Light Up Ahwatukee Beer & Wine Gala

FRIDAY - APRIL 4, 2025, FOOTHILLS GOLF CLUB

Ahwatukee’s largest 21+ community celebration, The Light Up Ahwatukee Beer and Wine Gala is happening Friday, April 4, 2025. The atmosphere is further heightened by the addition of casino gambling tables, exciting wine pulls, whiskey experiences, and more; all while raising funds for local non-profit organizations. The Spring gala from LUA comes on the heels of the organization's latest successful holiday festival this past November. This is the 28th anniversary of the Beer and Wine Gala which will take place on Friday, April 4th at Foothills Golf Club. The year’s theme is silver and black and guests are encouraged to dress in cocktail attire which starts with newly granted VIP Access. 

Light Up Ahwatukee’s charity indoor/outdoor charity fundraiser is an all-inclusive ticket that includes unlimited beer and wine varieties curated by the board president/sommelier allowing attendees to enjoy a diverse selection of libations, incredible live music, 20 casino tables, and games, multiple raffle prizes, exciting wine pulls, and more.

For questions or further information about LUA Beer and Wine Gala please visit lightupahwatukee.org. 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Light Up Ahwatukee Beer & Wine Gala

APRIL 4, 2025

Spring is here which means, back in the spotlight is Ahwatukee’s largest 21+ community celebration, The Light Up Ahwatukee Beer and Wine Gala. This is the 28th anniversary of the gala which will take place on Friday, April 4th at Foothills Golf Club. Due to the highly popular cocktail attire event, the board has added a brand-new VIP option for limited guests with an extra hour for early entry, double the casino cash, early access to music and casino entertainment, and more.

The 21+ Beer and Wine Gala pulls out all the stops when it comes to a charity fundraiser including an indoor/outdoor event, unlimited beer and wine varieties, tequila and whiskey tastings. At the gala, attendees enjoy a diverse selection of libations, incredible live music, and the popular casino. This year, the casino will feature an array of classic casino games including Black Jack, Craps, Roulette and Poker tables. LUA will also have an interactive Photo Booth from MoonLit Dreams Photography, multiple raffle prizes and silent auction items, the popular card draw wine pull, 50/50 and more; all while raising funds for local non-profit organizations.

Light Up Ahwatukee is partnering with 12 West Brewing Co.as the gala’s primary beer sponsor for the event which means, all event attendees' tickets include unlimited complimentary pours all evening. "Just as LUA’s mission states, we are committed to putting a spotlight on local businesses, both new and old in Ahwatukee," says Maria Reyes Smith, LUA President. 12 West just opened in December 2024. The award-winning East Valley craft beer stalwart swooped into Ahwatukee this past December on the northwest corner of I-10 and Ray in Ahwatukee. "They will be pouring their five core five beers: Blap!Blap! wheat ale, Cirrus Haze New England hazy IPA, Frontside IPA, Super Beaker IPA, and Zona Pils pilsner, and will also have an array of other cans and samples for our guests to try that evening,” says Reyes-Smith.

LUA continues to up the ante with the latest VIP option for a limited number of guests. In addition to all the above inclusive offerings, Gala VIPs will be welcomed with early access at 5pm, an hour before the actual event kicks off. VIPs receive exclusive access to The Foothills Golf Club’s brand-new Bunker Lounge. A completely new experience inside the golf club with two high-quality golf simulator bays providing guests the first swings in the inviting new space combining the golf simulator lounge with sports TVs and bar and a vibrate social hub. VIP guests will also enjoy hors d’oeuvers, double the casino cash, and a special commemorative 2025 LUA wine glass.

Live music is always a great part of the event and this year’s Gala lineup includes bringing Arizona’s own, Elvis Before Noon on as the main headliner. Daylon Greer, is the band’s primary vocalist and songwriter and from the beginning, the group has been writing and recording its own original songs. Their well-crafted power pop numbers and early 90s/2000s vibe might be reminiscent of the twangy "desert sound" that made Tempe famous but then again they truly have their own sound. This has garnered them opportunities to mingle with legacies that went from local AZ to national as they've shared stages with both Gin Blossoms and Roger Clyne. You can catch them locally at various East Valley venues, special events, and festivals and perhaps down South in Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) during Roger Clyne's festival, "Circus Mexicus.”

Ahwatukee's own, Contents May Shift will play from from 6:00-7:30pm, which was created when a few of the members from Lil’ Debbie Band formed a new band. After playing together throughout the Valley for 24 years, they decided to mix up the music variety. These staples in our community have happily volunteered their time and talent for nearly every Light Up Event/Festival throughout the past 20 years.

