The Festival of Lights Kick-Off Party draws over 20,000 people and starts the holiday season with a holiday party to celebrate the season. From Thanksgiving until the New Year, Chandler Boulevard from 24th Street to Desert Foothills Parkway is illuminated with more than three million white lights. A horse-drawn hayride with a short luminary hike are offered as a ticketed activity on two Saturday evenings in December.
Enjoy these pictures of previous Festival of Lights festivities.
When is the Festival of Lights?
- Opening Day Celebration: Friday, November 28, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Hayrides & Luminary Hike: December 12 and 19, 2009 starting at 5:30 p.m. Last cart at 8 p.m.
- Lights Along Chandler Blvd: Thanksgiving '09 to New Year's Day '10 every evening until 11 p.m.
Where is the Festival of Lights?
The Opening Day Celebration will take place at Desert Foothills Park in Ahwatukee. Parking at the park is limited. Free parking is available and free shuttle service provided from:- Altadena Middle School/Cerritos Elementary on Desert Foothills Parkway just north of Chandler Blvd.
- YMCA at Ahwatukee Foothills at Liberty Drive and Desert Foothills Parkway
Shuttles will run constantly through the day between the parking lots and the park.
The beautiful Ahwatukee lights can be seen on Chandler Boulevard from 24th Street to Desert Foothills Parkway.
Where is the Hayride / Luminary Hike?
The hayride begins at Altadena Middle School parking lot. The carts head north on Desert Foothills Parkway to Telegraph Pass. At Telegraph Pass, riders take a short hike among 500 luminaries. The trail for the luminary hike is paved and wheelchair accessible. The entire hike takes about 30 minutes. After completing the luminary hike, riders get back on a hay cart for the return trip. The round trip takes about 45 minutes in total. People who don't want to hike don't have to, but they must wait 15 minutes after arriving at Telegraph Pass to get back on the hayride for the return trip.How do I get tickets for Festival of Lights and how much are they?
There are no tickets to the Kick-Off Party -- admission is free. Viewing the lights in Ahwatukee is also free. Tickets for the Hayrides / Luminary Hike are $5, 3 and under ride free.
Tickets may be purchased at the following locations up to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 19:
Safeway, 1334 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix
Safeway, 4005 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix
ACE Hardware, 1335 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix
After December 19 you can purchase your tickets at the hayride.
What else should I know about Festival of Lights?
At the opening day Kick-Off Party the live entertainment will include a full line-up of local group performances. Scheduled to perform are Center Pointe Dance, Cinderella Youth Development Scholarship Program dancers, Desert Sun Performing Arts, FootKlan, Ahwatukee Nutcracker Ballet, Ahwatukee Children's Theater, Kimberly Lewis School of Dance and The Sandrails.The Activity Zone will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m with nearly 40 rides and inflatables. Individual tickets or an all-day wristband for $25. Buy your all-day ride wristbands online before Thanksgiving for $20.
Marketplace Street Fair will feature more than 90 vendors to get you started on your holiday shopping. A Beer & Wine Garden is available to the adults, while the kids enjoy the Activity Zone with rides, inflatables and games. Santa will be in Santa's Village (where else?) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your camera.
The traditional Harley-Davidson Parade finale will descend upon the park about 6 p.m. with over 100 riders escorting Santa and Mrs. Claus.
You can see the entire schedule of events for the opening festival.
Do you have any pictures?
Yes. Here are photos of the Festival of Lights event in Ahwatukee.What if I have more questions about the Festival of Lights?
For more information, contact the Festival Of Lights at 480-460-6169 or visit Festival of Lights online.- - - - - - - - - -
Tree lightings, holiday lights, festivals, holiday music and entertainment, gift guides and holiday travel tips -- find them all in the Christmas Holidays Guide for Greater Phoenix.
All dates, times, prices and offerings are subject to change without notice.
