Click here to head back to the giant list of December events.
On Wednesday, Dec. 14, we'll publish a list with even more events. Keep your eyes peeled for that or sign up for our Weekend Planner email newsletter to get the list sent straight to your inbox.
Birth-Tay Ball
Celebrate Taylor Swift's birthday at this party for Swifties, hosted by "22 & good 4 u," which throws Taylor Swift- and Olivia Rodrigo-themed celebrations.
When: 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesday, Dec. 13
Where: Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St.
Cost: $13 in advance, $18 the day of. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.
"Star Wars" Trivia
Test your knowledge in all things "Star Wars" at this trivia night where you could win a gift card to Crooked Tooth Brewing Co. Teams can have as many as five people!
When: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13. Teams are signed up on a first come, first served basis. It's suggested to get there by 6 p.m. to secure your spot.
Where: Crooked Tooth Brewing Co., 228 E. Sixth St.
Cost: Free to attend, recommended to buy a drink or two!
Visit the event page for more information.
The Fox is as Excited as Buddy the Elf!
Once upon a time, the Carpenter’s annual variety shows and Christmas albums rang in the season with Karen’s beautiful voice — relive that time this Thursday with A Carpenter’s Christmas and enjoy the effortless grace of Lisa Rock as she covers all your favorites! Excitement and energy will really SWING you this weekend with the cool vibes of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Saturday and the hilarious optimisim of Buddy the Elf on Sunday!
Winterhaven Festival of Lights
A holiday tradition for more than 70 years, the Winterhaven Festival of Lights makes its return on Dec. 10. Walk through this charming neighborhood decorated in holiday lights and displays.
When: 6-10 p.m. Dec. 10-26.
Where: Winterhaven neighborhood; north of Fort Lowell Road and south of Prince Road, west of Country Club Road and east of Tucson Boulevard
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Tucson Holiday Ice
Tucson's pop-up ice skating rink is back for the holiday season! Skates, which begin at size 8 for kids and go up to size 15 for men, are included in the admission price. Socks are required and gloves are recommended.
When: Now through Sunday, Jan. 8. From now through Dec. 21, the rink will be open 2-9:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. weekends. From Dec. 22 through Jan. 8, the rink will be open noon to 9:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. weekends. The rink will be closed on Christmas.
Where: Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave.
Cost: A 90-minute session is $20 for adults, $14 for kids under 12 years old. The first session of each day is discounted to $12 for adults, $8 for kids. Book your tickets online.
Visit the event page for more information.
Make a Difference in your Community
United Way of Tucson helped support more than 250,000 people in Southern Arizona last year, that’s 1 in 4 members of our community given a hand up. Donate today to help us continue providing life-changing support to kids, families and seniors in Southern Arizona. Together we are Stronger United.
LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination
Kick off the holiday season with a stroll through 3,000 luminarias at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. There will be "artfully sequenced series of illuminated experiences" through the gardens, featuring more than 1 million twinkling lights, plus art pieces and installations.
When: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Most Tuesdays-Sundays through Jan. 15
Where: Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way
Cost: $20-$50 for adults and $18-$45 for kids, depending on the day.
Visit the event page for more information.
Free Third Thursdays at MOCA
Third Thursday at Tucson’s Museum of Contemporary Art is a party. The art museum is open late with free admission — and free beer from Barrio Brewing Co. KXCI will be DJing and there will be a pop-up market with Galeria Mitotera!
When: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson, 265 S. Church Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event site for more information.
Experience the magic of Ballet Tucson's The Nutcracker as never before!
A world of wonder awaits at Ballet Tucson's The Nutcracker, now in partnership with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra! Treat your loved ones to Tucson's favorite holiday tradition. This award-winning production brings the enchanting story of The Nutcracker to life with sensational dancing, lavish sets and costumes, and Tchaikovsky's magnificent score performed by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s world-class musicians. Give the gift of memories that will last a lifetime!
The Very Merry Holiday Sing-Along Spectacular
The Loft Cinema is hosting The Very Merry Holiday Sing-Along Spectacular, featuring "subtitled Santa-licious musical moments" from pop culture. There will be prizes and treats, and a Kooky Christmas Costume Parade.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15
Where: The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway
Cost: $15
Visit the event page for more information.
