putting on what could be the Coast’s most impressive family-friendly Christmas lights party – and it’s attracting thousands of onlookers.
Held every night until Christmas eve, Lifepoint Baptist Church’s musical lights display has shows including aerial dancers at 6.30 and 7.30pm.
Face painting, popcorn, fairy floss, balloon art, a kids’ play zone, an animal farm, cafe and market stalls are all part of the free Christmas festival, which began last week.
Kids can pat real lambs and ride a camel, and the lights shows are not too late for children to be part of, Lifepoint Baptist Church leader Helen Anway said.
“It’s been about 13 years now and it gets bigger and better every year,” she said.
On Friday and Saturday night, 5000 people were part of the community event.
“It brings a lot of joy and a lot of meaning to the events over Christmas,” Helen said.
People could get bogged down in Christmas shopping, organising and other “hurry, hurry”, Helen said.
The church threw this annual celebration as a way of bringing to the community together and reminding Christians “whose birthday it is that we’re celebrating” she said.
She said the giant lettering on the church reads “you are loved”, and posters and messages everywhere reminded the community of this message.
The event had become large and loud, she said.
“We have a whole concert, with music and everything,” Helen said.
“It’s a bit loud for me, so I stand at the door and run out if it gets too much.”
The highlight for Helen is the sense of joy and expectation among children, many of whom enjoy taking the ‘Bethlehem story walk’ which takes you through various rooms inside the church, each decked out with nativity displays ending with Joseph and Mary in the barn with newborn Jesus.
“It gives people an idea and an understanding of what it would have been like in Bethlehem,” she said. “Or what we imagine it would have been like, anyway.”
“The highlight for me is the excitement that a lot of people experience – especially the children, they’re so excited going from one thing to another.”
Dozens of church members have been involved, most of them volunteers, she said.
“It finishes on Christmas Eve. All the members of the church will be exhausted by then.”
Where: Lifepoint Baptist Church, 186 Wises Rd, Buderim
When: Every night until Saturday, December 24
Time: 6-9pm