Ahwatukee Festival of Lights

Bringing Ahwatukee Together Since 1995

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Festival of Lights

Our Story

The Ahwatukee Foothills Festival of Lights (FoL) was founded in 1995 as an Ahwatukee community initiative after the developer of the Foothills, Del Webb, discontinued promotional festive-season lighting along the Chandler Blvd medians.

Three women, residents of Ahwatukee, felt that the lights were a beautiful landmark and should be present each festive season. They established the FoL as a 501C3 charity to implement substantial community events to raise money and fund the annual lighting. A substantial network of energetic and dedicated volunteers has sustained the effort every year since then!

The Million White Lights that famously illuminate Chandler Boulevard from 24th Street to Desert Foothills Parkway stands as a remarkable example of community spirit. Through thick and thin, the organization has sustained and grown each year, frequently reinventing itself to refresh and maintain relevance.

FOL activities are centered on two events:

The Wine and Beer Tasting Festival in April at The Foothills Golf Club
The Holiday Kick-Off Party, our fiesta in Desert Foothills Park, is held the Saturday after Thanksgiving to commemorate the start of the holiday season and the illumination of the lights.

These two events provide funding for the lights plus support for selected charities in Ahwatukee. Additionally, the display is funded by two HOA’s (Foothills and Club West).

Holiday Kick-Off Party

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2020
Desert Foothills Park, 1010 E Marketplace SE, Phoenix, AZ 85048

The Festival of Lights Holiday Kick-Off Party is a premier family-fun event for the Ahwatukee community that raises funds for the lighting of the medians over the holidays on Chandler Boulevard.

We have inflatables, rides and games for the children, Marketplace Street Fair, a beer garden, restaurants throughout the park, visits with Santa, entertainment for the family, and other fun activities. Up to 15,000 attend the day long festival.

We hope that you will join us! Read More

Vendors

Now accepting applications for:

Marketplace
Restaurant Row
Food Truck Trail

Apply Now

Get Involved

Spring Wine and Beer Tasting Event

TENTATIVELY: JUNE 12, 2020
Foothills Golf Club

We’ll begin posting information about our springtime fundraising event after the first of the year. Please check back in January for information on how to participate, donate, or volunteer. Have questions? Contact us.

What’s New?

New Festival of Lights Board Faces Present-Day Challenges

Apr 10, 2020

Janyce Hazlett, Co-Founder and President of the Festival of Lights board for nearly two decades, retired after the organization's Holiday Kick-Off Party last Thanksgiving weekend. Her long-time dedication is sorely missed and her service to the organization will be...

CALL FOR KICK-OFF PARTY VOLUNTEERS

Nov 11, 2019

Volunteers are needed to help with this year's Festival of Lights Kick-Off Party at Desert Foothills Park on November 29 and 30. The Holiday Kick-Off Party needs more than 300 volunteers to make this fun family event successful. Shifts are available on Friday for...

Kick-Off Party Entertainment Announcement

Oct 8, 2019

' Tripwire headlines again! Once again, local favorite TripWire will be headlining our festival stage entertainment at Desert Foothills Park on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Mark your calendars for November 30th and make a day of it! In addition to our...