Entertainment Magazine: Tucson: Events

Tucson Holiday Events: Christmas and Hanukkah

Many annual Christmas and Hannukah celebrations in Tucson will be held again this winter.

This year, Hanukkah (also spelled as Hannukah or Chanukah) falls on the night of Thursday, December 7 through Friday, December 15, 2023.

Dates and times for some of these Tucson holiday events have not been finalized yet. Since they are annual events, follow the links for updated information. More events will be posted as they are announced.

Expect that any indoor or outdoor holiday events in Tucson will require face masks and social distancing.

These are some of the popular holiday activites and upcoming family daily and weekend winter events in Tucson. Submit your free Tucson holiday event to [email protected].

Today in Tucson Calendar

2023 Holiday Events in Tucson

Through January 7, 2024

Tucson Holiday Ice Skating Rink outside of the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church. Skate sessions run 90 minutes. Prices are $22 for adults, $15 for children under 12 years old. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Skates, ranging from size 8 for kids to 15 for men, included in admission. Socks are required and gloves are recommended.

LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination stroll through Tucson Botanical Gardens with one million twinkling lights and dancing sculpture. 6 nights a week, Tuesday-Sunday, November 24-January 7, 6-9:30om. Cost: $20-50 for adults; $18-$5 for kids depending on the day.

ZooLights Holiday Magic 2023 Sip hot chocolate as you stroll through the twinkling lights during one of Tucson's favorite holiday traditions. Thousands of glittering lights illuminate the beautiful Reid Park Zoo grounds, with sounds of the season filling the air. Throughout the evening, you will enjoy Falling snow, Photo opportunities with Santa. Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court. Tickets: $13 general admission. $8 for kids ages 2014. Bring a donation of two cans of food, a pet toy or an unwrapped children's toy and receive $1 off admission.

Through December 25: Winterhaven Festival of Lights is one of the longest running festivals of its kind in the country. The Festival of Lights celebrates its 70th holiday season in Tucson and is visited by hundreds of thousands of people from all over southern Arizona. Free event. Walk-through from 6-10pm. Winterhaven neighborhood  is located north of Ft. Lowell Road and south of Prince Road, west of Country Club Road and east of Tucson Blvd. Free,

Through December 24: Yuletide at Old Tucson with a comedy stunt show. Christmas tree lighting ceremony, horse drawn wagon rides, appearance by Santa, seasonal food and drink. Friday through Sunday, 5-10pm. 201 S. Kinney Road. 520-883-0100.

Through December 16: Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul Park with music, home-baked cookies, shopping, holiday dining, stroll through thousands of twinkling lights throughout the Park, live music. Dec. 2, 8-9 and 15-16  from 5:30-8:30pm. Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte, 520-742-6455.There is an admission fee.

December Day-by-Day Holiday Events in Tucson

December 1: Loom Holiday Art Market & Silent Auction featuring heritage-based artwork in an open-air winter market featuring artwork by Indigenous, African American and Mexican American heritage-based artists from Loom.Market. Hosted by Southwest Folklife Alliance. The event features live music, artist sales throughout the day and a silent auction at dusk. Light refreshments and hot chocolate will also be available. Purchases and proceeds from the auction directly support heritage-based artists in building their businesses, and their access to professional development opportunities. 11am – 7pm at Pima County Historic Courthouse, in the Courtyard, 115 N Church Ave., Tucson, AZ. This event is free and open to the public. Metered street parking and paid parking is available.

December 2-3: Oro Valley Festival of the Arts & Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration showcases over 100 Southern Arizona artists during a two-day festival from December 2 (10am-6pm) and December 3 (10am-4pm). The 13th Annual Oro Valley Festival of the Arts & Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration is the region's largest shopping event, kicking off the Holidays in the Oro Valley, AZ community. This highly attended annual juried marketplace features one-of-a-kind seasonal items, high-quality handcrafted goods and holiday gifts, specialty foods, and the most beloved Holiday entertainment event of the year. The tree lighting ceremony is December 2 at 6pm. Held at Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Rd. Free to attend.

December 2: Marana Holiday Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony is the biggest Christmas tree and light show in Southern Arizona. 30 food vendors, Santa photos, kid-friendly activities like crafts, inflatables and train rides. Held Dec. 2 from 3-10pm at Marana Municipal Complex, 11555 W. Civic Circle Drive. Free event. 40-foot Christmas tree lighting at 6pm.

December 2: 18th Tucson Tamal & Heritage Festival celebrating all things tamales. The Festival features Tamale contest, Live local entertainment, Food vendors, Food trucks, Artisan vendors, Farmers Market vendors. Casino del Sol, 5655 W. Valencia Road. 10am-5pm. Free event.

