Coulter Celebration of Lights Returns

Coulter Celebration of Lights Returns Nov. 22 to Kick Off a Magical Holiday Season

Arkansas State University-Mountain Home and the City of Mountain Home invite the community to celebrate a holiday tradition that brings light, joy and giving to the Twin Lakes area.

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – One of the Twin Lakes area's favorite holiday traditions is returning as Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASUMH) and the City of Mountain Home prepare for another season of the Coulter Celebration of Lights.

The festivities will officially begin Sunday, Nov. 22, with a special lighting ceremony from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Community members are invited to help welcome the holidays as the campus lights up for the first time this season.

The highlight of the evening will take place at approximately 5:30 p.m., when ASUMH Chancellor Dr. Bentley Wallace, Mountain Home Mayor Hillrey Adams, ASUMH Founding Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Ed and Lucretia Coulter, and Santa Claus join together to flip the switch and illuminate the campus. Guests are encouraged to arrive early so they don't miss the special moment.

Following the lighting, families can enjoy a screening of the holiday favorite The Santa Clause, holiday snacks from Rooted Soul Bakes and opportunities for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Once the lights are shining, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be ready to welcome guests for holiday pictures.

The drive-through light display will continue nightly from Nov. 22 through Dec. 27, giving families plenty of opportunities to enjoy the holiday magic throughout the season.

Drive-Through Celebration Information

Dates: Nov. 22-Dec. 27, 2026
Hours: Nightly, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Entrance: College Street
Exit: Highway 62
Admission: No entry fee. Donations are welcomed at the exit.

To make the experience even more festive, visitors can tune in to KTLO's dedicated Coulter Celebration of Lights radio channel for holiday music while driving through the display.

Donations collected at the exit support student scholarships at ASUMH while also helping fund improvements and continued growth of the Coulter Celebration of Lights.

While the lights are what visitors see, it takes a tremendous amount of behind-the-scenes work to make the celebration possible. Volunteers are especially important to the success of the event, and community organizations, businesses, families and individuals are encouraged to sign up to work the entrance and exit gates throughout the festival.

Gate volunteers help welcome visitors, collect donations and keep the experience running smoothly. Every volunteer shift and every donation helps make the celebration possible, support ASUMH students and ensure the festival continues to grow for years to come.

"The Coulter Celebration of Lights is about so much more than Christmas lights. It is about bringing our community together, creating memories for families and making a difference for students," said ASUMH Chancellor Dr. Bentley Wallace. "We depend on our volunteers and the generosity of our community to make this event successful. Every volunteer shift and every donation helps us continue to grow the festival while providing scholarship support for ASUMH students."

"The City of Mountain Home is looking forward to bringing the Coulter Celebration of Lights back again for the enjoyment of so many families in our community and surrounding areas. We anticipate another successful year and are excited to showcase some new displays this season. Thank you to everyone who helps make this event possible. We could not do it without the hard work and dedication of City and ASUMH employees and the many volunteers who give their time to make this holiday tradition a success," said Hillrey Adams, Mayor of Mountain Home.

The Coulter Celebration of Lights has become a holiday tradition for families throughout the region, and organizers look forward to welcoming returning visitors and new families to experience the magic this year.

Community members interested in volunteering at the entrance or exit gates are encouraged to sign up and help make this year's celebration a success. Whether volunteering individually, with a business, church, civic group or other organization, every helping hand makes a difference.

For more information about the Coulter Celebration of Lights, visit www.asumh.edu/lights, or to volunteer, contact:

Kasey Bass
Community & Advancement Operations Coordinator
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home
870-508-6158, ext. 158
kbass@asumh.edu
The Sheid – C113

Gather your family, invite your friends, tune in to KTLO and make the Coulter Celebration of Lights part of your holiday tradition!

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