Electricity brings holiday events to life. That’s why TEP sponsors and supports so many of the colorful light displays that dazzle our season.
TEP provides financial and volunteer support to traditional holiday festivals and events, tapping the spirit of giving that power our community service all year long.
Here’s are some places we helped brighten this season.
Winterhaven Festival of Lights
TEP has sponsored this Tucson tradition since 2017. This year will be special, as it’s the 75th anniversary of the Winterhaven Festival of Lights.
From Dec. 14-28, residents of this historic, midtown neighborhood will show off elaborate light displays at their homes and along their streets, which are lined with 180 towering trees.
This year’s collaboration began Dec. 5, when our linemen and other TEP employees hoisted strings of lights and ornaments on the tallest trees. We brought bucket trucks to help our team reach the highest branches.
This year, Winterhaven’s central, elevated traffic circle is adorned with white lights and glittery ornaments in honor of the diamond anniversary. Residents are encouraged to make their displays extra shiny this year. Spectators can search for 75 diamond signs scattered throughout the neighborhood for a fun scavenger hunt.
“TEP is crucial to us in putting on the festival. We are so grateful for its sponsorship. Without their employees, trucks and support, the lights wouldn’t get up in the trees,” said Amanda Sherry, Winterhaven Public Events’ secretary/treasurer.
Amid the sparkling lights, TEP volunteers will help collect food and cash donations for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona at entrances to the neighborhood.
Visitors also can learn about energy-efficiency and our programs at a TEP station near the south Winterhaven entrance on Christmas Avenue. There, they can take turns riding energy bikes to compare how hard they have to pedal to power different types of bulbs. Stop by our booth on Dec. 14, 15, 21 and 22.
Tohono Chul
In early November, TEP volunteers began preparing the gardens at Tohono Chul for Holiday Nights by stringing lights around mesquite branches, metal fences and cylindrical cactuses. Volunteers also installed candy cane decorations along the path where Santa Claus will greet children.
With TEP’s support, the Holiday Nights events will run Dec. 6 through 22 on Fridays through Sundays. Visitors can wander illuminated paths and gardens, amid festive music, while sampling from a seasonal menu and checking out a market. TEP’s booth and energy bikes will be available on Dec. 20.
TEP also supports Tohono Chul throughout the year, in alignment with our company’s philanthropic focus on environmental stewardship.
Zoo Lights
A new tiger is joining creatures at Reid Park Zoo for Zoo Lights holiday events. Each year, TEP’s welders craft one or more new sculptures for display at the zoo’s evening events, including Zoo Lights.
This year’s creation joins previous sculptures, including a sloth, anteater and giraffe.
Along with our creative artistry, TEP supports the zoo’s programming and serves as the title sponsor for Zoo Lights Holiday Magic in which the zoo grounds are adorned with more than one million lights.
The nighttime events run Dec. 5-23, 26-30 and Jan. 2-5. On Dec. 14 and 15, check out the TEP booth and our energy bikes.
Tucson Botanical Gardens
TEP volunteers will act as ambassadors on select nights at Tucson Botanical Gardens holiday events, called LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination.
The assistance continues TEP’s longtime alliance with the gardens, which has included donations of LED-illuminated luminarias and other lighting for the 5.5-acre midtown garden. In 2022, TEP supported the garden’s introduction of the new LightsUp arrangement with more than 1 million lights.
The festival began Nov. 29 and runs through Jan. 12.
Downtown Parade of Lights
TEP volunteers will embellish work trucks with radiance and decorations for the Downtown Parade of Lights. Our employees, families and friends regularly board the trucks in the parade through downtown Tucson.
The theme of our float this year will be Net Zero Heroes, recognizing TEP’s aspirational goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The parade is celebrating its 30th year.
View the parade starting at 6:30 p.m. through the Armory Park neighborhood. Learn more about the parade and see the route.
Find out more information about TEP’s community service and events.
