It is a popular tradition that celebrates the wonder of Christmas in an aptly-named street.

Tens of thousands of twinkling lights are once again shining as homes on Christmas Lane in Oulton Broad unite to raise funds for worthy causes.

Lowestoft Journal: The festive lights on Christmas LaneThe festive lights on Christmas Lane (Image: Mick Howes)

Householders on Christmas Lane have joined forces once more to decorate and illuminate their houses in aid of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) and the British Heart Foundation - with cash buckets set out for donations on the road as well as a JustGiving page.

Lowestoft Journal: Christmas LaneChristmas Lane (Image: Mick Howes)

Showing their community spirit, more than 20 homes have been illuminated with "simply beautiful" displays.

With the decorations installed, timers set and lighting tested, the Christmas Lane Christmas Lights 2022 festive offering saw the lights switched on during a big 'switch on' event last week.

Lowestoft Journal: A display on Christmas LaneA display on Christmas Lane (Image: Mick Howes)

Lighting up Christmas Lane once more, one of the residents said: "It has been running for the past seven years and it's got bigger and bigger.

"Last year we had about 60 people turn out for the lights switch-on event.

"For this year's event on Thursday, December 1, there were around 300 people."

Lowestoft Journal: Christmas Lane lightsChristmas Lane lights (Image: Mick Howes)

From stars and bells to snowmen and Santas, 22 houses on the street are participating as all houses on the road - apart from one which is having extension works carried out - create a winter wonderland.

Lowestoft Journal: Christmas Lane lightsChristmas Lane lights (Image: Mick Howes)

The Christmas lights are now on from 4.30pm to 9pm every night - although this display is "slightly shorter than past years" due to the rising energy costs - to help spread the festive cheer and raise vital funds for charity.

Lowestoft Journal: Christmas Lane lightsChristmas Lane lights (Image: Mick Howes)

With the homeowners "very proud" of the Christmas displays, one family taking part said: "We have around 2,000 lights on a couple of trees, with all of the houses on Christmas Lane using 100 per cent LED lighting.

"We probably have a total of around 50,000 bulbs comfortably.

"There are various friezes and a bit of a biblical theme with a host of angels, the three wise men, a manger and crib, all in different gardens."

Lowestoft Journal: The lights on Christmas LaneThe lights on Christmas Lane (Image: Mick Howes)

This year a house on St Michaels Close, another two homes on Prospect Road and one house on Hall Drive have joined the displays as the popularity grows and expanding out

 

Lowestoft Journal: Christmas Lane lightsChristmas Lane lights (Image: Mick Howes)

With the displays running until New Year's Eve, one of the residents said: "We are the only Christmas Lane in England that is in a relatively urban area and attract a lot of people going past, either parents and grandparents bringing their children to get the magic of Christmas, or people driving past - something we’ve come to call ‘the slow Christmas drive by’."

Lowestoft Journal: One of the displays on Christmas LaneOne of the displays on Christmas Lane (Image: Mick Howes)

Having raised around £700 so far, donations are still being accepted.

Lowestoft Journal: Christmas LaneChristmas Lane (Image: Mick Howes)

Another resident added: "We are happy to welcome people to our lovely bit of Christmas magic."