A last-minute holiday booking site has created an interactive map of the best neighbourhood christmas light displays, so members of the public can locate their local one to visit.
The map allows users to preview displays in their area, and highlights which ones are raising money for charity.
To help spread some cheer, the map also allows the public to input light display locations, whether it be their own or a decorated home in their area.
The map was created in response to the nationwide cancellation of council Christmas light ‘switch on’ ceremonies, with only the Isle of Man going ahead with the festivity this year.
The map, created by LateRooms.com, allows members of the public to locate their local ‘DIY’ Christmas light display, which shows a preview of it and highlights whether the display is raising money for charity.
In a bid to help spread some festive cheer, the Map of Christmas Lights also allows members of the public to input their own or another person’s display, along with a photo of it and a charity partner if applicable.
To view and add to the Map of Christmas Lights visit: https://blog.laterooms.com/christmas-lights-map/
Displays featured on the map include the Brailsford light display on Trevisa Grove in Bristol, which was started by two brothers more than 20 years ago. Since its inception their light display has raised almost £75,000 for Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal.
In Oxton, a whole road has been lit up after neighbours banded together to create a joined-up display to raise money for their local hospice. Residents of Templemore Road estimate they have in excess of 80,000 lights on their road now, and will be raising funds as part of the Wirral Hospice' Christmas Lights Trail fundraiser.
Matthew Fox, CEO of LateRooms.com, said: “It’s a tradition for many families to go and view Christmas light displays, however like with a lot of things this year, the pandemic has disrupted such events. In light of this (pun intended) we wanted to create something that will enable Brits to still carry on this tradition, and spread some festive cheer during these dark times.
“I encourage anyone who has gone all out with their light decorations to submit their home to the map, or maybe your neighbour has gone the extra mile and deserves some recognition for their hard work. Either way we hope to see many more additions to our map, because one thing is for certain, christmas light displays make people feel festive and happy, and we could do with a bit more of that right now!”
