At the 2026 competition, a home on Phantom Street won Best Rangoli and the Ward 4 award, while the street itself took out Best Street.
On Phantom Street in Nirimba Fields, one of Blacktown’s top Diwali displays earned an award for a design made at ground level. The home at No. 30 won Best Rangoli and the Ward 4 award in the 2026 Blacktown City Diwali Lights Competition. The street also won Best Street, a category that required at least three decorated properties on the same street to enter.
The art of welcoming people in
Rangoli is a decorative art often made on floors, at entrances or in courtyards. Patterns can be created with coloured powders, flower petals or rice. At Diwali, a rangoli at the entrance is a gesture of welcome. It brings colour to the threshold where family, friends and neighbours arrive.
Blacktown City Council judged rangoli as a separate category during the final round on 7 November. That gave an art form traditionally made at the entrance of a home a place alongside the illuminated displays for which the competition is known.
From one doorstep to a whole street
The displays also gave visitors a way to discover the stories behind Diwali. Indian Link reported that Phantom Street featured characters from the Ramayana, with QR codes offering more information. Routine of Australia said on Facebook that more than 20 neighbouring homes take part and that the displays draw visitors from outside the area. The council says the winning street will receive a sign acknowledging its Best Street award.
The council announced the results of its 10th annual competition on 10 November. The Punia family of Marsden Park took first place overall with their Sundew Parade display, followed by entries in Glenwood and The Ponds.
Celebrations in Marsden Park and Schofields
The Wilcox Street display in Marsden Park won Champion of Champions. A congratulatory social media post named Jitesh and Roopam as the pair behind the display. In Schofields, the Best Townhouse/Villa winner shared their reaction on the Bhakti Dhara Facebook page, saying they were “thrilled and honoured” that their Agave Glade home had been recognised.
Full results for the 2026 Blacktown City Diwali Lights Competition
| Award | Winning entry |
| First overall | 12 Sundew Parade, Marsden Park |
| Second overall | 3 Rachael Place, Glenwood |
| Third overall | 37 Coobowie Drive, The Ponds |
| Ward 1 | 37 Coobowie Drive, The Ponds |
| Ward 2 | 3 Rachael Place, Glenwood |
| Ward 3 | 33 Pank Parade, Blacktown |
| Ward 4 | 30 Phantom Street, Nirimba Fields |
| Ward 5 | 12 Sundew Parade, Marsden Park |
| Champion of Champions | 28 Wilcox Street, Marsden Park |
| Best Rangoli | 30 Phantom Street, Nirimba Fields |
| Best Street | Phantom Street, Nirimba Fields |
| Best Townhouse/Villa | 7 Agave Glade, Schofields |
Blacktown City Council congratulated the winners and thanked residents who took part in this year’s competition.
