- December 13, 2025
Lealynn Wagner, 7, wrote Santa a note. Photo by Sierra Williams
From left to right: Palm Coast Councilman Dave Sullivan, Santa Claus, Palm Coast Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri and the Rotary Club of Flagler County's Bill Butler, Michelle Bartlome and Charles Barbel. Photo by Sierra Williams
Kids roast marshmallows over an open flame at the 20th annual Fantasy Lights Festival in Palm Coast. Photo by Sierra Williams
Santa Claus greets children next to the switch for Christmas lights. Photo by Sierra Williams
Chris and Daniela Hunerberg (center) brought their son Derek Hunerberg to the Fantasy Lights Festival with Clem and Jessica Tullio. Photo by Sierra Williams
From left to right: Mako Palmby, 4, Vayda Palmby, 7, Steely McCloud, 4, and Coy McCloud, 3, enjoy their cotton candy and matching outfits. Photo by Sierra Williams
The walkway surrounding Central Park in Town Center had a series of Christmas light displays, sponsored by various organizations and groups in Flagler County. Photo by Sierra Williams
Kenn and Ashley Ellis take photos of their children, Drusilla, 7, and Azrael, 2, with Santa. Photo by Sierra Williams
Kenn and Ashley Ellis take photos of their children, Drusilla, 7, and Azrael, 2, with Santa. Photo by Sierra Williams
Sean Wagner and his daughter Lealynn, 7, with Santa. Photo by Sierra Williams
The Meeker family sponsored a sports-themed light display for Coach Frank Meeker. Photo by Sierra Williams
Palm Coast Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri greets Santa Claus at the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams
The Rotary Club of Flagler County started the Fantasy Light Festival 20 years ago at the suggestion of member Bill Butler, who wanted to honor the dream of his daughter. Photo by Sierra Williams
This year, to light the tree, children in the crowd were invited to help flip the switch and turn on the Christmas lights. Photo by Sierra Williams
Santa Claus arrives for the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams
Maria Loushin dressed as Santa Claus to kick-off the holiday season. Photo by Sierra Williams
The walkway surrounding Central Park in Town Center had a series of Christmas light displays, sponsored by various organizations and groups in Flagler County. Photo by Sierra Williams
Liam Sosa, 6, accepts a candy cane from Santa's helpers. Photo by Sierra Williams
The line to see Santa Claus at the 2025 Palm Coast Tree Lighting Ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams
The walkway surrounding Central Park in Town Center had a series of Christmas light displays, sponsored by various organizations and groups in Flagler County. Photo by Sierra Williams
Palm Coast Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri leads the 2025 Tree Lighting Ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams
Twenty years ago, Palm Coast's annual Fantasy Lights Festival started with a handful of light displays and the memory of a little girl.
"I felt a little tap on my shoulder saying, 'Dad, it's time,'" said Bill Butler co-chair of the Fantasy Lights Festival. "I just can't believe it's grown to this."
Now the Festival has 57 displays, all sponsored by organizations and businesses in Flagler County. The Festival is organized by the Rotary Club of Flagler County and acts as a fundraiser. Over the years, the Festival has raised $375,000 for local nonprofits.
The idea for a holiday light show stemmed from the dream of Butler's daughter Tiffany, who died in 2002 of a heart condition. Butler said that in 1997 when his family saw a Christmas light display in Indiana, his daughter Tiffany wanted to have a similar light show in Palm Coast.
Tiffany did not live to see the fruition of her dream, but, Butler was able to bring it to life in 2006. The Festival opened with Palm Coast's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 29 and will run through Dec. 30, from 6:30-9 p.m.
A special 20th anniversary celebration on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m., honoring the legacy of the Festival and the Rotary Club of Flagler County will also host the Holiday Market the same day.
Michelle Bartlome, president of the Rotary Club of Flagler County, said during the opening ceremony that the Fantasy Light Festival has spread "sparkle, laughter and community spirit" for the last 20 years.
Palm Coast Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri lead the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
"This tree lighting has become one of the most meaningful traditions in our city," Pontieri said. "I'm so grateful to be here with all of you."
Typically, the Central Park Christmas tree is lit as Santa Claus and city official flip a giant switch, a physical tribute to the beginning of the holiday season. This year, Pontieri invited the crowd of children to flip the switch with Santa Claus instead.
Pontieri said she hopes the Tree Lighting Ceremony tradition will continue for years in Palm Coast, celebrating the spirit that holds the city together. Pontieri took a moment to ask the crowd to turn and hug the family and neighbors.
"I want us to start spreading the joy right here, right now," she said.
Pontieri said Christmas has always had important meaning to her, and as a new mother, the meaning of Christmas "is amplified."
"To me," she said, "Christmas is about a child. And for all of us, Christmas should be about our children and our families."