Lights on Falcon didn’t start as a “show.” It began as a small way to make the season feel a little brighter — a spark of light and a bit of joy that slowly grew into neighbors gathering, kids dancing in the street, and a tradition that made our block feel more like a community again. That’s always been the real purpose.

This year, for the first time, we’re opening the door for those who’ve asked how they can help. And to be honest, opening donations is still a personal struggle. We believe deeply that community and joy should be free — never transactional. But the truth is, this has become bigger than one house, one Halloween, one Christmas, or one block coming together to build arches.

And while we’ll never profit a penny from it, every dollar does help us pour more back into the show and into the people it brings together. That’s why we created LightLab, a new nonprofit launching after the new year. Its mission is simple and deeply personal: to use creativity, care, and community-building to make life feel a little brighter for the people around us — not just during the holidays, but all year long.

And if donating isn’t for you? Your smiles, your kids dancing in the street, the warm hellos, the reconnecting with neighbors — those moments are what make this worth doing and always will be. Baked goods, old-fashioned thank-you notes, and high-fives remain some of the best contributions we could ever receive.

More about LightLab — including STEAM workshops, community programs, and ways to get involved as a volunteer — will be coming in the new year. There’s a lot of good we can do together, and we’re going to need more hands than just the elves.

Thanks for being here. Truly.

Let’s keep the glow going — together.