The Winterhaven Festival of Lights, a Southern Arizona holiday tradition for more than 70 years, returns December 13–27, 2025 with improvements designed to make the experience safer, more accessible, and more joyful than ever. Drawing over 200,000 visitors annually, the free, nonprofit-led festival will once again light up the historic Winterhaven neighborhood—with expanded infrastructure, innovative programming, and fresh opportunities to engage with the magic.
What’s New in 2025
- Walking-First Focus – To reduce congestion and improve safety, traditional trolleys and wagons will operate only on select low-traffic nights (Dec. 15–19, 24, 25 & 26), creating calmer walking nights during peak weekends.
- Assisted Living Drive-Through Nights – On Dec. 15 and 17, assisted living community buses can apply for free, early-access drive-through times with a designated staging area from 5:30–6:30 PM.
- Expanded Restrooms & Lighting – More accessible portable restrooms, improved walkway lighting, QR codes to guide attendees through the festival, enhanced directional signage, and increased trash and recycling bins along the route.
- Central Information Tent – A staffed hub for lost-and-found, first aid, and official Winterhaven information.
- Streamlined Parking & Shuttle Services – Official parking-lot partnerships with businesses, churches, and organizations to improve safety and reduce neighborhood impact—interactive maps and shuttle info will be available online.
- Enhanced Security – Two roaming security guards nightly, increased entrance control, and expanded training for volunteer and staff teams.
- New Food & Experience Vendors – Up to three new, strategically placed food vendors.
- Suggested-Donation Entry – Winterhaven is moving to a suggested donation format. Entry is not required to be paid, but if you can contribute, your donation supports festival infrastructure and helps feed Southern Arizonans.
- Going Cashless – To make giving simpler, safer, and more efficient, Winterhaven will deploy QR codes and a robust online giving campaign across Winterhaven social channels.
