Thirty-five years of bringing Canberra together with Christmas lights

Bissenberger Crescent in Kambah is synonymous with viewing Christmas lights in the capital, and getting into the Christmas spirit has never been a hard task for Kambah resident Phil Jensen. 

Being the owner of the widely-known Bissenberger Crescent Christmas lights display, Jensen was also born on December 25 and remembers a childhood filled with lights.

“They are my memories of Christmas, looking at Christmas lights and displays in shop windows and always having a wonderful Christmas myself,” he said. 

While the locally-renowned display wasn’t as extensive as it is now when it first began, determination and help from the community has made it what it is today.

“When I initially put up the lights all those years ago, I had a small fire in the roof because I didn’t know how to do the lights properly,” he said.

“So, I decided if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it properly, so I went all out, brought all the lights, and I did it as it should be done.

“Since then, a lot of the display has consisted of things people have given me – there are bags of toys, things that date back … people donate because they also want the display to be great.” 

Jensen has made the most of the arbour in the front yard of his home, allowing Christmas light onlookers to walk through the display, which he said he has made into a “wonderland”. 

“You are walking through and there are so many things to see, you just keep looking left, right, up and down, and everywhere you look people are taking pictures and videos,” he added. 

With the long history of the lights has come generations of families through the home, which Jensen said contributes to his favourite memories of his display.

“I spoke to someone the other day who told me he had been coming here for years, and he said ‘that girl in front of us is my daughter who I brought here when she was little, and those little ones are her children’,” he said. 

“There are so many memories of people walking through … and so many memories attached to items used in the display too.

“It really has bought the street together. We all get into the spirit of the lights, including my new neighbours, whose 14-year-old has done their whole display, and it’s beautiful.” 

While this is the last year that Canberrans will be able to enjoy the walk-through experience, Jensen assured there will still be big displays on the outside of the home for people to drive by in future years. 

If Jensen’s display in Kambah has you feeling festive, don’t miss out on all the lights Canberra has to offer with these fab five locations. 

Gowrie

Sticking to southside, head to 4 Stacy Street or 13 Ruthven Street to enjoy a massive display of lights for a good cause.

These homes have been doing Christmas lights for a decade, but in 2017, organisers Ben Walker and James Crowther utilised their audience to raise money for multiple sclerosis awareness.

Gordon

Continue southbound to Gordon for a unique Christmas light experience synced to a local radio channel.

The medium display is in support of Kids in Care ACT and has been around for more than  a decade.

Dunlop

For northsiders, start your journey in Dunlop for large inflatables and bright lights.

This home has been doing Christmas lights for 15 years and is in support of the Heart Foundation.

Fraser

Interact with a large colourful display in Fraser in support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

This home has been doing Christmas lights for more than 20 years and boasts being one of the biggest Christmas light displays in Canberra’s north.

Ngunnawal

Complete your Christmas light trail in Ngunnawal with thousands of twinkling lights.

This festive home is set to be renewing its display for 2022 to include window features and a new front yard interactive area.