The countdown to a brighter holiday season is on. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and residents, Greenwich’s beloved holiday lights are returning to brighten our downtowns and bring the community together.
The Greenwich Community Foundation (GCF) is pleased to announce the return of “Let There Be Lights,” the initiative that transforms Greenwich Avenue and downtown Cos Cob into a spectacular display of thousands of sparkling lights, creating a magical setting for residents, visitors, local businesses and restaurants throughout the holiday season.
100% COMMUNITY FUNDED
Let There Be Lights is funded entirely through the generosity of Greenwich residents, local businesses and private donors. No Town of Greenwich funding or financial assistance is used to support the displays. This is a truly community-driven effort, made possible by the people and businesses who believe in keeping Greenwich bright. Every dollar raised helps bring more lights to more trees, making the display more expansive throughout our downtowns.
Holiday lights installation in 2025. Photo: Leslie Yager
Holiday lights installation in 2025. Photo: Leslie Yager
A $10,000 COMMUNITY MATCH
This year’s celebration comes with an even greater opportunity for the Greenwich community to come together. The Greenwich Association of REALTORS® (GAR), already a Gold Sponsor of Let There Be Lights, has announced a new Community Matching Program, pledging to match donations from the community dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000. The matching program gives residents, businesses and friends of Greenwich an opportunity to double the impact of their contribution and help ensure that this cherished tradition continues.
“The Greenwich Association of REALTORS® is proud to support Let There Be Lights and the incredible sense of community it creates throughout Greenwich,” said Brian Amen, President of the Greenwich Association of REALTORS®. “We are excited to take our support a step further this year by creating a $10,000 community matching program. We hope this inspires residents and businesses to join us in giving and doubling the impact of their support. These lights bring people together, create energy throughout our downtown and make Greenwich an especially wonderful place to live, work and visit during the holiday season.”
A COMMUNITY-WIDE COMMITMENT
The Greenwich Community Foundation is grateful for the growing support of local businesses and organizations that recognize the value the lights bring to Greenwich. Interactive Brokers is the 2026 Presenting Sponsor, joining a growing group of local businesses, families and
organizations committed to keeping the avenue from being dark.
Among those supporters is Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage, whose team continues to support Let There Be Lights and the community it serves.
“Greenwich is a community that values beauty, tradition and a strong sense of place, and Let There Be Lights captures all three,” said Pam Pagnani, Senior Vice President and Brokerage Manager of Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage. “The lights create a wonderful energy throughout our downtown and give residents another reason to come together and enjoy everything Greenwich has to offer. We are proud to support this special tradition and the Greenwich Community Foundation’s efforts to keep it shining.”
LIGHTING UP GREENWICH FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The holiday lights will be switched on Thanksgiving week, illuminating Greenwich Avenue, East Putnam Avenue from Church Street and Greenwich Avenue, and downtown Cos Cob. The displays will remain in place through the end of January 2027, giving residents and visitors plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the season.
Local merchants also play an important role in making the lights possible. “As local residents and Greenwich merchants, we see firsthand what these lights bring to town,” said Kimberly La Du, one of the owners of Famille Jewelers. “They create a beautiful and festive atmosphere that brings people downtown, encourages them to shop local, stay in town
longer, dine, and enjoy the season together. We are proud to support Let There Be Lights, as it gives our entire community a special spirit.”
For the Greenwich Community Foundation, Let There Be Lights represents more than a beautiful holiday display.
“Our downtown is the heart of Greenwich, and its vitality is essential to the character of our community,” said Alyssa Keleshian-Bonomo of the Greenwich Community Foundation. “The holiday lights are about more than creating a beautiful streetscape. They’re about bringing energy to our local businesses, drawing people together and creating the kind of shared experiences that make a town truly special. My father, Harry Keleshian, understood this when he first brought the lights to Greenwich Avenue as a merchant in the 1970s. Continuing that legacy, and seeing our community come together to keep it shining, is especially meaningful to me.”
A COMMUNITY EFFORT THAT KEEPS GREENWICH SHINING
The Greenwich Community Foundation is proud to recognize the local businesses, families, and individuals whose generosity makes this possible and ask the public to thank them. The foundation extends their sincere appreciation to our leadership supporters, including Interactive Brokers, Greenwich Association of REALTORS®, Restoration Hardware, Gabelli Funds, Saks Fifth Avenue, Coldwell Banker, Shreve Crump & Low, L Catterton, Faherty, Famille Jewelers, Vineyard Vines, Miller Motorcars, Granoff Architects, Pickwick Plaza, Northern Trust, Brand Street Properties, Carlson & Carlson, Mandelbaum Barrett PC, M&T Bank, Wilcon Holdings, Regency Centers, Marx Realty, Toyota of Greenwich, Peter & Isabel Malkin, Paradigm Realty, The Keleshian
Family and Fareri Associates, Reichenbaum Properties, New England Investments Partners, Wendie Force, First County Bank, Hinoki, Miku, Moli, The Cottage among others, see website for full up to date donors.
“A program of this scale and importance to our community is truly a team effort, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helps make Let There Be Lights possible,” said Sebastian Dostmann of the Greenwich Community Foundation. “We especially want to thank the Office of the First Selectman, the Greenwich Police Department and the Town of Greenwich Parks & Recreation Department for their partnership, cooperation and support behind the scenes.
DON’T LET IT GO DARK.
Every contribution helps Greenwich shine brighter. Residents, businesses and friends of Greenwich are invited to support this community-wide effort. And this year, that gift can go twice as far through the GAR Community Matching Program.
To make a donation or learn more about Let There Be Lights, visit gwchavenue.org
The Greenwich Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Greenwich, founded on the belief that a vibrant, connected community is one of the most valuable things a town can have. Through projects that preserve Greenwich’s history, celebrate its traditions and support initiatives that enhance the community, GCF works to create experiences that bring neighbors together and help capture the spirit of Greenwich for generations to come.
Let There Be Lights is one of GCF’s flagship initiatives, transforming Greenwich Avenue and downtown Greenwich into a spectacular holiday destination and creating a shared experience for residents and visitors throughout the holiday season.
By mail: Greenwich Community Foundation, PO Box 7791,Greenwich, CT 06836