Winterhaven Festival of Lights 2024 in Arizona

Every December, hundreds of Tucson homes get festive by putting on colorful lights and bright decorations to share their holiday spirit with thousands of visitors. The Winterhaven neighborhood ​takes holiday lights to the next level by putting out an amazing display and closing down the streets so that visitors can stroll by the decorated homes and enjoy the lights.

During most nights, the Winterhaven Festival of Lights remains a pedestrian zone, but on one or two occasions, it becomes a drive-through for those who prefer to see the lights from their vehicles. The opening hours are from 6 pm to 10 pm.

In addition to raising the holiday spirit, the festival also collects donations for charity, supporting the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Donation stations are available at the entrance to the festival. On the second night of the festival, the best-decorated Winterhaven house is selected by a panel of judges.

Festival History

The Winterhaven Festival of Lights has been a local tradition since 1949. Mr. Richards (CB Richards) was inspired to create the Festival after seeing a similar Christmas lights display in Beverly Hills in the 1930s. In 1949, he purchased the first set of Christmas lights and donated them to the neighborhood. He also bought Aleppo pines from a local nursery, which were planted throughout the area with electrical connections set up for the festive lights.

Festivals have been held annually, except for two years: once during the 1970's energy crisis when residents voted to stay dark, and again in 2020 because of Coronavirus.