Oro Valley Holiday Festival of the Arts & Tree Lighting Celebration

The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) invites the community to celebrate the magic of the season at the annual Oro Valley Holiday Festival of the Arts & Tree Lighting Celebration, December 7-8, 2024, at Oro Valley Marketplace. This year’s festival brings an extraordinary winter wonderland to life, with support from Town of Oro Valley and sponsors including Pima County Attractions and Tourism, Town West Properties, Lisa Bayless Realty, Pima Federal Credit Union, Arizona Daily Star, and 94.9 Mix FM.

This year’s festival holds special significance as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Town of Oro Valley. This milestone highlights five decades of a thriving community built on shared values, cultural enrichment, and innovation. The festival celebrates this legacy by uniting residents and visitors in a joyful holiday experience, embracing the town’s vibrant history and forward-looking spirit.

The Oro Valley Holiday Festival of the Arts & Tree Lighting Celebration not only lights up the holiday season but also serves as a reminder of the unity and warmth that define this special community. The awe-inspiring Golden Glow Tree lighting, festive décor, and engaging activities embody the shared joy of the season, bringing families and neighbors together in celebration. With over 160 artisans and vendors, live performances, and enchanting holiday experiences, the festival is a reflection of Oro Valley’s enduring commitment to creativity, connection, and community well-being.
“Thanks to our partners at SAACA, this impressive, two-day event has become a beloved Oro Valley tradition,” said Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield. “I’d like to personally invite the community to gather with us as we celebrate the arts and kick off the holiday season.”

Artisan & Maker Village

From unique jewelry to fine art and handmade crafts, this vibrant holiday marketplace offers one-of-a-kind treasures from over 160 artisans. Support local talent and find the perfect gift to make the season extra special.

Foodie Experience

Explore a variety of food offerings with something for every palate!

• Fiesta Filipina Filipino and Asian Cuisine: Enjoy adobo bowls, pork skewers, shrimp tempura, and more.
• Eatgypt: Traditional Egyptian dishes like Koshary and Ta’ameya.
• Gus’s Gyros: Classic gyros, Philly cheesesteaks, and fair food favorites.
• Lovin’ Spoonfuls Vegan Comfort Food: Sonoran hot dogs, BBQ nachos, and vegan desserts.
• Oh Wow Mini Donuts: Mini donuts, hot coffee, and flavored cold brews.
• Mafia Kitchen: Sicilian cannolis and Italian sodas.
• Good Eats BBQ and Fair Food: BBQ Rib Sundaes, pulled pork nachos, and more.

Golden Glow Tree Lighting & Winter Wonderland Experience

Celebrate Oro Valley’s 50th anniversary with the Golden Glow Tree lighting at 6:15 pm on Saturday, December 7. Join the community as the tree shines with over 1,000 handcrafted golden ornaments. Enjoy caroling with LED candles led by the Tucson Girls Chorus, along with a magical snowfall.

Family-Friendly Festivities

Kids can step into Santa’s Workshop to build mini wood toys, decorate cookies, and make holiday crafts. Santa’s Parade begins at 3 pm on Saturday, culminating with Santa’s arrival at the main stage.

• Santa’s Workshop: Includes ornament decorating, piggy bank painting, holiday luminaria lanterns, and free face painting.
• Giant Snow Globe Experience: Step inside for snowfall effects and photo ops.
• Community Wishing Tree: Add your holiday wish to the community art installation.
• Storytelling Igloo: Local authors and the Friends of the Oro Valley Public Library share heartwarming holiday tales.

Main Stage Performances
Enjoy a spectacular lineup of live performances on the Main Stage, featuring holiday music, dance, and local school performances.

Saturday, December 7
• 10:00 am – Kids Unlimited: Holiday Dance Performance
• 11:00 am – Cross Middle School Jazz Band
• 12:00 pm – Wilson Elementary & Middle School Choir
• 12:30 pm – Maguire Academy of Irish Dance
• 1:00 pm – Saguaro City Music Theatre
• 1:20 pm – Desert Dance Collective
• 1:30 pm – Holiday DJ Music
• 2:00 pm – Tuba Christmas: Over 50 tuba players bring holiday classics to life
• 3:00 pm – Santa Parade & Arrival at Main Stage
• 3:10 pm – Opening Ceremony, Color Guard, and National Anthem
• 3:15 pm – Remarks by the Town Council and Sponsors
• 3:20 pm – Mayor and Santa on Stage
• 3:30 pm – Ironwood Ridge High School Jazz Band
• 4:25 pm – Elite Theater Academy Performance
• 4:45 pm – School of Rock Performance

Sunday, December 8
• 10:00 am – Holiday DJ Music
• 10:45 am – Saguaro City Music Theatre
• 11:00 am – Saguaro Stompers Clog Dance & Sonoran Sol Cloggers
• 11:30 am – Centre Stage Dance Studio
• 12:00 pm – BASIS Oro Valley Primary School
• 12:30 pm – Holiday DJ Music
• 1:00 pm – Totally Exalting the Anointed Messiah (T.E.A.M.) City Choir
• 1:45 pm – Holiday DJ Music
• 2:00 pm – NoethenButJazz Performance

Winter Wonderland Stage Performances

Catch a range of family-friendly performances at the Winter Wonderland Stage.

Saturday, December 7
• 10:00 am – Sheryl Ann McKinley’s Live Holiday Jazz Music
• 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm – Red Herring Puppets: Adventures in Folklore
• 2:00 pm – Local Holiday Music Performances
• 5:15 pm – Reading of The Polar Express with Chief Riley and Chief Brandhubor
• 5:30 pm – “Light the Night” Caroling with the Tucson Girls Chorus
• 6:15 pm – Official Tree Lighting, Snowfall, and Holiday Dance Party

Sunday, December 8
• 10:00 am – Live Holiday Jazz Music
• 1:00 pm – Mariachi Innovación
• 2:00 pm – Folklorico and Dance Performances

Around the Festival

• Holiday Story Walk Scavenger Hunt: Follow a storybook journey and collect stamps to win prizes.
• Strolling Carolers: Groups like the Tucson Desert Harmony Chorus and Arizona Women’s Chorus will add music throughout the festival.
• Selfie Stations & Social Media Challenge: Snap photos and share for a chance to win local prizes.
• Free Family Photos with Santa: Get a festive photo with Santa and the Golder Ranch Fire Truck, Saturday 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm.
• Stop & Shop OV: Visit the many shops in the Oro Valley Marketplace for weekend specials and holiday gifts! The more shops you visit the more chances you have to find Limited Edition OV Stickers from local artist Jeaninne Kaufer created in partnership with the Town of Oro Valley and The OV Chamber of Commerce.

Holiday Raffle to Support SAACA

Support SAACA’s work in the community by purchasing raffle tickets for a chance to win incredible prizes:

• Foodie Season Pass: VIP tickets to our 2025 culinary events & Tucson Foodie Insider Membership ($1,000+ value).
• Shop Oro Valley Basket: Curated by the Chamber of Commerce ($500 value).
• Art Lover’s Prize: Handmade artworks valued between $50 and $500.
• Hotel Lover Package: Two-night stays at Hilton and Westward Look ($800 value).

**The first 300 attendees to register at the Information Booth will receive a special gift, including painted snowflake magnets, Limited Edition Oro Valley stickers, or mini canvas painting kits.

Event Details:
Location: Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N Oracle Rd, Oro Valley, AZ 85737
Saturday, December 7, 10 am – 6:30 pm; Sunday, December 8, 10 am – 4 pm

For more information, visit https://www.saaca.org/ovholidayfestivalofthearts.html