Sitting down with The Lights of Christmas Manager, Kayla Castiglione, she reflected on the event’s journey over the last several years,

“When looking at the last 29 years of The Lights of Christmas there are many moments the event grew. Some of the moments were natural growth, like adding more lights every year or introducing new displays and activities for people to enjoy at the event. Other moments of growth were forced, like pivoting to a different format during a pandemic. Growth comes from change, and the Lord guides us in all these moments big or small. When we trust God and follow His leading, we will be exactly what He wants us to be.

The Lord has guided The Lights of Christmas leaders from the very beginning and continues to guide us today. It takes a lot of trust to change. We trusted the Lord and have grown to be an amazing event for our community. It is clear The Lights of Christmas is for our community and part of that is our partnerships. In 2024, The Lights of Christmas for All program grew from 11 partners to 20. These partnerships are wonderful ways for the event to connect with our community.

We spend a lot of time praying for the event. We pray we will grow, our partners will grow, and the number of people who encounter the Lord here will grow every year. We pray for guidance with what the Lord wants The Lights of Christmas to be. I encourage you to pray with us for growth at The Lights of Christmas and that the Lord is in every step ahead.”

There are changes to The Lights of Christmas program every year, as we strive to make the experience new and exciting for our guests. This year, guests have the opportunity to choose the type of experience they want: Drive Thru only nights or nights that include the Drive Thru with the Activity Stops. Guests can purchase a ticket to either.

During the Activity Stop nights, one of the biggest changes is the addition of the Christmas Market at Joyland — a cheerful indoor market filled with local artisans, handmade gifts, and delicious seasonal food. The atmosphere is cozy and lively, with the scent of fresh kettle corn and the sound of holiday music adding to the magic. At Santa’s Village, an exciting new feature has been added, Penguin Putt, a whimsical nine-hole mini-golf course that’s perfect for kids and adults alike. It’s a fun, interactive way to play your way through the holiday spirit for a small fee.

The classic features of The Lights of Christmas are still around. The larger than life, pure white, nativity scene is always a showstopper. The lighted waterfall cascading down Icicle Falls and large mountain meadow scene will also be back, along with the whimsical Gingerbread Lane from last year, featuring Sprinkles the Donut. Every turn offers a new opportunity to enjoy the wonder and magic of the season.

We can’t wait to see you at The Lights of Christmas!