Jacksonville, AL – The Jacksonville Arts Council is entering the final stretch of its inaugural Holiday Ladiga Lights season, giving residents and visitors one last opportunity to experience the brand-new holiday event introduced this year in Jacksonville.
Holiday Ladiga Lights debuted as a first-year community event featuring a 2.2-mile round-trip illuminated trail beginning at the Jacksonville Soccer Pavilion and extending to Ladiga Landing and back. Attendees may choose to walk the trail or ride aboard a trackless train system, creating an accessible and family-friendly experience.
The event opened the Friday after Thanksgiving and continues nightly through Tuesday, December 23, marking the conclusion of its first season. Despite several nights earlier in the season being canceled due to freezing temperatures and rain, Holiday Ladiga Lights has still welcomed well over 1,000 visitors, an impressive turnout for a brand-new event. Community response has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants already expressing excitement about how the event may continue to grow in future years.
Holiday Ladiga Lights has been made possible through generous sponsorships from AmFirst, the Calhoun County Commission, the City of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University, Draycon, B&B Developers L.L.C., and the Alabama Power Foundation, along with the Jacksonville Arts Council.
The event has been entirely volunteer-driven, with community members handling everything from installing the light displays to operating the event and selling concessions each night. A popular feature for families has been Santa Claus, who appears nightly from 6 to 8 p.m. This weekend, and continuing until supplies run out, every child attending will receive a free toy.
In addition, members of Sigma Phi Epsilon at Jacksonville State University have volunteered throughout the season to provide free photos with Santa, emailing images directly to families at no cost. While guests are always welcome to take their own photos, the service has been offered as an added experience for attendees. The effort has been led by Vice President of Communication Jake Morton, along with Jacksonville State University students who have regularly volunteered despite cold temperatures.
Admission to Holiday Ladiga Lights is $5 per person, keeping the event affordable and accessible. Organizers encourage guests to arrive early, as last entry to the trail is at 8:30 p.m. to ensure the trail clears by 9 p.m. On busy nights, tickets have sold out earlier than expected.
With no significant weather issues anticipated for the remainder of the season, organizers are optimistic about strong attendance through the final nights. Updates and nightly information are shared through the Jacksonville Arts Council Facebook pages.
All proceeds from Holiday Ladiga Lights go directly back to the Jacksonville Arts Council to support future arts-focused and community-centered events. As the inaugural season comes to a close, the Council encourages the community to take advantage of the remaining nights and extends warm holiday wishes to all.
For more information, visit www.jacksonvillearts.org.
