In the heart of Tucson’s Winterhaven neighborhood, where the streets come alive with lights and holiday cheer each December, Mary Burkholder’s home stands as a glowing testament to tradition and creativity. 

Every year during the neighborhood’s Festival of Lights — a beloved event showcasing each house of Winterhaven with dazzling displays of holiday decorations — her fairy-tale-inspired home captivates visitors. Behind the magic, however, is a story of family legacy, community and a “sprinkle of fairy dust,” she says.

Mary Burkholder’s connection to the Winterhaven neighborhood and the Festival of Lights runs deep, as she has decorated the home 60 of the 75 years of the event.

“This house was built by my husband’s parents and grandparents in 1953. It’s been in the family since he was born,” Mary Burkholder said. “We moved out of the house for a short time but came back around 2014. It feels full circle to be here now, especially with this being the 75th diamond anniversary of the event. We are just so happy to be continuing the traditions Kelly’s [her husband] family started. I remember driving through the neighborhood as a kid and being so envious of all the houses, thinking it was so magical.”

Over the years, she has noticed how the event has changed, particularly in how people enjoy the displays.

“When we were kids, every night was what we called a drive night,” Mary Burkholder said. “There were so many cars and too much traffic to walk. Now, it’s more common to walk, and the effort people put into their displays today is just incredible.”

Mary Burkholder’s decorations reflect her love for the season. Each year, she sticks to the same fairy-inspired theme for her home: blue and white lights, calming magical elements and whimsical touches that she believes evoke a sense of winter wonder.

“People tell me it feels very calming, almost like something out of a fairy-tale book. It captures the spirit of Christmas in a way that’s peaceful and unique,” she said. 

This year, she added mushroom decorations to the display.

“You would think I created Disneyland with those mushrooms,” Mary Burkholder said.

Though enchanting, their holiday preparations are anything but effortless.

“I spend about 30 hours decorating the inside of our home, and Kelly, my husband, probably spends closer to 50 hours on the outside,” Mary Burkholder said. 

“We work together on it, but he does most of the heavy lifting outside under my artistic direction,” she said. 

Mary Burkholder also takes pride in crafting many of the outdoor decorations herself.

“Some of it I make, like the little fairy globes. They needed some fixing this year, but it’s all part of the charm,” she said.

She even enlists friends to help with special pieces.

“A friend helped me make the mushrooms and created a few other random decorations for me this year,” she explained.

While their home is a labor of love, it also reflects their dedication to supporting the community. The Winterhaven Food Drive, a central part of the Festival of Lights, is a cause they actively support each year.

“The community food bank takes care of a very basic need in a very local way,” Mary Burkholder said. “It’s an important cause, and it feels good to give back.”

The festival is one of the largest contributors to the Community Food Bank of Tucson. In 2023 alone, it brought in over $31,000 and nearly 38,000 pounds of food donations.

This generosity extends beyond donations, fostering a tradition that unites neighbors and visitors in a shared celebration of community spirit.

“People have been coming here for generations, and there’s something really special about it,” Mary Burkholder said. “Everyone in this neighborhood spends hours decorating — not for recognition, but because they love doing it. There’s a generosity of spirit here that makes this neighborhood unique.”

As for her own display, Mary Burkholder has a simple goal, she says.

“I want people to feel calm. The lights are calming, especially after seeing so many other high-stimulation displays. It’s like fairy magic is on par with Santa magic,” she said.

In addition to her decorations, Mary Burkholder adds music to the neighborhood experience.

“I bring my harp out a few times during the season, but tonight we have a family friend playing the bagpipes. It’s always fun to see neighbors and kids gather around to sing,” she said. 

On certain nights, she also hosts a fairy night, where performers dressed as fairies entertain visitors.

“They do bubbles and give out little wishing stones. It’s so magical,” Mary Burkholder said.

For anyone considering joining the Festival of Lights next year, Mary Burkholder offers advice.

“Reach out to people who live here. There’s a strong network of neighbors who are always happy to help newcomers. Social media is a great place to start,” she said.

As the night wound down and the final visitors admired her home, Mary Burkholder reflected on the event’s meaning itself.

“It’s really about spreading magic,” she said. “It’s about bringing people together to enjoy the season and to find joy in the little things.”

The Winterhaven event runs daily through Dec. 28 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Visit communityfoodbank.org/event/winterhaven for more information.

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