Click here to head back to our giant list of December events.
On Wednesdays, Dec. 20-27, 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.
Winterhaven Festival of Lights
A holiday tradition for more than 70 years, the Winterhaven Festival of Lights makes its return on Dec. 9. Walk through this charming neighborhood decorated in holiday lights and displays.
When: 6-10 p.m. Dec. 9-25
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.
ZooLights Holiday Magic 2023
Reid Park Zoo's annual ZooLights is almost here! Find colorful light displays, falling snow, festive music and visits from Santa Claus.
When: 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 2-23; Dec. 26-30; Jan. 2-7
Where: Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court
Cost: $13 for general admission; $8 for kids ages 2-14. Bring a donation of two cans of food, a pet toy, an unwrapped children's toy or non-functioning holiday lights to recycle and receive $1 off admission.
Visit the event page for more information.
Tucson Holiday Ice
Ring in the holiday season at Tucson's pop-up ice skating rink! 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 Jan. 7
Where: Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave.
Cost: A 90-minute session is $22 for adults, $15 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.
LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination
Kick off the holiday season with a stroll through the Tucson Botanical Gardens. There will be luminaria displays, 1 million twinkling lights and dancing sculptures among the gardens' six themed light areas.
When: 6-9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday through Jan. 7
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.
Creative Kind Workshops
Maker shop Creative Kind has four artsy events on its roster: make your own mini saguaro-shaped soaps on Nov. 30, embroider an ornament on Dec. 9, watercolor a winter wreath on Dec. 14 and enjoy a holiday art night on Dec. 21.
When: Various times and dates.
Where: Creative Kind, 2905 E. Skyline Dr.
Cost: $45-$48 for the soaps, ornament and watercolor workshops; $15 for holiday art night.
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.
Gardening Hour
Learn about gardening and bring home clippings all while connecting with The Garden Kitchen team.
When: 7-8:30 a.m. Thursdays
Where: The Garden Kitchen, 2205 S. Fourth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
SnO-V: An Oro Valley Holiday Event
A snowy event is taking over Oro Valley! There will be snow, visits with Santa, games, crafts, food and drinks.
When: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21
Where: Oro Valley Community Center, 10555 N. La Cañada Dr.; but park at town hall, 11000 N. La Cañada Dr.
Cost: Free to attend
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!
When: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson, 265 S. Church Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event site for more information.
Ballet Tucson's The Nutcracker
It's that time of year, Tucson. Ballet Tucson and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra are putting together five showings of The Nutcracker this holiday season.
When: Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 21-23
Where: Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave.
Cost: $30 and up
Visit the event site 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.
Festive Fridays
Trail Dust Town is hosting five Fridays of holiday festivities. Enjoy snowfall, holiday drinks, discounts on wristbands for amusement rides and a Christmas-themed stunt show.
When: 4-8 p.m. Fridays through Dec. 29
Where: Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for rides
Visit the event page for more information.
Marana Christmas Express
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. Fridays-Sundays, Dec. 8-23. Closed Dec. 24.
Where: Marana Pumpkin Patch, 14950 N. Trico Road
Cost: $20
Visit the event page for more information.
Yuletide at Old Tucson
Old Tucson is hosting a holiday experience that will highlight "the unique Wild West history of Old Tucson" with live shows, interactive experiences and period costumes.
When: Fridays-Sundays through Dec. 24, plus Dec. 14 and Dec. 20-21
Where: Old Tucson, 201 Kinney Road
Cost: $39 for adults, $24 for kids ages 5-12
Visit the event page for more information.
Sonoran Cinema at Tohono Chul
Visit Tohono Chul's Sonoran Cinema for an indoor screening of "The Polar Express." Get cotton candy and popcorn from the concession stands!
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22
Where: Tohono Chul, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte
Cost: $4
Visit the event page for more information.
Fire Show at Sky Bar
The Cirque Roots Fire Troupe puts on a 20-minute fire show every fourth Friday, right outside of Sky Bar.
