DEC 14–28
2024
6pm–10PM Everyday
Made possible by Tucson Electric Power
The Diamond Anniversary!
Since 1949 the Winterhaven Festival of Lights has grown to become a Tucson Tradition. This year, for the 75th time, we welcome the community of Tucson to come enjoy the lights and celebrate the holiday season.
See the lights on the move
Enjoy a hayride, a bus trolley, or a pedal-powered group bike! Rides are popular ways to see the lights. Reserve directly with each ride company.
DRIVING: no drive-thru dates for 2024
ADA: The Trolley is an accessible option.
Support the Community Food Bank
Donation stations at every entrance available day & night.
The Festival is free to attend.
We ask everyone to bring a donation of food or money for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.
Most needed items:
Peanut butter, oatmeal, cereal, granola bars, canned tomato products, canned tuna & chicken, canned soup, canned vegetables, canned fruit, rice & pasta, shelf stable milk
In 2023, the Tucson community donated $31,222 and 37,800 pounds of food to the Food Bank during the Festival of Lights.
Title Sponsor
The Festival of Lights is made possible by the generous support and partnership of Tucson Electric Power.
Supporting Sponsors
Without them the Festival would not be possible. Thank you!
About
Festival History
In 1949 CB Richards created a cooperative water company and a modern residential development north of what was Tucson at the time. By 1957 all but 19 of the 257 original lots had been developed.
The Festival of Lights began in 1949. Mr. Richards was inspired to create the Festival after visiting a similar display in Beverly Hills, California in the 1930s. He purchased the first set of Christmas lights in 1949 and donated them to the neighborhood. He purchased the Aleppo pines from a local nursery that was going out of business. They were planted at regular intervals throughout the neighborhood and electrical connections were hooked up near each tree for the lights.
For the first few years of the festival Richards personally judged all the displays and the winner was awarded $100.00. After he moved to San Diego, Richards continued to visit Winterhaven for the Festival of Lights.
The Festival has been held continuously since 1949 except for two years: once during the 1970's energy crisis when the residents of Winterhaven voted to stay dark, and in 2020 due to coronavirus.
75th Annual Festival of Lights
This year is our Diamond Anniversary, the 75th year of the Winterhaven Festival of Lights – one of the longest running festivals of its kind in the country.
The Festival of Lights celebrates the holiday season in Tucson and is visited by hundreds of thousands of people from all over southern Arizona. Moreover, the Festival is one the most important events for the Community Food Bank in Tucson. In 2023, $31,222 and 37,800 pounds of food were donated to the Food Bank through the Festival.
Come enjoy the lights and help us support our community by bringing a donation for the foodbank with you.
Vendors
| Arizona Party Bikes | 844-654-5544
> website |
| Winterhaven Hayrides | 520-825-0208
alt: 520-586-0220 > website |
| Winterhaven Trolley Tours | 520-955-3090
> website |
| Star Kettlecorn | 602-319-8775
> website |
| Trucking Good Cupcakes | 520-329-4411
> website |
| Common Grounds Espresso | 520-770-9270
> website |
| You Sly Dog | 520-954-8174
> website |
| Silent Adventures (NEW!) | 520-256-0469
Introducing SILENT ADVENTURES! Sing & dance to a festive playlist through the streets of Winterhaven in a 40 minute tour led by talented guides. It's a silent disco meets flash mob, but you don't have to have any skills to join the fun. Let's help this new business become a success Tucson! |
Suntran Bus Map
ADA Access
Community members with disabilities can enjoy the Festival of Lights in the following ways:
- Trolley - ADA compliant with wheelchair lifts.
- Hayrides - Ramps are available.
- Individuals with wheelchairs or walkers can be dropped off at the entrances of Tucson Blvd, or Prince to wait for their parties.
- Motorized mobility scooters are welcome.
Winterhaven Public Events
Festival of Lights Policies
1. Dogs
Dogs are allowed at The Festival on leashes but the festival can get busy. We ask dog owners to exercise common sense and courtesy.
2. Cigarettes
The Festival is a family event with many elderly and young participants. We kindly ask you refrain from cigarette smoking.
3. Trash
Please dispose of trash in the many trash cans placed in and around Winterhaven
4. Bicycles
please be safe, use sound judgment and walk your bicycle when crowded.
5. Sounds Amplification
For pedestrian and vehicular safety, and to avoid residential disruption, only residents and approved vendors are approved for sound amplification.
6. Freedom of Speech
Individuals or groups wishing to use The Festival of Lights (FOL) for display of signage, distribution of materials, solicitation or other advocacy for social, cultural, political, religious or other ideological purposes during the Festival shall be treated the same as other individuals and groups. These individuals and groups are not endorsed by The Festival of Lights (Winterhaven Public Events) or The Winterhaven Neighborhood Home-Owners-Association.
The FOL has large crowds, takes place in a residential neighborhood on public streets, free of charge. FOL is concerned to protect the peace, welfare and safety of all residents, persons attending the Festival.
Individuals or groups wishing to engage in expressive activity may do so as long as they do not block, impede, or otherwise disrupt motorized vehicles, pedestrian traffic, or access to vendors. To safely accommodate these individuals and groups, they must:
- move with pedestrian flow and not be stationary
- not erect a display or structure on Festival streets and sidewalks designated for vehicles, pedestrians and vendors
- not transport a display or structure on Festival streets and sidewalks designated for vehicles, pedestrians and vendors
- not erect signage or sell products; This is a right reserved and paid for by vendors