A North Valley neighborhood will mark three decades of holiday luminescence on Christmas Eve when it lights more than 1,000 white luminarias along its meandering half-mile-long street.

The 30th annual Acoma Drive Christmas Eve Luminaria Lighting, a voluntary event undertaken by residents along Acoma Drive from 32nd to 28th streets, begins 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24. Acoma Drive is the half-mile street between Thunderbird and Greenway roads. A driveway social open to neighbors and passersby begins at 6:15 p.m. at 3010 E. Acoma Drive. The social will include a visit from Santa Claus beginning at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a snack to share and serving utensils.

“What an amazing testament that neighbors along Acoma Drive have come together for 30 Christmas Eves to add the magical glow of holiday light to our neighborhood and community,” said Jerry Porter, who has coordinated the event since he and his wife, Susie, co-founded it in 1994. “The luminaria lighting has become a neighborhood holiday tradition that showcases the camaraderie of residents along Acoma Drive.”

Since 2003, the annual lighting along “the street of a thousand glowing lights” has been presented in honor or memory of individuals of significance to an Acoma Drive neighbor. Examples have included first responders, military service members and deceased family members of neighbors. This year’s 30th anniversary display is presented in honor of all current and past Acoma Drive neighbors plus sponsors of the event through the years.

Ann Wong, a Realtor with eXp Realty and a former Acoma Drive neighbor, has been the event sponsor for the past three years and provides the white luminaria sacks free of charge to all households along the street. Past sponsors have included Realtors Angela Cline Zimmerman, Andrea Loukota and Terri Welch, plus caterer Bruce Brown.