This story was created by #ThisIsTucson and underwritten byΒ Hughes Federal Credit Union.Β Thank you for supporting theΒ local organizationsΒ that support us!
Twinkling lights, saguaros wearing Santa hats, full parking lots near the Winterhaven neighborhood β it must be the holiday season in Tucson. π
Here are all the places to see the sparkling lights this year. (P.S.Β β while not an event necessarily, the tree inΒ Oro Valley is also up and shining! Yuletide at Old Tucson also has some lights and a big tree.)Β
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:Β 6-9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday through Jan. 7
Where:Β Tucson Botanical Gardens,Β 2150 N. Alvernon Way
Cost:Β $20-$50 for adults and $18-$45 for kids, depending on the day.
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Visitors pass a series of lights near the zoo's Pollinator Garden for Zoo Lights at Reid Park Zoo, Tucson, Ariz., December 7, 2022.
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.Β
When:Β 6-8:30 p.m. now through Dec. 23; Dec. 26-30; Jan. 2-7
Where:Β Reid Park Zoo,Β 3400 E. Zoo Court
Cost:Β $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 theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Marana's Christmas Tree and Musical Light Show
Experience nightly light shows at Marana's 45-foot Christmas tree. The show includes 13 minutes of holiday music synchronized to 100,000 twinkling lights. You can walk up to the tree or listen to the show from your car by tuning into the radio station listed on signage.Β
When:Β 5-9 p.m. on the half hour through Dec. 27
Where:Β Marana Municipal Complex,Β 11555 W. Civic Center Dr.
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for food and shopping
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Downtown Tucson is home to a 46-foot Christmas tree.
Desert Nights Downtown Lights
If you've taken a stroll through downtown Tucson recently, you may notice the whopping 152 trees wrapped in twinkling lights. Over 60 downtown buildings are also sporting LED lights. Head to JΓ‘come Plaza and you'll find a 46-foot Christmas tree glittering against the Main Library. Downtown Tucson Partnership is also running a contest to see who can snap the prettiest photo of the tree!
When:Β Nightly through the holidays; the photo contest ends Jan. 2.
Where:Β Downtown Tucson. Christmas tree is atΒ JΓ‘come Plaza, 101 N. Stone Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Visitors take in live music with lights strung all overhead during the 2018 Holiday Nights, Dec. 1 2018, at Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte, in Oro Valley, Ariz.
Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul
Walk through a wonderland of lights at Tohono Chul, set to also include live entertainment.
When:Β 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 8-9 and Dec. 15-16
Where:Β Tohono Chul,Β 7366 N. Paseo del Norte
Cost:Β $20 for adults, $6 for kids
Visit theΒ event pageΒ 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:Β 5-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Dec. 8-23. Closed Dec. 24.
Where:Β Marana Pumpkin Patch,Β 14950 N. Trico Road
Cost:Β $20
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Visitors stroll along Christmas Avenue on the opening night of the 73rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights, Tucson, Ariz., December 10, 2022.
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.Β
When:Β 6-10 p.m. Dec. 9-25. Local band Znora will be performing select days.
Where:Β Winterhaven neighborhood; north of Fort Lowell Road and south of Prince Road, west of Country Club Road and east of Tucson Boulevard.
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Downtown Parade of Lights
Back for its 29th year, the Downtown Parade of Lights will snake through the Armory Park area this holiday season. Last year's parade had more than 30 floats and 1,000 participants. Before the parade starts, a festival will take place at 4 p.m. with food trucks, vendors and music.
When:Β 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. Festival begins at Armory Park at 4 p.m.
Where:Β Armory Park area, see the routeΒ here.
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
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