Trail of festive lights for Rotorua

This house on Joanne Crescent is lighting up again this year. It is pictured in 2012. PHOTO/FILE

Rotorua people wanting to get into the festive spirit can now check out the 24 homes that have signed up to be part of The Professionals Christmas and New Year Lights Spectacular.

Tania Davis from The Professionals said this year has seen the most first-time entrants in quite some time, with seven of the houses taking part for the first time.

She said the light trail included a good mix of homes from different suburbs with people from all over the city taking part.

"It pretty much runs from one end of town to the other.

"We are encouraging people to go along and check them out. It's really encouraging the number of new entrants there are."

This year the event has been extended to run throughout the New Year holiday giving people more time to vote for their favourite house.

The real estate firm has been running the annual Christmas lights event for more than 15 years.

This year there is $3000 in prize money with $1500 cash for first place, $1000 for second and $500 for third. As well as being eligible for the cash prizes, there is also a $250 gift hamper for the best first-time entrant.

Text voting will cost $3 with money going to the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club to help with the operational costs of the club's new first response vehicle.

Judging will take place later this week, with winners announced on January 20, with the winners selected through a combination of voting and judging.

Christmas Lights Trail:
Lights will be on from 8.30pm to 10.30pm

01. 76 Robinson Ave
02. 41 Basley Rd
03. 92 Basley Rd
04. 73 Hilton Rd
05. 51a Holland St
06. 36b Devon St
07. 37 Simmonds Cres
08. 34 McDowell St
09. 3 Clyde St
11. 23 Pegasus Drive
12. 75 Pegasus Drive
13. 27 Tawavale St
14. 6 Bullmore Pl
15. 51 Rimuvale St
16. 3 Campbell Pl
17. 19 McCahon Drive
18. 21 Edward Payton Grove
19. 11 Emerald St
20. 10 Homedale St
21. 77 Homedale St
22. 41 Joanne Cres
23. 38a Kea St
24. 20 Darroch St
25. 15 Ranginui St