Holiday Festival of the Arts

Embrace the holiday magic at the Oro Valley Holiday Festival of the Arts & Tree Lighting Celebration, where the Oro Valley Marketplace transforms into a vibrant hub of creativity, community, and festive wonder. This cherished event is a cornerstone of the season, inviting people of all ages to experience stunning holiday décor, live performances, and Santa Claus’s much-anticipated arrival.

DECEMBER 7 & 8 at ORO VALLEY MARKETPLACE at 12155 N Oracle Rd – ​Oro Valley, AZ 85737 Saturday 10AM-6:30PM* Sunday 10AM-4PM

*Festival Artisan Vendors will stay open until 5 pm, while the festival Winter Wonderland Experience and some food vendors will continue through 6:30 pm.
FREE ADMISSION

The highlight of the festival will be the lighting of the newly revamped Golden Glow Oro Valley 50th Celebration Tree, a dazzling display of golden lights, and over 1,000 handmade ornaments. Visitors can enjoy a true winter wonderland experience, holiday entertainment, and a magical atmosphere for everyone.

​This festival not only enhances the local economy and supports surrounding businesses but also offers a platform for local artists to shine, making it a must-attend event that truly embodies the heart and soul of Oro Valley.

ARTISAN VILLAGEOnly one week after Thanksgiving, the Oro Valley Marketplace is transformed into a holiday marketplace complete with handmade craft artisans from around the world. This is your antidote to the big-box madness of holiday shopping. By bringing together craft artists of the highest caliber to a single event, the Oro Valley Holiday Festival of Arts is a one-stop holiday shopping opportunity for unique, handmade gifts at a range of prices. Browse over 150 artisans to find that perfect one-of-a-kind gift for your family and friends. Located near the northern end of the festival near the Holiday Tree.

Golden Glow: The Oro Valley 50th Anniversary Tree
The new “Golden Glow” tree is an all-gold marvel celebrating Oro Valley’s golden anniversary. It features over 1,000 handcrafted gold ornaments, echoing the Southwest’s golden sands and starry skies. The official lighting, accompanied by a live music presentation and snow show, will take place at 6:15 pm on Saturday, December 7.

Santa’s Workshop
A hands-on workshop for families to make festive decor and holiday gifts. Activities include:
• Mini Wood Toy Building
• Ornament Decorating
• Personalized Ornaments
• Holiday Cookie Decorating with the Oro Valley Youth Advisory Committee
• Piggy Bank Painting presented by Pima Federal Credit Union
• 3D Snowman Building
• Christmas Tree Making Crafts
• Candy Cane Reindeer Craft
• Coloring Books & Friendship Bracelets
• Mini Car & Nutcracker Painting
• Free Face Painting

Comicbook Mobile with Frank Powers
Frank Powers will be onsite teaching kids about self-expression through comics, with a focus on art education and coping skills.

Community Wishing Tree
Add your wishes to the community wishing tree, inspired by Tucson’s Winterhaven tradition. Strips of paper with hopes and dreams will be linked to create an inspiring centerpiece and interactive art installation.

Giant Snow Globe Experience
Step inside a giant snow globe for “snowfall” effects, photo ops, and a winter scene in the desert.

Letters to Santa Station
Drop a letter to Santa at the Winter Wonderland Post Office for delivery to the North Pole.

Storytelling Igloo
Inside this cozy igloo, local authors and artists will share holiday stories and folktales with visitors.

Lucky Cat Social
Engage in arts and crafts activities with Lucky Cat Social, and $5 holiday gift wrapping.

AROUND THE FESTIVAL

Holiday Story Walk Scavenger Hunt
Follow a holiday storybook through festival scenes, collect stamps on your card, and claim a prize at the SAACA Information Booth.

Strolling Carolers
Enjoy carols from groups like the Tucson Desert Harmony Chorus, What the Dickens, Havin’ A Blast, and Arizona Women’s Chorus.

Santa Parade
Join Santa’s Parade starting at 3 pm on Saturday, led by the Ironwood Ridge High School Marching Band, culminating at the main stage.

Free Family Photos with Santa
Get a festive family photo with Santa and the iconic Golder Ranch Fire Truck, set against Pusch Ridge. Available from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm at the north end of the festival near Fork and Fire.

WINTER WONDERLAND STAGE

Saturday, December 7
• 10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Sheryl Ann McKinley: Live Holiday Jazz Music
• 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm – Red Herring Puppets Shows – Adventures in Folklore
• 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm – Kids Unlimited: Holiday Dance Performance
• 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm – Silk and Soul: Holiday Jazz Music
• 4:15 pm – 5:00 pm – Retro Swing 7: Holiday Swing Music
• 5:15 pm – Reading of The Polar Express with Chief Riley & Chief Brandhubor
• 5:30 pm – “Light the Night” Community Caroling and Sing-Along with LED Candles, led by the Tucson Girls Chorus.
• 6:15 pm – Official Tree Lighting with Live Snow Fall Show and Holiday Dance Party

Sunday, December 8
• 10:00 am – 10:45 am – Holiday DJ Music
• 11:00 am – 11:45 am – Tucson Chinese Cultural Center: Lion Dance & Fashion Show
• 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm – Ballet Folklorico Alexa Zozaya
• 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm – Mariachi Innovación
• 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm – Compañía de Danza Folklórica Arizona
• 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm – Lajkonic Polish Dance Ensemble

MAIN CENTER STAGE

Over 300 performers will take the stage throughout the two-day festival at the Mainstage and the Tree Lighting Stage, featuring a diverse lineup of holiday dance, choral music, student band performances, and special presentations.

