All Are Welcome Through December 31st, 2025
The 9th Annual Shining Light on Abilities display is brighter than ever at Hillside! Everyone is welcome to visit and experience the festive holiday decorations and over 50,000 lights every night after sunset throughout the month of December.
This is a free, family-friendly, holiday event located on the Hillside property at 1235 Veronica Springs Road in Santa Barbara.
An Open House kickoff for Shining Light on Abilities was held on Saturday, December 6th with help from the Community Friends of Santa Barbara Carolers and Santa Claus himself! Hillside residents, their families and loved ones, and all in attendance enjoyed hot cocoa, cookies and traditional holiday songs until it was time for the annual “flipping of the switch”, at which time the beautiful light display came to life! Snow (thanks to the Hillside Facilities team!) fell just after Santa Claus led the countdown to “Lights on!” It was magical, and the residents were thrilled!
“I am grateful to the Hillside Facilities Team and volunteers; including the Boy Scouts Troop #37 and Cox Communications, to create such a beautiful and colorful presentation for everyone to enjoy – residents, their families and loved ones, staff, neighbors, sponsors, donors, volunteers, the Santa Barbara community, and all on the Santa Barbara Trolley of Lights tours,” said Michael Rassler, Hillside President & CEO.
In addition to the lights and decorations, the display includes a slideshow featuring some of the 59 individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hillside focuses on residents shining light on their abilities and sharing who they are and what they can do. The slideshow plays continuously on a large-screen monitor in the picture window of the main Hillside building. It also expresses our appreciation and gratitude to Hillside’s Shining Light’s sponsors, including: Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation, Montecito Bank & Trust, Santa Barbara Foundation, Stantec, Demboski & Chapman Financial and Insurance Solutions, and Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center.
There is still time to be a sponsor for Shining Light on Abilities. All proceeds directly fund therapies, programs, and services for Hillside residents…