With the owner of a famous Forrest display bowing out this year in favour of a record-breaking set-up in the city, the residential spotlight has shifted to Kambah where Christmas light veteran Phil Jensen will again be blazing a fundraising path for the Eden-Monaro Cancer Support Group.

Mr Jensen has installed his largest display ever with an estimated 250,000 lights on show for residents and visitors at Bissenberger Crescent.

"We've got 250,000 lights now and it is a walk-through," he said. "It is spectacular. I've got 10 laser lights shining down all over the roads and trees."

"We've got live music, we do a sausage sizzle and we do ice cream so it is quite a big thing."

The ACT government is even providing traffic management to handle the loads of cars pouring in for this year's display.

"I started in 1992 and built it up and it has just gotten bigger and bigger," Mr Jensen said. "I started with one set of lights and now I'm using every power board I can possibly find."

"I might keep the lights going all the way through to the New Year this time because we have so many lights and people keep asking if we can leave them on longer after Christmas."

The Bissenberger Christmas light display is one of many extraordinary efforts this year.

Homes across Canberra's north, south and in Queanbeyan have been decked out with astonishing displays.

Increasingly the displays are being used to raise money for charity while providing some Christmas joy for countless children.

Anita Taylor and her son, Nathan, have been raising money through their Christmas light display for the past decade.

The Meehan Close Christmas lights display is one of the biggest in Queanbeyan and this year they're raising money for disabled and disadvantaged children.

"It takes about three weeks to put up and there are lots and lots of lights," Mrs Taylor said. "To be here is just stunning. My neighbour came over yesterday and said this is the best one that you have done."

Meanwhile donations from the world-record Christmas lights display in Petrie Plaza, Civic, which boastsone million lights, will go to supporting SIDS and Kids ACT.

Here are some of the best light shows around town.

BONNER

32 Elia Ware Crescent

53 and 60 Essie Coffey Street

180 Mabo Boulevard

FORDE

Helen Leonard Street

6 and 9 Huddy Street

Corner Huddy Street and Doris Turner Street

14 Jessie Street

48 Turbayne Crescent

11 and 13 Hibberd Crescent

HARRISON

Kalianna Street

27 Haven Street

FRANKLIN

24 Ruth Bedford Street

21 Amy Witting Street

31 Judith Wright Street

Daniels Street

161 Oodgeroo Avenue

NGUNNAWAL

33 Murrung Crescent

Shara Place

PALMERSTON

13 Tiptree Crescent

17 Bimberi Crescent

FLYNN

154 Tillyard Drive

1 Pattison Crescent

26 Barber Crescent

DUNLOP

Cashion Court

8 Scurry Street

72 Hugh Mackay Crescent

2 Elischer Street

RIVETT

34 Croton Street

7 Agonis Close

53 Eugenia Street

KAMBAH

11 Mannheim Street

19 Tepper Circuit

Bissenberger Crescent

6 Lee-Steere Crescent

GORDON

Corner of Templestowe and Ina Gregory Circuit

8 Pails Place

Robert Lewis Court

7 and 19 Stan Ray Street

Corner of Kanga and Clem Hill Street

40 and 49 Clem Hill Street

105 Knoke Avenue

4 SlavIn Place

CONDER

65 Templestowe Avenue

Corner of Templestowe and Ina Gregory Circuit

42 Eaglemont Retreat

BONYTHON

17 Bottrill Street

15 Marril Street

106 Waterfall Drive, Jerrabomberra

Poplars Crescent, Jerrabomberra

- with Natasha Rudra