Buderim's Rainsford Place Christmas lights transform street but bad ...

From January to November, a suburban cul-de-sac is as quiet as any other in the leafy township of Buderim on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

But from December 1, there is an explosion of Christmas spirit and the street transforms into a wonderland of twinkling lights, music and decorations.

Giant inflatable Santas welcome visitors, lasers dance on footpaths and kids serenade crowds with carols, while snow machines pump bubbles at passers-by.

A snow machine pumps a bubbly mixture of water and baby bath soap, and is a big hit with the kids.  (ABC Sunshine Coast: Josh Dye)

The popularity of Rainsford Place has been slowly building for two decades, drawing thousands of families each night.

Surrounding streets are as busy as shopping centre parking lots, slowing traffic across nearby streets.

And with that growing popularity, some of those who first began decorating their homes 20 years ago say they are exhausted.

Wendy and Bruce Soden's home was among the first to participate in 2004, but now they are growing weary due to the misbehaviour of some visitors.

"We're over it, totally over the brainless morons who don't appreciate why this street goes to the effort," Ms Soden said.

"There's a lot of new residents who are still fired up and think it's wonderful, and they will get over it, as some of the residents who are well and truly over it like we are."

Rainsford Place residents are always looking for new decorations to brighten up their lawns. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Josh Dye)

A small number of homes that sit darkly undecorated amid the sparkling lights have now become almost notorious for how sharply they stick out.

And Ms Soden said she understood why they had chosen not to join in.

"There are residents who won't do lights anymore because people, young people, think they can sit drinking late at night and throw their bottles in their yard," she said. 

"We don't do Christmas lights to attract idiots like that. It's not a party street. 

"It's a street for Christmas lights for families and children, that's all it was ever meant to be."

It can be shoulder-to-shoulder action when it comes to scoring a prime viewing spot. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Braedan Jason)

On the first night of this year's lights, the Sodens saw a car do a burnout just metres from children and families.

And Mr Soden said it was not the only anti-social behaviour they had caught since Rainsford Place began its twinkling transformation.

"There's a bloke around the corner who's never put up lights — that's his prerogative, but I've heard his house has been egged," he said.

Resident Nick Richardson said it was frustrating to see people noisy and drunk when the night wore on.

"The target for this is kids and families," he said.

"Then it gets towards 9 o'clock onwards and you start getting some idiots just not appreciating that people live on this street, like drunks turning up, and making a lot of noise.

"The main thing is the noise that carries on late at night."

Resident Kelly Enstone spent $800 on a snow blower to bring children joy.  (ABC Sunshine Coast: Josh Dye)

But since moving into his Rainsford Place home just 10 days before Christmas in 2022, he has been slowly won over by the spirit of the street.

"There's no pressure from residents but when we saw hundreds or thousands of people out here, and we are sneaking out the back door to see the lights, we thought this was a bit silly and chucked a few up," Mr Richardson said.

It's now been three Christmases for the family, and Mr Richardson said he was enjoying the unique charm that came with being a resident, although it did come with a few challenges.

"If you're out at 6 o'clock and you come home, then it takes a few minutes longer to get to your house, but it's pretty minor really," he said.

"We all know it's happening so it's not new information for us."

Emma Preston has lived on the street with her family for eight Christmases, and said it felt unfair when some residents opted not to join in.

"The few people who don't put lights up still get to enjoy the lights with their grandkids," she said.

"We don't understand why they enjoy our lights, and our electric bills, but then choose not to participate.

"It would take absolutely nothing to put up a strip of solar light. It's a very obvious stance to put up no lights at all."

Cars and commuters often share tight spaces when the street comes alive. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Braedan Jason)

Ms Preston said newcomers to the street often embraced the Christmas campaign each December, while those who had lived on the street for longer were a little less thrilled.

She said those not lit up by the Christmas spirit each year may prefer a quieter, dimmer spot.

"I think some people are just over it, so perhaps it's time to move on," she said.

Charles and Elna Morze standing in front of their decorated home in 2023. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Josh Dye)

Mr Richardson said whatever the downsides, the annual Christmas celebrations in Rainsford Place were something to be treasured.

"There's so many times you can live in a street and never socialise with the house three doors down," he said. 

"We sit out there most evenings and the joy from the kids, and there's so many people who are genuinely appreciative, so it's really nice to be a part of."