About Us

History:
The Festival of Lights has evolved from a corporate marketing vehicle funded by the Del Webb Corporation (developer of the master planned community called The Foothills) to year-round activities driven by a dedicated group of volunteers known as the Festival of Lights Association, a 501 c (3) corporation.

Del Webb funded the initial display along Chandler Boulevard from 1986-1993 while it was developing the areas from 24th Street to Desert Foothills Parkway. By 1993, Del Webb determined it was no longer necessary to utilize the light display to market the area and homeowners voted on the future of the display. While a majority of residents voted to retain the display, the margin was not the two-thirds required and the lights were sold for pennies on the dollar.

Two dim seasons passed without a light display. In late 1995, a small group of homeowners from The Foothills and Club West determined to revive the tradition and expand the purpose to include community events and benefiting the needy in the immediate Foothills area and beyond.

Since 1996, the Festival of Lights Corporation has partnered with the City of Phoenix Parks, Recreation & Library Department, The Foothills Homeowners Association and numerous individuals and businesses to raise funds to pay for the lights that are visible from the week of Thanksgiving through New Years. The initial Kick-Off Party, held the Saturday after Thanksgiving in 1996, drew 8,000 attendees. In 2004, this event drew over 25,000 attendees and attendance continues to grow. The day long event at Desert Foothills Park includes entertainment, games, crafts, food booths, Santa’s Village, exposure for community organizations, and is highlighted by a lighted Harley Davidson Parade, which chauffeurs Santa and Mrs. Claus to formally declare the holiday season!

Additional fundraisers have included Wine & Micro-Brew Tasting Festivals, Casino Nights, Horse-Drawn Hayrides, Luminary hikes and a Golf Tournament. Several organizations have benefited from the funds and goods generated by the events including: Donations to the Park & Recreation Department’s Teen Center, canned foods and toy drives with the Phoenix Fire Department, U.S. Marine Corp, Kyrene Foundation, Mountain Vista Park, YMCA Capital Campaign, YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, Phoenix Crisis Nursery, American Red Cross, Kiwanis Club, Phoenix Clean & Beautiful and much more!

Thanks to the incredible community members throughout Ahwatukee, the bright light display continues to expand down Chandler Blvd. and has even extended beyond Chandler. Through the innovative Deck the Walls Program, whereby lights are provided to individual neighborhoods to light the walls as far west as 17th Avenue.

The organization has faced incredible challenges along the way, including a "rainout" of the largest event (the 1998 Kick-Off Party). In spite of this, partnerships with local residents and businesses are strong. Each year the organization must raise $50,000+ to meet the operating budget and to build a reserve for the future. In addition, the board has voted to expand the commitment of the organization to benefit youth in the Phoenix metropolitan area by partnering with local organizations like the Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club as beneficiaries of partial proceeds raised from future fundraising events hosted by the Festival of Lights Association.

The Festival of Lights Association has not only lit up Chandler Boulevard, but it has generated great spark to the Ahwatukee Foothills Community!

What we do:
The Festival of Lights Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the enhancement of our community. In addition to the traditional white light holiday display, the Festival of Lights provides annual community events. The light display, a long time signature of the Ahwatukee Foothills boasts over one million white lights artistically displayed amongst desert landscape. The variety of community events hosted by the Festival of Lights range from charity golf tournaments, microbrew and wine tasting festivals, kick-off events and hayrides drawing thousands from our community and beyond. While organizing several community events we provide numerous community volunteer opportunities work closely with local schools, scout troops and others throughout the area.

Donations:
Well into our 12th year of existence, the Festival of Lights has donated time, money and goods to the following organizations: The Melonhead Foundation, Inc., The New Foundation, Assistance League of the East Valley, The United States Marine Corp., The Phoenix Crisis Nursery, YMCA & their Strong Kids Program, Phoenix Parks & Rec. Teen Center, Kyrene Foundation, St. Mary’s Food Bank, Chandler Community Center, Mountain Vista Park Foundation, Phoenix Fire Department Toy Drive, Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce, Altadena Peer Leadership Class, the City of Phoenix (light display), the Guadalupe Community, American Red Cross, Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee, Phoenix Clean and Beautiful with many others. We are proud to work with each of these dedicated non-profits and keep the list growing strong!