Tucson Standard

The Winterhaven Festival of Lights, a long-standing holiday tradition in Tucson, is set to begin its 75th annual celebration this Saturday, December 14. The event will run through December 28, operating nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. This festival serves as a significant fundraiser for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Last year, the Tucson community contributed $31,222 and donated 37,800 pounds of food during the festival.

The City of Tucson and the Winterhaven neighborhood are requesting cooperation from attendees to ensure a smooth experience for both visitors and local residents. Due to increased attendance over the years, there have been challenges regarding traffic and safety around the event area.

Attendees are advised that speeds will be reduced in the event vicinity due to high pedestrian activity between 5:30 and 10:30 p.m. each night. "When driving through the Winterhaven event area please remember to SLOW DOWN," organizers emphasize, highlighting safety concerns during this busy period.

The Tucson Police Department (TPD) will oversee traffic enforcement within the area to ensure compliance with speed limits and other traffic controls. TPD officers along with community safety officers (CSOs) will be present at major intersections and pedestrian crossings throughout Winterhaven.

Parking regulations will be strictly enforced in neighborhoods surrounding Winterhaven to prevent issues such as blocked driveways or impaired visibility for drivers. Event organizers suggest carpooling or using Sun Tran public transportation as alternatives to reduce parking congestion.

Waste management is another focus for festival-goers. The City of Tucson Environmental Services provides several options for disposing waste responsibly at the event site. Visitors are encouraged to use designated barrels or take recyclables home since recycling facilities won't be available on-site due to contamination risks.

For further inquiries or suggestions related to the festival, attendees can contact city services by calling 311 or visiting Tucson's online service request platform.