Skip to main contentSkip to main content
Register for more free articles.
Log in Sign up
Back to homepage
Subscriber Login
Keep reading with a digital access subscription.
Subscribe now
You have permission to edit this collection.
Edit
Arizona Daily Star
58°
  • Sign in
  • Subscribe Now
  • Manage account
  • Logout
    • Manage account
    • e-Newspaper
    • Logout
  • News
    • Sign up for newsletters
    • Local
    • Arizona
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Nation & World
    • Markets & Stocks
    • SaddleBrooke
    • Politics
    • Archives
    • News Tip
  • Arizona Daily Star
    • E-edition
    • E-edition-Tutorial
    • Archives
    • Special Sections
    • Merchandise
    • Circulars
    • Readers' Choice Awards
    • Buyer's Edge
  • Obituaries
    • Share Your Story
    • Recent Obituaries
    • Find an Obituary
  • Opinion
    • Submit a Letter
    • Submit guest opinion
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Opinion & Editorials
    • National Columnists
  • Sports
    • Arizona Wildcats
    • Greg Hansen
    • High Schools
    • Roadrunners
  • Lifestyles
    • Events Calendar
    • Arts & Theatre
    • Food & Cooking
    • Movies & TV
    • Movie Listings
    • Music
    • Comics
    • Games
    • Columns
    • Play
    • Home & Gardening
    • Health
    • Get Healthy
    • Parenting
    • Fashion
    • People
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Faith
    • Retro Tucson
    • History
    • Travel
    • Outdoors & Rec
    • Community Pages
  • Brand Ave. Studios
  • Join the community
    • News tip
    • Share video
  • Buy & Sell
    • Place an Ad
    • Shop Local
    • Jobs
    • Homes
    • Marketplace
    • I Love A Deal
  • Shopping
  • Customer Service
    • Manage My Account
    • Newsletter Sign-Up
    • Subscribe
    • Contact us
  • Mobile Apps
  • Weather: Live Radar
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Bluesky
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
© 2026 Lee Enterprises
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Arizona Daily Star
News+
Read Today's E-edition
Arizona Daily Star
News+
  • Log In
  • $1 for 3 months
    Subscribe Now
    • Manage account
    • e-Newspaper
    • Logout
  • E-edition
  • News
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • Wildcats
  • Lifestyles
  • Newsletters
  • Comics & Puzzles
  • Buyer's Edge
  • Jobs
  • 58° Clear
Share This
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Bluesky
  • WhatsApp
  • SMS
  • Email
Photos: 2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights
Share this
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Bluesky
  • WhatsApp
  • SMS
  • Email
  • Print

Photos: 2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

  • Dec 20, 2012
  • Dec 20, 2012 Updated Mar 15, 2016

For 63 years the residents of the Winterhaven neighborhood have been hosting the Winterhaven Festival of Lights, where homes sport festive holiday decorations and the public is invited to view the elaborate displays. The two-week event is a fundraiser for the Tucson Community Food Bank.

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Christmas light decorations are displayed in front of a Winterhaven home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., during the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A sign in front of the Winterhaven neighborhood welcomes visitors to the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. Though the two-week long event is free to the public, the Tucson Community Food Bank accepts money and food donations during the festival.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Christmas light decorations are displayed in front of a Winterhaven home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., during the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights. During the two-week long festival residents decorate their lawns and neighborhood and invite the public to view their creations.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Christmas light decorations are displayed in front of a Winterhaven home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., during the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights. During the two-week long festival residents decorate their lawns and neighborhood and invite the public to view their creations.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Candy cane lights line the corner of East Farr Street and North Treat Circle during the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. During the two-week long festival residents decorate their lawns and neighborhood and invite the public to view their creations.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Toy soldiers made out of lights guard a portable toilet at the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. Residents of Winterhaven who decorated for the festival had the potential to win awards for their creative displays.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A mailbox is decorated with a holiday wreath the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. Residents of Winterhaven who decorated for the festival had the potential to win awards for their creative displays, including 'Best Mailbox'.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A sign with the word 'Ditto' is on display in front of a Winterhaven home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., during the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights. While some residents in the Winterhaven neighborhood created elaborate decorations for the two-week festival, others kept it simple.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A group visitors stand in front of a snow machine during the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. The machine used water and soap products to create fake snow.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A group visitors stand in front of a snow machine during the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. The machine used water and soap products to create fake snow.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A peace symbol made out of lights is on display during the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. The neighborhood event is free to the public and accepts food and money donations for the Tucson Community Food Bank.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily St

