The luminarias night special event annually held on Christmas Eve at Tumacácori National Historical Park, about 50 miles south of Tucson, has been canceled for this year.
Usually, weather permitting, 2,500 candle-lit luminarias line walkways and fill the historic mission church there the night of Dec. 24 in a event, intended for locals, that wasn't publicized because it quickly filled to capacity just through word of mouth.
Christmas Eve two years ago at Tumacácori National Historic Park.
No reason was provided for this year's cancelation; employees at the park note they are not authorized to comment directly to media.
In Catholic tradition, luminarias guide the Holy Family on their journey. The glowing paper-bag lanterns are a Southwestern tradition dating back some 300 years to welcome the Christ child into the world.
