Tim Tebow has always been known for his big heart — and his foundation’s annual Night to Shine proves just how far that love can go.
What started in 2015 as a small anniversary project for the Tim Tebow Foundation has blossomed into one of the world’s most significant celebrations for individuals with special needs. In this global prom-style event, every guest is treated like royalty.
On Friday, February 7, the red carpet was rolled out across the globe as more than 100,000 people with special needs were honored at the Tim Tebow Foundation’s 11th annual Night to Shine.
The event has grown from 44 locations in the United States to 821 host churches across all 50 states and 62 countries. Each year, the celebration is held on the Friday before Valentine’s Day, with local churches partnering with the foundation to host a cost-free prom-style evening that celebrates the dignity and worth of every guest.
Guests 14 and older are treated to a star-worthy evening: red carpets lined with cheering crowds and “paparazzi,” beauty and shoe shine stations, limousine rides, karaoke, dancing, and a catered dinner. The events also include Sensory Rooms for guests who need a quieter space and Respite Rooms where parents and caregivers can relax.
The highlight of the evening is the crowning ceremony, where every participant is named a King or Queen.
“We crown every Night to Shine honored guest the King or Queen because that’s how God sees them,” Tebow shared in an Instagram video montage of this year’s celebrations.
This year’s celebration marked a milestone for the foundation, with Night to Shine hosted in several new countries. Tebow spent the evening in Thailand and Vietnam—where the event was celebrated for the first time—while his wife, Demi-Leigh Tebow, hosted in her home country of South Africa.
“It was so awesome seeing Night to Shine in new countries this year—and to have the honor of celebrating in Vietnam for the first time,” Tebow told Upworthy.
Demi-Leigh, currently expecting the couple’s first child, said the event was significant.
“What an unforgettable night at Night to Shine in Cape Town! This event means so much to me for so many reasons,” she said. “Some of you may know that my little sister, Franje, was born with special needs, and learning about Night to Shine back in 2018 was actually how I met Tim! Getting to celebrate this night in my home country was incredibly special. My heart is so full and I’m already looking forward to doing it all again next year.”
The scale of Night to Shine is staggering. In 2024, the event occurred at more than 720 churches across 56 countries, with 150,000 volunteers making the evening possible for 80,000 honored guests. This year, the celebration grew even bigger — more than 822 churches across 63 countries hosted over 107,000 guests, supported by nearly 190,000 volunteers.
Since its launch, Night to Shine has created more than 600,000 guest experiences in over 1,000 cities worldwide.
The Tim Tebow Foundation ensures that the celebration doesn’t end when the music stops. The organization also runs Shine On, a year-round faith-based community that provides ongoing inspiration and support for families impacted by disability. In Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, the foundation is developing Rising Light Ridge, a 3,000-acre inclusive ministry campus designed to welcome people of all abilities.
Since its inception, Night to Shine has celebrated hundreds of thousands of guests worldwide, with Tebow emphasizing that the mission goes far beyond a single night.
“For many, it’s the first time they’ve ever felt truly celebrated, especially by someone outside their family,” he said. “But that’s exactly why Night to Shine exists—to remind them that they are God’s beloved royalty, seen and cherished by Him every single day.”
The foundation’s long-term vision is for Night to Shine to be celebrated in every country. The next event is scheduled for February 13, 2026, with open host registration.
“Lord willing, we won’t stop until every person with special needs knows their worth—until the abandoned are embraced, the forgotten are celebrated, the overlooked are seen, and all people experience the radical love of Jesus,” Tebow said.