Saturday, December 7, 2024
• 10:00 am – 10:45 am – Holiday DJ Music
• 10:45 am – 10:55 am – Oro Valley Team Dance
• 11:00 am – 11:45 am – Cross Middle School Jazz Band
• 12:00 pm – 12:25 pm – Wilson Elementary & Middle School Choir
• 12:30 pm – 12:50 pm – Maguire Academy of Irish Dance
• 1:00 pm – 1:15 pm – Saguaro City Music Theatre
• 1:20 pm – 1:30 pm – Desert Dance Collective
• 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm – Holiday DJ Music
• 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm – Tuba Christmas: Over 50 tuba players from the University of Arizona and local community members are invited to present holiday favorites. Celebrating 51 years of TUBACHRISTMAS®, a tradition that began in NYC’s Rockefeller Plaza in 1974.
• 3:00 pm – 3:10 pm – Arrival of Santa Parade
• 3:10 pm – 3:15 pm – Opening Ceremony with Welcome Speech, Color Guard, and the National Anthem.
• 3:15 pm – 3:20 pm – Town Council & Sponsor Remarks
• 3:20 pm – 3:30 pm – Mayor and Santa on Stage
• 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm – Ironwood Ridge High School Jazz Band
• 4:25 pm – 4:40 pm – Elite Theater Academy Performance
• 4:45 pm – 5:30 pm – School of Rock Performance

Sunday, December 8, 2024
• 10:00 am – 10:45 am – Holiday DJ Music
• 10:45 am – 11:00 am – Saguaro City Music Theatre
• 11:00 am – 11:30 am – Saguaro Stompers Clog Dance & Sonoran Sol Cloggers
• 11:30 am – 12:00 pm – Centre Stage Dance Studio
• 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm – BASIS Oro Valley Primary School Choir
• 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm – Totally Exalting the Anointed Messiah (T.E.A.M.) City Choir
• 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – NoethenButJazz

FOOD VENDORS
Fiesta Filipina
Filipino and Asian Cuisine
Offering dinner bowls and plates with options like chicken adobo, pork adobo, beef caldereta, chicken teriyaki, BBQ pork skewers, and shrimp tempura. A variety of Filipino sides such as lumpia and pancit are available.

Eatgypt Egyptian, Health Food, Vegan, Gluten-Free
Serving traditional Egyptian dishes such as Koshary, Ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel), Bamia (okra stew), and Sweet Goulash (similar to baklava). Drinks include Karkade, a hibiscus lemonade.

Gus’s Gyros
Greek and Fair Food
Menu items include gyros, Philly cheesesteaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, pretzels, funnel cakes, and French fries. Beverages include lemonade, bottled water, and sodas.

Lovin’ Spoonfuls Vegan Restaurant Vegetarian and Vegan Comfort Food
Offers Sonoran hot dogs, mac and cheese, BBQ “beef” nachos, walking tacos, and gluten-free chili. Baked goods include cookies, brownies, cinnamon rolls, and gluten-free crème pies.

Oh, Wow Mini Donuts
Donuts and Beverages
Serving mini donuts, hot coffee, flavored cold brew, limeades, hot chocolate, and apple cider (weather permitting).

Mafia Kitchen
Italian Desserts and Beverages
Specializing in Sicilian cannolis, Italian sodas, fruit lemonades, and customizable non-alcoholic mocktails. Other seasonal offerings include hot cocoa, hot coffee, cider, and chai.

Cooks Kettle Corn Kettle Corn and Beverages
Kettle corn options include regular, caramel, cheddar cheese, and Chicago style. Also serving lemonade and ice cream bars.

Good Eats
American, BBQ, Fair Food, Vegetarian Options
Offers American BBQ with fair food and vegetarian options. Enjoy a BBQ Rib Plate with two sides or ribs on their own. Try the BBQ Rib Sundae or Pulled Pork Sundae, layered with baked beans, meat, cole slaw, and potato salad. Pulled Pork Plates are available with a choice of two sides, including Cowboy Caviar, Cole Slaw, and Homemade Baked Beans. Nachos are available plain, with Pulled Pork, or with BBQ Rib Meat, topped with cheese and jalapeños. Dasani Water is also available.Col Mustard’s Hot Dogs / Mr. Ice Guy Italian Ice American Food, Hot Dogs, Frozen Desserts

A mobile hot dog cart specializing in New York-style hot dogs with toppings like chili, cheese, and sauerkraut. Also serving bratwurst, Polish sausages, and a variety of sodas and chips. Mr. Ice Guy offers Italian Ice made with real fruit for dessert.

Pupuseria Rositas
Authentic Mexican and Salvadorian Food
Serving Lemonade, Health Food and Gluten Free options, as well as authentic Pupusas, Pupusada, Pupubirria, Tacos and Quesadillas

Cafe Santa Rosa Bar and Banquet Native American / Indian Fry Bread
Offering homemade authentic Native American cuisine and Tucson’s Best Indian Fry Bread! They also specialize in savory tacos and sweet popovers.RAFFLE TO SUPPORT THE ARTSSupport SAACA’s work by purchasing raffle tickets at the Central Information Booth. Raffle tickets are priced at 2 for $10 and 5 for $20. Prizes include:

• All-Inclusive Foodie Season Pass: VIP Tickets to multiple culinary events and a Tucson Foodie Club membership (Value $1,000+)
• Shop Oro Valley Basket: Curated by the Chamber of Commerce (Value $500)
• Art Lover’s Prize: 30 winners will receive handmade art pieces valued at $50-$500 each
• Hotel Lover Package: Two-night stays at Hilton and Westward Look (Value $800)
The first 300 attendees to register on the email list at the information booth will receive a special gift, including hand-painted snowflake magnets, Oro Valley stickers, or mini canvas painting kits.