Christmas Lights Around the World

Christmas lights have been a feature of the Christmas season in the grounds of the Latter-day Saints’ Sydney Temple for 23 years. Similar displays can be found throughout the world, including in the grounds of the Salt Lake City, Utah, Washington D.C., and Hamilton, New Zealand temples. 

This year, the Australian headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Carlingford, Sydney features 140,000 Christmas lights, a life-sized Nativity scene, a ‘Life of Jesus Christ in Art’ exhibit and videos depicting Christ’s ministry.

Christmas lights on Salt Lake City’s Temple Square began in 1965 with the Church’s ninth president, David O. McKay (1873-1970), pressing the button turning the lights on for the first time.

Since 1990, what has come to be known as Sydney Temple Hill in Carlingford has been transformed from its former role as a boys' home to award-winning gardens and the Church's well-loved Christmas display.

In December, the grounds become one of the most recognised of Sydney's attractions. Viewing the Life of Jesus Christ in Art exhibit and life-sized Nativity scenes, along with the beautiful lights throughout the grounds, has become an annual tradition for tens of thousands of people.

Two years ago, the Nativity scene underwent a major renewal and now includes a huge image of the Christus, one of the most significant statues in Christendom. It was originally sculptured by Danish artist, Bertel Thorvaldsen, in the early 1800s, and still remains in the Copenhagen church where Tasmania's Princess Mary was married to Prince Frederik of Denmark.

As part of the Christmas offerings, a unique international art exhibition, featuring the works of Bloch, Hoffman, Anderson and Rane, is on display at historic Buckland House, now part of the Sydney Church grounds. The exhibition, valued at thousands of dollars, includes prints of world famous paintings of the life of Christ, from before his birth to his Second Coming.

Located at the corner of Pennant Hills Road and Moseley Street, Carlingford, the spectacular lighting display and Nativity can be viewed every night throughout December from dusk until dawn. The Life of Jesus Christ in Art exhibit is open seven days a week from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Parking is available on the Church grounds and on Moseley Street.