We all know the feeling.
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You set yourself for a night of driving around to see all of Ballarat's Christmas lights.
You head out around 9pm (when it gets dark these days) with a map of the lights, hoping to knock it over within maybe a couple of hours.
The only thing is, those two hours fly by and you haven't seen even half of the houses on The Courier's map.
And let's be honest, sometimes that 20-minute turnaround to that one house on its own was a little underwhelming.
But fear not; a solution is here.
This year, The Courier has come up with a special production for our online subscribers only.
Below, we give you a list of the best and brightest Christmas lights in the area, meaning your hunt is full of nothing but the best lights.
We've even made a different map with a suggested route.
So, pick the house closes to you to get your night under way! (Note: the Creswick and Ballan houses are not on the suggest route but are on the map.)
Also, don't forget to cast your vote for your favourite below.
Consider it our Christmas gift to you, our loyal subscribers!
7 Douglas Close, Miners Rest
It might be hard to tell from the photo but trust us here, this is one house you can't afford to miss!
This house hasn't been submitted to The Courier's Christmas lights map, but is literally one of the best in Ballarat.
Be certain to park your car and check out what is going on behind the windows and say hello to Graham and Valerie, who put in countless hours of effort.
You might even have the chance of picking up a hand-made wooden toy from Graham as a gift, if you're lucky!
And since you're out this way, you won't miss another brilliantly decorated house in just around the corner in Creswick Street.
19 Panorama Drive, Delacombe
The 2018 winner of The Courier's Christmas Lights competition.
A perennial favourite around Delacombe, where Santa is even known to pop by from time to time.
Don't be afraid to get out of the car and walk around, that's how you'll get the best experience.
The neighbours at number 17 have also joined in the action adding thousands of lights, inflatables and even some Toy Story characters to spread the festive joy. Other neighbours have added lights to their homes too bringing even more twinkle and colour to the street.
If you're in the area, you might as well pop over to 3 Leroy Street, Delacombe.
159 Walker Street, Sebastopol
Another timeless favourite.
If you've gone hunting for Christmas lights in Ballarat over the past few years, you haven't done it properly if you haven't visited 159 Walker Street.
Make sure you get nice and close - there's a bit of magic behind the windows and footage of Santa getting ready for his delivery run.
While you're here, pop around the corner to 70 Edwards Street, it's only one kilometre away.
46 Brahman Drive, Delacombe
If you're looking for some music to accompany your Christmas lights drive, make a stop at 46 Brahman Drive where the lights covering the house, fence and front yard are synced to a rocking Christmas playlist.
A life-size Santa looks on from beside a glorious Christmas tree in the front window.
Tune the car radio to 87.9FM and sit back to enjoy a spectacular light show that flashes to the beat of Christmas favourites past and present.
Across the road at 45 Brahman Drive there's another festive scene with Santa and his reindeers, candy canes and more lit up for the crowds. It's worth a trip down Brahman Drive as several other houses along the street have lights strung up as well.
166 Ballarat Road, Creswick
The only way to appreciate the sheer magnitude of this house is to see it with your own eyes.
The sheer number of Christmas lights is breathtaking and given it adorns a decent-sized block, it truly is a Christmas wonderland.
If you stop by, there's a chance Santa might even come and say hello.
Just drive along the road between Ballarat and Creswick, you won't miss it!
82 Launchley Drive, Cardigan
The scale of this Christmas lighting spectacular is hard to grasp until you are out there.
It can be a little tricky to navigate if you're heading out Remembrance Drive (just look for the green "entrance" sign to put you on course). But you definitely will not miss this once on Launchley Drive. This place is lit up like daylight!
Huge trees are resplendent in the windows and large decorations outside, including a train and Santa, offer plenty of Christmas eye candy. Fairy lights everywhere, especially on the fenceline, create a magical wonderland.
If out this way, duck out to 90 Ibis Gardens Court (take the turn-off for the caravan park). It's a pretty gem along the way.
603 Old Melbourne Road, Ballan
It's a bit out of the way, but if you're keen on a road trip then look no further.
The sheer size of this display makes the half hour drive out of Ballarat worth the effort, offering something you'll struggle to find within the suburbs of Ballarat.
And if you do happen to head out this far, you better get your bang for your buck.
Closer to the centre of town is the dazzling 93 Edols Street, while the classic display at 17 Urquhart Street, Gordon is worth a look on the way.
303 Clayton Street, Canadian
Definitely one of the more dazzling houses you'll find out this side of town.
There is barely an inch of this house that is not brilliantly lit-up and the jolly old Santa under the porch adds a fantastic touch.
53/55 Grandview Grove, Wendouree
Driving in from Grevillea Road you will see the lights flashing from these two neighbouring houses.
With candy canes and snow men on the lawn and the facades of the houses decorated, it's a superb effort.
Rowan Parade, Wendouree
Rowan Parade is lit up like, well, a Christmas tree.
From one end to the other, many of the home owners in this street are in the festive spirit and have pumped up inflatable Santas and other Christmas characters on their lawns and adorned their shrubs and trees with lights.
Traditionally one of the sights to see at Christmas time, it is sure to impress the family.
20 Conniston Street, Wendouree
There are a few houses to see on Conniston Street, including the colourful number 20.
If giant inflatable snowmen and brightly lit reindeers on the lawn sound like something you would enjoy, make sure you drive through this street.
5 Exmoor Court, Alfredton
As you round the corner towards the courtway, you catch a glimpse of sparkle then, boom. This is an incredible court pocket effort that is worth checking out. We guarantee you will leave with extra Christmas cheer.
Number 5 is on The Courier's official map in elegant white, diamond-like, lighting but really, most of the court has got involved. Even a standing basketball ring has been Christma-fied with tinsel.
For a similar string of lights to follow in the one street, head up to Naroo Street at the Dyson Road end of Alfredton.
Definitely a sentimental favourite in Alfredton and this year made extra special as a tribute to Norm Tong who has been lighting up the area the past 15 festive seasons.
92 Cuthberts Road, Alfredton
Family, friends and the community have banded together to put the lights and Mr Tong's well-known nativity scene up after his death in August.
A special painted portrait of Mr Tong is centrepiece of the Christmas Story display as a final goodbye.
It's also worth popping past the nearby 4 Coonatta Street, just off Cuthberts Road, to see treetops that really do glisten.