Free movies, snowfall in the desert and holiday light shows — you don't have to break the bank to enjoy local events in Tucson.
Here are 36 events that are free to attend this December.
Festive Fridays
Trail Dust Town is hosting another round of Festive Fridays this season, complete with snowfall, holiday drinks, discounts on wristbands for amusement rides, a kid-friendly dance party and a holiday-themed stunt show.
When: 4-8 p.m. Fridays through Dec. 27
Where: Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for rides
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. 21, plus Sunday, Dec. 22. Snowfall is 6-6:15 p.m. and 6:45-7 p.m.
Where: La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Dr.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Santa's Village
St. Demetrios Church and the Tucson Greek Festival will be hosting a holiday event this weekend set to feature Christmas tree displays, a Grinch-themed room, baked goods, hot cocoa, Greek food, local vendors and visits with Santa.
When: 3-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 6-7
Where: St. Demetrios Church, 3939 N. Alvernon Way
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping and food
Visit the event page for more information.
La Peña del SurCo
The University of Arizona's Applied Intercultural Arts Research is hosting a free gathering of Latin American folk music. Empanadas will be available for purchase!
When: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
Where: Coalition Space, 311 E. Seventh St.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
Kaden Chang takes full advantage of the foam bubble dance pit during the Marana Holiday Festival, Marana, Ariz., December 4, 2021.
Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting
Ring in the holiday season at Marana's holiday festival and Christmas tree lighting. Snap a photo with Santa, order food from one of 30 food vendors, watch live performances, shop from artisans, plus enjoy lots of kid-friendly activities like crafts, train rides and inflatables. At 6 p.m. Marana will light their 45-foot Christmas tree.
When: 2-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Where: Marana Municipal Complex, 11555 W. Civic Center Dr.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food and shopping
Visit the event page for more information.
Oro Valley Festival of the Arts & Tree Lighting
Check out more than 150 Southern Arizona artists at this two-day festival, all while enjoying performances, a marching band parade, carolers, food trucks, art activities and the lighting of Oro Valley's tree.
When: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. The tree lighting is 6:15 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit the event page for more information.
"Home Alone" at Children's Museum Tucson
Children's Museum Tucson, in collaboration with The Loft Cinema, is screening "Home Alone" in the courtyard. Expect snacks and holiday-themed activities while you're there. The museum will have pay-what-you-wish admission.
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, bring your own seating
Visit the event page for more information.
Winterfest in Sahuarita
Shop from a vendor market, watch a light parade and a tree-lighting ceremony, order a bite to eat from food trucks and more at Winterfest in Sahuarita.
When: 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Where: Sahuarita Town Hall, 375 W. Sahuarita Center Way
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping and food
Visit the event page for more information.
Signs guide guests through the paths at Valley of the Moon.
Free First Saturday
Valley of the Moon is opening its doors for free this Saturday. Expect crafts, performances from the Haggs of Tucson Dance Troupe and a donation drive of warm clothes.
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Where: Valley of the Moon, 2544 E. Allen Road
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Sonoran Snowfall
Snow will fall at Park Place Mall's center court through Dec. 22! The snowfall will last around 10 minutes, accompanied by holiday music.
When: Noon, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22
Where: Park Place Mall, 5870 E. Broadway
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Beer + Bikes
This bike ride goes along The Loop to 1912 Brewing Co. for a beer or two, followed by a ride back to Button Brew House.
When: 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Where: Button Brew House, 6800 N. Camino Martin
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for brews and food
Visit the event page for more information.
Forty Niner Holiday Car Show
The Forty Niner Country Club is hosting a holiday car show. If you want to show off your car, admission is an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.
When: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Where: Forty Niner Country Club, 12000 E. Tanque Verde Road
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
BICAS Crafternoons
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: 1-4 p.m. Saturdays except Dec. 28
Where: BICAS, 2001 N. Seventh Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, donation suggested
Visit the event page for more information.
La Fiesta de Guadalupe honors the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico’s patron saint, and will feature live music and dancing.
Fiesta de Guadalupe
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is hosting its annual Fiesta de Guadalupe with music and dancing, plus food and art vendors.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Where: DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, 6300 N. Swan Road
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Second SundAZe at TMA
Visit the Tucson Museum of Art every second Sunday for pay-what-you-wish admission. Activities include art-making, photos with Santa, performances and a ballet class.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Where: Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.
Cost: Pay what you wish
Visit the event page for more information.
14th Annual Weihnachtsmarkt
Head to Desert Sky Community School for a German-style market featuring artisan vendors, performances, crafts, horse-drawn carriage rides and activities for the kids. Food trucks Haus of Brats, German Food Station and Ukies will be serving up bites!
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Where: Desert Sky Community School, 1350 N. Arcadia Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping and food
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: 9-11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8; 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27
Where: Ward 1, 940 W. Alameda St., on Dec. 8; El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road, on Dec. 27
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Pop-up Piano Bar
Head to this pop-up piano bar where you can participate in an open mic and sing-alongs, or simply sit amid the unrehearsed entertainment and live piano.