When: 8:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22
Where: Sky Bar, 536 N. Fourth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
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.
Di Luna Saturdays
Di Luna Candles, known for its beautifully scented candles, recently opened a brick-and-mortar with candles and lots of other gift items and goodies. Every Saturday, a handful of makers pop up with their own creations in and around the Di Luna storefront.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; Local maker Mi Corazón de Mexico will be popping up Dec. 1-2.
Where: Di Luna Candles, 3061 N. Campbell Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit the event page for more information.
Goat yoga
Enjoy an hour of yoga and goats with this class at Udall Park!
When: 9-10 a.m. Saturdays, Dec. 2-23
Where: Northeast of the Udall Pool building at Udall Park, 7290 E. Tanque Verde Road
Cost: $25
Visit the event page for more information.
St. Philip's Plaza Market
Visit St. Philip's Plaza to shop from local makers from silversmiths to candle makers.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
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.
Planetarium Shows at Flandrau
Flandrau Science Center is hosting a month of planetarium shows, including holiday screenings and laser shows themed with Daft Punk and Pink Floyd music.
When: Various times and days through December.
Where: Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd.
Cost: Varies based on show. $12.95 for adults, $8.95 for kids ages 3-15 for some; $18.95 for laser shows and admission to science exhibits.
Visit the event page for more information.
Cat events at El Jefe Cat Cafe
Spend time with the cats at El Jefe Cat Cafe! December events include bingo, trivia, sound bath meditation and yoga.
When: Various dates in December.
Where: El Jefe Cat Cafe, 3025 N. Campbell Ave.
Cost: Prices vary based on event.
Visit the event page for more information.
Ride with FUGA
Take a bike ride with organization FUGA, which advocates for mobility, accessibility and representation for Tucson's south-side and west-side communities.
When: 8-10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 10; 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29
Where: Ward 1, 940 W. Alameda St., on Dec. 10; El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road, on Dec. 29
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
The Star Wars Holiday Special
Catch a free screening of the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special — with the original TV commercials!
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27
Where: The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Let Them Eat Cake: New Year's Eve at Hotel Congress
Get ready for Hotel Congress' royal NYE bash complete with drinks, live entertainment and a midnight toast.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31
Where: Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St.
Cost: $60. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.
2023 Taco Bell New Year's Eve Downtown Bowl Bash
Arizona Bowl is hosting a party in downtown Tucson, complete with music, a silent disco, food trucks and beer stations. Fireworks and the big taco drop will happen when the clock strikes midnight (a tradition that Hotel Congress started in 2014, but handed off to Arizona Bowl several years ago).
When: 6 p.m. to midnight Sunday, Dec. 31
Where: Downtown Tucson, 41 E. Congress St.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food and drinks
Visit the event page for more information.
Tucson's Rockin' New Year's Eve Concert
The Rialto Theatre is hosting a rockin' NYE bash including an '80s hair metal tribute and a band that promises to provide the ultimate Lynyrd Skynyrd experience.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31
Where: Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St.
Cost: $20-$30. This event is for ages 18 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.
Queer New Year's Eve
Ring in the new year at this queer dance party with DJs, giveaways, vendors, food trucks and a photo booth.
When: 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31
Where: 191 Toole, 191 E. Toole Ave.
Cost: $12. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.
NYE with Little House of Funk at Monterey Court
Connie Brannock's Little House of Funk is performing at Monterey Court's annual NYE bash. There will be a four-course dinner and a champagne toast at 10 p.m.
When: 7-11 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31
Where: Monterey Court, 505 W. Miracle Mile
Cost: $30 for entry into the event; dinner is $70 per person.
Visit the event page for more information.
Board Game Day at Flandrau
Kick off New Year's Eve with Board Game Day at Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium. This family-friendly event will feature classic board games — think Scrabble and Clue — and the science exhibits will be open.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31
Where: Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd.
Cost: $12 for adults, $8 for kids
Visit the event page for more information.
