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41st Annual Night of Lights on Dec 21

Watts-Hillandale celebrates the winter holidays by lining the streets with luminaria, brightening our neighborhood with candlelight. This tradition started in 1985 by Caron Mayo, then vice president of the WHHNA, and a cheerful group of volunteers. This easily became an annual event. For a small fee, the neighborhood association will sell you all you need to make the luminaria for your yard. The more neighbors who participate - it's really cool if everyone on the block participates - the brighter and more "sparkling" the neighborhood looks. It's a great night for walking the neighborhood to see all of the holiday decorations, or having friends over to share holiday cheer and good wishes for the coming year. 

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Event Details for 2026:

  • When: Sunday Dec 21 (will move to Dec 24th in the event of rain)  beginning at dusk

  • Where: Luminaria supplies can be purchased at the southern end of Oval Drive on Dec 20 & 21 from 12-5 p.m. Folks at Moffat Pip will have the area accessible and safe.

  • Cost: $5/10 candles, bags and sand, or 50 cents for individual set-up. If you are a member of the association, you get one set up for free. You can complete your membership at this time if you have not yet joined. (Membership year is October to October.)

  • How to help with sales: go to https://bit.ly/NOLvolunteer2025 to volunteer to sell luminaria on 12/20/25 or 12/21/25. Time slots to volunteer begin at 11:30 and typically are for 2 hours. We end at 5 each day.

Supporting Urban Ministries of Durham Community Café

In connection with our Night of Lights celebration, we collect donations for our neighbors in need at the Urban Ministries of Durham Community Café. The Community Café has requested pantry items for the holiday season, such as flour, sugar, cake mixes, canned hams, and boxed stuffing. And they can always use peanut butter, canned meats, chili, beans, dried and canned pastas, mac and cheese, canned fruits and vegetables, boxed cereals, oatmeal, pancake mix, grits, coffee, and tea. Urban Ministries also accepts donations of gloves, hats, and coats in excellent condition. You can find a full list of the best items to donate by CLICKING HERE. We usually collect more than $7,000 to donate and we’d love to exceed that this year. You can donate now from the comfort of your own home — scan the QR code or use the red link to contribute. Or when you stop by Oval Park for luminaria supplies, bring canned goods and/or donate money to the Community Café. 

Urban Ministries QR Code

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