“The Foothills Golf Club continues to invest in the property and our community has shown amazing support with their popular Friday pop-up happy hours,” says Tony Hultz, LUA logistics chair. “One of the highlights of last year was the addition to a slew of casino tables outside the venue while enjoying the live music. We also can’t wait to be the first event to unveil the Bunker Lounge, providing our VIP guests the exclusive opportunity to be the first to experience the newly added sports lounge.”

The Spring gala from LUA comes on the heels of one of the organization's most successful holiday festivals this past November. “Our board has not stopped their mission of continually to up the bar when it comes to our events, and bringing the community what they have asked for says board president, Maria Reyes-Smith. “We were able to donate $12,000 to our charity partner, Hope for the Homeless, after a wildly successful holiday festival. We continue to grow and expand and bring our community together as we have taken on a broader mission with our two signature events that help provide thousands of dollars in contributions to locally focused charities.

Tickets are on sale now, and the community is encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time for meal and planning purposes. Tickets remain at the same cost as last year. VIP tickets are $150, and GA tickets are $100 per person or $180 a couple which includes unlimited beer and wine, cuisine from Foothills Golf Club, live music, a commemorative 2025 wine glass, and $100 casino cash.

LUA is still accepting applications for any local, non-profit business. Light Up Ahwatukee mission includes supporting a wide variety of community businesses and organizations while throwing two of Ahwatukee’s signature events that help provide thousands of dollars in contributions to locally focused charities.

Highlighted sponsors already on board for the 2025 Light Up Ahwatukee Beer and Wine Gala include: Spencer 4 Hire Roofing, Vero Pizza, Holiday Lights Phoenix, 12 West Brewing Co, Print Smart, and Ahwatukee Foothills News.

LUA is still currently seeking community volunteers, event sponsors, and raffle donations. While there is an ATM on-site at Foothills Golf Club, don’t forget to bring extra cash to purchase your raffle tickets, wine pull, additional casino money, the Split-the-Pot 50/50 raffle, and more. For questions or further information about the LUA Beer and Wine Gala please visit lightupahwatukee.org.

Light Up Ahwatukee is an 21+Event featuring wine, beer, and culinary delights…and what would a gala be without live music? This year we are stoked to announce we will have TWO bands entertaining our guests.

LIVE MUSIC
CONTENTS MAY SHIFT - 6:00-7:30PM

Live music is always a great part of the event and this year’s Gala lineup is sure to impress the locals. Enjoy Ahwatukee's own, Contents May Shift from 6:00-7:00PM which Lil' Debbie Band has recently convered from four past members and a newly added member, Jill Fortunato, well-known from Corpus Christi. Jill has played with the Lil’ Debbie Band in the past for over 10 years and after 24 years playing in the Valley.

ELVIS BEFORE NOON
7:30-10:00PM
Live music is always a great part of the event and this year’s Gala lineup includes bringing Arizona’s own, Elvis Before Noon on as the main headliner. Daylon Greer, is the band’s primary vocalist and songwriter and from the beginning, the group has been writing and recording its own original songs. Their well-crafted power pop numbers and early 90s/2000s vibe might be reminiscent of the twangy "desert sound" that made Tempe famous but then again they truly have their own sound. This has garnered them opportunities to mingle with legacies that went from local AZ to national as they've shared stages with both Gin Blossoms and Roger Clyne. You can catch them locally at various East Valley venues, special events, and festivals and perhaps down South in Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) during Roger Clyne's festival, "Circus Mexicus.”

Don’t forget to bring extra cash to purchase your raffle tickets for amazing experiences worth $750+, our popular wine pull, additional casino money, our Split-the-Pot 50/50 raffle, silent auction items, tasting experiences and more.

VIP Wine and Beer Gala
5PM (LIMITED AVAILABILITY)

GA Pass to the Beer and Wine Gala

• Complimentary wine and beer all evening long (Please enjoy responsibly)

• Evening Meal Ticket included (Must purchase before 3/31)

• Live Entertainment/Music

• A commemorative LUA wine-tasting glass

• $100 in Casino Cash

• Casino-Style Gaming Opportunities (and chances to win!)

• An evening out with 300+ or so of your closest friends

VIP EARLY ACCESS Pass to the Beer and Wine Gala

• 5PM EARLY ACCESS TO EVENT (ONE HOUR OF ADDITIONAL TIME)

• Complimentary wine and beer all evening long (Please enjoy responsibly)

• VIP specialty reserved area inside all new Bunker Golf Lounge / Golf Simulator VIP Room at Foothills Golf Club

• Hors d'oeuvres

• Evening Meal Ticket (Must purchase before 3/31)

• A commemorative VIP 2025 LUA wine-tasting glass

• $200 in Casino Cash

GA Wine and Beer Gala
6-10PM

Entertainment