December 8-10: Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair is held the first weekend of December all along 4th Avenue near Downtown between Ninth St. and University Blvd. Join tens of thousands of Tucsonans and visitors to see more than 350 arts & craft booths, food, entertainers & musicians from around the US, 2 stages & street performers. Free from 10 am - 6 pm. Free event. Friday & Saturday, Dec. 8-9, 10am-5pm; Sunday, Dec. 10, 10am-4pm.

December 10: Celebrate a Chanukah Festival on Sunday, December 10 at 3:00pm at the Oro Valley Marketplace (lot near Red Lobster). Free admission and open to the entire community, At 3:00-4:00 enjoy music, food for sale, free latkes and donuts, Jewish art exhibit, crafts and more. From 4:00-4:30, Grand Menorah Lighting event, Tribute to Israel, Gelt Drop, and a special presentation. Presented by Chabad of Oro Valley.

December 16: Downtown Parade of Lights celebrates it 29th year. Parade goes through Armory Park this year. Last year, more than 30 floats and 1,000 people participated. Starts at 4pm with food trucks, vendors and music. Festival begins at 6:30pm.

December 16: The Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus  annual Holiday Concert on Saturday, December 16 at 3:00pm and 7:30pm at the UA School of Music Crowder Hall. Under the direction of Julian Ackerley, assisted by Jordan M. Shomper, and accompanied by a small orchestral ensemble, the choristers will perform music of the season including Christmas carols, sacred songs, and Hanukkah selections.

December 16: The December Desert Haze Market will be expanding to Maynards, and Salon Salon! With over 20+ vendors of vintage clothing, & handmade goods you don't want to miss! Support Tucson and gift your loved ones something locally made ⁠from December 16th from 11-6pm. Get ready for the party of the year at Hotel Congress this New Year's Eve!

December 21: INTEGRATIVE TOUCH HOLIDAY BIZAAR -  3pm-6pm. Free. Support your community at Integrative Touch's Holiday Bazaar! Discover perfect gifts at our beautiful gift shop, while aiding a nonprofit's treatment for kids, families, and others in need. Join our healing community with music, food, great artisans and shopping. 7493 N. Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ, 520-820-6275, www.integrativetouch.org. 

The Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus Tree Lot “Home for the Holidays!” The lot will be located on the grounds of the Boys Chorus building at 5770 E. Pima Street between Craycroft and Wilmot. The tree lot is staffed by Chorus members and their parents and has been a traditional holiday fundraiser for the non-profit group.

The Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus Tree Lot will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 24 through December 24. Hours of operation are Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 9pm and Sundays 10am to 7pm. The lot features fresh cut trees at competitive prices. Trees available include Douglas Fir, Noble Fir, Grand Fir and Nordmann Fir. Deliveries are available. The Chorus also sells fresh wreaths and garland.

Reid Park Zoo Lights may be open with Santa, entertainment, hot chocolate, food and snow. 6pm-8pm. Check web site for updates. Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court. reidparkzoo.org/event/zoo-lights-2019

Monday, December 25, 2023: Christmas Day in Tucson.

• New Year's Eve Events in Tucson

Tucson Hanukkah Events in 2023

• Jewish Community Center (JCC) Upcoming Tucson Hanukkah events will be posted soon.

Today in Tucson Calendar

Submit your free Tucson holiday event to [email protected].

Tucson Entertainment Book Offers:

Holiday Festivals in Southern Arizona

• CASABEL: The Annual Cascabel Community Fair is held on the banks of the San Pedro River.
• TUBAC: Luminaria Nights: Fiesta de la Navidad - Village of Tubac, hundreds of luminarias line the streets and artist studios, shops open until 9 pm, carolers, homemade food, Santa, free, 520-398-2704.
• TUMACACORI: Annual La Fiesta de Tumacacori - celebrating the many cultures that were historically and presently associated with the Santa Cruz Valley, traditional creations of all the cultures including 50 food and craft booths, continuous live entertainment on stage and children’s activities, a Mariachi Mass preceded by a traditional procession on Sunday, free, 520-398-2341.

Christmas Tree Lots

• Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus Christmas Tree Lot is staffed by Chorus members and their parents, and has been a traditional holiday fundraiser for the non-profit group. The lot will be open through from 12:00 noon to 9:00 PM Mondays through Thursdays, 10:00AM to 9:00PM Fridays and Saturdays and 10:00AM to 7:00 PM on Sundays.

This Week's Online Offers for Tucson restaurants