The Desert Lights Festival

AKA Desert Farm Lights

What was the inspiration behind Desert Farm Lights?
I was just a mom with three young kids who wanted a quality Christmas experience close to home — something magical we could enjoy together without having to drive 40 miles in any direction. When I realized there wasn’t anything like that nearby, we decided to create one ourselves.
2022 was our first season and it was very small — just a couple of bounce houses, around 100 illuminated trees, a tiny light maze, and a few food vendors. But the desire for something local and family-friendly was so strong that we sold out every weekend!
Now, heading into our fifth season, Desert Farm Lights has grown to more than three times its original size....and growing!
We now host corporate events, have the original Christmas maze (the first of its kind in the nation, which many are interested in replicating), and offer an incredibly beautiful, immersive holiday experience—that continues to grow.
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2. Tell us a little about your family and how or if they are involved in helping with Desert Farm Lights?
My husband Jordan and I founded and operate the event together — I manage all the systems and operations, while Jordan leads the setup. He spends months working 12+ hour days alongside a small crew of  people who care about the event just as much as we do.
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Our children love the event. They are also proud contributors helping build props and assemble other event features. If you happen to ride the train with them, they’ll proudly point out the pieces they assembled!
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3. What obstacles have you had to overcome?
Too many to list. We have a lot of great stories to tell ;)
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5. What can the community find you doing in the off seasons?
We value family. So, during the “off season” we really immerse ourselves in family time because quality family time is sacrificed during our event season. At the same time, we use those months to plan and prepare for the upcoming holiday season. There’s always work to be done, just at a gentler pace during the first seven months of the year.
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7. How has the community impacted the success of Desert Farm Lights?
So many locals followed our journey on social media and rallied behind us in such an incredible way during our first year. Their support made every subsequent season possible.That first season, more than any other, was incredibly challenging. The outpouring of love and support from our community—then and now—still makes me emotional when I think about it.

Our Hope
We hope to always serve as a cherished tradition for our community and fill the hearts of everyone who experiences our events with joy, wonder, and love. Christmas is the most magical time of the year, and we strive to reflect that magic throughout the entire guest experience.

Thank You!
Shanelle and Jordan Kunz