Concerts in the Courtyard
Head to Marana for this monthly concert series. This month, enjoy music from the Catalina Foothills Falcon Steel Band. Four food trucks will be onsite and you'll be able to snap a photo with Santa. Bring your own chairs or blankets!
When: 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15
Where: Marana Municipal Complex, 11555 W. Civic Center Dr.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
Support the La Frontera Center community with your tax credit donation!
Please give your tax credit support to our local foster care kids, children’s services program, military veterans, and our homeless population! Donate to La Frontera Center here.
Urban Hike with Bawker Bawker
Arizona Trail Association and Bawker Bawker Cider are hosting an urban hike around the downtown area.
When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15
Where: Bawker Bawker Cider, 400 N. Fourth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for cider afterwards
Visit the event page for more information.
Discovery Nights at Children's Museum Tucson
Visit Children's Museum Tucson for a free night of science and art, including story times and pop-up science experiments.
When: 5-7 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Enchanted Snowfall
Looking to enjoy a snowy evening? Head to La Encantada to see snow flurries, all while sipping hot chocolate and enjoying live entertainment.
When: Thursdays-Saturdays through Dec. 23. Snowfall is 6-6:15 p.m. and 6:45-7 p.m. Entertainment is 6:15-6:45 p.m. and 7-7:45 p.m.
Where: La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Dr.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
ZooLights 2022
Reid Park Zoo's annual ZooLights is back! Find colorful light displays, falling snow, festive music and visits from Santa Claus.
When: 6-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 2-3; Dec. 5-23; plus encore nights Dec. 26-30.
Where: Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court
Cost: $12 for general admission, $8 for kids ages 2-14
Visit the event page for more information.
Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul
Walk through a wonderland of lights at Tohono Chul, set to also include live entertainment from musicians and artists.
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Dec. 9-10 and Dec. 16-17
Where: Tohono Chul, 7366 Paseo del Norte
Cost: $20 for adults, $6 for kids
Visit the event page for more information.
Christmas Express at Marana Farm
The Marana Pumpkin Patch will be transformed for the holidays and turned into the family-friendly Christmas Express. Check out train rides, farm animals, jumping pillows, a super slide and more. Santa will be there too!
When: 5-9 p.m. Dec. 9-11 and Dec. 16-23.
Where: Marana Pumpkin Patch, 14950 N. Trico Road
Cost: $20 for general admission, or $25 with a Santa visit
Visit the event page for more information.
Holiday Bazaar
The Holiday Bazaar in the Mercado District is back for another holiday season, featuring more than 60 makers and artists selling items like plants, jewelry, candles and more.
When: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, kicking off with Christmas karaoke, cider and cookie decorating; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18.
Where: Mercado District, 267 S. Avenida del Convento
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit the event page for more information.
Queer Speed Dating
Find your next date or make a new friend at this queer speed dating event!
When: 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16
Where: Bawker Bawker Cider House, 400 N. Fourth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.
Flashlight Night
Bring a flashlight and explore the International Wildlife Museum in the dark! Only the Christmas lights will be turned on. Arrive early to see the museum with the lights on, and stay to see the museum in the dark when the lights switch off at 5:30 p.m.
When: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16
Where: International Wildlife Museum, 4800 W. Gates Pass Road
Cost: $10, $5 for kids ages 4-12.
Visit the event page for more information.
Festive Fridays at Trail Dust Town
The holiday season has arrived at Trail Dust Town! Festive Fridays will feature snow every hour from 5-7 p.m., holiday drinks, $8 amusement ride wristbands, stunt shows and train rides.
When: 4-8 p.m. Fridays in December
Where: Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for rides, food and drinks
Visit the event page for more information.
Yuletide at Old Tucson
Old Tucson is hosting a holiday experience this December that will highlight "the unique Wild West history of Old Tucson" with live shows, interactive experiences and period costumes.
