With the big day nearly upon us, looking for festive activities that won’t break the bank can be a struggle.

If you are unsure on what to do this weekend with the family, why not check out what homeowners have put on themselves? We’ve rounded up a list of the best decorated Christmas properties across the country for you to visit…

First up is a dazzling display in Bligh Way, Strood.

Janet and Martyn Laverty have been decorating their home with Christmas lights since 1993.

Their daughter, Lisa Jayne Laverty, says they do it just to “put a smile on everyone’s faces”.

“Every year they have hundreds of people visiting and taking pictures,” she said.

“Some years they have had families filming there on Christmas night.

“It’s even more lovely because children from the 90s now bring their children to see the display.”

Last year the couple were unable to put anything up due to Janet being diagnosed with breast cancer.

However, they still managed to decorate their windows.

Lisa added: “She underwent a mastectomy on December 16. This Saturday marks a year.

“It was a very tough, worrying and upsetting year but she was given the all clear – making Christmas that bit more magical.

“This year they bought an angel for outside as a special touch to their display.

“She stands around 5ft, maybe a little more.”

If you head down to Banky Meadow in Barming, you will spot this home from a mile away.

Louise and Keith Pye love to create the display for the whole community to enjoy, as well as raising money for charity.

They also did an official switch-on last Saturday (December 9).

The lights will be on until 9.30pm every day, unless bad weather prevents it.

This year they are supporting UNICEF who provide humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.

An information board is at the front of the house with a QR code that links directly to their JustGiving page.

A family well known for their decorations are the Hedges, who go all out every festive season to create a stunning set up.

Lavinia and her mum Nicola have created a number of extravagant displays in recent years at their home in Wigmore Road, Rainham.

In March last year their front garden was filled with bunnies, flowers, chicks and Easter eggs for spring.

“Calling all Wizards and Muggles!” Lavinia said.

“Please feel free to dust off your robes and Potter jumpers and check out our ‘Hedges Potter Christmas’ display.”

This weekend will be even more magical, with Dumbledore making a special visit on Monday (December 18) from 6pm to 7pm.

It is a £5 per party minimum cash donation at the door, but no booking is required. To find out more click here.

Their chosen charity is My Shining Star, which supports families going through childhood cancer.

If you would like to donate, please click here.

You can also pop cash through their letterbox or in a number of pots outside.

In November, KentOnline asked readers – is this the county’s most festive house?

With more than 80,000 lights, 3,000 ornaments and a snow machine, it would be quite hard to beat.

The incredible display can be found in Colonel’s Lane, Boughton-under-Blean, between Canterbury and Faversham.

Dad Ross Clark says it takes three weeks to turn his garden and the front of the house into a winter wonderland.

“The kids love it,” he explained. “It feels very good to see everyone come here and get so much joy out of what we do.

“When the lights go off at half 11 every evening it feels kind of lonely.

“It makes me feel like they should be back on.

“I remember going around as a kid in the back of my mum or nan’s car looking at all the Christmas lights – and we’ll probably do that this year too.”

Read the full interview here.

A contender for the best in Kent is the stunning multicolour light show at Eastcourt Lane in Gillingham.

Kira Wilson’s parents, Robin and Sandra, are raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity.

“We lost my partner’s Dad, Barry Parsons, to this cruel disease,” Kira said.

“He was a remarkable man, loved by everybody. He was only 52 years old when he sadly passed away in June 2022.

“Barry absolutely loved Christmas so we light up our house to raise awareness for the charity – as only 1% of cancer research funding goes to the research of brain tumours.”

Tonight (December 16) between 3pm and 6pm they will be holding a Santa’s Grotto event, where families can meet Father Christmas himself.

A raffle ticket will be available to purchase as well and prizes will be drawn tomorrow via Facebook Live.

The lights will be on every night throughout December and you can pop a donation in a secure tin at the front of their home.

Colin Crowhurst, who lives in Waters Place, Hempstead, says he loves to put on a festive show for the local community.

He said: “We used to do a smaller display at our old house, but since moving here three years ago we've been building the display and like to add a new feature each year.

“We use it as an opportunity to fundraise for local charities.

“I've always enjoyed putting out lights and enjoy the challenge of trying to improve year on year.”

The dad has previously raised money for the Kent Wish Foundation and Porchlight.

This year they have chosen Club Ausome, a charity based in Rochester that supports children with disabilities or additional needs and their families.

“Our family is big on Christmas and love going around the community with our kids looking at the lights,” he added.

“We also enjoy hearing that the community look forward to seeing our lights going up!”

You can either donate via their JustGiving page here, or the donation pot secured at the foot of the tree.

A snowy-themed Winter Wonderland of a display can be seen along Vectis Drive in Sittingbourne.

Returning for 2023, the magical display launched last Saturday and will be open for visitors every evening until Christmas Eve.

Expect to see a holographic Santa, snow machine, music and lights. It is all in aid of Guide Dogs

Annika Murphy’s 11-year-old daughter Anya is registered blind, so it is a charity close to all of their hearts.

She said: “It’s my parent’s house and genuinely is the most magical place

“Special guests, including the Guide Dog volunteers with their adorable puppies in training, will be visiting.

“All donations are very much appreciated, no matter how big or small – every penny absolutely counts.”

Collection boxes will be scattered around the front of the house every evening, but you can also pop cash through the letter box.

To donate via their JustGiving page, please click here.

Do you know of any other Christmas displays? Comment below so others know where else to visit.