The top three homes will be announced on December 23, and will receive prizes.
Last year’s trail attracted 18 entries, thousands of visitors and more than 600 public votes.
The winning display was at 24 Kipling Crescent in Ōwhata.
Fergusson said the 20 homes this year was “a great number”, and several were returning favourites
One long-time entrant standing out for Fergusson is 36 Barnard Rd in Fairy Springs, whose residents he dubbed “Christmas light addicts”.
Last year’s Eves Christmas Lights Trail third-place getter, 36 Barnard Rd in Fairy Springs.
The property placed third last year and has built a reputation for raising the bar, the owner adding something new each season.
Fergusson said past displays have featured a hot rod parked in the driveway and a sleigh where children could sit and take photos.
The home displays were spread across the city, making the trail something families could enjoy over several nights rather than all at once if they wished, Fergusson said.
Homeowners often spent weeks preparing their displays, so Fergusson hoped the community would take the time to visit and support them.
On December 11, Eves is teaming up with The Hits for a “festive community takeover” at the Rotorua Night Market.
The Hits crew will be on-site with interactive games and giveaways.
The Eves team will also have its “signature” activities, including a cornhole setup and a custom Instagram frame designed to encourage shareable moments.
Visitors can collect the official Christmas Lights Map before heading off to explore the city’s brightest homes and displays.
Lights will be on each night between 7.30pm and 10.30pm for locals to enjoy their self-guided tour.
Eves Christmas Lights Trail 2025 addresses
Ngongotahā
49 Hood St
74 Hall Rd
125A Ngongotahā Rd
Fairy Springs
36 Barnard Rd
Kawaha Point
100A Kawaha Point Rd
Koutu
16 Tudor Pl
17 Tudor Pl
Mangakakahi
12 Perepe St
Western Heights
16 Russell Cres
2 Turner Drive
Pukehangi
77 Homedale St
Sunnybrook
75 Pegasus Drive
23 Pegasus Drive
Pomare
373 Malfroy Rd
Hillcrest
11 Bertram St
Rotorua
C3 Church, 1178 Pukaki St
Ōwhata
17 Tennyson Drive
16 Tennyson Drive
10 Porikapa Rd
Holdens Bay
76 Robinson Ave.
Annabel Reid is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post, based in Rotorua. Originally from Hawke’s Bay, she has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canterbury.