In close consultation with our Christmas experts (the newsroom), two winners have been selected.

Congratulations to Michele at 1 Diamond Drive, Cardigan, and Dan from 3 Leroy Street, Delacombe - their excellent displays featured interactive elements and an eye-catching giant star, respectively.

They've won $250 vouchers to Xtreme Bounce in Delacombe.

Michele said she loved Christmas and had been waiting for the opportunity to go all-out with a display.

"I just love all the kids' faces, all the smiles - my house is decorated inside for the kids as well," she said.

"We built the sleigh this year, and we're lucky there's a Santa in the neighbourhood - he'll be out the front every night until Christmas Eve."

Dan said he built his star on his roof to stand out from the neighbours, "perfectly aligned" with nearby trees.

"It's in homage to my mum, she loved Christmas lights as much as I do," he said.

"It continues her Christmas spirit."

Check out our map below, and if your house hasn't been added yet, use the form at the bottom of the page.

Thank you to all of our entrants, and from everyone at The Courier, have a merry Christmas.

PREVIOUSLY:

It's that time of year again.

In partnership with Xtreme Bounce, The Courier is once again mapping out Ballarat's best Christmas lights.

Over the next few weeks, the map below will fill up with addresses and times for you to check out with your family.

Maureen and Stan Drechsler have been lighting up their house for 22 years, and their display in Mount Pleasant has grown bigger each year.

They jumped the gun, contacting The Courier early to make sure their house was on the map.

One thing that set them apart in previous years was Mr Drechsler putting on the red and white suit on Santa's behalf to greet passers-by, though this year expect more laser lights, he said.

"I think it's to impress the children - plus the elderly people who love seeing the lights, and there are a lot of little kids who come past, they love seeing it too," Ms Drechsler added.

There are so many ways to get into the Christmas spirit in Ballarat, with Carols by Candlelight on December 17, plenty of places to get your photo taken with Santa, and heaps of markets to find that perfect gift.

Charities are also appealing for donations, and there are several Ballarat causes you can support - these include the Ballarat Foundation's Christmas Appeal, the Ballarat Animal Shelter partnering up with the SoupBus, Ballarat's motorbike community pulling together for the annual toy run on December 9, and Reverse Advent Calendars to support Ballarat's most vulnerable residents.