Council's role in supporting this resident-led tradition includes:

• implementing a Traffic Management Plan and traffic controllers from mid-December. Go to the 'Traffic Management' tab for more details
• providing portable toilets and rubbish bins
• improving information and signage for visitors attending the Boulevard Lights.

Things for residents to know:

• decorations can go up at any time, with residents choosing a date that works best for them. Most people decorate from early December onwards
• all decorations must be turned off by 11pm to minimise disturbance
• learn more about the preference for two-way traffic via the 'Traffic Management' tab.

To manage congestion, encourage traffic flow and maintain property access for residents, the Traffic Management Plan (TMP) places very few restrictions on vehicle access on and around The Boulevard.

The TMP also provides a buffer between the road and footpaths in high visitation areas and includes supervised crossing points to improve pedestrian safety.

Safety measures include:

• two-way traffic along the entire Boulevard to ensure greater car flow to help manage congestion when accessing and driving along the Boulevard and improve resident access to properties
• restricting pedestrians to footpaths and encouraging them to walk in a one-way direction, with designated crossing points
• traffic controllers
• access to The Boulevard from all side streets and from Bourke Road to help manage congestion and improve resident access
• placing bollards, signage, safety tape and water-filled along sections of The Boulevard from mid-December to support early pedestrian visits
• traffic controllers present along The Boulevard from mid-December to Christmas Eve during anticipated peak period
• reducing the speed limit along The Boulevard to 20km/h during the peak period
• increasing parking along The Boulevard to assist visitors, as well as to support pedestrian safety by slowing traffic flow
• temporary parking restrictions in some sections of local streets to improve traffic flow and access to properties.

View map for more details.

From February to April 2024, Council asked residents to tell us what they thought about the 2023 Traffic Management Plan and Council communications, with the aim of strengthening how Council supports the Boulevard Lights.

Out of the 1,016 residents invited to participate, 126 (12%) completed the survey.

As a result of your feedback:

• we made further improvements to the existing Traffic Management Plan to improve pedestrian and motorist safety and minimise disruption to residents' access
• provided additional parking along The Boulevard
• sent the Traffic Management Plan 2024 to over 1000 households in the immediate and surrounding area in early December
• added more toilets and activities in the food area at Ivanhoe Park
• updated the 'plan your trip' page, including a map and information on when and how to visit the Lights.

Take a look at a summary of key findings below or view the full findings report.

During September and October 2023, we asked the community to help us plan for the Boulevard Lights 2023. 78 people completed the online or hardcopy survey and 11 people attended in-person drop-in sessions at Ivanhoe Park.

As a result of your feedback, we:

• updated the Traffic Management Plan to ensure busy areas are safe for pedestrians
• Sent the Traffic Management Plan to over 1000 households in the immediate and surrounding area in early December
• Created a 'plan your trip' page for visitors to our website including a map and information on when and how to visit The Boulevard Christmas Lights.
• will check in with our residents with a post-event survey to gather additional feedback.

What we heard

In 2022, after disruptions caused by COVID, 225 residents of The Boulevard and surrounding streets provided feedback through an online and hard copy survey, to help shape how future Boulevard Lights celebrations are best planned and managed.

Take a look at a summary of key findings below, or view the full findings report.

The Boulevard Lights

The Boulevard Lights in Ivanhoe attracts people from across Melbourne and is considered to be an essential Christmas tradition. Each year, thousands of people drive and walk along the Boulevard each evening in the lead up to Christmas, with up to 10,000 visitors a night.

The tradition started over 60 years ago, with residents of The Boulevard and surrounding streets decorating their houses, windows and gardens with light displays, nativity scenes and Christmas decorations.

Banyule Council has supported this resident-led event over many years, providing traffic management to improve traffic flow and access for residents, and look after pedestrian safety.

Due to its popularity and the street's limitations, The Boulevard often experiences overcrowding with more pedestrians and cars than it can handle. Council works diligently to manage these safety concerns.

Residents and visitors should be aware that congestion, crowds and slow traffic movement is a part of the experience, which help to keep everyone safe.