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A Nightmare Before Christmas-themed decorated house is on display during the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. The neighborhood event is free to the public and accepts food and money donations for the Tucson Community Food Bank.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Cutout elves depicting famous celebrities on display in front of a Winterhaven home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., during the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights. Famous elves include, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears and Justin Bieber.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Cutout elves depicting famous celebrities on display in front of a Winterhaven home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., during the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights. Famous elves include, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears and Justin Bieber.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A boy watches a holiday movie outside a Winterhaven home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., during the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights. The neighborhood event is free to the public and accepts food and money donations for the Tucson Community Food Bank.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Christmas light decorations are displayed in front of a Winterhaven home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., during the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights. During the two-week long festival residents decorate their lawns and neighborhood and invite the public to view their creations.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A star made out of christmas lights is displayed in front of a Winterhaven home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., during the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights. The neighborhood event is free to the public and accepts food and money donations for the Tucson Community Food Bank.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Visitors stroll the main square of the Winterhaven neighborhood at the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. The neighborhood event is free to the public and accepts food and money donations for the Tucson Community Food Bank.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Elaborate cutouts depicting the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" on display during the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. Residents of Winterhaven who decorated for the festival had the potential to win awards for their creative displays, including the 'Spirit of Christmas Award'.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A home decorated to look like a gingerbread house is on display during the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. Residents of Winterhaven who decorated for the festival had the potential to win awards for their creative displays, including the 'Best Door' award.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Santa signs on display in front of a Winterhaven home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., during the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights. The neighborhood event is free to the public and accepts food and money donations for the Tucson Community Food Bank.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A Cars-themed decorated house is on display during the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. The neighborhood event is a fundraiser for the Tucson Community Food Bank.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A set depicting the Grinch and Santa at a bar is on display during the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. Though the two-week long event is free to the public, the Tucson Community Food Bank is accepting money and food donations.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A holiday town on display in front of a Winterhaven home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., during the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights. During the two-week long festival residents decorate their lawns and neighborhood and invite the public to view their creations.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Christmas light decorations are displayed in front of a Winterhaven home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., during the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights. During the two-week long festival Winterhaven residents decorate their lawns and neighborhood and invite the public to view their creations.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A Disney princess-themed lawn is on display during the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. Though the two-week long event is free to the public, the Tucson Community Food Bank accepts money and food donations during the festival.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A car with Christmas lights and one unique driver and passenger is on display during the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. Though the two-week long event is free to the public, the Tucson Community Food Bank accepts money and food donations during the festival.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A cutout eagle and American flag are on display during the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. During the two-week long festival residents decorate their lawns and neighborhood and invite the public to view their creations.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A missing Santa sign is on display in front of a Winterhaven home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., during the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights. While some residents in the Winterhaven neighborhood created elaborate decorations for the two-week festival, others kept it simple.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Visitors stroll the main square of the Winterhaven neighborhood at the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. Though the two-week long event is free to the public, the Tucson Community Food Bank accepts money and food donations during the festival.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Visitors walk down Christmas Ave. at the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. Though the two-week long event is free to the public, the Tucson Community Food Bank accepts money and food donations during the festival.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Two girls add to a paper chain attached to a tree at the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. Visitors were able to write a personal wish they had on a strip of paper before adding it to the long chain.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Santa on a cutout boat on display during the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. Residents of Winterhaven who decorated for the festival had the potential to win awards for their creative displays, including the "Best Dressed Vehicle' award.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A Christmas moose decoration sits in front of a house at Winterhaven on Wednesday, Dec. 19, in Tucson, Ariz. The theme for this yard is a Winterhaven zoo, complete with flying pigs, bright giraffes and a Tyrannosaurus rex in a Santa hat.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A nativity scene made out of lights is displayed in the front yard of a Winterhaven home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., during the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily St

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

2012 Winterhaven Festival of Lights

A menorah and cutout penguins are on display in front of a Winterhaven home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz., during the 63rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights.

Samantha Munsey/Arizona Daily Star

Related to this collection

Photos: Scared of Santa 2012 contest entries

Photos: Scared of Santa 2012 contest entries

Last Year the Arizona Daily Star asked readers to submit photos of their children with the one and only Kris Kringle for our "Scared of Santa"…

Arizona Daily Star
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Bluesky
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Arizona Daily Star Store
  • This is Tucson
  • Saddlebag Notes
  • Tucson Festival of Books

Sites & Partners

  • E-edition
  • Classifieds
  • Events calendar
  • Careers @ Lee Enterprises
  • Careers @ Gannett
  • Online Features
  • Sponsored Blogs
  • Get Healthy

Services

  • Advertise with us
  • Register
  • Contact us
  • RSS feeds
  • Newsletters
  • Photo reprints
  • Subscriber services
  • Subscription FAQ
  • Licensing
  • Shopping
© Copyright 2026 Arizona Daily Star, PO Box 26887 Tucson, AZ 85726-6887
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertising Terms of Use | Do Not Sell My Info | Cookie Preferences
Powered by BLOX Content Management System from bloxdigital.com.
  • Notifications
  • Settings
You don't have any notifications.

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.

Topics

News Alerts

Breaking News