When: Various days in December, starting Dec. 2
Where: Old Tucson, 201 Kinney Road
Cost: $35-$45 for adults, $30-$40 for kids ages 5-11.
Visit the event page for more information.
Westward Look Concert Series
Get a dose of funk, jazz and more at the Lookout Tucson at Westward Look Concert Series, in partnership with the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance.
When: 6-8 p.m. various days in December
Where: Westward Look, 245 E. Ina Road
Cost: Free admission with a table reservation
Visit the event page for more information.
Art Corner with BICAS
Get free access to recycled bike art parts, tools and other materials and get creative! Once you're finished, you can donate your creation to BICAS or give a suggested donation to the nonprofit, if you're able to. Check in at the front counter before heading to the art area.
When: 4-6 p.m. Fridays
Where: BICAS, 2001 N. Seventh Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, donation suggested
Visit the event page for more information.
Downtown Parade of Lights
Back for its 28th year, after a hiatus due to the pandemic, the Downtown Parade of Lights will snake through the Armory Park area with more than 30 floats and nearly 1,000 participants.
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17
Where: Armory Park area, see the route here
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Winterfest in Sahuarita
Shop from a vendor market, watch a light parade and ice sculpting, order a bite to eat from food trucks, and more at Winterfest in Sahuarita. A tree lighting ceremony will end the night.
When: Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17
Where: Sahuarita Town Hall, 375 W. Sahuarita Center Way
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
Traditional O'odham Agriculture at Mission Garden
Attend this event to learn about Tohono O'odham agricultural practices, including demonstrations and talks about traditional crops including corns, beans and squash.
When: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 17
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend with a $5 suggested donation
Visit the event page for more information.
Retro Game Show Night
Retro Game Show Night, an evening of off-the-cuff comedy featuring some of Tucson’s most talented drag queens and LGBTQ+ personalities, returns in December. The upcoming game show is "The Mismatch Game."
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17
Where: Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St.
Cost: $17.51. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.
Family Saturdays with Watershed Management Group
Head to Watershed Management Group for Family Saturdays where you'll learn about gardening "give-back services," such as pruning, mulching and litter pickup.
When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 17
Where: Watershed Management Group, 1137 N. Dodge Blvd.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Winter Wonderland with Parks and Rec
Tucson Parks and Recreation is hosting a free event for the family that's set to feature carnival games, hot chocolate, crafts and visits with Santa.
When: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17
Where: Quincie Douglas Center, 1575 E. 36th St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Cat Video Fest
Cat Video Fest, a compilation of kitty videos, is back at The Loft Cinema! This time, The Loft says it's a holiday encore presentation. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter.
When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17
Where: The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway
Cost: $10
Visit the event page for more information.
Quince Cooking Workshop
Visit Mission Garden to learn to cook with quince from local food writer Carolyn Niethammer! You'll learn about the history of quince trees and how to make jam and other dishes with the fruit.
When: 12:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: $60
Visit the event page for more information.
Santa at Harlow Gardens
Kids can meet with Santa at Harlow Gardens, plus make their own ornament to take home.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17
Where: Harlow Gardens, 5620 E. Pima St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Las Mujeres Verdes Mercados
Las Mujeres Verdes, a group of four women looking to uplift small businesses, are putting together two markets this holiday season. Follow their Instagram page to see vendors as they're announced.
When: Saturdays, Dec. 3 and Dec. 17. The Dec. 3 market is 3-7 p.m.
Where: Flowers & Bullets Midtown Farm, 3538 E. Ellington Place
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit the event page for more information.
Flandrau Holiday Shows
Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium is screening holiday-themed planetarium shows this month, one of which is a laser music show dubbed "Laser Holiday Magic."
When: Several days in December.
Where: Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd.
Cost: $9 for adults, $7 for kids ages 4-17
Visit the event page for more information.
Kid's Night Out
Drop off the kids for a night at We Rock The Spectrum. There will be pizza, crafts, games and open play such as a zipline and a trampoline.
When: 4-7 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 3 and Dec. 17
Where: We Rock The Spectrum, 4811 E. Grant Road
Cost: $35 per child in advance, $45 day of
Visit the event page for more information.
