The soft glow of Christmas lights once again transformed Coronation Avenue into a corridor of colour, memory and meaning on Monday, 15th December 2025, as the Lions Community hosted its 12th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Held a few days later than originally planned, the event proved that even a slight delay could not dim a tradition that has had a steady place on Anguilla’s cultural calendar.
From early evening, residents and visitors gathered along the avenue with an unmistakable sense of anticipation. Laughter drifted through the crowd, children tugged eagerly at their parents’ hands, and familiar faces greeted one another warmly, signalling that this was more than a ceremony — it was a communal homecoming.
Delivering the opening remarks, Avenella Griffith reflected on the journey of the annual lighting, noting that 2025 marked the twelfth anniversary of the initiative by the Lions Community. She introduced this year’s theme, “Making spirits bright, one light at a time,” describing it as both a challenge and a call to action. “This is a challenge that we’re throwing out to each other,” Griffith said. “We want to be responsible for making each other bright, one person, one light at a time.”
She expressed gratitude to those who adjusted their schedules to attend, after the ceremony was moved from its original Saturday date, and invited the audience to pause in remembrance of members of the Lions Community who had devoted their “whole heart and soul” to the event over the years but were no longer present, as well as others who were lost recently.
Speaking to the deeper symbolism of the lights, Griffith reminded the audience of Anguilla’s Christian foundation and the responsibility to let one’s light shine through good works. Drawing on the familiar childhood hymn, “This Little Light of Mine”, she likened each illuminated tree to an individual contribution, small on its own yet powerful in unity. “As each lit tree on this avenue illuminates its own space,” she explained, “it does not realise that it is in collaboration with many, many other trees.” Together, she said, they bring smiles, wonder and joy, proving how individual effort can collectively brighten an entire community.
She encouraged everyone present to look inward, to rediscover their gifts and talents, and to be intentional in using them to uplift others. “Lots of little lights will soon flood the avenue,” she said, crediting the Lions Community’s consistency and dedication for sustaining an event that Anguillians have looked forward to for more than a decade.
Following the opening address, the ceremony flowed into an evening of entertainment, giveaways and shared enjoyment, with prizes ranging from meals at local favourites such as Ruthy’s, Andy’s Restaurant and Sandy Island, to catering services provided by Heart and Soul Takeout, Catering and Confectionary.
Jemila Morson-Hodge, Public Relations Officer at the Anguilla Electricity Company (ANGLEC) – one of the evening’s platinum sponsors – praised the Lions Community for its unwavering commitment to culture-building. Describing the tree lighting as a “cultural staple” and a “monument built on consistency,” she highlighted the alignment between ANGLEC’s mission and the evening’s theme. “At ANGLEC, we love powering the community,” she said. “But tonight symbolises more than electricity. It’s about making spirits bright — not just as a utility, but as a good corporate citizen.”
She also acknowledged the crowd itself, noting that the event’s success depended as much on the community’s presence as on the organisers’ efforts. “It would be nothing without each and every one of you who come out year after year, literally rain or shine,” she added.
The formal lighting ceremony was introduced by Charah Carty and Jade Reymond, who underscored its significance not only for the Lions Community but for The Valley as a whole. Community heroes who had contributed to Anguilla’s development were honoured, with their family members invited to take part in officially lighting the trees — a moment that drew applause and quiet emotion in equal measure.
Music and performance carried the evening forward. The 2nd Boys Brigade of Ebenezer Methodist Church brought percussive rhythms to the avenue, their festive headgear and glowing drumsticks delighting onlookers as the sound echoed beyond the immediate area. The Ebenezer Starlight Singers followed with familiar Christmas hymns, filling the night air with harmony and nostalgia, before live entertainment by Boss and The Horsepower Band kept the crowd energised well into the evening.
Beyond the programme, what stood out most was the atmosphere. There was a renewed buzz along Coronation Avenue — a feeling that something once at risk of fading had found new life. Families lingered, friends reconnected, and visitors blended seamlessly with locals. Children marvelled at the illuminated trees, while adults paused, phones in hand or simply standing still, taking in the spectacle.
For many, the night stirred memories of Christmases past, when the lighting of Coronation Avenue marked the true beginning of the season. The crowd was full, the energy rich, and the sense of shared ownership was strong. As the final lights flickered on, bathing the avenue in red, blue, pink, yellow and green, familiar exclamations returned — “Wow” and “Beautiful” rising organically from the crowd. Children who had never witnessed the lighting before stared in wonder, while adults rediscovered or revisited a joy they had.
The Lions Community’s 12th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, as always, continued a tradition, honoured a legacy, and reminded Anguilla that even the smallest light, when shared, can make spirits bright.