When: 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10
Where: The Coronet, 198 W. Cushing St.
Cost: Free to attend
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.
Shyla Harlan leads the procession as the Knocker Child, the figure who asks shelter for the nacimiento, as the 86th Annual Las Posadas winds its way through the neighborhood surrounding Carrillo K-5 in 2022.
88th Annual Las Posadas
Las Posadas has been a neighborhood tradition at Carrillo Magnet School for more than eight decades. The main part of the event is a procession from the school through the Barrio Viejo neighborhood, which commemorates the journey Mary and Joseph made in search of a place for Mary to give birth to baby Jesus.
When: 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13
Where: Carrillo Magnet School, 440 S. Main Ave.
Cost: The procession is free to watch
Visit the event page for more information.
Winterhaven Festival of Lights
A holiday tradition for 75 years, the Winterhaven Festival of Lights makes its return on Dec. 14. Walk through this charming neighborhood decorated in holiday lights and displays.
When: 6-10 p.m. Dec. 14-28. There are no drive-thru nights.
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, bring a donation for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
Visit the event page for more information.
Downtown Parade of Lights
Tucsonans line the streets to watch the annual Downtown Parade of Lights as it snakes through the Armory Park area with its hundreds of participants, floats and twinkling lights.
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14
Where: Armory Park area, see the route here.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Second Saturdays Family Fest
The Play District is hosting a free family-friendly event at Trail Dust Town, slated to feature music from Mr. Nature, family yoga, bilingual story time, crafts and resources.
When: 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14
Where: Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road
Cost: Free to attend
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. 14
Where: Harlow Gardens, 5620 E. Pima St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Second Saturday at Steam Pump Ranch
The second Saturday of every month is special at Steam Pump Ranch. Find historic tours of the grounds, live music, crafts for kids, vendors selling their artwork and a farmers market.
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14
Where: Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping
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. 18
Where: The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway
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. 19
Where: Oro Valley Community Center, 10555 N. La Cañada Dr.; but park at town hall, 11000 N. La Cañada Dr.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food and drinks
Visit the event page for more information.
Free Third Thursdays at MOCA
The third Thursday of the month is a party at MOCA. The art museum is open late with free admission, music from KXCI DJs, food from Bollywood Pizza and beer from Brick Box Brewery.
When: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson, 265 S. Church Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
The Stitching Hour’s Elyssa Gerber, who is also part owner of Celestia Collective, sells handmade crafts inside the new space.
Craft Night with The Stitching Hour
Bring a craft to work on and mingle with other makers during this casual art night at Celestia Collective.
When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19
Where: Celestia Collective, 657 W. Saint Marys Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring a craft to work on
Visit the event page for more information.
19th Annual Holiday Express
The Southern Arizona Transportation Museum is hosting its Holiday Express for the 19th year, set to feature meet-and-greets with Santa, museum exhibits, a reading of "The Polar Express" and holiday music.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21
Where: Southern Arizona Transportation Museum, 414 N. Toole Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Ramon's Miracle on 31st Street
The Miracle on 31st Street Christmas party and toy giveaway has grown from a backyard barbecue to a seasonal celebration gifting toys to local kids for more than five decades. Expect a lowrider parade, food, drinks, face painting, games and Santa.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22
Where: Kennedy Park, 3357 S. La Cholla Blvd.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin uses a blowtorch to light the first of eight candles on Tucson’s tallest menorah signifying the first night of Hanukkah at El Presidio Park in downtown Tucson in 2022.
Chanukah at Downtown Tucson
Celebrate Chanukah at the 41st annual lighting of what's dubbed Tucson's tallest menorah. In addition to the lighting, there will be crafts and treats.
When: 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 25
Where: El Presidio Park, 160 W. Alameda St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Fire Show at Sky Bar
Cirque Collective Fire Troupe puts on a 20-minute fire show every fourth Friday, right outside of Sky Bar.
When: 8:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27
Where: Sky Bar, 536 N. Fourth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
The Northwest Chanukah Festival
Chabad of Oro Valley is putting together a Chanukah celebration with music, free latkes and doughnuts and a menorah lighting.
When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29
Where: Oro Valley Marketplace, 11695 N. Oracle Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
2024 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 Tuesday, 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.
Gigi and the Glow NYE
Dance music cover band Gigi and the Glow will be taking the stage at Casino Del Sol this New Year's Eve.
When: 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31
Where: Casino Del Sol Event Center, 5655 W. Valencia Road
Cost: Free to attend. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.
Explore nature through fun, hands-on exhibits at Children’s Museum Oro Valley at Tohono Chul
CMOV@TC has indoor and outdoor exhibits with daily activities and programming for kids and families that mesh with the environmental focus of Tohono Chul, teaching all about the culture, animals and plants of the Sonoran Desert!
What does "supported by" mean? Click here to learn more.