The Hotel Congress Séance Experience
The Hotel Congress Séance Experience is a live recreation of a Victorian Era-theatrical séance "exactly as performed in 1800s" in the hotel's only third-floor room to survive its 1934 fire (be prepared to go up a few flights of stairs).
When: 7:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. most Saturdays in December
Where: Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St.
Cost: $14.94 for general admission, $28.33 to participate. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.
Walking tours with the Presidio Museum
Explore Tucson's downtown area with walking tours hosted by the Presidio Museum. Upcoming tours include the Turquoise Trail downtown; Barrio Viejo; Armory Park; and Public Art and Murals. There's also a Presidio District Gastronomy Tour.
When: Various dates, check out the calendar here.
Where: Locations vary based on tour.
Cost: $25 for nonmembers, $20 for members for walking tours. Gastronomy tour is $120 for nonmembers, $100 for members. Pre-registration may be required for these events.
Visit the event page for more information.
St. Philip's Plaza Market
Visit St. Philip's Plaza to shop from local makers and enjoy live music. While you're there, grab a bite to eat at one of the plaza's several eateries.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through April
Where: St. Philip's Plaza, 4280 N. Campbell Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping and food
Visit the event page for more information.
Holiday movies at The Fox
Fox Tucson Theatre will be screening "Elf," "Polar Express" and "It's A Wonderful Life" this December. Also check out other holiday concerts and shows at The Fox, like "A Drag Queen Christmas," "Nutcracker" and "Merry-Achi Christmas."
When: Several dates
Where: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St.
Cost: Movies are $8
Visit the event page for more information.
Cat events at El Jefe Cat Lounge
Spend time with the cats at El Jefe Cat Lounge at these weekend events, including cat yoga, cat bingo and cat trivia.
When: Several days in December.
Where: El Jefe Cat Lounge, 3025 N. Campbell Ave.
Cost: $15 for trivia, adults only; $14 for bingo, reservations required; $18 for yoga.
Visit the event page for more information.
Chanukah at Downtown Tucson
Celebrate Chanukah at the 39th annual lighting of what's dubbed Tucson's tallest Menorah. In addition to the lighting, there will be songs, a light show, a food truck, crafts and personal Menorahs to take home.
When: 5-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18
Where: El Presidio Park, 160 W. Alameda St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Hanukkah Hot Chocolate 5K/1K Fun Run
Kick off Hanukkah with the Tucson J's annual hot chocolate run!
When: 8 a.m. for the 5K, 9 a.m. for the 1K; Sunday, Dec. 18
Where: Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Road
Cost: $35 for the 1K, $60 for the 5K
Visit the event page for more information.
Nature at Night drag show
Miss Nature frequently hosts drag shows at Bumsteds with several performers. No two shows are the same!
When: 5 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 4 and Dec. 18
Where: Bumsteds, 1003 N. Stone Ave.
Cost: $12, tickets available online
Visit the event page for more information.
Drag Queen Bingo
Roxi Starr is hosting at least two Drag Queen Bingo events this month!
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 at Button Brew House. 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 at Bawker Bawker.
Where: Button Brew House, 6800 N. Camino Martin. Bawker Bawker Cider, 400 N. Fourth Ave.
Cost: Free to play
Visit the event page for more information on the Button Brew House bingo. Visit the event page for more information on the Bawker Bawker bingo.
Kitten yoga with Hermitage Shelter
Enjoy a 45-minute yoga flow session surrounded by kittens at Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter and Sanctuary.
When: 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 18
Where: Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter and Sanctuary, 5278 E. 21st St.
Cost: $20, RSVP in advance
Visit the event page for more information.
Tea Ceremony at Yume Japanese Gardens
Yume Japanese Gardens is hosting a Japanese tea ceremony, known as chanoyu, in which guests will watch demonstrations on how tea has been prepared, served and enjoyed in Japan for centuries.
When: 1-1:45 p.m. and 2:30-3:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18
Where: Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson, 2130 N. Alvernon Way
Cost: $25, advance registration is required.
Visit the event page for more information.
